photographer's vest.......

[ed rader]

i'm thinking about getting a photographer's vest for an upcoming trip. i need to get a vest of some sort anyway as an underlayer for the early morninng game drives and i'm thinking i may as well get a photographer's vest even tho i usually don't like garments with lots of pockets.

so which vests to you guys use and why?

thanx :D!

ed rader

[neil_r]

A POTN one form here

http://www.procameragear.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=30

[BradT0517]

I have always looked at getting the POTN safari vest. However I decided to wait until I get a pair of knee pads, a second camera, and a 300 or 400. That way I can use the vest as the cherry on top of the sunday of nerdiness.:p

All in all I have heard alot of good review about the domke vests.

[ed rader]

A POTN one form here

http://www.procameragear.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=30

that's certainly one i'm considering :D!


ed rader

[condyk]

Waste of time IMO ... I have the POTN one without the badges and it is good for what it is but I've never used it. You really need a fleece for early drives or your arms will freeze in an open vehicle.

[ed rader]

Waste of time IMO ... I have the POTN one without the badges and it is good for what it is but I've never used it. You really need a fleece for early drives or your arms will freeze in an open vehicle.

i've got this:

http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=AL5C

plus i'll be wearing long underwear.

you think i also need a fleece?

ed rader

[crn3371]

Ed, do a quick search, as I seem to remember Blonde doing a good hands-on vest review a while back.

[BradT0517]

Ed, do a quick search, as I seem to remember Blonde doing a good hands-on vest review a while back.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=251378

He did a really good review in my opinion, in fact this review is what causes me to want this vest.

[ed rader]

thanx guys....i remember that review :D.

ed rader

[umbra]

This is the one that I have. It has zip off sleeves for extra warmth:

http://www.rothco.com/general/index.cfm/fuseaction/itemdetail/item/673/subcat/9/prodid/114/from/left

If there was a POTN one of these I would get one.

[Jon]

I use the Domke Photo Jacket, which also has zip-off sleeves. Coupled with a light fleece, it's good for down to around 20 F, yet with the sleeves off it's as comfortable as any of my other photo vests (including the POTN one) in heat.

[gjman]

Here is my take on photo vest. It's a very good accessory to keep all you stuff handy (like Blonde's review pics) but its been my experience that it works great for small stuff like filters/cokin filter holders, cf cards, water bottle etc BUT not for carry around your precious L lenses.

Second, its NOT an insulating clothing. Goto Walmart and pick up a fishing vest for a whopping $15 thats 1-2 sizes bigger than your T-shirt size so that when its really cold you can actually wear good insulating stuff and wear the vest on top of it all (thats why 1-2 sizes bigger). If you bought one that insulated you then you need ANOTHER one when its frigging HOT out there, the walmart fishing vest works great in any weather and with any clothing.

Finally, you can customize it like this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/gjman/CanonVest.jpg

[blonde]

i love my POTN vest and still use every time i shoot. btw, in the winter i wear it over my fleece and it works great...

[condyk]

i've got this: http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=AL5C plus i'll be wearing long underwear. you think i also need a fleece?


I'm not sure when you're going, but the sensible thing to do is check the temperatures early morning for where you'll be and also know the kinds of vehicles you'll be in.

I learnt my lesson on my first drive in an open vehicle. I have never been so cold and that was in Namibia! I had a t-shirt and light zipper jacket because I was used to self drive in my 4x4. We set off around 5.30am and the sun soon began to rise and was very bright but it was still freezing the whole 3 hours. The cold and wind went right through me - it was Hell and there's no turning back. On my usual trips we just jump in the vehicle and put the heat on and soon warm up. But they are in enclosed 4x4's not open safari vehicles. I am pretty certain you will be in open vehicles.

So, layers is the way to go IMO. A t-shirt or short sleeved cotton shirt (better IMO), fleece and something light/windproof over the top. If you have a t-shirt/shirt and then the safari vest on top then you will be too hot IMO later on/for most of the day. You could wear it on top of your layers early morning and then take it off during the rest of the day, but then it kinda defeats the object. I just dunno what you are gonna use all them pockets for. If you ain't using the pockets then why take space in your luggage with it? I see how on a hike it could be very useful but on a drive you basically need your 100-400mm, beanbag and a pocket for CF cards. I'd then much rather have a small, light bag with say a wide angle and some ND Grads, plus my passport/cash/tickets/etc. always kept in a discrete bum bag that never leaves me unless I have access to a room safe. But the vest can serve the same purpose. Personal preference. But a small bag and bum bag you can carry around all day while a vest ya really gotta wear it ... and overheat. I don't like moving things around much when I am on the road. Everything in its place and so easy to check and find stuff.

I'm really not sure about the long underwear. Makes me think of the tobacco chewin' old guys you always get in John Wayne movies :lol::lol: I think you'll get very hot unless you change when you get back. That would work well.

http://www.buzzdns.com/guide.jpg

Anyway, here is what the guide wore on that freezing early morning game drive ... as you can see even he was cold and you can see the bright sunlight in the background! That vehicle is pretty typical of what you will use on game drives, give or take.

[ed from pa]

Ed, look at Cabela's catolog or in store. They have great vests with plenty of pockets.:lol:

[ed rader]

Ed, look at Cabela's catolog or in store. They have great vests with plenty of pockets.:lol:


thanx Ed ---:D.

ed

[ed rader]

I'm not sure when you're going, but the sensible thing to do is check the temperatures early morning for where you'll be and also know the kinds of vehicles you'll be in.

I learnt my lesson on my first drive in an open vehicle. I have never been so cold and that was in Namibia! I had a t-shirt and light zipper jacket because I was used to self drive in my 4x4. We set off around 5.30am and the sun soon began to rise and was very bright but it was still freezing the whole 3 hours. The cold and wind went right through me - it was Hell and there's no turning back. On my usual trips we just jump in the vehicle and put the heat on and soon warm up. But they are in enclosed 4x4's not open safari vehicles. I am pretty certain you will be in open vehicles.

So, layers is the way to go IMO. A t-shirt or short sleeved cotton shirt (better IMO), fleece and something light/windproof over the top. If you have a t-shirt/shirt and then the safari vest on top then you will be too hot IMO later on/for most of the day. You could wear it on top of your layers early morning and then take it off during the rest of the day, but then it kinda defeats the object. I just dunno what you are gonna use all them pockets for. If you ain't using the pockets then why take space in your luggage with it? I see how on a hike it could be very useful but on a drive you basically need your 100-400mm, beanbag and a pocket for CF cards. I'd then much rather have a small, light bag with say a wide angle and some ND Grads, plus my passport/cash/tickets/etc. always kept in a discrete bum bag that never leaves me unless I have access to a room safe. But the vest can serve the same purpose. Personal preference. But a small bag and bum bag you can carry around all day while a vest ya really gotta wear it ... and overheat. I don't like moving things around much when I am on the road. Everything in its place and so easy to check and find stuff.

I'm really not sure about the long underwear. Makes me think of the tobacco chewin' old guys you always get in John Wayne movies :lol::lol: I think you'll get very hot unless you change when you get back. That would work well.

http://www.buzzdns.com/guide.jpg

Anyway, here is what the guide wore on that freezing early morning game drive ... as you can see even he was cold and you can see the bright sunlight in the background! That vehicle is pretty typical of what you will use on game drives, give or take.

the temperature range will be 40s to hi 60s....we are going to south africa in july. the safari recommends long underwear or sweatsuits as sleepwear....obviously the weight of sweats makes them a no-go :D.

the underwear are silk and very light. the tops look like lightweight, zippered shirts (green, black).

the shell i'm getting will be pretty warm. i figure in the a.m. i can wear a long underwear top and maybe a vest under the wind shell. i'll also have a couple of longsleeve shirts with me and a might take a pair of polypro arm warmers that i use for cycling.

i am ambivalent about a photograher's vest because in the past too many pockets just doesn't work for me :D.

ed rader

[Rudy M.]

I like that dude's fleece! It would go over big at the ski area I patrol at! I think photo vests are a waste of fabric--there is no protection for today's large lenses. I would rather dress for the wx and use a Lowepro street & field system--it will fit over cold wx clothing as well as hot wx clothing. Or a pack such as Slingshot 300AW, or something bigger if you have to haul everything you own!

[Tapeman]

Domke mesh backed, over sized to fit over a warm layer works for me.

[JohnJ80]

http://www.vestedinterest.com/still.htm

that's what I'd do. Where you are going and what you are doing, you can't afford gear failure.

J.

[RPCrowe]

I have a fishing vest but I don't really like it for photography. Besides, I usually leave this vest set up with many of the little items I use when fly fishing.

I use a Domke Photographers vest and I really like it. However, it does take some organization. The vest has so many darned pockets that it is easy to "lose" a small item like a camera battery in one of those pockets.

I keep items like a pen and pad, a penlight flash and various other small, but needed items, in the vest at all times. It is easy, however, to overload the vest and be weighted down with unnecessary items.

One thing that I like about the vest is that I can carry various brochures which I may pick up in the course of my photography. I will often use these brochures to help identify the subjects or objects I have photographed or to write an article regarding the subjects.

It is not uncomfortable to wear this vest in hotter climates, yet the vest does give some bit of protection when it is cooler.

[ed rader]

i ordered most of the clothes i will take from sierra trading post and i got the order today. extremely happy with what i bought and the deep discount.

the shirts and pants have plenty of pockets. i'm going to pass on the vest for now :D.

ed rader

[condyk]

I think a pre-safari fashion shoot is required Ed ;-)