The Billingham Large Photo Vest (Stone) is hand produced in Birmingham England, and made with the same high standards as the rest of the Billingham line. It is manufactured out of Cordura 500 denier texturized, multi-filament material, which feels like brushed cotton. This material is supple and quiet, extremely important when noise must be kept to a minimum. The vest has four exterior, zippered 7x9" equipment pockets with a cloth flap. These pockets can easily carry spare camera bodies, as well as motor drives or spare lenses. There are two exterior, chest-height "hidden" 10" pockets on either side of the vest that can accommodate just about any size zoom lens. These horizontal pockets are deep enough to prevent gear from falling out of the vest. There are two concealed, horizontal 9.0" exterior zipper compartments that can store gear, which might not be used immediately. Two exterior, protected front flap pockets will hold press credentials, wallet, etc. Two pen slots are positioned on either side of the main center zipper. There are two interior chest height 7.0 x 8.0" zipper pockets for extra camera bodies and four interior open pockets for carrying filters, batteries, etc.
The vest has two stainless steel eyelets are secured to the vest for tying on light meters, etc. There are epaulettes on both sides with two position snaps for securing camera carry straps. The padded semi-shawl collar is comfortable and prevents chafing while carrying a heavy load. A heavy-duty zipper closes the vest, and a secondary snap tab, right at under-chest height allows the photographer to keep the vest closed while allowing for increased airflow.
| Material |
Exterior: Cordura 500 denier texturized, multi-filament Interior: Mesh vents |
| Design | Stone colored multi-pocketed equipment vest |
| Number of Pockets | 18 |
| Type of Closure |
Heavy-duty zipper Snap tab |
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Billingham Large Photo Vest (Stone):
I got this vest because I had tried all the other common forms of camera carrying. (Backpacks and shoulder satchels) but none had been quite right. Backpacks offer protection but the ones I'd had couldn't support the weight of my kit. (5D MKII 70-200f2.8L IS II, 35 1.4L 50 1.4 and an EOS-3 body with assorted caps and cloths and do-dads.
In a pinch I've hung it by it's coat ring with all of that in there and even though the ring is bit stretched it still feels solid (though I try to avoid doing that.
This lets me carry all that, over my coat and sweatshirt if it's cold or in a t-shirt if its not.
You can just feel the quality on this thing, unlike a lot of other vests it doesn't feel cheap. Just solid. Made in England, right there on the front under the Billingham name, it's a nice change
Also even though it gets a bit bumpy on my chest that doenst prevent me from strapping on my Chrome Metropolis, and then the 5D on a Blackrapid after that, and shooting for hours.
Also, I don't feel like a dork wearing t
My one complaint is that it can sometimes be a bit of a struggle to close the zippers on the front pockets or to get the 70-200 into the mouth of them. That could just be a sizing issue on my part but I'm 5' 8" and thin and that places the edge of the vest at about my waist which is I think where it's supposed to be.
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