Protecting Gear Around The Ocean?

largelylivin

I am going to be doing an entire summer's worth of shooting on or at the Ocean. How can I protect my gear from all that moisture? What works and what doesn't?

Another concern is heat, although that shouldn't be as big a problem as humidity.

Sugestions and experience with actual methods and products appreciated.

ian408

Might use a rain cover or a towel to cover the camera/lens. Keep the
camera away from the water as best you can.

The big ticket item will be to keep the camera clean.

Do a search and you'll find more info on rain covers.

wxwax

Andy's used plastic bags in rain, would work around sea spray too, i suspect.

That salt water is a real problem. If it were me, I'd wipe my gear down with a damp cloth every night, to get the salt and sand off of it.

ian408

Plastic bags are a great tool and worth keeping a couple in the bag
with your gear for just such an occasion.

rebelxtnewbie

waterproof pelican case.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tboh/414218310/

henryp

When you're shooting, a Ewa-Marine bag will protect your gear from water, sand, salt spray, etc. For moisture, you want a dessicant, like Moisture Muncher. For general protection from the heat/sun, a white polystyrene cooler parked under an umbrella is useful.

mr peas

Wear a camera strap at all times and dont drop the gear! ;D

I think like everyone says.. bring boxes of good ziplock bags and also buy several packs of dessicants as henryp stated above.

Also, I would definitely use a protective filter for the lens (clear front filter, sky filter, haze filter). This way, if water gets on the lens, it will only touch the filter. Plus, if dirt, sand or salt gets on it while you wipe it off, it wont scratch the front element, just the front filter. Oh.. that brings up the good idea of bringing the usual cleaning tools. Such as a pump-air-brush or can of compressed air and good glass cleaning solution.

I would also recomment you change lenses indoors or at least under a clean bag to prevent getting dust or what other things flying around at sea or in the boat.

Have fun at sea!

drdane

Rain Covers
I've used one of these for the past year and have been pretty happy with it. http://abetterphotoguide.bizhosting.com/16_rain_cover_w_velcro_opening_.html

I think it was about $32. The elastic front opening works well on longer cylindrical lens hoods (teles) but not so well on short lens hoods. A short lens will get wet when you shoot in the rain or spray; the inside of the "bag" will then get wet from the lens, so carry a small towel to dry it all off occasionally.

Keeping your camera/lens tucked away in the rain cover will protect it from salt and sand, except when you're shooting!

As mentioned previously, a filter will keep the salt water off your front lens element.

Good Luck!

dusty-dog

mr peas wrote:

Wear a camera strap at all times and dont drop the gear! ;D

................snip..................

Have fun at sea!

Great advice. I do it all the time. Never carry my camera without it hanging around my neck, particularly on a boat. Sooooooo........ guess what happened when I fell overboard last summer into the bay? Yup. And, it's salt water. :cry

I was in the water, screaming about my camera. I could care less that I was wet, cold and embarrassed. My CAMERA!!!!! Needless to say, I was fine. But, the camera was trashed. The SD card held up beautifully, so I didn't lose images. The batteries and cell phone that were in my pocket were also trashed. :

The camera was a Panasonic FZ30. I replaced it with a Nikon D50. I've been spending gads of $$$$$ ever since, but I'm having fun, learning lots, taking my skills to the next level. I landed on my feet.

And, by all means, have fun at the sea!

Mike02

Ditto what Mr Peas said, when working on the beach, filters are a must.

largelylivin

Here's what I did
Well, I did a bunch of research and window shopping and made some choices. Also, thanks for all of the advice here. Here's my line-up for opening day (subject to more advice and window shopping)

1. Pentax K10D - with weather seals for $900 plus great feel and ergonomics, how could I buy a D30? Since all of my ocean subjects will be on bright sunny days I went with the bargain Sigma 28-300m and Pentax 18-55m. If I end up losing gear or finding that it only lasts a season or two then these might turn out to be good choices. Of course, experience could change all this.

2. Kinesis H717 X-Strap with some anti-flopping-around accessories - (Is this stuff good or what?)

3. Pelican case - Hey, it FLOATS and it only costs $115! I looked at the Drysack or whatever its name is. It is far far to difficult to get in and out of AND its damn expensive. Being a boat owner, I have plenty of Pelican cases and flashlights - I swear by them.

I did look at those camera raincoats, etc but they don't look very user friendly and I INTEND to be a fair-weather photographer. Plan to start without it and:D see what develops.

macmac

What about tripod legs? Anyone using their tripod on the beach? How do you keep the sand from ruining the legs?

dogwood

macmac wrote:

What about tripod legs? Anyone using their tripod on the beach? How do you keep the sand from ruining the legs?

Rinse them with a hose afterwards. I have a tripod that's been in lots of salt-water and sand over the years-- it's a Manfrotto. Still functions fine. One of the legs squacks a bit when I open the lever, but that is literally after years of abuse (I've used it in salt-water, muddy swamps, lakes, beaches, snow, etc).

SDJames

All good stuff!

For the most part, I'm away from the spray, but typically wipe my equipment everytime I use it at the beach (frequently). I also got a tip in the forums from Shay for controlling humidity and fungus...
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=P roduct&ID=14161
Great product. It's in my backpack all the time and it's rechargable. Here was the thread...
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=17127&highlight=humidity+fungus+lens

Let me know if you are coming to SD.

macmac

Thanks for the rely(s). I was thinking of using trash bags on the legs to keep some of the sand off.

UP N MTNS

macmac wrote:

What about tripod legs? Anyone using their tripod on the beach? How do you keep the sand from ruining the legs?

When ever I know I'm gonna be out for a few days and will be in the mud and muck I take plastic umbrella bags for the tri-pod legs (the kind most corparate building have in the lobby to put your wet umbrella in) I use a rubber band to hold the bag on and each leg is free of mud/sand/water..