Photo vest: Does anyone use a vest for their photography? If so, what brand and why? I've thought about purchasing one for years, and I'm not getting any younger. I wonder if it would...

LeeinNC Loc: Morganton, NC

Does anyone use a vest for their photography? If so, what brand and why? I've thought about purchasing one for years, and I'm not getting any younger. I wonder if it would be better for these old hips.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I would if they made one for women! All of the ones I’ve seen are cut for men so too broad in the shoulder and too small at the hip.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

LeeinNC wrote:

Does anyone use a vest for their photography? If so, what brand and why? I've thought about purchasing one for years, and I'm not getting any younger. I wonder if it would be better for these old hips.

I have seen it suggested in other threads on this subject to buy a fishing vest. They do the same thing, have as many pockets, but are less expensive.

Denny357mag Loc: Sparta,Mi

True that is what I have been doing for years

gwilliams6

Domke Photogs Vest, all the way. IMHO they are the very best, and worth the price. https://tiffen.com/pages/domke-photogs-vest-edu

https://www.samys.com/p/Vests/VESTSANDLG/Domke-PhoTOGS-Vest-Large/250566.html?origin=product-search&gclid=Cj0KCQjw756lBhDMARIsAEI0Agl2s6AkgEISLIoHz07FkL9cTRM2_AfGnoYzFCApP3f6CE1Hvkh_fvEaAnwnEALw_wcB

Jim Domke who started these products that pros around the world have used for decades is a longtime friend and former colleague when we were both staff photographers at the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspaper. I helped Jim field test many of his products including the first versions of his camera bags and photo vests.

I still use mine all the time, all around the world. And a little secret, when you are traveling wear this vest and be allowed to take more stuff with you on your flights, beyond any carry-on luggage restrictions on flights. Then just put it in the overhead bins, or beneath your seat.

Cheers and best to you.

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

Mac wrote:

I have seen it suggested in other threads on this subject to buy a fishing vest. They do the same thing, have as many pockets, but are less expensive.

I have used two different fishing vests. They worked really great. Especially when you can find a fishing vest on clearance sale. Lot's of room for spare batteries, lens, filters, ect.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

LeeinNC wrote:

Does anyone use a vest for their photography? If so, what brand and why? I've thought about purchasing one for years, and I'm not getting any younger. I wonder if it would be better for these old hips.

I use a vest frequently.

I DO NOT use a "photo" vest.

I use a "fishing" vest. Almost the same thing, but 1/3 the price or less.

I was buying ultra cheap fishing vests from Walmart... about $15. They wear out every year or two. Rather than wash them I just replaced them!

I really splurged on my latest fishing vest: Big 5 Sports... $25 if I recall correctly. A little better made, it's held up for at least 3 years... maybe 4.

It's got a bunch of pockets for memory card cases, spare batteries, my phone, snacks, micro fiber cloth, and a few other things.

The DSLRs and their lenses that I use won't fit into any of the pockets, so I still carry a small shoulder bag. But a small mirrorless kit I use for travel and street photography fun would easily fit into the vest, if I wanted.

plumbbob1

I've got one but find it inconvenient.
I prefer a one strap over the shoulder pack that I can rotate from back to front to access my gear.

However, a photographers vest would immediately identify you a special photographer.

LeeinNC Loc: Morganton, NC

There are several listed on Amazon for women.

LeeinNC Loc: Morganton, NC

It would be nice to have room for a lens or two.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I have two, which I have had for years. Don't use them much anymore. One I purchased and one was given to me by FujiFilm. I found them handier in the film and filter days. Best of luck.

kmielen Loc: Eastern NC

I understand that the gold standard are vests made by Billingham. Their website is quite informative. Their vests pop up infrequently on eBay.
Be careful of the cheap "fishing" vests that can be uncomfortable around the neck.
I also wanted to be sure my vest had epaulettes that could contain my camera strap to keep it from sliding off my shoulder.

Fotoserj Loc: St calixte Qc Ca

SORRY,but fishing vest are desing for well fishing, pocket are cut to hold fly boxes, go for a truly desing photo vest, i was lucky to meet a pro who, sick of not having the right vest desing his own.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Back in the 80s and 90s i used vests extensively. They work well for accessories and smaller lenses. Check diameters and length of most used lenses to see if they would fit.

And no, Domke did not make the first photo vest, although his was good.

gwilliams6

Orphoto wrote:

Back in the 80s and 90s i used vests extensively. They work well for accessories and smaller lenses. Check diameters and length of most used lenses to see if they would fit.

And no, Domke did not make the first photo vest, although his was good.

I never said Domke made the first photo vest. I dont think anyone knows who made the first photo vest. The first photography vests probably were fishermen's vests.

Domke camera bags and photographer's vests were never alone in the marketplace, but they were the first brands designed by a working news photographer that gained such enormous worldwide use among professionals. And that is a fact.

Cheers and best to you.