Photo Vest

[highlandpiper]

I don't see much mention of photo vests here. I have never used one but lately find myself wondering if I should. So, the question is....do you use a vest and if so, what do you like/dislike about it, what would you change, what are the most/least useful features. I shoot mainly wildlife but anything after that. I often carry a back pack but sometimes don't want to bother, which means I am sometimes not carrying a lens I wish I had, which has me looking into this. Do you fine a vest useful?

Thanks

[nicshow]

Yes, especially for carrying one or two lenses, filters, cable releases, snack bars, etc. They can be a great alternative to bags when you are sure you won't need to have access to all the stuff in your bag!

Nic

[bohdank]

Ya, I'm looking for one at the moment... something I can comfortably and safely carry a couple of short to moderate length lenses in.

More often than not I don't need everything in my backpack, when I go out to shoot.

[FlyingPhotog]

My vest is one of the best "gear" purchaes I've ever made...
(Besides which, Chicks dig 'em...) ;)

[johnstoy]

Our own POTN store sells vests... check 'em out... The link is on top of this page...

P.O.T.N. SUPPORT SHOP IS OPEN, check it out now!

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

[ed rader]

My vest is one of the best "gear" purchaes I've ever made...
(Besides which, Chicks dig 'em...) ;)


Jay -- which vest do you use?

ed rader

[FlyingPhotog]

Jay -- which vest do you use?

ed rader

Domke PhoTOGS...

More pockets than a crooked politician! ;)

[Joshua14321]

I agree,

Try The POTN vest :D

Joshh ;)

[photoguy6405]

I bought one of the POTN vests and it was a great purchase. I don't feel like I'm lugging stuff around when I wear it.

[ed rader]

I bought one of the POTN vests and it was a great purchase. I don't feel like I'm lugging stuff around when I wear it.


which one did you get? i need a vest that will allow me to carry a 1d body in one of the front pockets and the 24-70L or 70-200L f4 IS in the other front pocket.

i also need a back pocket big enough to carry a fleece or a rain jacket. the domke vest is very nice but it's heavy (too warm for california).

ed rader

[Eldorf_Dragonsbane]

I have the P.O.T.N. Safari Photographers vest on order (it is actually in transit for delivery right now and should be delivered either possibly today, tomorrow or Monday depending on the US Postal Service). I already am anxiously awaiting the vest to arrive so that I can use it. i am hoping to go out on a 30 mile, 3 1/2 day hike/camping trip next month, and I want to bring my camera along but dont want to have to lug my camera bag around with me, even though I wont have any other gear to carry since all our gear is going to be traveling ahead of us so that when we arrive at the camp the site will already be set up for us.

If I get to go out on this hike (might now be able to due to work schedule) I will get photos.

[thebishopp]

I use a 5.11 vest as well as a Humvee photo vest. The 5.11 is better made but the Humvee is geared more towards camera gear. Because the 5.11 is heavier I wind up using it during the winter months.

[stathunter]

Do you guys where black shoes and white socks with your fashionable photo vests? :)

[advaitin]

I've got three or four vests hanging in my closet. The one I've used the longest and the most is the Domke and it is the second one I've had.

The next most used is the black Pelican vest which has some padding in the two front pockets making it good for temporary carrying of lenses. Unfortunately, one of the inside pockets has already started to rip. I think I will have a leather strip sewn onto the edges of those pockets to prevent that.

Then there is a double duty hunting vest with a game pocket that carries more stuff than all of them put together, which I use for a shooting range jacket and the occasional photo outing--but proved really useful when I went to a product convention and was able to stuff in all the catalogs and brochures in the back game pocket.

Next is the SEV travel/photo vest which has more little pockets than you can even guess and all of them inside the shell. I traveled through Europe for four months with it. Fortunately it was colder weather and the vest was comfortable. I think it would be too warm for summer wear in a hot climate. Its back pocket will hold a 17" laptop, however--but you need a neoprene sleeve for padding.

Last is a nylon light weight vest I found at a state park gift shop. It looks pretty much like the Safari offering here at POTN. I hardly ever wear it. It hangs too tightly against the back of my neck, nylon-even with netting seems sticky in warm weather. and epaulets that are on the outward edge of the shoulder are no better than not having epaulets at all. Far better to keep heavy straps centered is a leather pad or a big coat button sewn about halfway up the shoulder--that will prevent strap slippage.

Last is my wife's vest, better that the Domke, which she uses for travel, an LL Bean Photo/travel vest, but I don't think they carry it anymore.

In my opinion, the perfect photo vest has not yet been made. That vest will have a yoke designed to spread weight across the shoulders rather than high on the neck. A strap-stopper on the middle of padded shoulders rather than epaulets, and a thick or rolled collar (possibly with a collapsible hood inside) that prevents a strap hung around the neck from riding over the collar and chafing your skin. All pockets will have a thin layer of padding and velcro strip that allow for holding lenses upright in the pockets.

[5Dmaniac]

The vest you get heavily depends on the climate you want to use it in. I find most vests too hot for Arizona - esp. for outdoor shoots. I use the very inexpensive Humvee combat vest (goes for about $30 or so). It has lots of mesh and allows for better airflow. If I lived in colder cimates, I would probably get one of the Domke vests.

I am one of those guys who does not care one bit how I look like when I am out shooting. A vest is extremely practical for all kinds of stuff, not just to store your lenses. I carry batteries, CF cards, remote cable releases, a pocket knife, lens-pen, filters, micro fiber cloth, levels (the one that slip in the hotshoe), etc. in mine.

[ClickClick]

I go and shoot with 2 bodies mostly, 17-50 2.8 and 70-300 IS. I wish I could find something to allow me to carry BOTH comfortably all day along with my flash and fisheye.

I haven't seen a vest (yet) that I could cram an entire body/lens setup down in the pockets.

[advaitin]

Do you guys where black shoes and white socks with your fashionable photo vests? :)

Adorama sells a photographers tux vest for those occasions when the shooter needs to blend in.

[stathunter]

Adorama sells a photographers tux vest for those occasions when the shooter needs to blend in.

You are definitely a hard core vest guy! :) ---Personally I prefer the commando look of ThinkTank Change up--- grrrrrrr