Are you in the market for a photo vest?

[ray_g]

Luckily I dont own such expensive equipment, and if I did, I'd spend a worthy amount on the accessories - so a £100 photo vest is reasonable for £3000 worth of gear it has to carry.

That was just a figure of speech. 🙂

 

[pcfranchina]

vest?

vest?

Actually just got back from a 2 week trip in Italy. Beautiful country. EVERYONE IS WEARING A VEST. Looks just like a fishing or photo vest. I am so tempted. Beats taking a bag everywhere. Does the campco vest have a mesh back or a full cloth back? I dont think Id want the mesh. For the price they look nice.
Any info?

 

[ray_g]

That was my observation as well. It seems vests are "in fashion?"

The campco vest has both - full cloth back with ventilation slits, but with a mesh inner lining in the back for ventilation.

 

[pcfranchina]

I guess in europe its a nice change to the "Man Bag"

 

[back alley]

i had a domke vest that i used for a few years. great for festivals or very crowded areas.
i sold it to a member here who uses it for fishing now.

🙂

 

[ray_g]

I guess in europe its a nice change to the "Man Bag"

LOL. Yeah, their "euro totes" are quite small.

I remember that black Domke, Joe. A bit long for fishing/wading, but it looked good.

 

[tkluck]

I'm afraid I stick out too far in front already for a vest. Cargo shorts/pants on the other hand work out well. Then again, the "shelf" does take the weight of a camera off my neck...
I've got a shooting box I can hardly carry up the stairs, a camera bag that need wheels and a tool box that has wheels. My reason for becoming interested in RF cameras was to avoid carrying around a bunch of stuff I really didn't need. (after a Minox side trip. Fun but not quite the thing)
The gear from todays outing is still laying on my desk:
- Fed w/ collapsible lens
- 35mm lens & finder
- tiny cds meter
- tiny Rollei strobe
- 2 more rolls of film

Whole outfit stuffed in my shorts (that doesn't sound right...)

 

[Dougg]

I like vests for all seasons, and photo/hunting/travel type vests with lots of pockets are fine for some circumstances. But I've been shopping unsuccessfully so far for a summer-weight cotton casual-dress vest with maybe two pockets low down. Something a little more stylish than the pocket-laden khaki type but not as dressy as a suit or tux vest. I do have one bought years ago at Jay Jacobs that hits just the right note, but the store chain went bankrupt.

I like some kind of loose outer garment to conceal suspenders and weapons... 🙂 Sweatshirts and warm vests work in cooler weather, tough to find something attractive and suitable for hot weather.

 

[JeffGreene]

Thanks, Ray

Thanks, Ray

Thanks for info on the Campco Vest. It is everything you said it was.

 

[pcfranchina]

Campco.

Campco.

Well after coming back from Italy I had it in my head that I wanted a Vest. Came back and ordered the Campco Safari in Khaki. Just got it today.... I honestly have never wore anything like that. It may be a little much.....
THAT IS A WHOLE LOTTA POCKETS!

 

[rool]

It may be a little much.....

Don't wear it please...

 

[pcfranchina]

LOL I guess your an Anti-Vest person.....

 

[rool]

Yeah, pretty much...
All my friends think I wear that kind of stuff but I DON'T
What do you need all those pockets for?!

 

[pcfranchina]

Vest

Vest

Well ya figure some extra film, a second maybe 3rd lens. The rest of the stuff you would take if your out for the day in the city. Book, phone, whatever.


I can see it replacing a small messenger bag but I'm not even sure if my Bessa could fit in one of the pockets.....

 

[rool]

Don't people just see you and your super silent rangefinder shutter coming from a mile away with a photo vest?
I just feel like it looks weird and make it difficult to take pictures in the street. I just carry a very small bag with film and one extra body.

Maybe if you shoot landscapes and have a lot of filters...

C'mon keep a little bag and don't wear the vest.

 

[kmack]

I have an LL Bean Tropic Weight Blazer (got a factory second from a local outlet store).
I got it a size larger than I needed and had the sleves taylored. It has large pockets, big enough for my Bessa with the Canon 50/1.8. I also sewed a few
clips, D rings and such for hanging stuff like a small kit bag with extra film, filters etc. Since it was baggy to begin with you can hang a lot of stuff in it and still be comfortable without looking like a pack mule.

I like vests for all seasons, and photo/hunting/travel type vests with lots of pockets are fine for some circumstances. But I've been shopping unsuccessfully so far for a summer-weight cotton casual-dress vest with maybe two pockets low down. Something a little more stylish than the pocket-laden khaki type but not as dressy as a suit or tux vest. I do have one bought years ago at Jay Jacobs that hits just the right note, but the store chain went bankrupt.

I like some kind of loose outer garment to conceal suspenders and weapons... 🙂 Sweatshirts and warm vests work in cooler weather, tough to find something attractive and suitable for hot weather.

 

[Dougg]

A few pockets can be handy... cell phone, notepad & pen, hanky, light meter, separate pockets for fresh film and exposed... If I use a bag, I pick out of it what to carry for the moment, and it's left in the trunk of the car.

Thanks kmack for pointing out the LL Bean tropical blazer. What did you have done to the sleeves?

 

[kmack]

Thanks kmack for pointing out the LL Bean tropical blazer. What did you have done to the sleeves?

Since I got it in a size larger than I needed I had to have the sleeves shorted about an inch. Nice and roomy.

 

[pcfranchina]

I think I may stand out in a blazer too, but thats just me.


...But if definetly doesn't yell out PHOTOGRAPHER.

Anyone actually use a vest for its intended purpose? and like it?

 

[varjag]

Anyone actually use a vest for its intended purpose? and like it?

I use vest at times, mostly on "serious" shoot. Packed crowds, protests, any place where you might need change film or lenses often, and do it in crumpled space or on the run. Bags are not nearly as convenient or secure as a dozen of chest pockets; backpaks are the worst.