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Author Topic: Billingham Photo Vests  (Read 21331 times)

stamper

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #20 on: June 08, 2011, 06:22:30 am »

You know.. I have heard that line from others.. and its one well used on other forums to the answer of the perfect photo vest. But..

Angling vests are just not designed to carry the sort of weight that photographers (well me anyway) carry in the field. They might be ok for short walks etc.. but I would not want to hike very far with gear in an angling vest.

It would depend on which vest you bought? There are many more angling vests on the market than photographic ones. Here's one for starters.

http://www.sportfish.co.uk/product/fishpond-gore-range-tech-pack

and

http://www.sportfish.co.uk/product/orvis-zambezi-twill-travel-waistcoat

or

http://www.sportfish.co.uk/product/simms-g3-guide-vest

finally

http://www.sportfish.co.uk/product/snowbee-geo-fly-fishing-vest
« Last Edit: June 08, 2011, 06:30:40 am by stamper »
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RenTielenburg

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #21 on: June 19, 2011, 09:24:59 am »

I am using the Billingham Photo Vests for two years now an are very satisfied with it.
It looks good, is strong and the design of the vest makes it nearly impossible to see whats inside the pockets ;D
If you download the pdf from Billinghams site, you can read what size fits the best.
My experience is that it is better to chose one size that is larger then indicated.
as far as I know the size of the pockets do not increase noticeably with increased size of the vest.

Cheers,

Rene
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JimAscher

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #22 on: June 21, 2011, 06:57:08 pm »

I hadn't any knowledge of the existence of the Vested Interest vests until reading this thread a few weeks ago.  I checked out their web site (www.vestedinterest.com) and ordered myself their "Still" model, which I thought would best suit my field needs (employing both a Lumix G1 and a Lumix GF1, with different lenses).  The vest arrived today and it is even better and more suited to my needs than I thought possible.  Very well constructed, a great variety of pockets, and easily adjustable for both summer and winters temperatures (i.e. fitting over clothing appropriate to those seasons).  Can't wait to try it out in the "wilderness" over the Fourth.  Some might consider it a bit pricey, but the level of construction and customization I think well warrants the price 
 
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Josh-H

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #23 on: July 11, 2011, 09:59:29 am »

Jim,

I also ordered a Vested interest Vest and mine arrived this evening. I went with a heavily modified version of the Khumbu vest. I wont list all the mods I had done to it; but there are quite a few. The construction quality is absolutely first rate (I guess thats what you get when you buy from a company that specialises in parachutes! no margin for error!) Price.. well expensive (but what in photography thats good isnt half an arm or leg :-\ )

I have obviously not had a chance to use it yet (Ive been printing and looking at test charts all night) But I am going away for the weekend and will put it through its paces up in the Mountains and snow.

The only other thing to really say about it for now is as I expected.. you wouldnt want to walk into a cafe for lunch wearing it. But then.. when you are in the field, standing in a swamp with no where to put a camera bag.. well.. it aint a fashion contest out there  ::)
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JimAscher

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #24 on: July 11, 2011, 10:10:39 am »

Josh:  SNOW!  Then I checked and noted you were in Australia -- that "other" hemisphere.  I'm confident your new vest will work out fine. Good shooting. 
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Wayne Fox

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #25 on: July 12, 2011, 02:34:27 am »

I went with a heavily modified version of the Khumbu vest. I wont list all the mods I had done to it; but there are quite a few.
I'd be very interested in what mods and even some pictures.  I have one of those vests and agree, build quality is very good and they are tough (and comfortable even loaded with gear. In mine the pockets just aren't quite the right size for my MF gear, so I'm thinking of another one maybe more customized.  Love to see yours in action.
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Josh-H

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #26 on: July 12, 2011, 02:40:27 am »

I am writing up an op. ed piece on why I chose this vest and what mods I had done for my blog. I hope to have it up and done by middle of next week (with pics). Weather permitting I am going to also try and shoot some video this weekend in the field with my opinions after having tried it out. I'll put a link up here when its done.
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stamper

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #27 on: July 13, 2011, 04:21:58 am »

At the end of the day will it make a difference? The vest has been adapted for your personal use and isn't available off the peg. Therefore there won't be any practical value for anyone.  :-\

Josh-H

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #28 on: July 13, 2011, 05:17:30 am »

At the end of the day will it make a difference? The vest has been adapted for your personal use and isn't available off the peg. Therefore there won't be any practical value for anyone.  :-\

Really? Perhaps it might inspire thought in others to consider what I had done and wether it might also help them. Perhaps there are others interested in what I did to it and why I purchased it over the other options. Are all reviews and op ed. pieces on photography useless by your reasoning?

Sorry, but I really dislike your dose of cold water - its rubbed me the wrong way.
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stamper

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #29 on: July 13, 2011, 05:59:36 am »

Sorry you feel irritated It wasn't my intention to offend.  :) However if you think about this objectively then any vest tailored to suit will achieve the same aim. Your experiences are unlikely to be repeated unless you are intending to post the exact alterations and the cost of them. At the end of the day it will all be unique to you.  8)

Josh-H

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #30 on: July 13, 2011, 06:26:12 am »

Sorry you feel irritated It wasn't my intention to offend.  :) However if you think about this objectively then any vest tailored to suit will achieve the same aim. Your experiences are unlikely to be repeated unless you are intending to post the exact alterations and the cost of them. At the end of the day it will all be unique to you.  8)
Thats ok.. maybe my caffeine levels were getting low..And yes, I am planning an extensive list of alterations, costs etc.
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Wayne Fox

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #31 on: July 15, 2011, 02:40:12 pm »

At the end of the day will it make a difference? The vest has been adapted for your personal use and isn't available off the peg. Therefore there won't be any practical value for anyone.  :-\
Certainly anyone could order the same or similar mods ... these vests are all 'custom' made, although they offer various basic models, the idea is to start there and then add or change to suit your equipment setup.   I planning on ordering another one of these vests to try and work with my MF gear and would love to see Josh's ideas on how he customized it for his setup.

These guys specialize in this stuff, this isn't just tailoring some off the shelf vest.  They are unique.  As Josh mentioned, not a fashion statement, but very functional.
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Josh-H

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #32 on: July 17, 2011, 04:00:52 am »

Certainly anyone could order the same or similar mods ... these vests are all 'custom' made, although they offer various basic models, the idea is to start there and then add or change to suit your equipment setup.   I planning on ordering another one of these vests to try and work with my MF gear and would love to see Josh's ideas on how he customized it for his setup.

These guys specialize in this stuff, this isn't just tailoring some off the shelf vest.  They are unique.  As Josh mentioned, not a fashion statement, but very functional.

I got back late this afternoon from a couple of days shooting with this vest up at Mount Buffalo. I have written up Part One; which includes a list of modifications as well as my thought process on why I purchased one. I am going to write up part two over the coming week with my impressions after using it in the field. http://blog.jholko.com Cheers,
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David Sutton

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #33 on: July 19, 2011, 03:41:35 am »

A good interesting write-up on the vest Josh. Looking forward to hearing how it performed in the field.
Cheers.
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Josh-H

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Re: Billingham Photo Vests
« Reply #34 on: July 20, 2011, 05:42:00 am »

I have Part Two now finished and up on my Blog.

Cheers,
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