Photographers Vest: Although I like my backpack to store and carry my equipment, I often really need just 2 or 3 lenses and a few accessories for a short term excursion and the...

bobgreen Loc: Maryland

Although I like my backpack to store and carry my equipment, I often really need just 2 or 3 lenses and a few accessories for a short term excursion and the backpack is just to bulky. I use a Nikon d7100 with my largest lens being a Nikon 70-300mm FX. I'm thinking a vest of some sort would be ideal to carry a few lenses, water, snacks, etc.

I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

bobgreen wrote:

Although I like my backpack to store and carry my equipment, I often really need just 2 or 3 lenses and a few accessories for a short term excursion and the backpack is just to bulky. I use a Nikon d7100 with my largest lens being a Nikon 70-300mm FX. I'm thinking a vest of some sort would be ideal to carry a few lenses, water, snacks, etc.

I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Damned, I cannot say 'ask Bob', you are one....

Anyway 'Bob', the other might give you some idea of what is good. (rmalaz) has published his army green vest several times and he must have had that thing for a couple of years. Since he treks in the desert... He is your guy. Ask him in PM maybe.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Looks like a long time for Maryland to see desert conditions.

Leitz Loc: Solms

bobgreen wrote:

Although I like my backpack to store and carry my equipment, I often really need just 2 or 3 lenses and a few accessories for a short term excursion and the backpack is just to bulky. I use a Nikon d7100 with my largest lens being a Nikon 70-300mm FX. I'm thinking a vest of some sort would be ideal to carry a few lenses, water, snacks, etc.

I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Assuming your Google search for Photographer's Vest turned up nothing, try this:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Water+and+snack+vest&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-Address&ie=&oe=&gws_rd=ssl

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Look for a fly fishing vest Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

bobgreen wrote:

Although I like my backpack to store and carry my equipment, I often really need just 2 or 3 lenses and a few accessories for a short term excursion and the backpack is just to bulky. I use a Nikon d7100 with my largest lens being a Nikon 70-300mm FX. I'm thinking a vest of some sort would be ideal to carry a few lenses, water, snacks, etc.

I'd appreciate any suggestions!

I use my insulated winter vest cause it has two inside deep pockets in it that hold my lenses. All of my PHOTOGRAPHERS VESTS hang in a closet unused cause they offer no padded protection for my lenses and those vests would sway from side to side when I walked.

EmilMiller Loc: Miramar, FL

Domke makes a very nice vest as well as pretty good bags. Just do a google search for Domke vests.

BJW

Check out ScotteVest. I got a couple of them from there. Also, try TravelSmith.

Shutterbug57

I have a photographer’s vest that I have had for ~25 years. Lenses have increased in diameter of the object lens to the point that the vest won’t hold some of my newer lenses.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

bobgreen wrote:

Although I like my backpack to store and carry my equipment, I often really need just 2 or 3 lenses and a few accessories for a short term excursion and the backpack is just to bulky. I use a Nikon d7100 with my largest lens being a Nikon 70-300mm FX. I'm thinking a vest of some sort would be ideal to carry a few lenses, water, snacks, etc.

I'd appreciate any suggestions!

I have a travelers vest I picked up in an outdoor retailer, enough pockets for me, I'd also suggest a fisherman's vest if larger pockets are required, both are more reasonable than 'photographers' vests.

Kimchee

How about a Think Tank belt and lens pouches? That way all you have to do is reach down and grab your gear. I use them for event photography but I think it would work great for a short hike as well. I often put a bottle of water in one of my lens pouches. Energy bars too. :)

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I have a vest and rarely use it. It is hot unloaded and heavy and hot when loaded, not to mention geeky looking. All that you need to complete the picture is shorts with black shoes and long knee socks :) I would opt for a belt with pouches or a waist pack from Think Tank. Some of the other waist packs tend to be too shallow.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

suntouched wrote:

I have a vest and rarely use it. It is hot unloaded and heavy and hot when loaded, not to mention geeky looking. All that you need to complete the picture is shorts with black shoes and long knee socks :) I would opt for a belt with pouches or a waist pack from Think Tank. Some of the other waist packs tend to be too shallow.

I imagine your locals are warmer than mine but I find the vest quite comfortable, open I get air closed it's just enough to take the chill off, also good layered under a jacket, every body is different, I have and use lumbar packs, based on my use of them I'd vote for the vest rather than the belt system, I find belt pouches and lumbar packs frequently get in the way, Bob

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I just buy cheap fishing vests at Walmart or Big 5 Sports....

But they generally don't have pockets large enough for lenses.

You might check out what Lowepro offers... They have a modular vest and waist belt, where you can pick and choose the lens cases and pockets you want to hang on it.

https://www.lowepro.com/sfseries

I don't know if they still offer it, but I have a lighter/simpler set of Lowepro shoulder straps and the technical waist belt. I use that with several different pouches and cases to carry my macro gear.

Setting up one of these is relatively expensive, but Lowepro stuff is very well made and should last for many, many years. (In comparison, my Walmart fishing vests wear out in a year or two and need to be replaced.) I've used some Lowepro backpacks and shoulder bags for around 20 years. While they look "well used", they still work fine. I had a zipper get damaged on one of the modular lens cases of a shoulder bag. But I only needed to replace that part.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

suntouched wrote:

I have a vest and rarely use it. It is hot unloaded and heavy and hot when loaded, not to mention geeky looking. All that you need to complete the picture is shorts with black shoes and long knee socks :) I would opt for a belt with pouches or a waist pack from Think Tank. Some of the other waist packs tend to be too shallow.

If you tire of photography you should write short stories. You "paint" the perfect image.