The two KATA camera bags that won the award are the 3N1-25 PL and the Revolver-8 PL. Both bags are part of KATA's professional Pro-Light series designed with perfection for the most discerning customers.

The Pro-Light 3N1-25 is a specialized sling-backpack with a unique combination of straps that enable any photographer to carry camera and gear in comfort whichever way they choose. It can easily "morph" from right-side or left-side sling to backpack and back again, with fast and easy access to main compartment on either side.

The Pro-Light Revolver-8 is a totally new bag and concept, packed with pure ingenuity. With the Revolver-8 backpack, photographers can carry their main camera as well as 5 different backup lenses, and access each of the lenses without lowering the bag to the ground. Moreover, the lenses compartment opens from the side and the user just needs to spin the revolving internal compartment around its axis to reach the chosen lens. This way the user doesn't need to expose the entire compartment to the elements or prying eyes, and yet can access any of the lenses with ease.

"We are truly honored to prevail over extremely ambitious competitors in one of the most renowned design contests in the world", says Guy Sprukt, Marcom Manager at KATA. "It just proves that when you have a great design team who love what they are doing, and their designs reflect a deep understanding of customer needs since they are mostly all photographers themselves – the sky is the limit".

The prizes will be presented at the Red Dot gala – the highlight of this year’s “red dot award: product design”, which will be held in Essen, Germany, at the beginning of July 2012.

For further information and details, please visit: www.red-dot.de

For more information contact Gitzo UK at Tel: 01293 583300 or email: info@gitzo.co.uk

Enter the contest here!

* Full contest rules are available here or on the official Kata Facebook page

New Photographic Elements Covers

Water and dust are the enemy of your camera’s sensitive sensor, but we often need to shoot in poor conditions. Kata’s Photo Element cover products are the perfect solution for when your DSLR and you are caught in the rain or sand or dust is blowing around.

These element covers provide excellent DSLR protection in dusty or sandy environments. Access is available to all camera and lens controls via the two sided sleeves, and the transparent TPU (A clear material unique to Kata that will not crack or fog) enables easy monitoring all the time.

A full-length double zipper provides lower closure when hand held or on a tripod. The new models are functionally identical to our old models: Kata has updated the material to include black ripstop nylon, the signature lightweight protection material of our Pro-Light series.

There are Pro-Light Element Covers for a variety of Photographic Cameras and with the extension sleeve, they can protect a telephoto lens of up to 600mm:

• E-690 Elements Cover (KT PL-E-690) - The E-690 PL elements cover is designed for use with 4/3 mirrorlessmirror less camerscameras and small DSLR cameras with small lens (camera must have protruding lens).
• E-702 Elements Cover (KT PL-E-702) - The E-702 PL elements is designed for use with a Pro DSLR with up to 200mm lens
• E-705 Elements Cover (KT PL-E-705) - The E-705 PL is designed for use with a pro DSLR with up to a 70-200mm lens and professional flash
• E-704 Element Cover Lens Sleeve Kit (KT PL-E-704) - The E-704 PL consists of two lens sleeves; one for up to 350mm lens and one for up to a 650 lens. Also included is a one hand sleeve to access the lens or to attach a lens support. The E-704 PL is designed to be attached to E-702 PL and E-705 PL.

New Video Rain Covers

If you look on the sidelines of a televised football game or see a local news crew covering the latest hurricane, you will probably see a Kata Video Rain Cover.

Fabricated completely from waterproof materials, the cover features a crystal clear TPU (A clear material unique to Kata that will not crack or fog) panel which allows controlled monitoring and viewing of the LCD screen at any angle. It also features designated microphone and viewfinder sleeves and an overlapping top opening with modular sleeves to extract shoulder strap, mini light, rig handle, etc.

When shoulder mounted or handheld the full lower opening and dedicated hand sleeve allow easy working with both hands and when using a tripod the bottom opening simply seals closed. The covers slip quickly over a camera to protect it from sudden showers and is secured by a quick pull of the drawstrings. The new models are functionally identical to our old models: Kata has updated the material to include black ripstop nylon, the lightweight protection which is a signature of our Pro-Light series.

There are Kata Pro-Light Rain Covers for the most popular video cameras on the market. (If you aren’t sure which Rain Cover to use, use the Kata Bag chooser at www.katabags.co.uk to make sure!).

• RC-1 Rain Cover (KT PL-VA-801-1) - Rain Cover The RC-1 PL Rain Cover is designed for full sized shoulder mount camcorders, OR an HDSL in video set-up with full video rig, external video viewfinder, shotgun mic and matte box attached.
• RC-10 Rain Cover (KT PL-VA-801-10) - The RC-10 PL Rain Cover is designed for medium sized shoulder mount camcorders, OR an HDSL in video set-up with full video rig, external video viewfinder, shotgun mic and matte box attached.
• CRC-12 Compact Rain Cover (KT PL-VA-801-12) - The CRC-12 PL is tailored to fit the Sony EX3, F3*, Canon XL Series and similar models, OR an HDSL in video set-up with medium to large rig, external video viewfinder, shotgun mic and matte box attached.
• CRC-13 Compact Rain Cover (KT PL-VA-801-13) - The CRC-13 PL is tailored to fit the Sony MC50, Canon XA10, XF100 and similar models in standard configuration without additional large external accessories.
• CRC-14 Compact Rain Cover (KT PL-VA-801-14) - The CRC-14 PL is tailored to fit the Sony F3*, Panasonic AF100*, Canon XH A1/s, G1/s and similar models, OR an HDSL in video set-up with external viewfinder and shotgun mic attached.
• CRC-15 Compact Rain Cover (KT PL-VA-801-15) - The CRC-15 PL is tailored to fit the Canon XF300, Sony F3, and similar models, OR an HDSL in video set-up with small to medium rig, external viewfinder, shotgun mic and matte box attached.
• CRC-17 Compact Rain Cover (KT PL-VA-801-17) - The CRC-17 PL Compact Rain Cover is cleverly designed to fit and protect handheld camcorders against downpours

  *Basic camcorder configuration with no additional mounted accessories.

Pro-Light Minibee-120 Backpack

The Minibee-120 PL is a professional, multi-featured, on-board backpack, designed to provide, with the introduction of the Kata Bumblebee, photographers with the best carrying, storage and working solutions for a DSLR (without grip and booster) plus up to 70-200 f2.8 lens attached plus 6-8 lenses, flash and many other accessories, OR a compact camcorder, chargers and accessories. It will also accommodate most 13" laptops, an iPad or Netbook.

• Mini-Bee 120 Backpack (KT PL-MB-120) - The Minibee-120 PL is designed to carry a DSLR (without grip and booster) + up to 70-200 f2.8 lens attached + 6-8 lenses + flash + many other accessories, OR a compact camcorder, chargers and accessories.

Ultra-Light Minibee 111 Backpack

The MiniBee-111 UL backpack features a combination of technology, materials and design which embody the ultimate essences of lightweight protection without compromises.

The bag is designed with a double compartment concept: In the lower compartment there is a special padded camera insert, Cocoon Pouches and Aeriform Dividers to fit the camera/camcorder with accessories, while in the upper compartment there is plenty of space for personal effects.

When needed, the lower compartment can be emptied of the padded dividers and pouches, and the zippered partition between the two compartments can be opened to create one large storage space. A variety of external pockets will store items you need rapid access to, such as wallet, phone, water bottle etc.

• MiniBee 111 Backpack - Light Grey (KT UL-MB-111) - The Minibee 111 will fit a DSLR (without grip and booster) + up to 70-200 f2.8 lens attached + 3-5 lenses + flash + accessories, OR a compact camcorder, chargers and accessories. It will also accommodate most 13" laptops, an iPad or Netbook.
• MiniBee 111 Backpack – Limited Edition Black (KT UL-MB-111-B) - The Minibee is also available in a LIMITED EDITION version that is black with yellow accents.

For more information contact Kata UK at Tel: 01293 583300 or email: info@katabags.co.uk

• TLB-300 Telephoto Lens Backpack (KT PL-TLB-300) - The TLB-300 PL Telephoto Lens Backpack is designed to safeguard Pro DSLR with 300mm Telephoto Lens attached.
• TLB-600 Telephoto Lens Backpack (KT PL-TLB-600) - The TLB-600 PL Telephoto Lens Backpack is designed to safeguard Pro DSLR with 600mm Telephoto Lens attached
• TLB-800 Telephoto Lens Backpack (KT PL-TLB-800) - The TLB-800 PL Telephoto Lens Backpack is designed to safeguard Pro DSLR with 800mm Telephoto Lens attached
  

For more information contact Kata UK at Tel: 01293 583300 or email: info@katabags.co.uk

The aeriform foam is a perforated, super light, laminated and reinforced EVA and EPE foam – which means it provides the same great Kata protection you have come to expect, but at a reduced lighter weight.

While the aluminium skeleton, formed of aluminium alloy staves, provides ultra-light structural protection and perfect weight distribution.

The Capsule comes in three different sizes to fit whichever HDV camcorder you have, and each size also comes in black or grey:

• The Capsule-181 (KT DL-C-181 Black, KT DL-C181 Grey) is a compact camcorder bag for cameras such as Panasonic HMC40, Sony A1, Canon GL2.
• The Capsule-183 (KT DL-C-183 Black, KT DL-C-183 Grey) is designed to carry camcorders such as Panasonic HVX200, HPX170 & HMC150, Canon XH A1s & G1s, Sony EX1R, V1, Z1, Z7, Z5 and similar.
• The Capsule-185 (KT DL-C-185 Black, KT DL-C-185 Grey) is designed to carry camcorders such as Sony EX3, Canon XL-H1, JVC HD Series and similar.

For more information contact Kata UK at Tel: 01293 583300 or email: info@katabags.co.uk

For more information contact Kata UK at Tel: 01293 583300 or email: info@katabags.co.uk

The Resource-61 has an array of Kata’s lightweight protection technology that allow you to carry and operate your equipment with greater ease and efficiency. Some of these great features include Toblerone to absorb shock and keep your bag above water; tripod holder to carry your tripod at all times; and aeriform foam to provide great protection but still remain lightweight.

For more information contact Kata UK at Tel: 01293 583300 or email: info@katabags.co.uk

As an award winning product, the Bumblebee Ultra Light will be presented in:

• the reddot design museum in Germany
• the reddot Yearbook
• the online exhibition

So what makes the Bumblebee Ultra-Light worthy of this award?
The Kata Bubmlebee-22 UL features a combination of technology, materials and design which embody the ultimate essences of Lightweight Protection without compromise.

It has a specially formed, foam-encased, spring steel Spine Guard for ultimate structural protection and light yet durable RipStop fabrics and meshes. Its Aeriform foams and Spider Webbing straps all join together to create a protective yet fantastically light backpack.

The incredible modularity allows you to make it even lighter by simply removing components that are not necessary for your adventure.

For more information contact Kata UK at Tel: 01293 583300 or email: info@katabags.co.uk

The end of March will see the launch of a new online tutorial platform, supported in part by Kata, called the Manfrotto School of Xcellence, which will allow users to log on and access the experience and know-how of the world’s most famous photographers and videographers.

Featuring: Bill Frakes, Roberto Bigano, Joe McNally, Ami Elsius, Drew Gardner, Joe McNally, Marc de Tollenaere, Kristoff Ramon, David Duchemin, Jim Oltersdorf and Cliff Guy and in the UK by Drew Gardner, Phil Coates, Pete Bridgwood, Sarah Outen and Jacob James...

The Manfrotto School of Xcellence promises to be a quality resource covering all aspects of modern photography and videography. It will focus on the most interesting topics and latest features in the sector: video and photographic equipment, techniques, the use of light, and post-production processing.

The platform will offer a series of free training sessions of varying difficulty (from beginner to advanced level), designed to add to the knowledge of all enthusiasts, amateurs and professionals alike. It is just the thing for those who wish to take their skills to the next level and satisfy demanding customer expectations, or for hobbyists who want to pick up some tips to implement in their own creative world.

Go to the Manfrotto School of Xcellence to see all the upcoming lessons and events!

For more information contact Kata UK at Tel: 01293 583300 or email: info@katabags.co.uk