who wears or has worn a photographers vest?

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

I think I'll just lug around a block of ice and carve my own lens. There are just too many options out there.

Yup....too many choices, too much advice, not enough money, but in the end decide what fits your needs. What fits my needs might be different for someone else.

[Murtasma]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Yup....too many choices, too much advice, not enough money, but in the end decide what fits your needs. What fits my needs might be different for someone else.

So true, the back pack I currently uses works well but it's too much of a hassle to switch lens and filters which I do often. I think the only solution is a vest even if I look like a complete dork.

[prince]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Ha,ha,ha....funny.

Actually about a year ago I switched from the vests to a thinktank belt system. I use the Speed changer to hold four batteries and reporter note pads, a LC 75 pro bag to hold the 7-200mm lens, Lens changer 35 bag that holds the 28-70mm, a lens changer 15 bag which holds the 14mm and a all other stuff bag that holds CF card holders and my bussines cards. All this goes on a quick release belt around the waist. I also have a shoulder harness attached to the belt that helps hold it up. All this weight is distributed around my waist and shoulders. With the vest, the weight was distributed across my back and shoulders, which after a good hike, hurt like hell.

I remember the old days when I carried three cameras, one around my neck and on my shoulders, in the bag I had a 17mm f4.0, 24mm f1.4, 35mm f2.0, 50 mm marco f3.5, 85mm f1.2, 135mm f2.0 and a 300mm f2.8. No small wonder I walk like the hunchback of Notre Dame These days...gotta love those zooms.

Hey Jim, would you mind posting a pic? I am curious how it all works out. I am far away yet to reach this stage, but by this weekend I will grow out of my camera bag ..

[Jim Bryant]

Here's the site, I could still post a photo, but there's some here already. http://www.thinktankphoto.com/

[Bunyarra]

Ah ... too old to worry about style

I will often break out the vest if I am doing a lot of work in a small area. When doing architectural stuff, I hate lugging the Billingham bag around. The vest is a Hasselblad branded one that looks just like all other vests from Canon etc.

In it goes all my cards, lens cleaners, filters, and whatever lenses I will need for the next few hours (16-35, 24 T&S, 24-105 and 70-200). It makes is exceptionally easy to switch gear rapidly with no bending over and no dropping bags into puddles.

As has been mentioned, vests can be tough on backs for some reason and I might look ino belts sometime. But, at present, it is a great tool in certain situations and definitely plays an important part in many shoots.

If I am just wandering for non-commercial stuff then I tend to use the Kata bag.

Mike
http://photosignals.smugmug.com

[amiMaija]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...est_Large.html

I have this one in black for weddings and I use it when I go for walks on the trail anywhere don't leave home without it

[Andy Clarke]

I use a vest (gilet) that I got quite cheaply off an outdoor market in town (c.£18.00 English Pounds) and sewed on a patch depicting the NIKON logo.

Unfortunately, the pockets are not really large enough to carry big lenses but are ok for other stuff like flash guns, mobile phones, spare cards and batteries, filters etc I have also got a tool belt of 50mm nylon webbing onto which I can affix pouches etc for more gear.

I suffer with back,neck and shoulder problems and weight and distance to carry are a big issue.

[mactheweb]

Fly fishing vests can be useful but dedicated camera or birding vests are designed for the job and are better suited to the to carrying things like extra lenses. I've ended up spending a lot more over the long haul attempting to save a few dollars and not being happy the the make-do solution. Then I ended up buying something else to try again. Paying a bit more up front but getting the right tool usually ends up cheaper.

I'm using a Big Pockets brand vest. It looks really geeky, especially when loaded, but holds everything I need.

One thing to note is that with a loaded vest you will need an extra sized rain coat or a poncho to fit over the bulk. Camera bags, backpacks or hip packs are coated for weather protection. Vests aren't.

[JerBear]

I am going to look at the fishing vests, seems what I see on the net is that they are a quarter of the price of something similar that says "Photography Vest". Hmmmmmm

I wish they would make something a little more stylish though. I don't want to look like I am going to war.

JM

[sk66]

If you want cheap and versatile, consider a used military survival vest.
The Airsave (army) or Molle (navy/marine) Have interchangeable pockets and can be mounted anywhere on the vest. The vests also are sizable for almost anyone.
It looks like a vest with/without pouches is about $20 and additional sets of pockets are about the same. (Ebay)

I might have a talk with my ALSE technician....