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?

Thank you,
Joshua

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.

Hey Joshua,

Bllingham makes a nice vest (Man I love Billingham). Its kinda expensive though....

http://kohscamera.com/billingham.htm

dgcrane

Thanks for your input, Bernie, Darren.

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?

Joshua

You might find this interesting. Looks like the ultimate vest.

http://www.vestedinterest.com/

J.

Photo vest is for shutterbug and pocket protector is for nerd.

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".

Again, thank you,
Joshua

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.

JohnJ80 wrote:
You might find this interesting. Looks like the ultimate vest.

http://www.vestedinterest.com/

J.


Looks like what Armstrong wore on the moon

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.

sjms, that looks interesting. I assume that vest was not designed with photography in mind but not that it matters. Where did you get that vest again?

Thanks,
Joshua

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?

J.

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