Dalbon

Yes I've used one for many years and love it. I had one special made to accommodate difference size lenses. I had over sized pockets just for 2 large lenses plus several other pockets for smaller lenses as well and at that time film or whatever. Everything is at your fingertips. I guess it would depend on what you shoot mostly.
David

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

I once did a college paper on Laws and corresponding crime statistics... They enacted the death penalty to pickpockets at public hangings in England back in the day because of the rate of offenses... Guess what, pickpocket crime INCREASED, not decreased. A certain mindset is not going to change midstream because some governing body says so...

61jhawk Loc: Tarrant County, Texas

When I use one it is my Safari vest from Cabela's. It's not really specific to anything but has lots of big pockets that us Velcro type closures, is comfortable and was about half the cost of a similar vest that was supposed to be specific for photography.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

As some has stated already, I use a fishing vest. Purchased for under $30.00 several years ago and still going strong. Lots of pocket for spare cards, batteries, notepad, lens wipes, etc. Two pockets are large enough to hold my 70-300mm Nikkor lens. Fills my needs quite nicely.

Don

gwilliams6

I tested some of the first proposed versions of the Domke photog vests many , many years ago while on assignment for Domke's and my newspaper, the Philadelphia Inquirer , covering Mexican sheepherders hired by American sheep ranchers in Wyoming to watch over their flocks in winter grazing . I made dozens of recommendations on materials, pockets, weight, zippers, etc. that got incorporated in later models of the Domke Photog Vest.

No vest is perfect for everyone, none. I do know women photojournalists that wear Domke Photog Vests with no issues, but maybe they dont fit all women properly.

I dont have photos of those first Domke Photog vests, but here are a few shots from that week-long assignment out in the cold Wyoming Wilderness with the Mexican sheepherders, their horses and their sheep dogs. I didn't have a horse so I was following them on foot and a vest was a much better solution for working in those conditions than a camera bag , but my lenses were having a hard time staying in the pockets of that early Domke Photog vest prototype, so I made some recommendations for changes in the pockets and zippers. (I did have my Domke camera bag with me though)

All photos copyright Gerald S. Williams. These are just quick scans from some small B&W prints so dont shoot me on the quality . The last shot won a National Photojournalism Contest First Place Award in the Portrait category.

Some fun: Can you see the two sheep dogs helping herd the sheep in the first shot?

FYI, I found out why the Black Sheep are the most important sheep in the flock. There is no way to count each sheep as they go by, they are moving and all look the same, so the herders interspace black sheep throughout the large herds, and they just count the black sheep. If all the black sheep are accounted for, it is less likely that some sheep have strayed away and need to be found. but if any black sheep are missing the shepherds and their dogs go searching (third shot) , as there are many wolves and coyotes that love sheep for dinner.

And yes the Domke Photog Vests got lighter over the years as new lighter yet stronger materials were available.

Cheers and best to you.

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plumbbob1

Absolutely, it deserved first place, I liked everything about it, from technical to emotional. Bet you were freezing.
Would it have been cold enough to effect film resaprosity in the old, dark days.

gwilliams6

Thanks so much for your kind words.

Yes it was freezing out there. Boy did I get my exercise and worked up a warm sweat without a horse for me (we all should have planned for that in hindsight, LOL). I took the largest sized prototype Domke Photo vest he had, so I could wear it over my warmest clothes and jacket.

That early prototype had some issues that I found out in the field , so it was a good real-world test, and the changes Jim Domke made for later editions made the later ones so much better. Jim actually completely re-designed that Photog Vest after my experiences in Wyoming.

Cheers and best to you.

plumbbob1

Take pride in your positive accomplishment.

LeeinNC Loc: Morganton, NC

Now that's a great inside look. You sold me!

gwilliams6

gwilliams6

Thanks

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Another vote for Domke. I bought this one a couple years ago and really love the amount of gear I can carry with relative ease.

https://tiffen.com/products/domke-photogs-vest

gwilliams6

gwilliams6

And as an aside, my Domke vest does great added duty as a travel vest. It has secure pockets for your passports, money and secret stuff.

And when flying I wear my Domke vest to carry much more stuff onboard then what I am restricted to with my carry-on allowance. I have traveled the world and no airport security folks ever stopped me from wearing my Domke vest, full of stuff, like extra camera gear, medicines, an extra set of clothes for the day, snacks, reading or listening materials, whatever. My carry-on bag is usually full up to the allowed weight with camera gear, and I am usually taking my laptop with me as my allowed personal item, so the vest gives me more carry-on capacity.

Sure they will security scan my Domke vest placed on the security belt , along with scanning my other carry-ons for any prohibited items, but then I put the vest back on and head to my gate. Onboard my flight, I either wear it, or place it beneath the seat or above in the overhead bins.

I dont leave home without it, as well as my American Express Card, LOL.

Cheers and best to you all.

OzWizard

YES, it called "Newswear Documentary Chestvest" At B&H for $115.00
very good quality, waterproof, adjustable. It's amazing how much gear you can carry comfortably. Walking to good birding locations, some distance from the car. I carried two DSLR bodies a flash, batteries for all three, 70-200 mm lens, 300-600 mm lens. my lunch, phone, rain gear (which I did need). Tripod on my shoulder for over half a mile, with no problem.