Kayak + camera question

[ozimax]

Hi all:

I've been getting into a bit of kayaking since Christmas, and would like to combine this with some photography: subjects birds and assorted wildlife. We have numerous pristine rivers and waterways within 10 minutes drive of our house in Coffs.

I am guessing that my mode of operation will be: finding the subject, taking the camera out of the waterproof casing/bag whatever, shooting without falling into water, replacing camera into container.



Any advice or experience with waterproof containers/bags/barrels for my D70 and gear would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

Ozi.

[stetner]

Any advice or experience with waterproof containers/bags/barrels for my D70 and gear would be appreciated.

Insurance?


But seriously, if you are paranoid, one of those EWA marine bags might be something to look into. It kind of depends if you would want to be changing lenses while you were out on the water, because if you tip while changing a lens, you would be out of luck. As well, you would only get a certain size lens in there too.

You can't go wrong with Pelican cases, and I have done some UW mapping work where we dragged GPS units around on the surface (and a lot of times underwater ) in dry bags and had no problems. But those would only be good for when the gear was stowed.

If you want to go whole hog, see Heaths thread from the current image of the week....

[ozimax]

Thanks Stets, yes I have looked at the Pelican range but I didn't want to spend that much, and I certainly can't afford a housing at this stage. Will look into the EWA bags.

As for insurance, yeah, well I take this thing out into the surf all the time and no mishaps thus far. Of course, if I did drop the thing into Bonville Creek, then I would just have to look into buying a new D200....selling two of the kids should just about do it!

[Big V]

Ozimax, dont laugh at this one but when I went kayaking with Marvin on the murray, we decided to take our cameras out to a sand bar to photograph the pelicans and because we had nothing "pro" at the time - unplanned event, we used a large glad zip lock bag. Worked a treat at stopping the splashes etc. We did not flip however and I do not know what would happen if you did but for calm water as we had it was ideal..They stop water from leaking out so our reasoning was it would stop water comming in if we came to grief and if it all went sour - that is what insurance is for...

[radar]

Max,

I got myself a Sea to Summit dry sack, tough/compact/light/waterproof. Keeps the camera dry till I get there. I'm sure they would have similar at the kayak shop. I got mine at Mountain Design.

Ultimately, the EWA bags would be better in case you would drop the camera in the drink

Cheers,

André

[moz]

If you can, I suggest a waterproof case. I've had one for a compact camera and it worked much better than any of the alternatives.

With weather-sealed lenses I feel fairly comfortable using my camera in heavy rain just using a bag over the camera, held in place by rubber bands over the lens behind the zoom ring. I'm not sure I'd be as comfortable in salt water with the prospect of immersion. But I've washed salt spray off the lens under a tap at Punakaiki after photographing the blowholes

I've taken photos sea kayaking in fine weather just using a waterproof bag to store the camera in and taking it out to take photos, but that did not feel comfortable and I wouldn't want to do it as a permanent solution. But I only go sea kayaking about once a year, so that's less of an issue for me.

For a regular thing, I'd be inclined to buy a PoS with waterproof case and carry that all the time, with the SLR in a dry bag for times when I want a better shot and can spend the time to get it. I suspect that the PoS+case will be cheaper than a case for the SLR.

[digitor]

I use a Pelican case while canoeing. Last year at Lawn Hill I met a very disgruntled guy, wet up to chest height, who'd just drowned his film SLR and zoom. He'd slipped getting out of his hired canoe and down he went!

Funny thing is, where you hire the canoes, for a $2 donation to the RFDS, you can rent a waterproof container useful for just such an occasion. The poor chap's wife reminded him of this more than once during our brief conversation....

Cheers

[stetner]

selling two of the kids should just about do it!

You mean there is a market for those things!

Darn, I only have one left at home! I wonder how much I could get....

[Heath Bennett]

Brett Wise (a mate of mine in the building connected to my studio) is the owner/operator of Lake Macqurie Kayaks.

Call him for advice - he also stocks a bunch of different options.

Otherwise, see his aesthetically challenged website:

http://lakemacquariekayaks.com.au

[ozimax]

Thanks Heath, will do as suggested. I contacted the EWA bloke and he has one bag left @$390 plus postage, it's a lot of money but may be OK for what I want.

Having said all that, the rivers here are pretty flat and shallow and photography shouldn't be all that difficult in a sit on top kayak.

Cheers,

Ozi

[robw25]

I contacted the EWA bloke and he has one bag left @$390 plus postage, it's a lot of money but may be OK for what I want.

Having said all that, the rivers here are pretty flat and shallow and photography shouldn't be all that difficult in a sit on top kayak.

Cheers,

Ozi

$390 !!!! i bought one at christmas for $670 this fits my d70, d200 and d2x ( not all at once ) i got a 77mm adapter to fit the 12-24, 28-70 and the 84 1.4 mainly used the 12-24 so far but because i ask them to get close one actually sent me to hospital on the weekend .. his knee hit my camera which smacked into my head and sent me flying lots of blood but no problems, i wanted an early morning shot in the mangroves so i borrowed a kayak and went out about 5 in the morning, well you cant take long exposures while the kayak is moving

cheers rob

[ozimax]

one actually sent me to hospital on the weekend .. his knee hit my camera which smacked into my head and sent me flying lots of blood but no problems,

Hi Rob,

Who hit what and how? What were you photographing? Where?

[robw25]

ozi
i was photographing the local kiteboarders and i asked him to come as close as he could, now when looking through the 12-24 it is deceiving they look further away but actually are only inches away ! and he misjudged it and his knee hit my camera and my camera left a gash in my forehead which i had to go to hospital to have it checked out, they glued it back together,
here is a sample shot of how close i get

more here http://robw.smugmug.com/gallery/749189
[/url]

[stetner]

Apparently they get a heck of a lot closer eh?


What, no pictures of the cut???

[robw25]

What, no pictures of the cut???

well here is a pic after the hospital .. you cant see much and i apolagise for not having my makeup on

cheers rob

[ozimax]

Rob, you're a nut - self preservation is rule #1

That photo is a cut above the rest

Seriously, in most sports I reckon the closer the better. I don't have a fancy 600mm lens for surf photography, so I have to get closer, and there are risks involved.

Hope that cut heals up quickly.

Regards,

Ozi

[gstark]

Rob,

Just one word: ouch!

[stetner]

Ohhh, thats got to hurt.... Remember, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger....