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

Camera vests have been around since the camera. But buying one is like buying a tripod, shoes, or clothes. Your better off actually trying them on to see how you like them. Many folks who have bought vests, load them up, use them once, and decide they did not feel as comfortable as they thought, and relegate them to the closet, there to become best friends with the local moths. I was at Campus Camera at Kent, Ohio some time ago and tried on many vests, they were really nice, but I felt like a nerd in them so I passed, AGAIN. And, they do not offer the same level of protection as a camera bag or sling bag or back pack.

genesampson

I use a cheap, $20 photo vest from Amazon. It carries extra batteries, memory cards, lens cap when off camera, and other small things. I have taken it on Africa photo safaris and when going thru pre check put everything from my pockets in the vest and run it thru the scanner....nothing loose.

I have a sling bag and find it awkward. With big lens it's hard to zip.

When I travel, in addition to the vest, I use a really light day pack and put equipment including iPad in neoprene sleeves and can put all my precious cargo under the seat. I do not travel with a tripod so that might change my preferences.

bigtoxy69 Loc: Grosse Tete louisana

Depending on the Type of Photography Your Doing and Subjects that you will photograph ? I would Tend to agree with several of The Others reply in that you may want to Pare back the amount of Gear you Schlep around to a Good Camera Body and 1 or 2 lenses and a Few batteries , memory cards a Flash maybe and whatever accessories you might need ! I under
stand that Much of what photographers Do both Amateur and Professional is Spontaneous and spur of the moment But try as much as possible to plan your.photo excursions as this will allow you to decide what gear you really need to take that day ? Alternatively you could bring both a Backpack for storing all your gear during Travel from point to point ect... and a smaller bag for actuall photo excursions less gear is less weight and that can be a good thing when Sumner heat and lot's of walking is involved !! In the Final analysts you are the arbiter of what does ir doesn't work for you! ! Good Luck to you and Great Photos my Friend !!!!!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I've used a fishing vest for a long time. I actually then took it apart and used it as a pattern to make my own out of really light-weight material, changing the pockets a bit to fit my gear. It works. I have a backpack (small one) that I carry when doing all-day hikes. Unfortunately, everything drops to the bottom and after awhile it really hurts my back. The backpacks especially made for gear keep everything in its place, but two of mine then don't have space for water, snacks, etc. I had a Kata bag that got stolen and it had a special compartment at the top that was for "personal stuff." Loved it. And it rode high enough that it didn't make my back hurt. My friend carries an old Mamiya RB with several lenses and accessories. She uses an army belt with lens holders, water canteen and so forth hanging off it. It doesn't clang and she seems to get along fine with it. Looks wierd, but then do we care?

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

In general, a backpack is the best solution for carrying your gear. Backpacks, even when heavy, are comfortable to wear, can hold a lot of gear, and offer decent protection for the contents. That said, it is only good if you can handle the weight and not lose your balance with a small mis-step. That happened to me several weeks ago, on some rough terrain, was lucky not to be severely injured - just cuts and bruises. And my gear survived as well [even the camera and lens that went down in muddy water and on rocks along with me!]. This got me to thinking about alternate carrying systems.

Cotton Carrier looks like it will be a good solution in my case, although it may not suit others. It holds the camera[s] close to the body so center of gravity is well maintained. For small stuff a vest or jacket [depending on the weather] could be worn. Still mulling it over, cannot worry about how it looks. Safety and comfort first!

Women carrying their purses sling-bag style are not generally carrying as much weight as would be in a camera bag. That means the pressure on the opposite shoulder is minimal. It also has the advantage of being hands-free. A sling camera bag would be comfortable, but only if it is not packed with a lot of gear.

A lot of vests can be hot to wear, got to look for one that has similarities to the ones fishermen wear. Wide armholes and open necklines. Built on a mesh foundation that lets in air. Might not be as good in heavy brush which could catch on it, but something to think about.

fctrvlr

I have used a fisherman's vest for many years. Light weight, mesh makes it cooler and has plenty of pockets. I carry one additional lens, plus small items like extra batteries, filters, exposure meter, etc. not having to carry film makes things much easier. Go to a place like Bass Pro Shops and see what catches your eye.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I own two vests (one was a gift from Fuji) and I use them occasionally for fall sports when the weather is cool enough. I do not like them in hot weather! Best of luck.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

A vest might work for you.... depending upon what you need to carry with it. Generally speaking, vests are best for small items such as spare batteries, memory cards, etc., etc.

I wear a vest a lot of the time when I'm shooting, for quick easy access to frequently needed small items. The vest I use most is simply a fishing vest that I bought at a local sporting goods store. It cost about 1/3 the price of the typical "photo" vest, but looks very similar and does exactly the same job. I wear out fishing vests about every 2 or 3 years and simply replace them.

I do have another vest that I use specifically for macro work... a LowePro vest that takes modular lens cases in various sizes, as well as smaller and larger pockets in other shapes for other items I need to carry. It's a lot more expensive to put one of these together, but it can be configured more exactly as needed.

I also have a small shoulder bag for a few lenses and a flash that I often carry (a LowePro "Off Road".... an old model, I don't know if they still make it). And for heavier treks with more gear I use a couple different back packs, both of which are LowePro, too. One is large enough to handle my 300/2.8 lens and various other items, yet still will fit into an airplane overhead compartment. The other is larger and will accommodate my 500/4 lens, plus a bunch of other stuff... to big for airplane travel, though. I also have several other shoulder bags that I use for various purposes. I just swap stuff around between vests, shoulder bags and backpacks... depending upon what gear I need to carry and use for a specific purpose.

Sometimes when traveling by air, I'll wear a vest to accommodate a lot of small items (it doesn't count as a carry-on, when it's being worn), as well as take my smaller backpack as a carry-on. Sometimes I'll empty out, flatten down and pack the smaller shoulder bag in my checked bag(s).... possibly along with a tripod... in case I think I'll need it. I never put critical, delicate camera gear in checked bags (if I need more than I can carry on somehow, I'll instead ship it ahead to meet me at my destination).

A backpack certainly is the healthiest way to haul any significant load around. Shoulder bags are particularly hard on shoulders and backs, as you've surmised. Over the years I've known a lot of news and sports photographers who have serious back and shoulder problems! The problem with a backpack is mostly that it's slower to swap gear around when out working. You basically have to remove the pack and set it down somewhere, for any gear changes. (Yeah, I know, I know... Some people are talented contortionists who access their bags while still wearing them or hop around holding the pack in one hand, pulling a lens out of it with another hand, while holding their camera with their third hand and removing the lens caps with their fourth hand and installing a filter with their fifth hand.)

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

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.[/quote]

I use an older Kodak kaki colored vest with a mesh back, it has 18 pockets and pen and note book pockets of various sizes. You can load as much crap in there as you wish, sometimes it turns into a treasure hunt looking for something with so many pockets. I have used it in the desert down around Quartzsite AZ. with just a t shirt and never had a heat problem, if it gets cooler I just add what ever sweatshirt or light jacket that is needed. Wouldn't be without it. Distributes the weight quite well. Mostly get a light durable material with a mesh back for heat dissipation, avoid black or dark colors.

GEANNIE

Bill P

I've faced this problem and always solved it by being ruthless in picking what needs to be carried. And yes, I did miss those photos of Elvis and Bigfoot, but that's not what I went out to shoot, so it wasn't the end of the world. Remember, there may be times when a kitchen sink might be handy, but is it worth carrying all over for just once?

nancyab Loc: Enfield, CT, USA

I love a camera vest. Can't carry a camera bag any more and backpacks tend to be too heavy. A vest does distribute the weight more evenly, depending, of course, on how you pack it. They can, however, be very warm in the summer months when most of us are out there. I do like the availability of taking so much with you and being able to access it so easily. There are many very well made vests on the market - check out eBay for a good, pre-used one and save quite a few bucks.

supadoc19 Loc: Perth, western Australia

A camera vest is actually very practical, especially if you travel a lot. At the airport, before security, put all your bits and pieces (wallet/billfold, watch, chains, coins, keys etc) in the vest pockets. Then it's just a matter of placing the vest in a tray and collecting it once you have gone through the metal detector. That way you know you will not leave any of you stuff behind in the tray. Easy. Then you can use the vest for your photography at your new location and repeat the security process on the way back through the airport.

srfotog Loc: Northeast Pennsylvania

Cool photo.

D.T.

I have one I purchased a few years ago. Bought it at an Eddie Bauer store.
Very durable (lens friendly), well designed, and comfortable. Medium brown so it does not stand out in the crowd. Should be large enough to allow for shirt and sweater / windbreaker underneath. Really frees up both arms for putting your camera to work.
Enjoy the absence of a camera bag with the bonus of not leaving your camera bag on a chair back or having to be ever watchful against theft. A great investment.
Good luck!