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So I've been looking around at possibly getting a camera vest - something suitable for hiking/travel/wildlife and also being slightly less outlandish than my camo jacket, whilst having a good number of pockets for putting things into (as opposed to the rest of modern fashion which appears to loath the idea of pockets).
So I've been looking and thus far the following three appear to be sitting at the top of the list:
The Vest Guy - photo vest
Stealth gear rural
although I must admit I don't like that single fat front pocket design and much prefer the look of their
Stealth Gear urban even though the colours are rather wrong ![]()
Domoke Jacket/vest
Far as I can tell, esp from reviews like Video review the domoke might be slightly less high profile and the pockets a little less bulky, but it also appears to be slightly lighter in the build quality area - suitable for town/urban, but maybe not quite as good for out-doors type affairs.
So I'd be interested to hears peoples views on these or any other kinds of photo vests being used. I'll admit that, at the moment, the Vest Guy vest is probably my top choice, but I'm open to other suggestions
Hello, when I go abroad I take my green multi purpose waist coat, had it for years, great for hot weather climates there is a similar one Here
Fishing/Shooting type vest here too, carries a whole load of bits and bobs and not too hot either as it's all vented.....Has a large pocket on the rear which I can even fit my 500mm bigma lens into......Plus a helluva lot cheaper than a specifically designed Tog vest....
I tried a vest a while back (can't remember the make though) but much prefer cargo trousers (zip-offs preferably for versatility). Lots of pockets and I found them more easily accessible.
Had 2 of these for meny years black and Khaki Cheap and efective, Dont use them anymore sinse the street and field system from lowepro does the same job and more for me now but still have them, after 2 years all the pockets are intact and the black is fading a little but for twenty quid a bargain.
Canon vest here for 25 quid
The links are for example only, not recommendation of any seller
You can usually pick up Regatta travel vests in a variety of configurations for around £15 in outlet malls. I have blue one I use about town and a khaki one that I use in the countryside. I like then to have zipped inside pockets for carrying things like wallet and passports out of the immediate reach of amateur pickpockets.
I never like having heavy things in trouser pockets, I spend the entire time going around worrying that they are going to end up round my ankles unless they are super tight around my waist (at which point they become really annoying to wear - esp if you want to suddenly crouch down).
I do have trousers with good pockets, but I'll keep the content in them as light as I can.
Vest wise I think I'm warming toward a 2 vest approach;
1) A lighter standard vest - cheap fishing/Domke (ok I know that one isn't cheap...)/etc.. something alone those lines which is lighter and thinner and can be used outdoors and around town in general.
2) A heavier duty one that is more a bag replacement than just a vest - eyes on that Vest Guy one, granted its more bulky on the pockets, but I can see it replacing a regular backpack - esp with things like the hydration unit in the back. Less well suited to hotter times, but more suited to letting me carry heavier gear (I could see me using that backpocket section to hold a 120-300mm and pockets around the front for a 70mm/65mm macro and flash - letting me carry both and switch between the two without problems)
As for fashion - I think the only thing I own that counts as fashion is my thick fleecy top (apparently its fashion according to them that gave it to me) and honestly 100% of the reason I wear it is because its super warm Labels be darned its warm
I`ve often thought of getting a chest rig, but I`m not going to last long on the streets of London, army surplus stores are the way to go ![]()
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpnM5zPl36k&feature=related
I found these versipacks good, I opted for the smaller fatboy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So5iQoQQswg&feature=related
Just a thought, I use the Stealth Gear Photographers Extreme jacket and trousers ( green ones ) the sleeves of the jacket unzip, turning it into a waist coat, there are loads of pockets for everything including padded ones for lenses, and special pockets for spare batteries & CF Cards, it has padded shoulders, which helps when carrying tripod mounted with gear etc. Saves using a backpack. It's not cheap but like anything, you need to look around for the best price.
Good luck with your choice.
I have one of these, or at least very similar.
As soon as the weather warms up a tad, then I am never without it![]()
Even during really hot days, it is quite comfortable to wear over a T-shirt, while out chasing butterflies and the like
Enough pockets to ensure everything is kept secure, while crawling about in undergrowth etc;
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