What's your favorite Photo Vest?

Rob-F

Rob-F

Likes Leicas
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I have a photo vest I got free from Fuji years ago for buying a bunch of film. I have another, marked "Humvee," that is almost the same. They both have a lot of pockets: a good thing, if you can remember what you put, where. Then I have a Royal Robbins vest--not necessarily meant as a photo vest--with only four pockets; but I can get a Leia M or a Barnack in one pocket, a D-Lux in another, and have room left for film.

I may or may not already have all the vests I need.

What's your favorite?
 
I used to use the Banana Republic ones (actually redesigned it for them in the 90's). later switched to one of the Tilliey's ones - a bit too heavy and "thick". These days I get the Orvis vest - usually hand delivered from Vermont once a year by friends.
Just like bags, vests are compromises - none are perfect. The Orvis is good, plenty of pockets with Velcro closures - which pick pockets hate as they know you have valuables in one of the 15+ pockets - but which one?
My criteria are fairly simple, left side pocket should hold 10 rolls of film, right pocket should hold said film exposed + possibly a small lens. One small pocket must have a D-ring to attach the lanyard for a Digisix + some filters.
One inside pocket must be deep enough to hold a boarding pass/passport etc. I also like plenty of small pockets for money as I never take out a wallet in public. Just stick assorted currencies in various pockets.
 
Rob- If you have the same Fuji vest I do, it's actually a Domke w/ the Fuji name on it.
I like mine, even if I don't use it that much. But partly I like it because it actually FITS! I'm on the small side, and usually even the smallest size for these things are so big on me to be ridiculous. (I got the Small size of course).
I took the fuji logo off years ago though, and have a plain black vest now.

-Brian
 
leicashot said:
Do photographers still wear vests? yikes
Click to expand...
Do people still shoot with Leicas? Yikes.

My current vest is a very heavily modified Bushline fisherman's vest that I bought for $35.00 at an Army surplus store.
I replaced the Dee rings with metal spring-loaded clips, for my light meter and cell phone lanyards, sewed Velcro onto the epaulettes to mate with the Velcro on my camera and bag straps for a 100% positive grip, and added a foam-lined collar to take the strain off my neck when I carry a camera around my neck. The vest is made from nylon and has a roll-up back panel that reveals a mesh back for hot conditions, and the usual pile of inner and outer velcro-fastened pockets to carry everything from my Passport and money when I travel to tons of film and a .44 Magnum Model Release when I'm on the streets.
It holds enough essential stuff so I no longer have to schlepp a heavy bag, which tends to lessen the strain on my back, neck and lower joints.
 
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Domke jacket/vest with zip-off sleeves. Huge interior pockets, and enough exterior pockets to carry film, light meters, a 6 x 6 folder or two, notebooks, bowling ball, small refrigerator, and a 2,000 pound winch!

Well, maybe not, but it has all the space I need, and when it gets too warm I can unzip the sleeves for comfort.

m
 
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Mark A. Fisher said:
Domke jacket/vest with zip-off sleeves. Huge interior pockets, and enough exterior pockets to carry film, light meters, a 6 x 6 folder or two, notebooks, bowling ball, small refrigerator, and a 2,000 pound winch!

Well, maybe not, but it has all the space I need, and when it gets too warm I can unzip the sleeves for comfort.

m
Click to expand...

Not bad.
But mine also holds a parachute, $150,000 in Kruggerrands, condoms, a kosher samami, six pairs of silk stockings, three lipsticks, 500 rounds of ammunition, and a Russian phrase book.
And no. Before you even ask, I don't wear the stockings or the lipstick.
At least not any more.
 
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leicashot said:
Do photographers still wear vests? yikes
Click to expand...

There was a time when wearing a vest tagged you as a photographer/nerd. These days you just look like a lost Cruise ship passenger - at least here in Vancouver. This is good as you mostly are ignored by the locals!
I agree that vest's as a fashion statement sucks - but the I have never cared about fashion - only comfort.
The ideal vest should actually serve as luggage carrier too. A change of clothing hidden in it - a couple of M's and lenses and film supply. Imagine being able to walk onboard a plane with no checked luggage and no carry-on.
I travel with a small Brady-bag for cameras, the vest for tickets/film and a 20 year old grey shoulder bag (smallish), holds clothing, more film and whatever books i want to read. I simply replace clothing on the road, there are plenty of cheap shirts/underwear/socks available everywhere.
This usually means I arrive home better dressed than when I left - as the "starting" clothing is usually on its last leg (going to be dumped anyway).
Our trip to Europe in September - I made the mistake of taking a rainproof jacket rather than the vest. Drove me nuts! Could not find anything when I needed it. Kept digging in the wrong pockets!!!
 
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Bob, yes - shoes are utterly important. Get the best you can get and wear them in prior to the trip!
I have nerve damage to my lower legs (Bi-polar neuropathy from an anti-cancer drug -Thalidomide) and shoes are now a major hassle. I have to have velcro closure as I cant bend down and remove them (air-port security) and they have to fit perfectly. I usually shop around for them and buy 2 or 3 pairs when i find the good ones.
I always liked the idea of the "Lord of the Manor" hiring a valet with the same shoesize and having him "walk" the shoes in!
 
My favorite is the I'm not wearing. I know a lot of people like them. I just can't stand them. I knew too many people years ago who thought they were so cool - khaki vest, khaki pants, blue work shirt, brown leather belt, top siders....made me want to throw up.

Sorry.
 
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tom.w.bn said:
Are you talking about the things that amateurs wear to look more professional but they just look 10 years older instead :)
Click to expand...

Or the things professionals wear because they're useful?

Billingham's Ventile vest was the best I ever found but it's worn out now.

What a bunch of fashion victims!

Cheers,

R.
 
I don't do the Photo vest, I wear work pants or BDU pants instead. A lens in one leg pocket with a half-dozen rolls of film, meter in an upper pocket with pens/change, wallet in the back, keys in the other upper (with cell) and the other leg gets shot film.
 
i did try the work pants - but didn't work for me. Kept sitting on fragile things and slamming cardoors on to them!
As for fashion - I could not care a bit. I dress for comfort and ease of access. Just like with cameras - it has to fit my style of work. If all your pants are black and most of your shirts are black too - mix and match in the morning is easy.
 
Tom: you mentioned your cancer during the annual meeting in St. Louis. Is it cured, or in remission, or what? I had a bout with cancer in 2005. It was in a lymph node. The doctors figured out that it was "ectopic," meaning that it was a misplaced bit of tissue, there from birth, and since it was completely encapsulated in the gland, and they got it all, I didn't have to have more lymph nodes removed. I'm going tomorrow for my five year followup PET scan. How are you doing?
 
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