lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

Just re-read my original thread on backpacks, again. I learned a lot from all of you, was quite entertained, and I thank you all.

An ad reminded me of camera Vests. Again, I could not find one locally. Even looked all over Disney World.

At the age of 66, I was thinking a backpack would better balance out than my case with the shoulder strap (don't know how women carry them). Yet, I don't want to be that person bumping everyone every time I turn around.

Sling bags look interesting, but do they put all the weight on just one shoulder? That's what I'm trying to avoid.

Would a vest serve me better? It could be balanced left to right. But would I be front heavy? At least everything would be where I can see and access it easily (I think).

Thanx ahead of time for all of your input. I do appreciate it, and you, all.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

[quote=lmTrying]Just re-read my original thread on backpacks, again. I learned a lot from all of you, was quite entertained, and I thank you all.

An ad reminded me of camera Vests. Again, I could not find one locally. Even looked all over Disney World.

At the age of 66, I was thinking a backpack would better balance out than my case with the shoulder strap (don't know how women carry them). Yet, I don't want to be that person bumping everyone every time I turn around.

Sling bags look interesting, but do they put all the weight on just one shoulder? That's what I'm trying to avoid.

Would a vest serve me better? It could be balanced left to right. But would I be front heavy? At least everything would be where I can see and access it easily (I think).

Consider a vest with a Cotton Carrier. Vest for lenses and accessories and Cotton carrier for the camera and prime lens.

https://www.adorama.com/ccvcv.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw3KDIBRCz0KvZlJ7k4TgSJABDqOK7q0LRKpe6hA5fVzuWMwn-gp1NaPDRTlm3CWNF3wEV9RoCmCrw_wcB

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/196102-REG/Humvee_by_CampCo_HMV_VS_K_L_Safari_Photo_Vest_Large.html

My 2 cents.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

It really depends on what camera and lenses you wish to carry. I've loaded myself down with so much gear that it literally was uncomfortable. Decide what you want to carry and see exactly how heavy it is. With a vest, I carry my camera body on a Black Rapid sling strap so it is always at hand, and no more than 1 additional lens, and possibly a strobe. That and the usual collection of lens pens, cell phone, spare batteries, etc.

With a vest like the Humvee, you're not going to be able to put your camera in one of the pocket unless it is a point and shoot or small mirrorless. I do not like the idea of Cotton Carriers, particularly where there are rides, etc and a lot of people around to bump into you.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Check the NatGeo catalog for a great vest. This vest doubles as a jacket as it has sleeves that zipper attach. Lotsapockets.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

If you don't mind looking geeky a vest can be very handy :) But they can be uncomfortably hot and if loaded down too much quite uncomfortable. A sling bag strap goes across your chest so the weight is better distributed than you might think. And it's convenient to get to your smaller gear. A lumbar pack can work for a quick hike and smaller gear. Although it's the hardest to get to gear quickly, a backpack is the most convenient and comfortable to carry gear IMO.

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

Very informative. Thanx much!

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

I will maul this over carefully. Thanx.

optic Loc: Southwestern United States

50 years in the field with 35mm gear: A good backpack is the way to go. Tried vests a couple of times --they wound up in the Goodwill hamper. Occasionally, a vest might suffice for something indoors, social or action a hundred yards from the car with time to run back and forth for what you need but in my experience, no vest will comfortably or safely carry enough to cover a day of shooting in the bush --one, maybe two bodies, two, maybe three lenses. each with protective wraps, a couple of filters, SD/CF cards, batteries and if you are so inclined, a tripod. That's for the photography. Then comes the water, the multitool, the kit for cuts, scrapes and cactus, the toilet paper, a meal bar, a bandanna, maybe a jacket and your phone. It takes a bit of prep and some trial and error but with a good pack and some critical thought regards how you load it, where you're going and what you intend to do there, you can minimize equipment changes, frustration, and fatigue. After all, if you aren't bent on getting good photos, you can leave it all at home and just take the phone.....

(Download)

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

At my time in life, I decided to park up the wheelbarrow for carrying all my camera gear.
I am just down to one small Tamrac Velocity bag now.
I decide what on the day I am going to photograph and just take the minimum equipement
to do just that.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

If you do go with a vest, make sure you consistently keep things in their designated pockets. Nothing is more frustrating than being in the field and knowing somewhere in the vest is your remote release but you need to check ten pockets before you find it.

picsman Loc: Scotland

Its down to what gear you want to carry. If I have several lenses and 2 bodies, I will also take a monopod and sometimes a tripod, for different reasons, I need a backpack. If I want just a change of lens then one small over the shoulder bag will do, as long as I have my lens raincoat in another pocket. The weather can be unpredictable and I will be possibly miles away from the car up in the hills for the whole day.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I have a vest but only use it occasionally since in the warm-hot weather It makes me sweat more

RickL Loc: Vail, Az

I use a backpack. It is the most comfortable and I don't have to short myself on gear.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Vests can be useful, but a photographer's vest stands out like one of those yellow safety vests. I got one from TravelSmith and a general purpose vest from Scottevest - excellent. It has lots of concealed pockets - all inside.

https://www.scottevest.com/

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I have one of these and like it very much because it can hold a lot, but as one person stated earlier they can get a little heavy and warm on hot days.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000283E94/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1