I was recently out photographing the Redbull Soapbox race in Belfast and a torrential downpour occurred.
The Redbull media photographers and camera men had really good ponchos with viewing windows, big enough to cover a backpack while worn as well. I should have taken a photo of them.
Anyone know a good quality poncho like these and where I could get one from. They weren't the cheap, thin looking ones available everywhere.
Not sure what you mean by a viewing window, but I have one of these:
I've had it for years (my wife has one as well) and they were "unisex" when bought, but seem only listed for women now.
Not used it for photography, but it's great for heavy rain, and the side openings make it easy to keep things under the poncho and pull it out when needed.
It covers a small rucksack, but it's not "fitted" so it becomes shorter at the back, when you have a rucksack underneath it.
There are lots of options available (popular with walkers and bushcrafters), including ones sold by people who sell photographic clothing, wildlife hides etc and heavy duty ex-army "capes" from ex-army suppliers.
Today, I would look at Paramo, as well as Fjallraven (but we have been very happy with the Fjallraven ones).
They are less good in high winds, but you can use a belt or tie a cord around your waist to keep it under control.
With two walking sticks (or monopod and tripod) plus a bit of cordage and a few of lightweight tent pegs, you carn pop open the sides of the poncho and turn it into a rain canopy to give a dry space to work under, if it's non-stop rain.
My Fjallraven compresses into a relatively small space, probably less than 1 litre water bottle, so it's easy to carry just-in-case.
