Photographer's Vest for the ladies

[Digidurst]

Hi all I ordered a photographer's vest from B&H made by Campco. It's a small but I guess their idea of small and mine are quite different as the thing is positively HUGE! The zippers are pretty crappy too...

I would love to hear your recommendations for a vest that isn't going to swallow me; I'm 5'2" and 110 lbs. thereabouts.

Thanks!

 

[BWGirl]

That is a problem... all that photo gear is made for men. If you are ... shall we say... substantial, like I am, it's not a problem, but if not... hm...

Here's an alternative that may work... a pair of cargo shorts (with the large outer pockets) and a small waist pack. That should give you as much storage space as you need and won't contribute to overheating. (I have found that my vest could roast an 11-pound turkey in as much time as a convection oven)!

 

[Ed Sukach]

One possibility ... visit your local Fly Fishing shop, and check out the vests made for Fly Fishing. Some of these work *very* well for photography, and many are 99% (or so it seems) mesh for warm weather. They are available in a wide range of sizes -- and there are even those expressly designed for female occuppancy.

Try ... you might have to do a search for the site ... Orvis.com

 

[BWGirl]

Wow...never thought of that! Thanks Ed!

 

[John Koehrer]

Digidurst,
Most of the vests are oversize to accomodate all the stuff you may jam in the pockets. You may be suprised how snug it is when you've filled all 396 pockets.

 

[mark]

That is a problem... all that photo gear is made for men. QUOTE]

As it should be had to do it, I will run away now.

The fly shop is a great place for photo stuff. I have my eye on a reel case that i think will make a dandy lens case.

 

[BWGirl]

Bad Mark! Bad Mark! haha

As I said... it's not a problem for me... but poor little/tiny Digidurst...

 

[Digidurst]

LOL - you guys and gals are funny!

Yeah, I think I may try the outdoor shop here in town to see what I find. Cargo shorts might be ok but #1) they won't do except in the warmest of temps as I'm about as cold natured as they come and #2) I'm redheaded with the ghost-white skin to match so I try to limit sun exposure as it typically results in an unsitely red lobster glow which clashes in an uncomely way with the hair.

Those darn photo gear manufacturers need to realize that petite women are photographers too, by golly!

 

[rbarker]

FWIW, I think Ed's suggestion of the fly-fishing vest may be the best petite alternative. Plus, that little patch of fur used for handy access to flies could work as a lens brush!

 

[Aggie]

LOL - you guys and gals are funny!

Yeah, I think I may try the outdoor shop here in town to see what I find. Cargo shorts might be ok but #1) they won't do except in the warmest of temps as I'm about as cold natured as they come and #2) I'm redheaded with the ghost-white skin to match so I try to limit sun exposure as it typically results in an unsitely red lobster glow which clashes in an uncomely way with the hair.

Those darn photo gear manufacturers need to realize that petite women are photographers too, by golly!

From another glow in the dark white skinned redhead, I can understand the wanting to not expose yourself. I made one our of denium. I looked at all the fancy ones, and knowing what I am like, I went to the frabric store and bought some denium and a pattern. All I did was make pockets to go on the outside where I wanted them to be. Like Jeanette I am a bit of a substantial person (quiet all of you who personally know me!) I especially did not want anything more up top.

Like Ed said a local sports store that has a lot of fly fishing gear is great. The little pin retractable fly fishing things are great to clip on the vest near a pocket. You can hook you light meter to it, and it won't hit the ground if you are fumbling around. If you use a viewing filter it is another thing you can hook up and not worry it will hit the ground or get lost. I also hooked up my focusing scope to one.

JUST if you do like I did and make one, please get preshrunk fabric. I now have to shrink myself to fit that great vest I made.

 

[hortense]

"I made one our of denium". What's denium?

 

[arigram]

What do you need a photographer's vest for?
I am sure you can fit EVERYTHING in your purse...

 

[rbarker]

Another alternative for the "keeping us in stitches" department. Buy a "denium" shirt, cut off the sleeves, and use that fabric for additonal sewn-on pockets and flap closures toward the bottom of the shirt. Add some Velcro closures, and you're good to go.

 

[Digidurst]

What do you need a photographer's vest for?
I am sure you can fit EVERYTHING in your purse...

LOL! No!

And I can't sew either I can cook, make my own jewelry, drive like Mario Andretti (sp?) - lots of fun and interesting talents that I can claim as my own. But sewing... not on your life!

If I don't find anything I will have to beg my dear mother-in-law to help me out; Now that woman can sew!

 

[David Brown]

If I don't find anything I will have to beg my dear mother-in-law to help me out; Now that woman can sew!

I was going to reply that I have 3, but after you mentioning getting someone else to sew for you, I remembered that I had a fourth years ago. My sister made it for me - maybe out of cotton canvas IIRC - but it's long been "outgrown".

I bought a fishing vest at Walmart. Cheap, not too hot, but also wouldn't hold enough of my manly gear.

So, I bought a Domke. Excellent quality, but substantial. I don't know if it will roast a turkey, but it can reheat leftovers.

Just a few months ago, however, I was in a camera shop and they had a "Hakuba" vest on clearance for about $10. It said it was "XL", but fit me OK - my Domke is a medium. After I got it home, I noticed that it was a women's vest, at least based on the fact that the snaps are, for lack of a better word, reversed. Just like on all my wife's shirts! So, maybe Hakuba makes women's vests in smaller sizes. Also, it is all mesh except for the pockets and not as hot.

Good luck on your quest. Vests are just like camera bags/cases. I'm still searching for the right one ...

Cheers.

David

 

[Flotsam]

My vest doesn't seem to be photographic or fishing specific but it is great, Made out of Cotton with lots of velcro to keep pockets closed (no car keys lost somewhere out on the trail) and epaulets to keep camera straps from sliding off the shoulder. So many pockets inside and outside, front and back that I have actually lost items in it. I can feel that filter that I need somewhere within the fabric of the vest but can't figure out which pocket it is in and how to get to it . Mine is is probably large enough for digidurst to use as a tent but I'm just saying that there are alternatives out there.

 

[photomc]

The 'outdoor' stores would be a good choice...I have a photo vest made by LL Bean, well made, but not comfortable - then one that came from Banan Republic..last one don't remember where it came from, was on a discount rack (seems like it may have been from Eddie Bauer) anyway, it has a mesh back so it is much cooler than the others, lots of pockets, inside and out and has seen a lot of use when I was doing 35mm. Have not had it out since I moved to MF/LF...hmmmm! may need to drag it out. Would cut down on the amount of gear in bags.

One warning..remember that what you put in the pockest will increase in weight, so by the end of the day you will swear you are carrying an extra 30 or 40 lbs.

 

[David Brown]

...by the end of the day you will swear you are carrying an extra 30 or 40 lbs.

Not to mention the extra 30 or 40 lbs. some of us are already "carrying" ...

 

[photomc]

Not to mention the extra 30 or 40 lbs. some of us are already "carrying" ...

Hey, I didn't think we had met..but you know me already...

 

[Aggie]

"I made one our of denium". What's denium?

My typo way of saying blue jean material.

You could always do something completely different and ward off the sun more.

http://suitcasecoat.com/index.html

 

[mark]

"I made one our of denium". What's denium?

Denium is the most comon element in the world.
Periodic symbol-Dn

It is most commonly found clinging extremely loose or acting as a second skin on human teenagers

 

[Digidurst]

My typo way of saying blue jean material.

You could always do something completely different and ward off the sun more.

http://suitcasecoat.com/index.html

LOL - You might be on to something! Think suitcase coat in black, hair black, black goth dress and black high heels - I could go shooting at night dressed as a vampiress and no one would bother me because they'd be too afraid!

 

[Aggie]

LOL - You might be on to something! Think suitcase coat in black, hair black, black goth dress and black high heels - I could go shooting at night dressed as a vampiress and no one would bother me because they'd be too afraid!

Or we could put a guy with sock suspenders and a very short shorts in that coat, and he would no longer be suspected of terrorism when he photographs. Might still be visited by the police.

Mark want to volunteer to test it?

 

[photobackpacker]

My son-in-law is on the Minneapolis SWAT team. He gave me a tactical vest that is absolutely the best photo vest I have ever seen. It is available from law enforcement supply houses.

My Pentax digital spot meter drops into one of the pouches just like it was designed for it. It has large slotted pockets inside that handle camera back covers and fresnel lenses beautifully. You can check it out here:
Dead Link Removed

They carry a size small but I am certain it is a men's small.

Glock pistol supplied seperately.

 

[BWGirl]

That is too funny, Aggie! haha

Hey that denim shirt idea is pretty cool...you don't have to sew... get some of that fabric glue! (I am a non-sewer as well).

I'm going to look at one of those fly-fishing vests... that vest I have is fine for cold/cool weather, but man... it gets hot!

I can relate to the "I know it's here somewhere" thing, Flotsam! hahaha