Beaches and DSLRs

Ann McRae · December 5, 2006

Hi
We are going to the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana, specifically) for Christmas and New Years.

I can't imagine going without my 20d and bag of goodies. however, the (ever shrinking) logical side of my brain says: the plane will be too cramped to put the bag in overhead storage, there are likely security worries travelling in the DR with expensive equipment, and the beach environment will not be good for my camera.

I still have my 828. Should I travel light?

What precautions would you recommend for travelling with a DSLR to a tropical beach???

ann

Andy · December 5, 2006

Ann McRae wrote:

Hi
We are going to the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana, specifically) for Christmas and New Years.

I can't imagine going without my 20d and bag of goodies. however, the (ever shrinking) logical side of my brain says: the plane will be too cramped to put the bag in overhead storage, there are likely security worries travelling in the DR with expensive equipment, and the beach environment will not be good for my camera.

I still have my 828. Should I travel light?

What precautions would you recommend for travelling with a DSLR to a tropical beach???

ann

Don't worry about the security risk, you'll be at Club Med, very safe

Put a protective filter on, don't change lenses in windy sand/sea spray.

Be careful w/ lenses & cam in A/C then outdoors - condensation. Keep them in a plastic bag indoors in A/C.

Have fun!

gus · December 5, 2006

Ann McRae wrote:

What precautions would you recommend for travelling with a DSLR to a tropical beach???

ann

I go to one almost every weekend Ann & all im particular about is changing lenses with salt spray or sand (windy) other than that i just give it a good clean over with warm damp cloth when i get home. The lenses i treat as normal when i get home for cleaning but i really really inspect them for sand prior to cleaning.

claudermilk · December 6, 2006

Don't worry so much. Take the precautions mentioned & you should be fine. My 20D and kit went to Jamaica & back last week with no troubles. The filters needed a real good cleaning once home, but that was it. Plane ride was fine, customs at both ends didn't even blink. The camera went from beaches to waterfalls to rainforest and through the rain & is just fine. I have the Loewpro Slingshot 200 and did my lens changing in it, using the flap as a nice wind break/safety rail--worked great & nearly no chance of dropping anything (very good when 300' up a tree

).

dogwood · December 6, 2006

Tropical beach? What's that?

I shoot on the Oregon coast all the time (where it's 'tropical' if it's above 60-degrees and only slightly windy). No problems at all with my gear, though the tripod usually gets a little gritty. Here's a recent shot just after a HUGE storm in November:

ginger_55 · December 7, 2006

I used to take my camera to the beach all the time. I still would, but have spent more time at the marsh and stuff this year.

My only problem was that I did/do change lenses. The devil makes me do it, I think. So...............

If you know how to clean a sensor, just go with what you want to do. Why have a camera if you can't use it.

And someday I will get my sensor clean again, smile.

ginger

kdog · December 8, 2006

Punta Cana, huh? Color me green with envy. We were there last March with the kids and loved everything about the place. I brought my whole camera kit, and was sure glad I did. Although, most of my shots have the kids in them, go figure.

Here's a tease.

Lots more shots here but most of them have kids in them.

I'd vote for bringing your good camera gear. And feel free to ask me any other questions you may have.

-joel

PeterLyons · December 19, 2006

Me, I wouldn't worry so much about the beach. The precautions already offered are plenty!

But if you get into more spray, especially salt spray, I use a weather cover from http://www.aquatech.com.au/. I'm very happy with it, and it improves me peace of mind.

Ann McRae · December 21, 2006

Thanks everyone.

Filters - I should grab some - doh!

We fly tomorrow night - arrive Friday about supper time.

We are staying at the Bahia Principe, not Club Med, but still should be fairly safe. I hope that the plane has full sized overhead stowage - my lowepro pack barely fits into the smaller ones.

And I've been offered the opportunity to clean my sensor in the clean rooms at work using a microscope etc. So will have to do that when we get back.

Really looking forward to ome R & R and good family time.

cheers!

ann

nevilleb · February 1, 2007

Some excellent photos here, I must say... here's one of mine from a photo tour to Goa, India

Would you miss the chance to shoot photographs like one of the several posted in this thread? Kick yourself mentally when you chance upon a great scene that screams PHOTOGRAPH ME!? I think not...

Observe the precautions posted in this thread and you should be fine.

nevilleb

Art Scott · February 1, 2007

So ANN where are those DR beach pics, jungle pics etc etc.....Huh..:D it has been a month since since the vacation....ok about 3 weeks since returning.:D

Beaches and DSLRs

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