Kata H-14 SLR holster review
Looking for a well built SLR holster that will protect your digital SLR with ease?
Look no further than the KATA H-14.
I had been looking for a holster that would take an additional lens, with extra space for filters, and my wallet. This is ideal when on an urban walk about, allowing quick access to the camera, without the need to take a backpack off
I have a KATA R103 for overseas travel with a laptop, but needed a smaller bag for weekend use. The KATA H-14 fits the bill nicely.
KATA is an Israeli company, with a background in the defense industry, manufacturing ballistic body armor. They are a favorite of war-zone photo correspondents, due to their lightweight construction and rugged ribbed padding.
The bags like everything else these days is made in China. Quality is excellent!
Supplied all weather cover
Main compartment, showing the flap pocket at the bottom, and additional accessory pocket above main compartment.
Rear pocket, suitable for lens cleaning tissue, small maps etc
Strong strap clips!
Flap pocket to the left
Well made and comfortable strap
Large side pockets
The main compartment takes my Nikon D300 with my Nikon 17-55mm DX lens, with the lens hood extended. The H-14 would not take the D300 with the battery grip fitted. An additional internal divider is supplied.
The large side pockets are what sold me on this bag, as I can get my Nikon 105 VR Macro lens in one side, with a spare battery. The other side pocket is the same size, but I use it for my Cokin filters.
I doubt that you could fit two medium size lenses in both pockets, as well as a large diameter lens on the camera body. I have a Nikon D300 with 17-55 DX lens on the camera.
Smaller bodied cameras like the Nikon D80, and Canon 400D would should be fine with a lens either side of it.
Longer lenses such as the Nikon 70-300 fit in here fine, but I can’t get my Nikon 70-200VR in the side pockets, or attached to the camera in the main compartment.
The inside flap pocket takes memory cards, and the likes, but don’t put anything in that you don’t want to be folded.
The strap is well made, with high quality clips. The shoulder padding is cut out to fit your shoulder. An alternative is the optional KATA sling that fits through the back of the bag.
The back of the bag has a small pocket for maps, cleaning tissue etc. Above this is the loop where your belt can be attached, or the optional KATA sling strap. There is a handy carrying handle at the top of the bag, when one does not want to use the shoulder strap.
The bag comes with a all weather cover in a small detachable bag. This has a small clip that could be attached to the outside of the H-14 holster, more than likely on the main strap clips.
I have no doubts that this bag will survive most things. As a SLR holster, it gets 9 out 10, with only the, at times difficult front zip, letting it down.
All images taken with my Nikon D300, and Nikon 17-55mm DX lens.
Elinchrom D-Lite 4 studio lights and
Sekonic L358 light meter.
Processed with Phase One Capture 4.
Contact Hylton Spencer on 0725085731 (SA)
E-mail: hylton@hyltonspencer.com
