taking Rebel XT out on a whale watch - protection advice?

ajgauthier

hi all!

Well, I'm back on Dgrin after obtaining my brand-spanking new 350D ...got the digital fever after using my little A95 P&S for a year, saved up the cash (from telescope observing at local resorts), and now I'm back to playing!

I'm on vacation back east and will be going on a whale watch out of Gloucester, MA. I'm all geared up, and am very concerned about gunking up my camera. I do have a UV filter that can be trashable to save the lens (I have the standard kit lens and also a 70-300 zoom). Recently, someone posted about salt-crusties on their lens and then someone replied about desalinating the rest of the gear too.

I'm of the mind to rig something to protect the camera as I'm out shooting - initially I was thinking of rigging something out of saran wrap (!) ...and recently I Googled and found this using a ziploc bag:

http://www.instructables.com/id/EB1ZE1LEK7EP28641O/?ALLSTEPS

Question for you all: Has anyone done something like this or have any advice on protecting the camera in the beach/sand/salt/boat conditions?

Thanks! I'm posting a bit late, we head out early Tues morning. Anyone?

Adrienne

Sam

Zip lock bags, and other plastic covers are worth considering, but if you have the time and a few $$ you might want to take a look at a Kata cover. Kata

Sam

ajgauthier

Sam wrote:

Zip lock bags, and other plastic covers are worth considering, but if you have the time and a few $$ you might want to take a look at a Kata cover. Kata

Sam

thanks Sam, I knew something like that existed! I don't have time for this trip though, so I think rigging up a ziploc is my best shot.

Adrienne

ziggy53

Adrienne,

I used a very similar approach a couple of times. I was less careful about the lens hole than they show in the link, but I think their method is better.

I think the old-fashioned zippered bags, the ones you seal by "pinching" shut, are actually preferable as I've had some leakage around the sliding zipper end of the bag with the newer bags. You might test a bag full of water to see if your bag leaks at that juncture. If it does leak, just use some wide tape to seal it better when used for the camera.

Rival® Seal-a-Meal® bags also work, and I think are a more durable plastic. If you use the rolls, you can make a bag 11" x 10', (which should cover anything including Andy's 500mm. )

http://www.seal-a-meal.com/products/bags/index.aspx?productid=2051

You could use this system for temporary sealing:

http://www.clipnseal.com/

ziggy53

pathfinder

Adrienne,

I think using a gallon Ziplock freezer bag will work out fine. Keep a UV filter over the lens also.

In your link, further down the page, a responder mentioned something I think you need to consider very carefully.

If the bag is completely sealed and there is no interchange of air within the bag, you could get condensation from moisture in the bag condensing within the camera body or lens body. You will either need to include dessicant packages within the bag, or use a bag with openings that do not admit spray but that will allow air to circulate to keep condensation concerns minimized.

Andy posted a great link a couple opf years ago about creating a raincoat for a DSLR out of a freezer bag. Maybe I can find it .

Ok Here is a link to Andy's freezer bag protection creation and then one to the Kata raincover which looks better and better the more I see of it


http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=7932654

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=4726&highlight=rain+Andy

gus

Just went through it all 2 days ago..

Dont worry about it or let it get in the way of some good shots. If spray starts to come on deck when your underway.. then simply move away. If you need to change lenses then just pop into a cabin etc to do so. For me..wrapping the camera sounds just crazy...its a good way to lose grip & drop the thing.

Salt air will get everywhere anyway regardless so just wipe everything down with a damp cloth when your finished & see that thread i started re salt on lenses ..pathfinders advise worked well for me. Remember that if you use a fine brush on the lens...wash it & dry it before you put it away.

The worst i got was the whales swiming along side & breathing thus spraying the entire boat in that stinky salty oily gunk. When that happened i just turned away with my gear pulled in against me. Their breath has an oil in it though.


The above advice is given by a complete looney & should only be used by other complete looneys.

ajgauthier

thanks everyone!

Just got back from Gloucester today (will posting my trip in that forum sometime in the next few days)

I rigged up both my lenses with the ziploc method and UV filter. I arranged it to leave the back (ziploc end) open to get my hands in...and made electrical tape grommets on the sides for the straps, which helped hold the bag open for my hands. Primarily, I wanted to protect it from the sea air and salt.

There wasn't much spray at all, we were on the uppermost deck. Better angle I thought in the end, and, we could see all around to run to one side or another for spottings. Turns out it was a good spot b/c I wedged myself near the middle of the boat against a pole to counter act my sea-sickness . I used my smaller lens b/c with my telefoto I almost lost breakfast.

All in all, good trip...and I'm about to go clean off the exterior of my camera.

thank you everyone for your comments!

Pics forthcoming!

oh - Gus - loved your whale pics! Glad you got them jumping out of the water feeding! We had a less exciting venture...found a momma and her 8 month old, plus an escort. Baby got curious and we had some good interaction with the boat (and a friendly gesture of the babe rolling on it's side and showing it's fin out of the water). A few other humpbacks, and I saw a shark fin, lots of gulls...the rest will be in my trip log.

Adrienne

Fusion_UK

gus wrote:

Just went through it all 2 days ago..

Dont worry about it or let it get in the way of some good shots. If spray starts to come on deck when your underway.. then simply move away. If you need to change lenses then just pop into a cabin etc to do so. For me..wrapping the camera sounds just crazy...its a good way to lose grip & drop the thing.

Salt air will get everywhere anyway regardless so just wipe everything down with a damp cloth when your finished & see that thread i started re salt on lenses ..pathfinders advise worked well for me. Remember that if you use a fine brush on the lens...wash it & dry it before you put it away.

The worst i got was the whales swiming along side & breathing thus spraying the entire boat in that stinky salty oily gunk. When that happened i just turned away with my gear pulled in against me. Their breath has an oil in it though.


The above advice is given by a complete looney & should only be used by other complete looneys.

Would agree here, we can be too protective of gear and miss good shots. Water, especially salty water is always a problem but I always keep a cloth (super absorbant variety) handy and wipe away any excessive amounts immediately and do a good overall clean when finished. UV filter on the lens and take care when changing lenses and avoid this if you can, 2 bodies always helpful.

PS Gus some great whale pics in your PF....