Kata W-94 Waist Pack

[David A. Goldfarb]

I've been looking for the ideal way of carrying my 2x3" Technika V around the city, and I think I've found it. I wanted a waist pack, because when I met AP photog Bebeto Mathews, I liked the way he could carry a complete kit in a lumbar pack (Canon D20 and three lenses and PDA with basic photo editing functions and a cellular modem for sending files back to the office).

The Kata W-94 easily holds the camera with ergo grip attached, five lenses including the one on the camera, rollfilm back, groundglass back, rain cover for the pack which reverses to a reflective sun shield, loupe, at least 10 rolls of film, rubber hoods, filters, and small odds and ends, and I can organize it differently without the rollfilm back if I want to use Grafmatics. I could probably fit more if I arranged it without the grip attached, but I like having the camera pretty much ready to shoot, and that's about as much as I want hanging off my hips anyway.

Much to my surprise, it was also $10 cheaper in the store at Calumet NYC, including tax, compared to the online price at all the usual mail order places, including Calumet.

[Moopheus]

I was interested in that pack also, as a means to pack some gear along on bike rides. The less vibration-sensitive stuff could go into panniers, but I wouldn't want my camera and lens in there. If the Kata will hold all that stuff, it's probably big enough to hold a Koni-Omega, I'd wager. Probably too much to ask to get a 4x5 Speed Graphic in there, though...I'll have to go down to the local calumet and see if they have one in stock.

[David A. Goldfarb]

I don't think you'll get a 4x5" Graphic in there. The large compartment is about 6x7x11". It does hook up with other components though, like a knapsack and torso pack, so maybe the knapsack would work for you (personally, I don't like to ride a bike with any kind of backpack). The Kata stuff does seem well cushioned against vibration and being dropped.