Photo vest help/tips?

I'm looking to buy a photo vest. Any tips on what the best brands/styles are, especially for someone small/short? By small/short I mean men's XS or women's small size would probably fit.

I read somewhere that photo vests can be quite long and items stuffed into the lowest pockets tend to bump and hit your thighs when you run. Anyone have any problems with that?

Does anyone use army tactical vests instead of "photo" vests? If so, what's the dif?

Cheers.

you'll have to hit ebay but the Banana Republic vests (not the ones that inspired Domke vests), are discreet (iow, don't scream camera club photographer) and not very long. Two main lower pockets and two small chest pockets up top.  I'm becoming more of the mind that fewer pockets is a good thing.

If you want the chest vest by Newswear, research here: http://www.newswear.com/chestvests.htm. I have one of theirs, and I like it, although I rarely use it anymore, in the name of weight reduction. My only problem with the Newswear one is the big patches of velcro that get awfully noisy during a quiet event. Other than that, it's very comfortable and holds a lot of stuff.

I used the ChestVest "Documentary" when I was shooting in Chilliwack last year (yeah, that was me, lol).

For the price it's hard to beat. In some ways I actually preferred it to the Think Tank belt system for ease of access and the fact that nothing was behind me. It can get pretty hot in the summer though...

To be honest I've never seen the allure of a fishing-style photo vest (when shooting digital). When you had to carry a small truckload of film on you and lenses lacked auto focus (making them smaller) it made sense, but with the size of the lenses we use these days, plus the fact that you can store all your photos on a few cards in a small wallet... what's the point?

Vests don't hold anything tight to your body, which lets your lenses flop around and can make opening the pockets more difficult. Weren't you using a Lowepro belt system? What do you find it lacks that a vest would provide?

Just food for thought,
Kyle

Jenna,

This is the vest I have.

here's one from the auction site (@mods  if this is against the rules, please delete)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mens-vintage-banana-republic-hooded-fishing-vest-sz-xs_W0QQitemZ350243079331QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_CSA_MC_Vests?hash=item518c1d44a3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_3314wt_900

[probably]

Hi Jenna,

Whilst this is probably very old news (to you) ...have you tried
looking for a fishing vest (small/short) here:  http://www.chwkdart.com/fishing.html ?

Also, FWIW, I have a black/grey photovest that I received and have yet to use and, if you're interested
and ever hit the Safety Meetings at Steamworks  I can always bring it by
 
Cheers,

Jack

Hey thanks for the tips/links/advice, guys. No, I'm not wanting to use the photo vest for lenses, but rather for smaller and lighter things such as: wallet, notebook, batteries, paper, phone, lip gloss, makeup — you know, the necessities. It's great to know there are some vests out there with only a handful of smaller pockets. I'll have to check out some of the ones you guys suggested online. Thanks!

Kyle… I do remember you. I currently wear/use a Think Tank belt. I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm definitely not replacing it, I just want to get the vest for some extra things to carry.

P.S. Why don't the photo vests come in pink?

Yes, I'll definitely have to check out the local tackle shops (there are plenty in Chilliwack).

Hey Jack, what size is the photo vest you have?

Oh, well then completely ignore everything I said.

Try Canadian Tire, they've got a few cheap fishing vests with plenty of small pockets. Floppy hats with lures in the band sold separately.

please for the love of all humanity don't do the fishing vest thing. The furry patch bit throws it all off.

As well, former colleague and esteemed Hungarian photographer Tibor Kolley has two Banana Republic vests he's looking to offload. Trying to get deets from him re: size and $$ (although I think he'd be small but more likely medium)

Aww come on Fred, it's like a lens cloth on your pectoral! You can rub your glass on it while saying "ya, zis is how I clean MY lens, girly-girl" with a Schwarzenegger accent. When doing this the vest should also be worn open, over a bare torso, with ripped jeans and combat boots.

Maybe the next NPAC product should be a photovest?

P.S. Why don't the photo vests come in pink?

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit Jenna, there's an opportunity for a new product.  I photographed a woman a while back who was a contractor.  She was unsatisfied with all the tool belts and boots made with only men in mind so she created a line of belts, tools, boots targeted at women - smaller sizes and they came in a slew of girly-girl colours, like pink.

As someone who can only dream of ever reaching 5'3", I know I would appreciated the smaller sized gear!

y

...for smaller and lighter things such as: wallet, notebook, batteries, paper, phone, lip gloss, makeup — you know, the necessities.

P.S. Why don't the photo vests come in pink?

ScotteVest's Travel Vest (or jacket) for women.

Thanks all. I'm still hunting for something, but you've given me a lot of advice.

Brett… NPAC photo vests would be cool, but don't forget about unisex/men's size XS for us smaller photogs.