Lens and gear belt

[Geoff]

We were at a wedding as guests on the weekend and the photog there had a lens belt, with some pouches attached for the 70-200VR and a few other lenses. The ease of use of this product seemed excellent. He was able to swap and change lenses quickly and efficiently. Just wondering if anyone here has one and what their opinion of this is. I'm seriously contemplating this as a purchase.

[Yi-P]

Interesting, did you take a pic of the photog with his gear/lens belt on?

[losfp]

Which brand was it Geoff?

I have the Lowepro one, and the Kinesis and Thinktank systems also look good.

Very convenient to grab lenses etc without having to take a bag off your back, and very versatile as well as you can chop & change pouches and cases as required.

However the downside is that it can get pretty bulky - if you have a loaded belt with large cases, you're going to have a hell of a time getting through narrow doorways Plus it is not comfortable to sit down while wearing the belt... If you have many heavy cases on, you will most likely need the various shoulder harness or vest harness options to help support the weight.

These days, I use a photovest whenever I'm out shooting. Gives me lots of pockets, but it's not as cumbersome as the belt systems.

[Geoff]

Interesting, did you take a pic of the photog with his gear/lens belt on?

Sure did - not sure of the brand - will post the image a bit later on.

[Geoff]

Not sure of the brand, and this photo isn't a good one to give any idea of brand. What I did find interesting that the photogs were using Canon and Nikon together - not something I've seen before. They were a hubby/wife team too so not able to swap lenses etc. The did chimp a lot.

[Yi-P]

Just buy those Lowepro lens cases and you can strap them to any belt.

If not, the lowepro belt attachment system if it is with the brand.

I think a photovest works better, it can hold many lenses and goodies around yet to make yourself too bulky on the hips.

[Laurie]

that looks like the lowepro logo on that massive lens pouch

[losfp]

Yep - that's a Lowepro lens case. Hard to tell which belt it is on though. I have the deluxe waistbelt, it is very wide and comfy however as mentioned, it is quite bulky If you only want one or two pouches/cases, then it's not a bad option, however once you start strapping more than that on... the vests are more convenient.

This is a photo of me and my vest get-up - photo taken in tassie a few weeks ago. Stylish hey?

[gstark]

I have a fundamental issue with the concept of a lens belt for use at a wedding.

Seriously.

A wedding is not an event where you always need to have every possible lens easily at hand.

Use two bodies, each with complementary glass mounted, and forget this sort of bullshit. With a wedding, your gear is rarely going to be more than a few feet away from you, and if you're going to be spending time swapping lenses, does it matter if it's in your bag on the table over there, instead of being attached to your belt of vest, from which you need to extricate it.


With respect, for this sort of usage, it sounds to me like wankers on parade.

[losfp]

That's a good point Gary.

Have a decent telephoto on one body for tight portraits, and a midrange zoom (like a 28-70 for example) on the other for most other shots (seriously, how often will you need an ultrawide lens at a wedding shoot apart from one or two special effects shots?)

This was illustrated very simply by our wedding experience a few weeks ago. Our photographer had a big rolling lowepro case full of gear, but it was basically all for backup. He used a D2X, a single SB-800 and a Nikkor 18-200VR. That was it for the whole day. Instead of worrying about which lenses produced the ultimate bokeh and showed the least distortion, he worked quickly, efficiently, managed the bridal party and guests effortlessly, and GOT THE SHOTS in all conditions (we had sunshine, shade, drizzle, cloudy sky and wind... it WAS in Geelong after all!!)

For a shooting meet though, the batman utility belt is not only useful, it's practically mandatory for the fashionable gear nerd

[Raskill]

I have a fundamental issue with the concept of a lens belt for use at a wedding.

Seriously.

A wedding is not an event where you always need to have every possible lens easily at hand.

Use two bodies, each with complementary glass mounted, and forget this sort of bullshit. With a wedding, your gear is rarely going to be more than a few feet away from you, and if you're going to be spending time swapping lenses, does it matter if it's in your bag on the table over there, instead of being attached to your belt of vest, from which you need to extricate it.


With respect, for this sort of usage, it sounds to me like wankers on parade.

I must agree.

A 70-200 and a 24-70 is all you'd need, mounted on two bodies. A sb800 mounted on each body. I don't see the point of carrying all that other stuff. Spare batteries and CF cards fit in pockets.

I've got to the point now where I try to minimise what I carry, usually a pare of 'cargo' shorts and a small hydration pack with storage will do.

[gstark]

but it was basically all for backup.

Backup is important, and having spares of the essentials, easily at hand, is an important aspect of being a professional.

But at weddings, you do have the opportunity to bring a good kit, but keep it nearby. You can then work quickly and effectively with just the two bodies with their respective lenses fitted,

I'd probably prefer to work with a Metz to an SB800, too. There are some tricks you can do with a Mets that are not possible with the 800. I can drive a single Metz from two bodies, for instance, whereas with an 800, you do need one for each body.

For a shooting meet though, the batman utility belt is not only useful, it's practically mandatory for the fashionable gear nerd

That's a different scenario altogether, as are pj and restricted entry events, where you may not be able to keep a rolling bag with a kit easily at hand.

[Andyt]

Use two bodies, each with complementary glass mounted, and forget this sort of bullshit.

Totally agree, on the odd occasion that I do an event, say sports, function, formal gatherings etc, I use two bodies, 70-200vr on the D2x, d70 mounted with a 50mm or 28-70. (SB800 on each)

Otherwise I am "Bombed Up" with everything and look and feel like the Michelin man, drawing attention. The speed that you can change over makes it easier with the decisions, takes a second or two to change over, and for those long shots to catch that "candid" its hard to beat the 70-200vr + SB800.

Would love to sell the D70, but as Gary says, a back-up body and you have all the bases covered.

[jdear]

Lense belts are very popular with wedding photog's in the USof A.

Some guys even carry extra camera bodies with large lenses - 70-200 attached in these sort of camera holsters attached to their belts.

Im yet to reach a conclusion on their usefullness,

Jonathan

[adam]

I like the idea.

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_Why_Modular.php

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Beltpac ... _Road.aspx

and wouldn't mind using one. I agree that at a wedding, shouldn't be changing lenses so much - just use another body. At the last wedding I took photographs at, I had 2 bodies, one with 12-24 and the other with 70-200. First time I've tried this and much easier/faster than changing lenses.

(nice to see that wife uses canon and husband uses nikon get the best of both sides.. (no rivalry intended ) )

[bwhinnen]

Saw this on the dpreview forums today. Just thought I might add it here. It is about the Think Tank belt...

Think Tank Belt photos

[Oz_Beachside]

I have a bumbag, if I dont want two bodies, I can swap between the 70-200 and 28-70 if front of me, with room for a meter, bit and pieces, SB600. Its big, but not "beltpac" big. Fits a flash, meter, and the 70-200VR snug.

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Beltpacks/classic/Sideline_Shooter.aspx

I hate the idea of carrying gear in it, but just useful as a big pocket.

Rest of gear is in a larger shoulder bag, like a Tamrac Pro 12, or Lowepro Commercial, or Crumpler Brazilian Dollar Home.