Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/09/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Most of the photojournalist vests (as apart from the ones with huge padded compartments made to hold heavy SLR's/lenses) are quite similar. The Domke vest has more exposed mesh (especially in front) making it a bit cooler for warm weather. The Banana Republic vest has one annoying fault, in that only one of the lower front pockets zips closed (at least the one I have is this way). My preferred vest is the Orvis Travel Vest, which has two zip-closure pockets that will each hold an M body, plus enough other pockets to accomodate lenses, small flash, film, etc. and a lower back pocket that takes a Leitz table tripod with ball head. It also has a brass ring on the upper breast to which a lightmeter can be attached by a lanyard and then slipped into a lower pocket...makes it accessible but safe from dropping. The Orvis vest is also available in an olive green, which I prefer because it doesn't soil as easily. The cost is also under USD$100. The Woolrich vest someone mentioned is almost an exact clone of the Orvis (or vice-versa?). Jay