Gloves

[Trius]

Now that the weather is getting somewhat cooler in the northern hemisphere (well, not very cool where I am right now, but I won't start a global warming thread ), I'd like to solicit input from members regarding shooting with gloves.

Last year I bought some el-cheapo wool mitts, the kind where you could flip up the main part of the mitten so that your fingers, partially covered with the fingers of a glove, are free to move. El-cheapo is the operative word; they pretty much came apart half-way through winter.

So, I'd like to know:

• Do you use any type of glove or mitten for cold weather photo outings?

• If so, what type, and why?

• Is there a particular brand that seems to work best, either with respect to functionality, or durability ... or both?

[shadowfox]

Earl, if it ever gets cool enough here in Texas that I have to wear gloves, I'd let you know

[rbiemer]

Earl,
I have a pair of similar mittens/gloves but I got good ones and have used 'em for the last four or five years. Haven't got 'em out yet but I'll look and see if the brand name is on them.
In the meantime, you could look at Sierra Designs web site--I just got their Xmas catalog and they had several pairs like that.
Rob

[Joe Brugger]

Get a nice, thin stretchy pair, and then put a nice pair of heavier waterproof gloves over that -- your hands will stay warm and the fat outer glove can be pulled off when necessary. Connecting up the heavy ones with a cord -- just like when you were four years old -- is a good idea.

Outdoor supply stores like REI and Cabela's are a good place to look.

[sepiareverb]

I used the fingerless gloves for years, then tried to use the kind with the flip off mitten but never got the hang of them. For the last two years I've been using some thin wool (1 pair Smartwool brand, 1 pair no-name) gloves in black that I got at a local Army Navy store. Love them. Plenty of dexderity (sp?) and plenty warm most days. I can stick the hands in my pockets if they get too chilled and they'll warm up pretty quick, plus the black keeps 'em warm when the sun is out. I don't load cameras with them on- one roll with sheep hair in the gate is enough thanks.

[Trius]

In the past I had a pair of very thin gloves of some synthetic material that I used for an inner glove, a la Joe's suggestion. Trouble is (other than the fact that I lost one ... I do need to regress do the string through coat sleeves thing!), they were very slippery and I didn't feel comfortable that I could keep a good grip on the camera. I still like the basic idea, though. Maybe I can find some with sticky material on the fingers' gripping surfaces, a la work gloves. Or figure out how to add such a material.

[rbiemer]

You could try ACE (or another) hardware store. I have used gloves like that when I had to unload trucks. The gloves were fairly thin and had rubber/silicone dots on the palms and fingers. Not going to be making any kind of fashion statement with 'em but they ought to work OK as the inside layer of your system.
Rob

Originally Posted by Trius

Maybe I can find some with sticky material on the fingers' gripping surfaces, a la work gloves.

[Morca007]

I have a lot of gloves by virtue of being a snowboarder, but I need to get a pair for using a camera as well.
I'm considering a pair of linerless, or very thin lined leather gloves. I wonder if any can be had without spending much money...

[Avotius]

Try a pair of deer skin gloves. You can get near skin tight ones without the sewing crease in the fingertips so you can operate things better, heck you can even type with them on, but they are bloody expensive. I dont remember the brand but look around, you might be able to find something nice.

Oh....I think they are french, but ya never know, maybe the chinese make some discount ones.

[Trius]

Deerskin sounds good. Yes, they are a bit spendy, and finding just the right size might be a chore. I have large hands for my height. Not long fingers, but wide hands, so maybe I'll see if New Balance makes some.

[Nikon Bob]

Another possibility might be to look at neoprene gloves for fishing. They are certainly grippy enough but may not give you the feel for the shutter that you want.

Bob