I recently bought a utility belt after working with a photographer who uses one in his event work. I had dismissed such belts as I carry two cameras, one hanging by each hip, on a dual sling, and I thought it would get in the way. And, in my corporate work I sometimes wear a blazer, and I figured a couple of big lens pouches jutting out from under it would look odd and be hard to access. But, lately I've been working more without a blazer, and I recently encountered a situation where I didn't have my 135/1.8 nearby. As I was shopping for a zoom to cover the range I had missed, I realized that a much cheaper solution would be a utility belt to carry another prime or two on my body. I had lately been eyeing a belt pouch that would facilitate lens swapping. At times, I've wished to have one more flash handy, but it wouldn't fit in my waist pouch or a pocket. Finally, I sometimes wear a little waist pouch for extra batteries, and a utility belt could serve this purpose, too.
So, a bunch of not-totally-urgent but occasionally irksome carrying needs. A utility belt addresses them all. Large and small lens pouches on the back, and flash and battery pouches on the front. I need never be without my 135/1.8 when unexpectedly called upon to photograph a person who has moved from a well-lit stage into the murky darkness of a dimly lit ballroom. I have a place to put the lens I've just taken off my camera for a swap. I can quickly pull out a full-size speedlight to hold in my left hand as key light to complement my little on-camera fill-flash. And, I don't have to fish around for a spare battery.
Can't wait to try out this rig on my next gig. Only downside so far: although it's lightweight, it's also bulky, so I'll need to carry another bag or a knapsack along with my rolling case and stand bag.
Any thoughts, stories, questions?