I'm in the market for a good all around photo vest. Any recommendations or things to stay away from? Thanks.
I'm in the market for a good all around photo vest. Any recommendations or things to stay away from? Thanks.
Take a look at this thread
http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ht=#post589576
Based on the recommendation of a long-time bird photographer, I bought a Turkey hunting vest. It is working out great! The camouflage is a must, it has plenty of pockets for my lens and other accessories, and a pouch originally designed to carry the bird that I use to store the extra layers of clothing I need to remove as the sun comes up and the temperature gets warmer. The best part is a built in cushion that allows me to sit on rough/wet ground in comfort. It also is a lot less expensive than most specialty photography vests.
I love my custom designed X-tra Hand vest. You can do a search in the Bulletin Archives for several features on them. I can carry a ton of stuff when need be. I fly in it and have never been hassled. I believe that you can find them at www.vestedinterest.com
I can't say enough about it. All are custom fitted, mine was custom designed for big lens folks by me :)
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.
Agree with Artie - really like the the ones from www.vestedinterest.com. Custom made and great features - love mine.
I was looking at these. From the website it doesn't look like "X-tra hand" is actually a model in it's own right, but rather a name for the line overall? Or did I miss something :P.
I'm thinking a jacket like this might be my "buy once, by well, never buy again" type solution for carrying gear in the field or on hikes, but I'm reluctant to pull the trigger partly because I don't get to see one in person or try it out before I buy.
Yes, X-tra hand is the brand. Mine is a customized Magnum. I found this older reference:
http://www.birdsasart.com/bn61.htm
I am sure that there is a newer reference but I could not find it :)
John Story fits you over the phone. If it is too big or two small, he will re-do it for no charge. As I said, the vests can carry a ton, and they are light. And they distribute the weight. And there are tons of models and tons of options.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.
Simon,
The vest I bought was fully adjustable and of superb quality, just email (or phone) John with your requirements and he will adapt the design to your needs.
You may look a little silly but it gets you on the plane and enables you to hike with heavier loads, mine weighs nearly 10kg's full but you do not notice it.
Thanks for the link Arthur, I read through it and it was helpful! I'm looking at the "Khumbu" one. It's good to hear that he will "re-do" it if there is a sizing problem because that is a major concern for me when ordering expensive clothing items without being able to try them on. Thanks again!
Hey Simon, You are most welcome.
artie
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.