Taking photos on Kayak

[jamesino]

I have a non-waterproof Rebel with a non-waterproof EF 70-200mm f/4L USM and I want to go on my kayak and take pictures while on the water. Are there any apparatuses I can make, ie Ziploc bags, to surround my equipment to prevent against potential water damages?

 

[Iron Flatline]

I've never done this... so here's my guess:

the obvious answer is: don't fall in, because nothing can protect against that...

...but otherwise, consider having a very large tupper ware container into which you can simply place everything. Then you can focus on canoing and not worry that every little baggy is sealed, etc.

Otherwise, there are also bags that claim to be water-sealed, meaning they're good against the occasional paddle spray (or rain.)

 

[nynfortoo]

There was a small feature in one of my camera magazines recently about bags. One of them was 100% waterproof and tested in a lake (or somesuch). Apparently it floated and the contents were bone-dry.

I'll see if I can dig it out when I get home, though it may have been expensive.

 

[djrichie28]

I am a kayaker myself, and although I haven't taken my camera on the water, I have taken my cell phone and car keys with remote entry thingies. I use what is called a Dry Bag http://www.seallinegear.com/dry_bags.asp?Category=DryBags They also make cases, but I would suggest use one of these to get you to your shoot and then take your camera out and put it back and reseal the bag when you're done. You should be able to find these are your local paddle or outdoor shop. Quite reasonable too.

 

[Antarctican]

^^^ When I kayak, I use the type of drybag that is shown in the picture at the link djrichie provided. You put the camera in it, roll the top down twice and do up the clip and it's sealed. You put the bag under the bungees at the front of the kayak (or I suppose you could put it in the kayak, under the skirt, but that makes it that more difficult to get to it quickly). When you want to take a shot, stop the kayak, get the camera out and shoot away. I've also kept the camera around my neck and just tucked it under my lifevest as I've paddled, but since the lifevest is supposed to fit snugly that's not a great option. And I'm obviously speaking of calm waters and a dry day...you wouldn't keep the camera out if it's wavy or raining or you're in white water.

If you want more info, you can PM me.

Some people use the pelican hardcases, but they're more fiddly if you want to take pictures while kayaking. They work very well for just transporting the camera when on/around water.

 

[nynfortoo]

I'll see if I can dig it out when I get home, though it may have been expensive.

Lowepro Dryzone. Hefty price tag though. The advice above is probably more than adequate.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/DryZone-100,1934,18.htm

 

[peterbj7]

The problem is not putting something undesirable in front of the lens. There are several brands of waterproof soft bags available, but one that permits high quality pictures will cost a lot of money. I'd rather use a compact in an underwater housing. A lot easier to handle as well.

Whatever you use you'll need something to dry off the lens port whenever it gets wet, or you'll get poor (distorted) pictures regardless.

I've done this lots of times, and I've always gone the compact/housing route. Drying off the port each time is essential but a PITA! After a while you don't have anything dry enough. A useful tip is to wash the port with baby shampoo, rinse it off briefly, then dry it. Helps to stop the water going into globules (a diver's trick for seeing clearly through a mask).

 

[Antarctican]

Just to be clear, when I use my camera (in calm waters) while kayaking, it's out of the waterproof bag and around my neck.

If it's raining, wavy, whitewater etc, then the waterproof housing is probably the way to go. But as the above poster points out, it's pricey.

 

[Snyder]

I tried the ziplock bags and ceran wrap (spelling?) with my cheap $100 point and shoot camera on a white water rafting trip, well it worked for only half the trip then moisture got into it. After the trip i dried it out and it works just fine to this day. But an DSLR heck no unless I had the underwater housing kit.

 

[Antarctican]

^^^ Never trust a simple ziploc bag to remain waterproof....they easily split at the seams at the top and moisture gets in.

 

[gundy74]

I'm looking to take my D50 with me on some snorkeling this summer. has anyone tried using one of the dry cases underwater?

this one is rated to 30 minutes of waterproof protection down to 3 meters. at $20, it beats a $500+ hard case.

http://www.seallinegear.com/all_purpose.asp?Action=DryCase&Category=AllPurpose

 

[Iron Flatline]

Try it with your camera, tell us how it goes.

 

[rob40wilson03]

if you're confident that the water will be calm enough that an unexpected tip-over wont happen, i would say go with what Iron Flatline said and get a big tupperware container to keep the camera in when you arent shooting..... but i would add to his suggestion and say get a bunch of sponges to line the bottom of it... this will provide a little padding and soak up water if a few drops splash in there

if you arent confident the water will be calm, i would say leave your camera at home

 

[table1349]

Personally something like this would be my choice.
http://www.travelgearblog.com/archive/waterproof-digital-camera.html

 

[Bifurcator]

I agree.

And if I hated the available WP cameras that were available I would build my own WP housing - maybe patent it too. Plexiglass is cake to work with! And you should also be able to fit and waterproof in a filter so that you're shooting thru optical grade glass and not crappy plastic. I mean we have these powerful computers and all why not put them to work designing something useful and maybe make some $$ on the side at the same time. Something like this would be so easy!