Should I get a donkey?

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MadMacro

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Someone has no doubt asked this and been answered already but here goes.

I've arrived at the conclusion that when I'm actually out shooting my back is not the place for my gear. Even with the Slingshot it's still a performance to change a lens etc. :bonk:

What I'd like is a vest/waistcoat with attached belt with pockets for lenses at waist level for easy access. Though what it'd be like in actual use I don't really know, but it seems like a good idea to me. Is such a thing to be had?

I've got the Snickers version for work but would like a tog equivalent for the hobby. I don't care what I look like! :nuts: Of course I could get a donkey to carry everything but not sure how that would be regarded on indoor shoots. :lol:

What do you folks use when shooting and how do you get on with it? :help:
 
How much stuff are you talking about carrying?

I use one of the ooooooooh sooooo unfashionable "photographers vests" when I am off shooting at race meetings. You look like a dweeb but at least you can carry the junk. In that I usually have rocket blower, short/wide lens, flash, teleconverters, filters, raincover, memory cards, business cards and food etc.

If you want to play swaperoo with longer lenses (eg 70-200 or 300 etc) then you need to find a way of carrying them. I normally use a Lowepro lens case on a shoulder strap, but thats only good for swapping to a short lens - if I am carrying two long lenses then really what I need is a pair of the Lowepro lens case things and Lowepro's belt system (complete with kidney belt to distribute weight!!)

Military gear? I have no aversion to that, but the trouble is that the stuff is designed just like camera gear carrying stuff for particular things - different things to what you and I want to carry. Nothing I have (camera wise) is shaped like a 30rnd AK mag or a VOG25 :D
 
donutagain said:
yes get a donkey
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As I get her to carrry stuff my wife beleives she's a donkey already and she may not like the competition. :lol

GarynLea said:
I use one of these ... http://www.army.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=88&P_ID=250

Available in most Army surplus stores :)

I find it very comfortable and I can wear it under a large coat without difficulty. The rear pouch doesnt get used as it would be awkward to access.
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Looks useful but are the pouches padded? Seems unlikely for mags etc and I wouln't put my lenses in anything unpadded - I ended up rolling down a wooded hillside yesterday and was very glad everything was well protected. Except me. :bonk:

desantnik said:
How much stuff are you talking about carrying?

I use one of the ooooooooh sooooo unfashionable "photographers vests"...... :D
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Where did you get your vest?

At worst I'm carrying D700, 50mm f1.4, 17-35, 70-200, 1.7TC, 105 macro and tripod. Plus associated shrapnel such as memory cards etc. Some days I leave the 105 macro and the tripod at home. When I can afford a ring flash it'll be with the 105. :D
 
Donkeys are great but aren't keen on snowballs ;)

IMG_1480.jpg
 
I don't know if you can still get them but Lowepro do a street and field set up, comprising of belt, vest or straps. Pouches are available in different sizes depending on the lens or accessories you want to carry. Try ebay.
 
Yes, the street and field range is the name that escaped me when I was writing my post earlier. One of my colleagues uses it in conjunction with a vest.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-lowepro-street-and-field-deluxe-waistbelt-13/p12134

Add some y-straps to that to keep it up like this:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-lowepro-street-and-field-shoulder-harness-large/p10219

or go the whole hog like this:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy..._-Lowepro-Street-and-Field-Vest-Harness_10221

Which to be honest has a lot in common with modern military modular systems, even to go as far as the way the Lowepro pouches attach being very similar to "molle" (the trendy military way of modular load carrying systems).

Far, far better than a backpack because the weight is distributed around you and you can get to everything without rumaging.
 
Have you seen the Cotton Carrier system? I'm not sure re lots of storage etc, but it does change the weight distribution favourably. I've seen a few threads about it over on POTN. http://www.cottoncarrier.com/
 
That cotton carrier thing looks horrific!
 
Lol, it does rather! It doesn't do it for me, but it is at least, shall we say, different...
 
I have a Lowepro backpack and swapping the lens is a royal pain. I think I may be looking for a slingshot version in the new year as this one is worse than useless. Will watch this thread closely.
 
easy

get one of these

Golf%20Cart.jpg


or a primus.
also you can get top drop lens carriers that attach to your belt. that would work
or a photovest..
 
CRAGHOPPERS do a photo vest and it is on offer at the moment!
Have a ganders HERE
Ive got one and its brilliant!!
 
Yardbent said:
THEN walk alongside London Airport, Houses of Parliament, No 10 ---local Met police would be all over you....
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Same **** different day :D
 
GarynLea said:
I use one of these ... http://www.army.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=88&P_ID=250

Available in most Army surplus stores :)

I find it very comfortable and I can wear it under a large coat without difficulty. The rear pouch doesnt get used as it would be awkward to access.
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I use the Viper version of this, BUT and its a big BUT, I do most of my photography in woodland etc etc.They are ideal for that sort of photography.

The rear pouch fits my sandwich box just nice, so gets used plenty..........:D

And to the other guy.....Leave the donkey be, it ain`t doing no harm to you nor anybody else.
 
No, it is not doing that.
 
Get a Donkey, i've wanted one for years but i'm not allowed one, also asked for a llama, chickens and a goat but all requests were met with a strong NO.

I always wondered if I got one and put it in our field - would he make me send it back...
 
Perhaps saying a snowball was slightly misleading. Before you all call the Daily mail my wife was just out of shot chucking handfuls of powder snow in the air whilst he stood there a little bemuse by it all. Got to be better than the pepperami factory he was destined for though.

/back on topic
 
Karlosfandango said:
Perhaps saying a snowball was slightly misleading. Before you all call the Daily mail my wife was just out of shot chucking handfuls of powder snow in the air whilst he stood there a little bemuse by it all. Got to be better than the pepperami factory he was destined for though.

/back on topic
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Pepperami? Donkeys? :thinking:
 
Karlosfandango said:
Perhaps saying a snowball was slightly misleading. Before you all call the Daily mail my wife was just out of shot chucking handfuls of powder snow in the air whilst he stood there a little bemuse by it all. Got to be better than the pepperami factory he was destined for though.

/back on topic
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If thats what you say, then who are we to disbelieve you.
Does look like an impact spot just below his/her left ear though. Obviously not.
 
desantnik said:
Yes, the street and field range is the name that escaped me .....

or go the whole hog like this:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy..._-Lowepro-Street-and-Field-Vest-Harness_10221
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Looks the biz. I'll find a retailer and have a play.

Deckard said:
Have you seen the Cotton Carrier system? I'm not sure re lots of storage etc, but it does change the weight distribution favourably. I've seen a few threads about it over on POTN. http://www.cottoncarrier.com/
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Yuk. and no good when rolling down a wooded slope...

desantnik said:
That cotton carrier thing looks horrific!
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With you on that!

CGeezer said:
I have a Lowepro backpack and swapping the lens is a royal pain. I think I may be looking for a slingshot version in the new year as this one is worse than useless. Will watch this thread closely.
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Slingshot is better but still a palaver for lens swaps. It's great for a quick grab of the camera with whatever lens is already attached though.

iliria said:
i like the donkey option, plus they have the cute factor
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Julie1979 said:
Get a Donkey, i've wanted one for years but i'm not allowed one, also asked for a llama, chickens and a goat but all requests were met with a strong NO.

I always wondered if I got one and put it in our field - would he make me send it back...
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I used to have a donkey as it happens, great fun, loads of character and a definite sense of humour. Good at escaping too, mine used to go visiting. They loved him at the local primary school....
 
Another problem with the Slingshot is the zip. When you've got it swung round in front of you and you want to zip it closed again you have to pull very hard on the zip to get it round the corner where the strap is pulling the bag out of shape due to the weight. If you've got a spare hand :lol::lol: you can support the bag a bit so it is more it's normal shape to make it easier, but spare hands I ain't got.:thumbsdown:
 
Get a border collie. Train it well and it will be a full on assistant.

Although, treat him right or a couple of years down the line and you'll probably part company, he'll end up doing weddings by himself :'(
 
OutLore said:
Get a border collie. Train it well and it will be a full on assistant.
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AND he'll be able to round up sheep so you can photograph them!
AND he'll be able to find you in a snow drift!
AND he'll be a friend for life!

Collie2-1.jpg
 
I have been fortunate enough to be supplied with this stuff through my work and I've been well impressed to date

http://www.stealth-gear.com/

I also know that they have ranges planned for the New Year which will be suited to urban / street photographers.
 
wontolla said:
AND he'll be able to round up sheep so you can photograph them!
AND he'll be able to find you in a snow drift!
AND he'll be a friend for life!
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Unfortunately Mrs OutLore doesn't see it that way. She says that if she gets buried in a snow drift, I should find her and dig her out, but if I get buried in a snow drift all she needs is the insurance details.
 
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