Photo vests...

[Hogleg 44]

Originally Posted by Bill Huber

It would be nice if when someone comes up with the logo and design if we could get it printed on say a camera vest. Not that I have on yet but as soon and I find the right one I will.

Hijacked from the T Shirt thread...For Bill, and anyone else is interested in a Vest.

Are you familiar with "Vested Interests" the Denton (Texas) Vest Maker, (also Parachute Maker).
Vested Interests vests are not cheap, but if you go up there and have him measure you, he will custom built one to your exact body type. John is a very nice young man, but very busy. This is a small operation, but he will build the vest the way you want it. It will probably take 4 to 6 weeks before it is ready, but they are about the best you can get. He gives you a lifetime warranty. I have seen his vests on TV worn by photographers in the Washington News Conferences.
He also builds photo vests for the US armed services. When he built mine he was building an order for the Navy.
He spends a lot of time building Custom parachutes. His other operation.
He is just off of the square in downtown Denton. But call before you go and make an appointment.
His vests are the best, but they aren't the cheapest!

Mine is the bottom of the line that he makes, but anyone in the this area who wants to see mine is more than welcome to look at it. Just PM me and we'll get together.

http://www.vestedinterest.com/

[Bill Huber]

WOW, that just may be the way to go.

So from what you are saying I think you like yours.

One of the problems I have is I DON'T know what I want.

Do I just want small pockets or do I want a big pouchs, I just don't know..


Now I am not worried about not being the cheapest, but can you give me a ball park.....

[Hogleg 44]

Mine is the Still, which was $170, plus Tax (since it is all in Texas).
If you call and make an appointment with him, He will measure you and build it to your body size. He builds them "Expandable" so they can be worn with, or without, jackets or coats, for Summer or Winter. He is a photographer, as well as a parachutist, so he knows how to advise you if you don't quite know what you want.
He is a very nice young man...but very busy with his business. But if you want the best...this is it!
If you ever want to see mine, Just call me. I'm in the phone book...Paul A. Valentine on Shannon Lane, NRH.

[Steelsun]

I came super close to buying a vest at FM forums: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/192732

Also saw a nice "expedition" vest at Bass Outlet at Katy Mills. They actually had 3, but the one I liked most was actually cheapest at around $32.

Still may get it, just not sure.

[Jim Victory]

What I like about the idea of getting a custom vest is you can have it designed to carry the types of lenses and equipment you would normally use.

Most off the rack vest are designed to handle smaller lenses so if you shoot with small zooms or primes then they usually will meet your needs.

I need something I can stick a 70-200 in and maybe a 300 and 400 prime with some other equipment or lenses.

Backpacks are great to carry a large amount of equipment but they are a pain to have to take off everytime you need to get something. A shoulder bag just doesn't distribute the weight good enough and can become very uncomfortable if carried all day.

I guess I need to take a day off and go to Denton.

[Sheldon]

Do you guys use your vest alot? I hate wearing a backpack, and have often wondered if a vest would be more comfortable. The largest lens I have is a 70 - 200 f/2.8

[Bill Huber]

Originally Posted by Hogleg 44

Mine is the Still, which was $170, plus Tax (since it is all in Texas).
If you call and make an appointment with him, He will measure you and build it to your body size. He builds them "Expandable" so they can be worn with, or without, jackets or coats, for Summer or Winter. He is a photographer, as well as a parachutist, so he knows how to advise you if you don't quite know what you want.
He is a very nice young man...but very busy with his business. But if you want the best...this is it!
If you ever want to see mine, Just call me. I'm in the phone book...Paul A. Valentine on Shannon Lane, NRH.

I sent them an email to set up an appointment.

Thanks.

[Hogleg 44]

I think that anyone who wants a high quality vest will be happy with what you get from John. He seemed to me to be very willing to accommodate you. Again, It is a quality produce, lifetime guarantee, BUT, he custom builds them, one at a time, so you will have to wait for it... for this reason he has no stock on hand to sell. When you walk in his place off of the street you walk into a very small office with a bunch of parachute photos on the wall. His shop and employees are in the back. There is no storefront.
Jim, I feel sure that he would make one to accommodate the equipment you wanted to carry. It seems to me he has given a lot of thought to his stock patterns.

[jeffkohn]

Bill, did you ever get one of these? Have been thinking about it myself lately, I'm finding that a backpack just doesn't work well for me and on dayhikes and such the Velocity 9 just doesn't give me enough capacity (it also doesn't distirbute the weight very well).

[Murph]

I have my old Banana Republic vest I bought in 1987! Didn't wear it for 10 years, and then started wearing it again. Nice, long, lots of pockets.