DSLRs in the desert - requesting advice

Hi all

I've seen a large number of fantastic shots from the desert posted here on NPN. So, I'm quite confident that somebody can help me out with some advice here.

If all goes well, I'll be travelling to Oman soon. I'll spend about a week in the desert (camping and all). Therefore, I'm wondering how DSLRs and lenses cope with fine sand. I'll most likely have two Nikon camera bodies (D300 and maybe a D90) to reduce the amount of lens changes, along with three lenses.

So, are you using any special protective measures to protect your camera gear? Can those cameras handle the sand? Or are they in for a repair after such a trip?

Also, if anybody has some comments to make about the type of lenses they use (focal lengths, in particular), I'd be happy to hear them. In particular, I'm wondering how much use ultrawides (say, below 24 mm equivalent) get under those conditions (I usually shoot wide a lot, but this will be my first time in the desert...).

Thanks a lot!

Central Arizona is definitely desert, but not of the Sand Dunes type many people associate with deserts.

I use both my Nikon D70 and D200 all the time here and hav e never had to have either serviced for issues of dirt/sand. Same thing with my lenses" primarily my 300/2.8 AF-S with TC20E, but everything from 12-24 through 200/4 manual focus macro.

The two problems here are heat and fine dust. I seldom am out with my gear above 110 degrees but it hasn't given me any problems from heat.

The dust is something to worry about, though. When I'm driving around on dry dusty roads I'll place a towel or small blanket over the camera and lens resting on the car seat until I need to use it. If I'm driving around so slowly that I can keep the window open I'm quick to close it when a vehicle approaches with a plume of dust behind it.

I also avoid changing lenses whenever possible. THe 300 and 2x stay on the D200, while the D70 is usually fitted with the 18-70 or a 55-200 depending on what I expect to find. If I need to change lenses then I try to do it with the camera pointed down and when the dust isn't blowing about.

You could try keeping the cameras in plastic bags when on the road. That would keep the really fine dust from working its way in. As for "maybe a D90," if you have a back up body, you should certainly bring it. No way I'd go on a major trip without backup gear.


Kent in SD

Have your cameras cleaned when you get back. Good suggestions above. Have a great time.

Folks have already ID'ed the most common dust sources I've had to contend with- roads and lens changes. Other issues include static electricity in the dry climage, which will "attract" dust to lenses especially and gear in general, and you. You will be a dust collector, especially hair and clothing, and will be a conduit to your gear.

For lens cleaning I use one of those "antistatic" lens brushes, and I keep lenses in individual cases. I am also conscious of dust accumulation in clothing, especially on long stretches between showers and laundromats. "Spit baths" for you and thorough shake-outs of clothing will help there.

Thanks for your comments, everybody!

Kent - I thought about the plastic bag thing, and my worry was that sand would eventually accumulate inside. Are the bags working fine for you? Also, as for "maybe a D90" - I didn't mean "maybe a second camera". I think the D90 is the best bet (not bought yet) as a backup to my D300, as it uses the same batteries (nothing worse than having no more batteries for one camera and no more memory cards for the other one - and since all smaller Nikon bodies use SD these days, the memory cards will be different ).

Hank - I'll look into getting such a lens brush. The blower I normally use may well turn into a sandblower under those conditions.

Thanks a lot!

Some great tips have already been mentioned. Another thing I'd remember is that if you do find a need to clean your lens element, don't forget to use a good blower to remove sand from the glass before attacking it with your microfiber cloth. Otherwise, you'll badly scratch the glass.

Having your cameras professionally cleaned upon your return home isn't a bad idea, either.

Excellent Bret!

Thanks Bret! I think I'll get a couple of filter to protect the front elements from the dust. Don't know whether they'll stay on all the time, but I think they'll be useful.

I think the watertight bag sounds like a good idea. My father drove through a dust storm once and was surprised to find dust inside his suitcases, which were inside the trunk of his car.