Safari Camera Vest: I am headed to Kenya and Tanzania. The weight restrictions are pretty severe for our baggage and carry ons. I am wondering if people have had success taking...

markstjohn

I am headed to Kenya and Tanzania. The weight restrictions are pretty severe for our baggage and carry ons. I am wondering if people have had success taking cameras/lenses in a vest which does not seem to count in the weight allowance. And then use the vest during the day while out in the vehicles looking at animals. If so, which vest (brand, type) worked well? Many thanks as always for any help here.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

The best vest bar none is the Domke Photogs vest but they don't make them any more. You can purchase them used from eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Domke-Photogs-Photographer-Vest-Medium-Photography-Khaki-Mesh-Back-Pockets-/113713398487

I have 2 of them and you can carry all kinds of camera gear in them. I wore mine when I went to the Galapagos Islands to keep my carry-on smaller and no hassle.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Go to any reputable sporting goods dept. and try on whatever seems to meet your needs; i.e., camera, lens, etc. The vest will be almost the exact same as those at camera suppliers with a substantial saving in cost.

Bill P

I wouldn't plan on wearing the vest on safari. You will sweat through your equipment.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

From the UHH Search tool - a very recent post:

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-584430-1.html

Don’t forget to use your UHH resources.

Justlookin806

markstjohn wrote:

I am headed to Kenya and Tanzania. The weight restrictions are pretty severe for our baggage and carry ons. I am wondering if people have had success taking cameras/lenses in a vest which does not seem to count in the weight allowance. And then use the vest during the day while out in the vehicles looking at animals. If so, which vest (brand, type) worked well? Many thanks as always for any help here.

Justlookin806

Nikon make a very good vest and so does Canon

Buckeye73

I have been on two African safari‘s. What I used and recommend is to go to the sporting good store and get some quality cargo pants they have lots of pockets. A magazine pocket I use to carry an extra battery one of the pockets I have a plastic container that holds memory cards. All but the two main front pockets have Velcro

jblazar Loc: Sunnyvale, CA

Yes, for Africa, Argentina/Chile and the Galapagos, I had to take a lot of camera gear out of my backpack and put it in my vest to meet the weight restrictions. This was actually suggested by the airline clerk. Apparently anything actually worn (not a pack, though) on your person is not counted as luggage or carry-on weight.

JoeN Loc: East Texas

Check B&H. They had 2 different types of vests a few years ago when I got mine. I did a quick check and they have several vests now ranging from $30 to almost $300.

I believe I got the Campco Safari vest and it is well made, but I ordered mine a size larger than normal and it is too long. It will hold lots of camera equipment though. The last time I flew with my camera gear I took several items out of my backpack and put them in my vest because I was afraid they wouldn’t let me take the backpack on board. It turned out not to be a problem so when I got on the plane I moved everything back to the backpack. On the flight home I left everything in the backpack with no problems from the airline.

Fotoserj Loc: St calixte Qc Ca

Sorry my friend, but fishing vest don’t really make the cut, pocket are not big or deep enough to be useful, I’m a fly fishing nut and none of my vest(4) would or can do the job, I’ve bought mine from B&H about6 year ago and I’m almost out of it from wear and tear, I’ve found one guy in Quebec City who has design a model and have them made on order his name is Daniel Dupont u can find him on FB under Daniel Dupont photographe send him a pm, he’s bilingual, and he’ll be happy to help you

dwermske

You might want to look at Hakuba Mesh Photographer's Vest, it is very light. I use the Hakuba and found it at a pro photo shop in Dallas. Another vest listed at B&H is also mesh but is very expensive.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/964321-REG/the_vest_guy_500026bmxl_wedding_photographer_x_large_vest.html/?smp=Y&ap=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvJ7z6d7L4QIViqGzCh04HwynEAQYBSABEgJHJ_D_BwE

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

markstjohn wrote:

I am headed to Kenya and Tanzania. The weight restrictions are pretty severe for our baggage and carry ons. I am wondering if people have had success taking cameras/lenses in a vest which does not seem to count in the weight allowance. And then use the vest during the day while out in the vehicles looking at animals. If so, which vest (brand, type) worked well? Many thanks as always for any help here.

Just about anything will do if you are just stuffing it with 'the extras', but almost nothing will do if you want to put extra lenses in those pockets. I have a Domke vest. I never use it. The pockets are too small and flimsy for any of my fast lenses or even a body without a lens. I use a Think Tank fanny pack. Holds three lenses and lots of other stuff. Can be worn over the shoulder or with the waist straps and TSA doesn't seem to notice it. Fits under the seat too.
...Cam

Dun1 Loc: Atlanta, GA

I found the Campco vest are a good buy. I bought one size for my usual size and then a larger size for shooting in cold weather, to allow for a large jacket.