Photo vest: Do you wear one?

[skucera]

I have a fly fishing vest, but I don't use it for photography or fishing. Actually, it is so strangely specialized for fly fishing, that I haven't really gotten around to trying it for fishing in 30 years since it was given to me. And yet, I still have it 30 years later because I always have the feeling that it might be useful someday if I ever get around to putting either fishing gear or photo gear into it. It's more likely I'll use it for fishing than photography, though.


Does anyone who actually use their photo vests have a description about how they use their vests? I'm curious, how do you actually distribute your photo gear among the many pockets? Back when I was a kid I remember stereotypical photographers on TV shows with vests and four or five cameras with different lenses draped around their necks, but I don't think those actors actually studied how real photojournalists used their vests or arranged several cameras... but it looked cool. Maybe it's time to google up some old photos to see if I can learn how they used their vests.

OK, this guy has no vest, but I'm still curious.




Scott

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

First of all, to wear the vest properly, it needs to be zipped up in the front, not worn unzipped like you often see. The reason is that the weight only distributes correctly to your shoulders if it is zipped up. Put anything heavy in it with the front unzipped and it'll dig into your neck painfully.


Vests aren't suitable for carrying anything heavy like a spare camera body or lenses, though small lenses like many RF lenses or micro four thirds lenses can be carried in the vest's larger bottom front pockets.


I use mine to carry things I need a lot, like my handheld meter, remote release, extra batteries, memory cards, phone, notebook and pencils, candy, water bottle, etc. It is very useful if I am working with one camera and lens, like my Olympus OM-D E-M1 mark II and 12-40mm f2.8 lens. A combo that is used for 90% of my work. Saves my the trouble of carrying a bag. If I need other lenses, I carry a bag, but the vest lets my carry a smaller, easier to work from bag.

I have a fly fishing vest, but I don't use it for photography or fishing. Actually, it is so strangely specialized for fly fishing, that I haven't really gotten around to trying it for fishing in 30 years since it was given to me. And yet, I still have it 30 years later because I always have the feeling that it might be useful someday if I ever get around to putting either fishing gear or photo gear into it. It's more likely I'll use it for fishing than photography, though.


Does anyone who actually use their photo vests have a description about how they use their vests? I'm curious, how do you actually distribute your photo gear among the many pockets? Back when I was a kid I remember stereotypical photographers on TV shows with vests and four or five cameras with different lenses draped around their necks, but I don't think those actors actually studied how real photojournalists used their vests or arranged several cameras... but it looked cool. Maybe it's time to google up some old photos to see if I can learn how they used their vests.

Scott

 

[Rayt]

Photo vests are very convenient for the LF shooter. There are a lot more accessories for LF such as the loupe, cable, spare cable, filters, notebook, pencil, lens caps, small incident meter, spot meter.

 

[kangaroo2012]

I travelled with a guy who carried lots of gear on aircraft in his vest. Much more than would have been allowed in a bag. His only bag had a 600mm and weighed a ton, but as it was his only bag he walked through.
Sometimes it is easier to look innocent and just walk through the gate.
I had a vest made in blue denim back in the 70s, it went well with my jeans with floral ribbon on the legs.

 

[Dogman]

I used my first vest while working at a daily newspaper. I seldom carried extra lenses and never a spare body--too heavy. I carried film, batteries, pen and paper and occasionally small flashes units with slaves. But mainly the vest was useful because it gave me a place to put stuff picked up on assignments. Things like press releases, information packets and promotional materials from commercial sources. The big side pockets were also useful on more than one occasion I recall when covering street festivals. A couple of cans of beer fit nicely until I had the time to partake.

Unlike Chris, I seldom zipped my vest. I kept it open for maximum airflow. It was hot and humid in my area--the deep South. At the end of the day the vest, along with everything else I was wearing, was usually wet with sweat. I always carried at least a couple of small towels during the hottest months.

When I was no longer working as a photographer, I used a vest for travel. Again, I carried film (back when I shot film) and batteries but I also could carry a couple of small consumer zooms or small primes, each in padding of some type. A couple of bottles of water were kept handy when walking around town or hiking. And those big pockets were great for guidebooks, maps and the other stuff for which we now mainly use smartphones and iPads.

Vests are really great because everything is fairly accessible without much fuss. Apparently more and more people now use backpacks when traveling or for carrying their extra photo gear. But to get to items from inside the backpack you have to take it off. With a vest, just reach in the right pocket...if you can remember which pocket.

 

[zuiko85]

First of all, to wear the vest properly, it needs to be zipped up in the front, not worn unzipped like you often see. The reason is that the weight only distributes correctly to your shoulders if it is zipped up. Put anything heavy in it with the front unzipped and it'll dig into your neck painfully.


Vests aren't suitable for carrying anything heavy like a spare camera body or lenses, though small lenses like many RF lenses or micro four thirds lenses can be carried in the vest's larger bottom front pockets.


I use mine to carry things I need a lot, like my handheld meter, remote release, extra batteries, memory cards, phone, notebook and pencils, candy, water bottle, etc. It is very useful if I am working with one camera and lens, like my Olympus OM-D E-M1 mark II and 12-40mm f2.8 lens. A combo that is used for 90% of my work. Saves my the trouble of carrying a bag. If I need other lenses, I carry a bag, but the vest lets my carry a smaller, easier to work from bag.

You nailed it Chris, that is why I like a vest, for all the little odds and ends you don’t want to search for. Not much total weight and readily at hand. I do sometimes travel with my Pen F (film) camera. That’s the only time I also carry a couple of lenses in the vest, but they are both small and don’t weigh much.

 

[ptpdprinter]

I don't have q photo vest but wouldn't have any problem wearing one. I am not too concerned about what other people think. I mean really? Have you seen some of the stuff they wear?

 

[Out to Lunch]

I have worn these vests for years, when I was working in countries where you can't leave your papers and other stuff in a safe, in a hotel. The only problem I had with the early versions of the vest, was that they were available in khaki/brown, only. They made me look too much like a military person. Later on, my organization changed the vests to blue. I am sure that the original version of the vest was based on a fishing vest...and then they modified it.

 

[B-9]

Love my vest.

Have not worn it in a year or so.. prolly since my last paid photo gig.

So much easier than a shoulder bag.

Mine is a Banana Republic and I believe was intended more as a fashion piece than anything practical. It works all the same I suppose!

Owned a few vests over the years. Bought a few for family too!

 

[MrFujicaman]

Nah, the airport argument doesn't fly. They'll ask you to empty all of these pockets. To those who equate the vest with 'ugly American' tourism' on par with the Hawaii shirt, I suppose you've never been out there. All the best.

Nope...I put it in the plastic tub and let it go thru the x-ray scanner. Never had to empty it. And I wouldn't wear a Hawaiian shirt on a bet!

 

[MrFujicaman]

That looks like Calzone's avatar!

I have a fly fishing vest, but I don't use it for photography or fishing. Actually, it is so strangely specialized for fly fishing, that I haven't really gotten around to trying it for fishing in 30 years since it was given to me. And yet, I still have it 30 years later because I always have the feeling that it might be useful someday if I ever get around to putting either fishing gear or photo gear into it. It's more likely I'll use it for fishing than photography, though.


Does anyone who actually use their photo vests have a description about how they use their vests? I'm curious, how do you actually distribute your photo gear among the many pockets? Back when I was a kid I remember stereotypical photographers on TV shows with vests and four or five cameras with different lenses draped around their necks, but I don't think those actors actually studied how real photojournalists used their vests or arranged several cameras... but it looked cool. Maybe it's time to google up some old photos to see if I can learn how they used their vests.

OK, this guy has no vest, but I'm still curious.




Scott

 

[bert26]

I need to buy a photo vest, a bucket hat, and work on my Brooklyn accent so I can be Bruce Gilden for Halloween.

 

[Dogman]

I also have a collection of oversize Hawaiian shirts.

But I don't wear the shirts and the vest together.

 

[Out to Lunch]

But I don't wear the shirts and the vest together.

It would be the ultimate fashion statement: the Hawaiian shirt, a vest, white socks, sandals, and to complete the ensemble...cargo shorts + the Tilley hat.

 

[Photog9000]

When I was a working pro (newspapers), I wore a Domke vest. Went through several over a 10-year period. Still have one around somewhere but no longer have the need. Back in the day, I carried two bodies (one with a tele zoom and one with a wide zoom) and stuck pens, notebooks (for caption info), extra batteries, and a couple of fast primes just in case. I found the vest to be very useful in spreading the weight across my shoulders. Today, I have just two Fuji X100S bodies with the WCL & TCL lenses and just stick a couple of small batteries in my pockets.

 

[Hari]

the screwmount leica is in the front pants pocket

 

[raydm6]

No. .......

 

[kxl]

I have a Scotte vest that I use when traveling, but more for quick access to tickets and other travel stuff as well as small photo-related accessories, such as batteries, SD cards, lens wipes, etc... I still carry a bag for camera bodies and lenses.

 

[RObert Budding]

I often wear one. I don't give a **** what anyone thinks of my appearance. If that mattered, I'd cut my hair and shave my duck dynasty beard and wear stylish clothes.

For a documentary photographer, a photo vest is very useful. If I want to work without a bag, I can fit a few lenses, a meter, and my tablet in the pockets of my vest.

I use a Nikon Vestrap. I have a closet full of them, and I buy them anytime I find one in unused condition in my size. They were discontinued 20 yrs ago, but a lot of them are still floating around with the tags still on them!

I Prefer the Vestrap because I have found that it carries gear better than any other I have tried. Others often make the weight fall on my neck, which is painful. The Nikon Vestrap carried the weight of my gear to my shoulders.

Makeover time?

I prefer to work out of a Billingham bag myself (never been mugged). YMMV.

 

[Steve M.]

I've lived all over, and never once saw anyone wearing a photo vest (outside of an old TV series). Did my share of fishing too, and never saw anyone w/ similar vests w/ lures and stuff. Only in the movies. The name of the game is to blend in, look like you're invisible, get the shot. If you look like a photographer that just stepped out of a 1955 Life magazine, you'll attract attention. If you like to do that, you gotta have your hat cocked jauntily to the back when you go into the drugstore and ask where the Kodachrome is.