What is the purpose of a photographer's vest?

Do you use a vest to carry a lens or lenses, filters, extra batteries, film (oops, wrong forum), tripod, lunch or what? Or just to look the part? LOL.

I just read some old threads doing a search on this subject and this group owns some fantastic gear.

But just wondering about the vest on the off chance ya'll convince me I need one.

Jake

I don't know how people could get by without one, I think it's a must-have item. Very handy for everything, I keep a Tcon, compass, matches, lens/camera field cleaning kit, notepad & pen, couple of torches, many spare batteries, spare CF cards, different eye pieces, maps, tools/knife (leatherman type multi-purpose tool), wide-angle or macro lens sometimes. lol everything that doesn't fit into my backpack. Pretty much anything I may need quickly without having to take my back-pack off to grab at things.

I'm not always in a good position (ever try to get things out of a pack on your back when in dense scrub, in water thick with reeds or up in a dang tree ? lol) to take my pack off and fiddle looking for things. Also when I'm as close to my subjects as I get I don't think such a large range of movements would be good. And lastly, I think of the ease and time saved just getting that battery or memory card right out of my pocket in a split second so I don't miss the shoot I'm after.

To be honest, I think my vest has helped me get at least half my shots by not having to mess about. I couldn't be without one, the question should be what can't you use a photog vest for lol. Heck mine's even saved my camera from the rain and mud a few times.

This forum sales them: http://www.procamerage​ar.com/potn/vest1.html
Help the cause proceed help maintain this site.

I would use one to carry my Marlboro Lights, lighter, M&M's, and back in the day, a pint of booze du jour! Oh, and my camera stuff, too.

smoking decreases the value of ones equipment...

I can't live without it. Most of the times I use mine even for carrying heavy stuff like the 100-400 or the 70-200 2,8. I just do not like bags, so the vest really helps a lot. Also, at least for me, it helps distributing the weight.

The only time I don't wear one is when it is so cold I have to wear multiple layers of clothing and a water/windproof outer jacket (like today). It is a good investment (excuse the pun) for photographers who need to have all the bits and pieces they need on the job ready to hand.

Photographer's vests are are a very hand way to carry an extra lens and some usefull accessories without having to lug a bag full of equipment around.

Also, judging from some of the people I saw in Jasper this fall, vests are a fashion necessity for wannabes who buy big lenses and stand next to the highway in national parks while taking some rather mundane pictures and trying to look like professional photographers.

To make them look cool?

I did not realize that the vest would hold such a large lens.

Guess I'll have to visit the POTN Support shop.

Jake

tiefelj wrote:
I did not realize that the vest would hold such a large lens.

Guess I'll have to visit the POTN Support shop.

Jake

Support?? Maybe that's how it will hold such a large lens???

johnnybfan wrote:
Support?? Maybe that's how it will hold such a large lens???

Good catch.
But, sheesh, that's what is says at the top of my screen.
Maybe Pekka should change the name to: Official POTN Merchandise.

It's because your purchases go towrads funding support for the Forum....

Or becuase anyone with "LChoholism" so bad they need there POTN Gear fix twice weekly needs a support group

I love my vest. I shoot a lot of festivals and events, so it's a great way to carry extra gear (including lenses).

I saw a pic of a lowepro belt harness thingy with a DSLR hanging from it, but I never thought they could hold a 70-200 F2.8! I'm considering one for weddings, but I just use a backpack and keep the bag somewhere handy.