I never see much talk about them, lately I am wondering if it wouldn't make sence to think about getting a vest. I am not sure what features people like/dislike. Is there something that you would consider essential in a vest. The only thing I THINK I know is that I would prefer something short rather than longer. What features do you most like/dislike in your vest. I currently use a backpack most of the time but often like to travel a bit lighter and then find myself wishing I had brought with me the very thing that I left in the car. I like to do mainly wildlife and have recently bought the 500 F4 lens, (I can't see myself wanting to leave that behind any time soon).
Very personal subject and will get many different views
I have one made by Vested Interest. It is custom made and you can specify anything you want down to snap or velcro for the pockets. Might do a google search. That vest tends to hold lots of gear and will get heavy. Only use it when working the beach.
For most other times I take the 500 and spare camera/lens over the shoulder, converters go in a little pouch attached to a tripod leg. Like to go light. If I need to take a real short lens and some water will take a small waist pouch.
It will all depend on your requirements !!! btw the reason I can't take the camera over the shoulder at the beach is not able to keep it clean. Camera goes in one of the pockets.
When I was looking for a vest, I wanted one that was not cotton, so could dry quickly if it got wet, and also had lots of mesh instead of solid cloth so it would not be hot in warm environments. Mine is fairly old and has film pockets, which I now use to hold spare batteries. Vests really help when you need to lighten a pack for keeping under the carry-on weight limits on airlines. Sometimes I look like a stuffed turkey, but for some illogical reason, it works and the airlines only look at the bag. (Ssssh don't tell them....) I've had cameras, lenses and even a laptop in my vest so the only thing in the backpack is the 500 f/4 to keep it in the weight limit. I wish the airlines would simply make exceptions for people to carry photo gear or scientific equipment, I would even pay extra, but some airlines have really low weight limits (e.g. 8 Kg on Lufthansa to India, 12 Kg on KLM).
Otherwise I personally think photo vests look really dumb, but they sure are useful. Black ones I think look better, but might absorb more head in the sun.
As Alfred notes, a very personal subject. I know photographers who do not go out without them and others who prefer either their backpacks or a belt system.
I have two vests that I use from time to time. The first is one of the original L.L. Rue vests, it’s longer than many other vests, it is heavy empty and has so many pockets that I have to be careful not to overload it. I cannot use it during summer months without getting overheated. My wife tells me I look like a geek when I wear it. On the plus side it is easy to work out of, making lens or filter changes is a breeze, you are never looking for a place to put something down or juggling two lenses in one hand. The extra padding helps when shouldering a tripod mounted lens and it hangs from the tripod hook when you need to stabilize the legs. The sewn in straps are great for securing a second body or field glasses without hanging them around your neck.
In warmer months I use a light weight Columbia vest. Shorter, fewer pockets, well vented, more stylish (I get an approving nod instead of the geek comment). Because it holds less I sometimes also use a belt that accepts lens and accessory pouches.
Bottom line for me anyway; backpacks are a great way to move gear from point A to point B but if you are shooting as you hike a vest provides a way to easily access your equipment on the fly.
As a photographer who travels a great deal, I couldn't live without my Vested Interest vest. The airlines consider it a piece of clothing, rather than a carry-on and so I can pack it full of valuable lenses and camera bodies (no - I haven't been able to fit my 500mm in it!) and I put the rest of the equipment into my backpack. I've sold so many of these for John Storrie, that I was thinking about billing him for a commission!!
I'm really surprised that I have always breezed through the security checks and none of the security people have even given it a second look. I even had the coiled wiring from a Canon macro ring flash going from one pocket to the flash had in another pocket and the security people didn't even blink!
This could eventually change - but if you travel a lot by plane - I highly recommend a nice photographers vest!
I bought mine from the POTN shop and found the quality to be great with lots of venting, strong and well made.
Word of warning! For those of us at or approaching 3 score years, I sometimes spend more time trying to remember in which pocket I have put what object. I have solved this vexing problem however, I let my wife pack the vest and bring her along with me.:)
Hey there... I'm new here but thought I'd add another vest option to the list of choices... I have the ScottEVest and really love it (although I admit I'm only approaching 2 score years and sometimes forget what is in which pocket!). It isn't the cheapest thing out there but I can use it for lots of other things as well.
Photo Vests pros/cons
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