Anyone use Kata rain bags or similar?
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**banman** · 12-22-2007 06:20 PM

I'll be heading to Australia for a month next year, and I think I need to invest in a raincover or something to protect from spray and the general humidity of rainforests. The Kata bags seem pretty good, but I haven't seen them in person yet.

Anyone own one, or have comments on similar setups?

**Angelo** · 11-30-2008 02:41 PM

I'm bumping this thread because, similarly to banman, I am also heading to Australia for the holidays, and I'm ordering a Kata E-702 so that I don't feel miss any photo ops due to inclement weather.

It should be perfect for my Canon 20D with BG-E2N grip; the largest lens I have is a 70-200mm f/4L, so I won't need any extra bits. I figure it'll come in by the end of the week, so I'll post up a review when it gets here.

-A

**Jayso** · 11-30-2008 05:11 PM

I dont know much about their rain covers like the one you linked, but I do have the one rain cover which came with my bag. Posting a new thread of pics shortly...

**PhatheadWRX** · 11-30-2008 06:53 PM

While rain bags ARE very nice. I just have a trash bag I keep in the front pocket of my bag just in case. I know rain bags are not that expensive, but I'd rather spend the money on something else.

**Jayso** · 11-30-2008 07:41 PM

It doesn't rain enough in southern california to really have me concerned about getting a rain cover for my camera itself, my bag as I stated above comes with one that keeps the bag and the gear within dry.
Shooting while it is down-pouring would be a bit of a pain and I can see why some situations would have you doing that, but for simple amounts of a rain a plastic bag or two, quick snaps then camera back in the bag and you are all good.

**Angelo** · 12-01-2008 10:55 AM

I'm just tired of worrying, really. I know that the gear can probably handle a few drops of rain and be fine, but quite frankly I've skipped on taking photos so many times because of some low probability of rain/snow that I just got fed up and sank the $60 on the damned thing. I could probably DIY something similar but I just wouldn't trust it. At the very least, the Kata system is a good starting point that I can hack to suit my needs.

And let's face it, it's way cheaper than upgrading to weather-sealed gear.

-A

**jjswee** · 12-01-2008 11:46 AM

Ritz sells cheap rain bags for like 5 bucks. I used it in Hawaii and the bag worked great. The kata one is a lot nicer, but my cheapie one worked fine.

**blcknspo0ln** · 12-02-2008 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by jjswee

Ritz sells cheap rain bags for like 5 bucks. I used it in Hawaii and the bag worked great. The kata one is a lot nicer, but my cheapie one worked fine.

+1. I went to a local outdoor store and bought a rain bag for like $10 and it's huge. Luckily, I didn't have to use it in hawaii, but it was cheap and small enough to keep in the backpack at all times!

**jjswee** · 12-02-2008 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by blcknspo0ln

Luckily, I didn't have to use it in hawaii,

It rained every day I was at Hawaii. I need to go back in the dry season.

**Warus** · 12-02-2008 07:38 PM

Where are you going and when? Unless you plan to go up to the far north in the Summer Wet season then I would just throw a few plastic bags in for emergencies.

**Angelo** · 12-03-2008 12:03 PM

I'll mostly be in Sydney, with trips out to the Blue Mountains and probably north of Newcastle for hiking or camping; I'll be there over the holidays (23 Dec-3 Jan).

I just received the bag at work here. I don't have my gear with me, so I can't check for fitment, but it looks like it will be a) solid enough to use for years to come, and b) secure enough for use in anything but a torrential downpour.

There's a nice, thick transparent plastic used for most of the bag, similar to the transparent material used for shower curtains. Access to all controls should be a piece of cake, too.

I'll try to get some shots of it tonight.

-A

**dmitchell** · 12-03-2008 12:39 PM

I'm adding one to my Christmas list. As much as it rains around here. I'll use it.

**Warus** · 12-03-2008 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by gongzero

I'll mostly be in Sydney, with trips out to the Blue Mountains and probably north of Newcastle for hiking or camping; I'll be there over the holidays (23 Dec-3 Jan).

I just received the bag at work here. I don't have my gear with me, so I can't check for fitment, but it looks like it will be a) solid enough to use for years to come, and b) secure enough for use in anything but a torrential downpour.

There's a nice, thick transparent plastic used for most of the bag, similar to the transparent material used for shower curtains. Access to all controls should be a piece of cake, too.

I'll try to get some shots of it tonight.

-A

Make sure you try to get to Jenolan Caves when your out at the Blue Mountains. If you look West from the Mountains I live another 150kms away. School holidays is a negative though.

**Angelo** · 12-03-2008 09:25 PM

Those caves look sick!

I'll definitely try to get there.

-A

**Warus** · 12-03-2008 09:29 PM

If your after ideas for your stay let me know. I'm Sydney born and bred and only moved to the country for workies.

**Angelo** · 12-07-2008 10:33 PM

Small review/preview up. I'm hoping we'll get some snow soon (and that I'll kill of this cold I've caught) to try it out in the, er, elements.

http://www.gongzero.com/2008/12/07/k...ents-rain-bag/

-A

**banman** · 12-18-2008 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by gongzero

I'll mostly be in Sydney, with trips out to the Blue Mountains and probably north of Newcastle for hiking or camping; I'll be there over the holidays (23 Dec-3 Jan).

I just received the bag at work here. I don't have my gear with me, so I can't check for fitment, but it looks like it will be a) solid enough to use for years to come, and b) secure enough for use in anything but a torrential downpour.

There's a nice, thick transparent plastic used for most of the bag, similar to the transparent material used for shower curtains. Access to all controls should be a piece of cake, too.

I'll try to get some shots of it tonight.

-A

Damn. Too bad you won't be heading further north. My wife and I just moved to Townsville two months ago. We could have offered you a free room.

**banman** · 12-29-2008 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by gongzero

Small review/preview up. I'm hoping we'll get some snow soon (and that I'll kill of this cold I've caught) to try it out in the, er, elements.

http://www.gongzero.com/2008/12/07/k...ents-rain-bag/

-A

How did you find the Kata bag was to use with shorter lenses? Some of the B&H reviews have complained about the stiff lens cover making the use of wider angle lenses a bit of a PITA.

**Angelo** · 12-30-2008 04:58 PM

To be honest, I haven't had much need for the bag yet. I'd imagine that it would be a bit of a pain, I'll play with it later today and see what the dilly is, y0.

-A

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