Posted by Rick Lamb on September 20, 2006 at 10:43 AM
Hey gang, Nancy & I are getting into sea kayaking and I am wondering if any of you do photography from a sea kayak and if so what steps do you take to protect your valuable camera gear.
Sea Kayaking is a GREAT way to get into areas that would otherwise not be accessible. But I do want to be careful with my trusty Canon 1D Mark II and a bag full o lenses whilst out on the water.
A submersible waterproof camera case would work but it seems like overkill and would also limit my lens choices.
Any and all input on this would be greatly appreciated!!
Posted by Mike Horn on September 20, 2006 at 12:31 PM
Well If i were you, , I would buy a DryZone 200 LowePro backpack. I have one, and it is waterproof, and will float even fully loaded. It's is a little pricey, but worth it. I have dropped it crossing river, and it has floated, and hiked across the desert in duststorm, and nothing reached the inside.
I take my camera with me often, but be sure you have good insurance! I lost an F5 in Queen Charlotte Strait in BC when a whale came up under me and flipped me. Not my best lens, though.
Between the salt water and the waves and the critters and the weather and spay and the luck, chances of needing the ins. is likely.
Get a waterproof FLOATING bag, tie it in, take only 1-2 lenses, keep the camera in the case every possible second, and keep if fully covered, additionally, with a small clear waterproof bag, taped to death.
You have to decide if the chance for some great shots outweighs the possibility of a wrecked camera.
You could get one of the dedicated waterproof plastic cases for this camera, used for scuba diving. They are several thousand dollars, but invincible.
I also have a very good litttle point and shoot (Olympus stylus 800 - great glass) that is fairly waterproof, and this might be another solution for you.
Sean and I use a Dry Zone when we are out on the kayaks. It is a hassle to get things in/out of the dryzone while paddling, but if you are just carrying your gear to a shooting location on land, it works great. If I am going in extreemly calm water, I'll take my back-up body and 70-200VR in a toploader (someday they will make a dryzone toploader :) ), and my point and shoot in my pocket.
Posted by John Robinson on September 20, 2006 at 7:53 PM
I haven't posted on here before, but I stop by once in a while to check out the wonderful stuff you guys do.
You might check out the "Ewa-Marine U-AZ Underwater Housing" camera case. It's $289 at B&H and takes up to a 70-200 f2.8. I don't have one, but have been thinking about it for kayaking with my 5D.
Discussion
4 repliesSea Kayaking is a GREAT way to get into areas that would otherwise not be accessible. But I do want to be careful with my trusty Canon 1D Mark II and a bag full o lenses whilst out on the water.
A submersible waterproof camera case would work but it seems like overkill and would also limit my lens choices.
Any and all input on this would be greatly appreciated!!
Between the salt water and the waves and the critters and the weather and spay and the luck, chances of needing the ins. is likely.
Get a waterproof FLOATING bag, tie it in, take only 1-2 lenses, keep the camera in the case every possible second, and keep if fully covered, additionally, with a small clear waterproof bag, taped to death.
You have to decide if the chance for some great shots outweighs the possibility of a wrecked camera.
You could get one of the dedicated waterproof plastic cases for this camera, used for scuba diving. They are several thousand dollars, but invincible.
I also have a very good litttle point and shoot (Olympus stylus 800 - great glass) that is fairly waterproof, and this might be another solution for you.
Good luck! Kayaking is wonderful..
Sandy
You might check out the "Ewa-Marine U-AZ Underwater Housing" camera case. It's $289 at B&H and takes up to a 70-200 f2.8. I don't have one, but have been thinking about it for kayaking with my 5D.
John