Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

I have owned this product for several years and have used it in the field many times. It WILL keep your equipment dry but, with that being said, several improvements are needed for me to recommend it to others.

First of all it does NOT work well in cold weather. The clear plastic becomes stiff and unmanageable.

Secondly, the plastic makes the viewfinder virtually useless for framing or seeing settings within. The product needs a dedicated hole for viewfinder. Attempting to frame a structure fire in freezing rain was virtually impossible and the rain covering the plastic made things worse. Also, after about 5 minutes of shooting the plastic started to fog inside from body heat so as to make seeing ANYTHING impossible!

Third, the large Velcro strap failed in cold weather and wouldn't stay closed.

Overall, this is a decent product.

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

Build quality is great, so strong and crumple resistant. Was filming a bike race out in the open sun for the whole weekend and only needed to use it once or twice when it started raining and it had no crumples in it what so ever.

Material at back is terrible for seeing through into the controls and LCD display, only let down, especially for needing to monitor your pull focussing.

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

little awkward in the beginning/slippage but protected the equipment

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

A week in the Alaskan wilderness with rain and heavy wind put this to the test - which it passed with flying colors!

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

I use this cover when I'am shooting at the beach.
it keeps the mist of my camera.
It does a good job in the dust.
I would by this again.
Ted.

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

I used the Elements Cover on Steptoe Butte and on the Oregon Coast on a recent trip. I was able to set up in the rain and wait for that magic moment when the sun peaked through the clouds. My camera stayed dry. The controls were easy to get reach. Visability though the case is very good.

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

I used Kata-702 under rain during my last trip to Mexico. It wasn't work well with my Nikon D7000 plus 28-300, slipping off frequently when zooming.
It's stiff and bulky. It doesn't offer stronger protection than the Optech rainsleeves I've used last 2 years but costs 15 times more, takes more room and makes the viewfinder unusable. The only thing I liked is to have both palms under cover.
If Kata reads this I would recommend the following:
-to put a pockets inside for placing either cilica gel (or heating sachet or dry rag),
- improve plastic's transparancy,
- invent something to attach a strap,
- do not exceed $100 price.

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

On Day 1, rain fell hard continuously for eigth hours. By Day 3, dust permiated everything. My D700 was perfectly protected, the case really easy to use, and easier to store in my camera case. When needed I rinsed it off with tap water, and it's like new. It is also tough enough to take quite a bit of abuse, altho good judgement is an element here. The only draw back I would note is that, as a stand alone, it was not long enough for my 70-200 lens with a hood, but the manufacturer conpensates for this with extensions.

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

Covers my SLR but can still easily work the controls.

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

In a recent trip to Yosemite, it snowed ever day and night of the 5 day trip. I was using a 60 mp Hasselblad and the kata cover was just the thing! It was easy to install and use and I never questioned the protection of the camera in intense snow conditions! It's open design for use with hands and the clear cover for you to see the camera under these conditions was remarkable! The lens sleeve is equally impressive. These are musts if you do this type of outdoor climatic photography!

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

Easy to see through the material, solid construction, and pockets on both end provide easy access to the camera controls. Great addition to the camera bag, and a great investment to protect your camera and gear.

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

Works as promised, and a great, cheap piece of gear to protect your rig. Buy one for those rainy, dusty assignments!

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

I have a Nikon D3000 with a Tamron SP AF17-50mm lens (about 3.3 inches in length) and it does a great job of covering both the body and the lens.

Even though you may not use it much, you'll be glad to have it when you need it!

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

As a soccer photo aficionado, I want to protect my gear when the weather conditions are extreme (rainy, windy or dusty days). You won't regret having it than quiting your fun just for not having this protection. I simply love it!

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

i have this product since 2006 and i rarely use it. i live in a tropical, monsoon country and rain is very common. i also travel to very difficult areas to take photos and this product is very cumbersome.

the transparent plastic is not durable. i have used the product under rain twice or three times only but during storage, to store or pack this product, you have to fold it and it slowly cuts through the folds. now i have a big hole on it.

the velcro strap makes it so bulky and it is so stiff, you can never make it go around your lens. plus the velcro strap hardly sticks. not good for small lenses as well. the huge size of the velcro makes it useless. if they could modify the velcro and just use a elastic string and use buttons to strap the extensions, that would be more convenient.

and instead of plastic which is also "stiff", why not use the same nylon material as the handles.

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

I'm shooting with the 5D mark ii, which is not quite as weather-sealed as the 7D or 1D. So, the extra protection this cover provides for both the body and lens (even my 70-200mm!) is great. The price works for me, too.

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

When you need it...it will come in handy. one draw back is it doesn't fold up neat and tidy.

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

Don't go swimming with it, but the headline says it all.

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

A very good product if you don't need to use wide angle lenses.

Otherwise, protected my camera very well (and kept my hands warm !) in the snowy mountains of Switzerland...

Comments about Kata E-702 GDC Elements Cover:

I used the Kata E-702 recently at a biker rally and was very pleased with its performance. The sky started to look nasty, so I slid the Kata over a gripped Canon 5D MkII sporting a 70-200 f4L IS lens. The lens length with hood was at the maximum limit of the E-702, but it did the job with flying colors. The fabric of the cover sat about 1" back from the end of the lens hood. Only the exposed portion of the lens hood got wet. With the 24-70 f2.8L lens mounted, the cover fit perfectly. All lens controls were accessible and the clear plastic makes for easy viewing of menu, settings and viewfinder. All said, I can't think of anything that would make me buy a different rain cover. Well done Kata!