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Photo Vest

dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
edited November 27, 2010 in Accessories
Can anyone recommend a good vest for landscape photography? I do not want to carry my 30-40 lb bag on hikes. I need a vest that will help me carry two bodies and 2-3 lenses etc.

Thanks
Dan
http://danielplumer.com/
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    IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2010
    Why limit yourself to a piece of clothing that probably won't do what you want anyway? Get a Cotton Carrier system and wear what ever the heck you want. All I can say is: They work.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
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    NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2010
    Dan,
    I have been using Domke PhoTOGs vest for a multitude of years with a very positive experience. Tons of pockets, very comfy and you don't look like a SWAT officer on a mission.
    HTH
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
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    IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2010
    Yeah. The Cotton Carrier can look kinda military if you wear it on the outside. But in cool weather it's nice cause I can wear it under a jacket. To a casual observer, it looks like my camera is a giant zipper pull.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
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    NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2010
    Icebear wrote: »
    Yeah. The Cotton Carrier can look kinda military if you wear it on the outside. But in cool weather it's nice cause I can wear it under a jacket. To a casual observer, it looks like my camera is a giant zipper pull.

    John, I'm not arguing :-). Each system has its pros and cons. Each can be warn under and over jackets. It's purely a personal preference, and probably, task-specific, as in in some cases one is more convenient than the other, and vice versa.
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
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    NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2010
    Forgot to metion that I'm using this vest in a combination with a BlackRapid R2 double strap. So two bodies + two lenses are on a strap, and the vest can hold a few more lenses, flash, cards, batteries, tools, flashlight, water, etc. The only thing is to "design" which things go where and always use the same pockets (there are 18 of those eek7.gifdeal.gifwinkrolleyes1.gif) for the same things. It takes some time to get used to it, but once you develop a "muscle memory" it's literally a no brainer.
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
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    dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited November 26, 2010
    Those are the two systems I have been considering. The holster system appears more to my initial liking but I am still investigating.
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
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    happy2010happy2010 Registered Users Posts: 17 Big grins
    edited November 27, 2010
    So much of this photography gear stuff is a personal preference and needs to work for YOU. You have already put thought into evaluating and tradeoffs of the relevant product characteristics important to YOU. (perhaps such as: type and frequency of use, gear protection, comfort, ease of use, appearance etc.). So don't worry about a "Swat" look...<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    I have always respected both “Icebear’s” and “Nikolai’s” comments on the various Dgrin forums. I totally agree with Icebear’s straightforward comments of the Cotton Carrier recommendations - it really does work well. I have put a lot of research time, particularly over the last three years and various iterations, into a solution that works for me and my applications which includes landscape/nature photography and also location outdoor & indoor portrait, wedding or special events.<o:p></o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    Here is the system setup that works for me. It’s hands-free, flexible, portable, modular system that is adaptable enabling me to always comfortably be ready to shoot opportunities of memorable moments regardless of the setting:<o:p></o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    Cotton Carrier Camera System for All camera types:<o:p></o:p>
    http://buy.cottoncarrier.com/cotton-carrier-camera-system-p/122cpf.htm<o:p></o:p>
    VEST – with Canon 1DmkIII & 70-200f2.8L lens (with or without 2x Teleconverter)<o:p></o:p>
    HOLSTER – with Canon 5DmkII & 24-70f2.8L lens<o:p></o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    Combined with <o:p></o:p>
    Lowepro S&F Light Utility Belt containing: <o:p></o:p>
    http://www.lowepro.com/sfseries<o:p></o:p>
    -Lowepro pouch 60 (for cell phone, 2 speedlite 580EX-II, spare batteries and memory cards, note paper/pen etc.)<o:p></o:p>
    -Lowepro lens bags (for wide-angle 16-35f2.8L lens, 50macrof2.5 lens, 2x TC)<o:p></o:p>
    -Lowepro water bottle bag<o:p></o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    Or if I am doing more time walking/touring than shooting then:<o:p></o:p>
    Lowepro S&F light Utility Belt containing Lowepro Toploader Pro70 (for Canon 5DmkII & 24-105f4L lens) and Lowepro water bottle bag.<o:p></o:p>
    This setup worked well for me on a two week spring 2010 tour of SE Asia, including exploring many rural areas in extremely humid 100F heat.<o:p></o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    Here is a similar setup to my Lowepro but with a two camera setup (more aligned with your desire for a two camera setup):<o:p></o:p>
    Karl Grobl (humanitarian Photojournalist) San Diego, California http://karlgrobl.com/EquipmentReviews/ThinkTankBeltSystem.htm<o:p></o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    I’m petite 5ft 2in… my above system enables me to be small but mighty; kind of like the Energizer bunny - so I can comfortably go and go and go and go… be it a full day of nature photography, or like late last summer for a warm 14hr beach wedding involving scaling 300ft cliffs! I can enjoy the pleasure of photography without being compromised/burdened by the weight of gear stuff.<o:p></o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    It also helps me manage the risk from the occupational hazard of neck, shoulder or back complications, that I know some long term photographers can adversely experience.<o:p></o:p>
    Like the saying “Youth is a gift. Age is an art." <o:p></o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    Good luck in exploring a solution that works for YOU. <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/thumb.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" ><o:p></o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    Mary<o:p></o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    <o:p> </o:p>
    Mary Ann Howard
    Wind of Change Photography
    http://www.windofchangephotography.com
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    IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited November 27, 2010
    Ya know, the more I think about Nik's "SWAT" reference, the more true I think it must be. I've noticed that folks DO tend to give me more space when I'm in full-on SWAT mode, carrying two bodies with biggish glass, and a couple of lens cases racked on the waist belt. :D Gotta get me some Doc Martins and one of them ninja hoods.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
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    Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited November 27, 2010
    Vests have an inherent problem...no protection for any equipment that is carried in the pockets and the also the ability to easily lose stuff.....
    I needed a way to carry 2 bodies and 2 lenses when i travel by MC and started off woth the LowePro Slingshots...at that time it was either the 100 or 200 and sent the 200 abd it was too small for keeping my lenses on the bodies (24-70f2.8 and 70-200f2.8) and I just did not like anything about Think Tank.....so i was at a gun show and saw pistol belts paired with suspenders....for less than $15 I had the base of the system...then I added 2 LowePro 75AW's and now I have room for both bodies with lenses attached (upto and including my BIGMA) and a flash and all sort of small extras (extra batts, lens cleaning stuff, filters, etc etc)....I now can ride somewhat balanced...

    Good Luck with y9ur decision......these are very personal to what each photog needs and demands of their equipment.......my system will not work well for some but great for myself and maybe others.....
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

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    SPK64SPK64 Registered Users Posts: 171 Major grins
    edited November 27, 2010
    When I started looking for another method to carry gear earlier this year. I purchased a Domke Vest and the Think Tank Belt system. The Domke was very nice and I might have actually liked it in the field. I started using the Think Tank belt and liked it so much that I never looked back. It is flexible and I can load the belt with what ever I might need for the day. Previously I would carry my Domke F2 and my shoulders and back would be hurting in a short amount of time. With the TT system I could carry a fully loaded belt all day and not have the aches and pains in my back.
    My TT system consist of the Pro Belt with Skin 50, Skin 75, Skin Strobe, RU thirsty and a Speed Changer. The Skin components are not padded which was fine for my use.


    BTW
    I had a Backpack system before that and hated using it. No access to gear unless it was removed and more than once almost picked it up without it being closed and dumping gear.
    go.skactionpix.com
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