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]

[QUOTE=BWGirl]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.