I have had a Domke photo vest for good 15+ years. I used that from time to time depending on the shooting conditions. Needless to say, my vest has seen better days and I am thinking of replacing it before too long. I am not keeping up with the development in this "vest arena" and I am soliciting any input from fellow FMers. Are you using a vest that you really like right now? If you do, would briefly describe your vest, including the pros and cons, please?
My wife has now bought me 2 -- one being summer weight. I haven't even used the first one in a while. I'm leaning more towards buying a quick access backpack from Lowepro or other manufacturer.
That Billingham vest certainly looks nice but it is really pricey... . If it lasts 15 years, like the Domke I have, maybe it is not too bad . Does anybody here use that vest, by any chance? How about you, Darren?
Please don't laugh but I still use the original Banana Republic vests they sold before they went upscale. We're talking circa 1988. Needless to say, I seldom use it but it can accommodate a 70-200 in one of the pockets without the hood and some other accessories. I have a friend who uses a Lowe Pro I think that looks like a SWAT vest.
I just sold my Think Tank set-up with the racing harness because I felt it emphasized my "roundness" too much (read as fat boy). It might be an option you might want to consider.
I have an Orvis that is nice but the front pockets are a little small...I use it tho. The Billingham is great but it is not cotton if that matters to you. The Domke is my fav, I keep going back to it. If you want to go radical, the Vested Interest line is in a class of its own...but not for everyone.
Thank you very much for your input, guys. I found out that Domke still makes the exact same vest, the PhoTogs for $89.00. Mine did serve well over the years although I found the front pocket a little too small to fit a 1D series body in. I like the Billingham vest, too and will do a little research on it for me to make a decision. The vestedinterest looks a tad too weird or too "nerdy".
I don't think any vest, except the Vested Interst ones, will hold a 1D series in a front pocket...let me know if you find one!
I usually just carry lenses in the pockets and a camera with lens over the shoulder...would be interested in how you use your vest. I'm a big vest fan.
carlsbadbum wrote:
Photo vest is for shutterbug and pocket protector is for nerd.
That's what I thought too, and the reason my Canon 70-200 2.8L is sitting somewhere down in the Grand Canyon. It slipped out of the jacket pocket I used instead of wearing my vest that morning because I didn't want to look like a photo geek. I won't make that mistake twice, my Domke will be worn from here on out when I just need an extra lens and accessories for a shoot.
the vested interest lacks in 1 major catagory---modularity. you carry it all whether you need it or not. you settle for a single configuration whether it suits all your needs or not
i like my vest to fit snug and to have enough adjustability to do it summer and winter.
vest- 5.11 gear full open mesh Molle compliant. only 2 sizes and are highly adjustable for torso length and body girth within a reasonable range. with my current build it fits over my chosen winter layering nicely
left pocket- holds 70-200/2.8 and SB900 flash (in its pouch) or a D3/1D3 body w/L bracket installed. outer flat pocket for business cards.
left top pocket- for minor junk
right upper and lower pockets- various combinations of up to 6" length lenses including 24-70/2.8 14-24/2.8 and many others
right side roll up pocket/dump bag. opened it allows for dropping a lens in for a quick change while on the move along with various other uses. large enough to hold light clothing too.
additional room on back for additional whatever you want
accessories such as pockets and and such DO NOT need to be from any particular or originating company as long as they are Molle compliant. it is essentially an open system
can adapt a duty type/TT belt to it to hang enough gear off it to test you own personal support capabilities
not a single piece of padding in it to break down or absorb moisture.
all of this can be reconfigured per the need of the user in about 15 minutes and a few synapse firings
I found the 5.11 vest on a site-I think LA police gear for $69. They also had a closeout model for $25. Looks like it is designed for law enforcement. I have a Tamrac vest, but don't use it too often.
I think the vest set up that sjms has found looks great. I'm wondering if there is a way to set up using the molle attachments and mount RRS modules. That would be really cool. Any ideas?
yes it is a tactical vest. that being the fact it was not designed for photography as such. what it was designed to do was hold heavy gear in place while doing lots of exercise and making it easy to access. pretty much that works for me.
and yes i did purchase 90% of it from LA police gear
and I am thinking of replacing it before too long. I am not keeping up with the development in this "vest arena" and I am soliciting any input from fellow FMers. Are you using a vest that you really like right now? If you do, would briefly describe your vest, including the pros and cons, please? 
. If it lasts 15 years, like the Domke I have, maybe it is not too bad 