Gloves for photographers

Merlin5

Merlin5

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,295
Name
Lee
Edit My Images
No
It's that time of year when the hands get very cold while out shooting photos. I've always just bought cheap £5 Thinsulate gloves which I find very warm but they're probably too thick for handling controls on a camera. I think it would be nice to have thin gloves like driving gloves. They look nicer for a start but are they warm enough and thin enough to control a camera and does anyone have glove recommendations? I found out there are specially designed gloves for photographers by a company called Vallerret where the thumb and index finger have magnetic flip off finger caps. But they're about £80. There are similar for about £10 to £20 but no idea if they're any good?
 
Last edited:
Last edited:
I have fingerless gloves with fold-over mitten tips. Nice and warm and I can expose my fingers quickly to control camera, bins, Mars bar, etc. They cost around £10.
 
Over the past 20+ years I have tried virtually all the types that cost and promise a lot but in the end fail to do the job properly .. that is till a couple of years ago I opened one of my presents to find a pair of gloves I thought was a mistake as they appeared to be child sized .. the wife had bought them as a joke stocking filler .. but they are incredibly stretchy and fit well like a glove is the best way to describe them .. very thin not over warm but do the job and allow full use of all the camera controls without needing holes for fingers ..
where do you buy these miracle gloves .. men’s dept in primark and the cost is excessive at two pairs for £1 .. sometimes the mind boggles this is one of them
 
simon ess said:
I struggle badly with cold fingers. I have recently started using these https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009S4L8UA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wear 2 pairs, large and extra large.

They are fantastic. Problem solved.

I can easily operate all controls.

Being wool, they will still be warm if they get wet.

Edie to add - I previously used thinsulate gloves and found them to be not very good.
Click to expand...

Thanks simon, that's great to hear you have no problem operating the camera with those gloves on. They certainly look flexible and just thin enough to to feel the camera buttons properly. Think I might have to buy those. Would you say they're durable to last a long time? I'm always a bit worried about gloves that look like they're knitted.
 
john.margetts said:
I have fingerless gloves with fold-over mitten tips. Nice and warm and I can expose my fingers quickly to control camera, bins, Mars bar, etc. They cost around £10.
Click to expand...

Do you have a link to those? Sounds perfect. Especially for Mars bars. Durable?
 
Merlin5 said:
Would you say they're durable to last a long time? I'm always a bit worried about gloves that look like they're knitted.
Click to expand...

This is my first year with them so we'll see. They are very, very close knit though. I think they'll last fine.
 
the black fox said:
Over the past 20+ years I have tried virtually all the types that cost and promise a lot but in the end fail to do the job properly .. that is till a couple of years ago I opened one of my presents to find a pair of gloves I thought was a mistake as they appeared to be child sized .. the wife had bought them as a joke stocking filler .. but they are incredibly stretchy and fit well like a glove is the best way to describe them .. very thin not over warm but do the job and allow full use of all the camera controls without needing holes for fingers ..
where do you buy these miracle gloves .. men’s dept in primark and the cost is excessive at two pairs for £1 .. sometimes the mind boggles this is one of them
Click to expand...

That's a lot of money! :LOL: I've been meaning to go to Primark for a while so will check those out. Thanks.
 
There have been a few threads on this subject over the years so it may be worth checking the search function.

The problem I have with gloves is finding something warm enough yet thin enough to operate the camera. I have several pairs of gloves that I still use for photography and general use (walking the dog). I've had others but they have gone in the bin a long time ago.

North Face e-tip gloves - good for warmer weather. E-tip works well at first then fails to work. Not very warm when its properly cold. Ok on a cool day.

Rab Phatom Grip Gloves - similar to the north face e-tip gloves really but without the e-tip. Not very warm when its properly cold. Ok on a cool day.

Sealskinz gloves (unsure of the model) - better for colder weather. Supposed to be waterproof but in the lakes on a very wet day I didn't get wet hands inside the gloves but they stocked up so much water I could wring water out but clenching my fists. Not exactly good for holding a camera.

After a similar post on here after a few recommendations I've ended up getting a set of gloves from The Heat Company. I have a couple of liners (windtec pros and merino pros) and the external shell gloves. They aren't cheap but I've had so many gloves that I've decidedly to set one very good set that should last me a long time (I do the same with coats too as a good coats lasts). They should hopefully last me quite a while.I haven't had a chance to properly test them as the weather hasn't been cold enough but others on here say the worked well for them during the beast from the east. There's also room for hand warmer pouches too.

I have had an issue with the merino wool liners as they split at the seam. An email to The Heat Company and a new set sent to me without sending the others back which isn't bad. Their customer service is great. I have to say I had so many sent to me to get my size right. They sent me a second set before I'd sent the first back so I could compare the two sizes.
 
Merlin5 said:
It's that time of year when the hands get very cold while out shooting photos. I've always just bought cheap £5 Thinsulate gloves which I find very warm but they're probably too thick for handling controls on a camera.
Click to expand...


Depends on your camera.. i find them perfectly fine for a large DSLR

People tend to over think the whole gloves thing :)
 
I have the North Face Etip gloves and they are good for cool days but not cold or windy days. They are thin enough to hold the camera and shoot with. I dont shoot much hand held so for tripod work when cold I have a size larger glove thats windproof to put on over the top for carrying tripod and setting up which I take off for fiddly bits

Driving gloves and golf/horse riding gloves are useless in the cold.

Vallerette gloves are supposed to be the best but at £70 im reluctant to try them.

I have just bought a pair of Mac Wet gloves for 23 quid for paddleboarding in winter and they seem reasonable but yet to try them out
 
Last edited:
KIPAX said:
Depends on your camera.. i find them perfectly fine for a large DSLR

People tend to over think the whole gloves thing :)
Click to expand...

Sony a6600, quite small compared to my 5D mk2, but I don't take the Canon out anymore.

mstphoto said:
I'm rarely bothered with cold hands but I have just ordered a pair of these for the days when there's a biting wind along the coast.
Easy Off Gloves Unisex Skiing and Photography Gloves. Fold Back Magnet Fastened Finger Tips with Zip Pocket for Memory Cards: Amazon.co.uk: Clothing
Click to expand...

Hi Mike. Ah yeah, those are a cheaper version of the £70- £80 Vallerret. I was thinking of getting the same as yours but according to a few reviews on your Amazon link, they're unfortunately not warm, so they wouldn't suit me, but yes they'd certainly work to operate the camera.

riddell said:
Gun gloves. Designed for firing a trigger. Grippy and warm.
Click to expand...

Thanks, do you have a link for them?

I just found out there are gloves with 'touchscreen technology'. That would be pretty useful, especially when using my phone as a remote for my camera.
 
I bought a pair of these on fleabay for less than a tenner, keeps my hands warm and flicking back finger+thumb allow good camera control..Gloves.jpeg
 
Merlin5 said:
Do you have a link to those? Sounds perfect. Especially for Mars bars. Durable?
Click to expand...
Pure wool so very durable. They were bought in an outdoors shop so no link, I'm afraid.
 
Years ago I took a tip off this site and purchased some neoprene fishing gloves from Aldi. They don’t sell them at the moment but tend to twice a year. They are warm have a great rubber palm grip and you can Velcro back the finger and thumb.

There’s a link here but if you google you can find something similar

www.aldi.co.uk

Crane One Fold Green Fishing Gloves

Find Crane One Fold Green Fishing Gloves at ALDI.
www.aldi.co.uk www.aldi.co.uk
 
I have Sealskinz with magnetic fold back finger/thumb. They are okay, warm enough. But I don't think they are as waterproof as they are supposed to be.....

I'm glad I didn't pay full price for them.
 
Google fishing gloves. They come in a variety of styles at every price point. I spent 30 years fly fishing obsessively. Quite a bit of the gear carries over nicely.

Back when I was taking pictures for a living I carried a pair of winter golf gloves. Thin lining makes them fairly warm and the dexterity is excellent. I remember one time going into a pawn shop and forgot to take them off. I basically disassembled a used Nikon F3 that I was looking at while wearing them. Clerk looked at me like, holy cow, guy knows cameras. Thinking about it, I may just look into getting another pair (of golf gloves, not F3s.)
 
Thanks Ken, Paul, Lee, Andy, John, Steve. Lots of options to consider!
 
I use Sealskin shooting gloves, you can flip back the first finger and thumb on each hand to operate your camera. Wind and water proof supposedly but not tried them I wet weather. They do keep your hands warm though.
 
dbay said:
I use Sealskin shooting gloves, you can flip back the first finger and thumb on each hand to operate your camera. Wind and water proof supposedly but not tried them I wet weather. They do keep your hands warm though.
Click to expand...

I checked Sealskinz, they seem very good though are about £45. Are you sure you don't have the Sealskinz sporting gloves? Their shooting gloves flip the index finger only, and the sporting gloves do finger and thumb.
 
Merlin5 said:
Sony a6600, quite small compared to my 5D mk2, but I don't take the Canon out anymore.



Hi Mike. Ah yeah, those are a cheaper version of the £70- £80 Vallerret. I was thinking of getting the same as yours but according to a few reviews on your Amazon link, they're unfortunately not warm, so they wouldn't suit me, but yes they'd certainly work to operate the camera.



Thanks, do you have a link for them?

I just found out there are gloves with 'touchscreen technology'. That would be pretty useful, especially when using my phone as a remote for my camera.
Click to expand...
www.macwet.com

MacWet | All Grip, No Slip Sports Gloves

Discover MacWet ‘all grip, no slip’ sports gloves for precision and performance in all weathers. Perfect for shooters, equestrians and most outdoor activities.
www.macwet.com www.macwet.com
 
Another vote for fishing gloves and as has already been mentioned a lot of angling items do carry over nicely.
I've spent 30+yrs fishing in all weathers often sat in one place for 5 or 6 hrs at a time, if your photography means you are going to be doing that take a look at the thermal wellies and thermal suits anglers use, no good for a long walk but stuck in one place just waiting its well tested gear. Angling neoprene gloves, cheap enough and do the job.
 
I use aldi fishing gloves but also have a pair of sealskinz which are warmer, quite grippy and I can operate the camera no problem. I've used them in winter,but if there's a fair wind chill I wear some warmer gloves, and swap them once I've set up my camera....
www.sealskinz.com

Water Repellent All Weather Glove

A lightweight, single layer glove. Water repellent and insulative. Ideal for winter running. Free shipping available.
www.sealskinz.com www.sealskinz.com
 
Last edited:
As has been said it's always going to be a trade off between dexterity and warmth. Personally I wouldn't pay a fortune for photography gloves as I think you end up paying the "photography tax" for them.

I got a pair of Deerhunter insulated shooting gloves with fold back finger and thumb off the Bay for about £8 - the only slight downside for me is they are in camouflage but for the East Anglia standard winter they are fine. If you need warmth in more demanding conditions I'd suggest a pair of army surplus mittems with thin liner gloves. You can quickly take off the mitten to use your camera take the shot and then back on with the mitt
 
Thinsulate gloves and a sharp knife - just cut a slot in the operating fingers at the first joint... warm gloves with the ability to pop a finger tip out for fiddly operation when required.
 
I use cycling gloves, they are warm, well made, good enough to be able to operate the camera with them on.
 
I have tried the Aldi green neoprene gloves with the fold back finger tips. Quite good but a bit bulky. You can also buy them in Boyes store if you have one of those. I’ve also got Macwet gloves which are ok but I put a pair of cheap woolly fingerless gloves over the top. Lastly I’ve bought a similar pair of thin gloves from decathlon. Only about £7. I find them very useful and have an E-tip.
 
I use these and have never had cold fingers............Do have a dented wallet though! :LOL:

www.theheatcompany.com

HEAT 3 Smart Pro

Extra warm mitten gloves with integrated Liner made of Polartec® Wind Pro® ✔ Highly wind and water repellent ✔ Suitable for all touchscreens ➤ Buy HEAT 3 SMART PRO now!
www.theheatcompany.com www.theheatcompany.com
 
DG Phototraining said:
I've got those :)

In the coldest I wear two pairs at once - amazing and amazing value too :)

Dave
Click to expand...
yep weird isn't it glad someone else has gotten the same results :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:
 
Yes, there definitely index and thumb on both hands the ones I have.
 
Merlin5 said:
I checked Sealskinz, they seem very good though are about £45. Are you sure you don't have the Sealskinz sporting gloves? Their shooting gloves flip the index finger only, and the sporting gloves do finger and thumb.
Click to expand...

I've just checked my email confirmation. They are the sporting gloves. I paid £46.75 with free delivery last March.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top