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09/04/2006 03:27:24 PM · #1 |
Hi guys!
I am getting pretty excited about going camping this weekend, because it is the first time in a while that im gonna have the time to take some photos. My only concern is keeping the camera dry. Im gonna be using a canoe to get to the spot where i want to set up my tent, and am a little bit worried about the camera. Can anybody recoment a floating box or anything that would be of good use to keep my camera safe, shoult the boat tip over (unlikely, but always a possibility)? thanks. |
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09/04/2006 03:40:01 PM · #2 |
I'm heading out the door so I don't have the time to re-compose to specifically address this thread, however......
Check out my post in this similar thread.
It pretty much covers the options. |
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09/05/2006 03:58:24 PM · #3 |
I just got back from a trek to Puerto Rico, where I shot the bioluminescent bay at Fajardo, as well as some within the El Yunque rainforest. I picked up a Lowepro Dryzone 200 for the purpose.
Not going to do a full review (there's quite a few out there), but my hip-pocket impressions were, in brief:
* Lots of room for camera gear (not much room for much else). It's really a pretty large bag. The foam padding makes it almost semi-rigid and seem even bigger.
* Definitely works as advertised -- while I didn't submerge it, there were no problems with seepage, and the bottom of the boat on the way to Laguna Grande was pretty wet. Then it started raining.;) All the gear stayed nice and dry. I threw in a couple bags of dessicant to help control moisture within the bag itself.
* As the reviews will tell you, the waterproof zipper is a bit of a PITA -- you have to keep it clean and lubricated or you'll have problems. The zipper goes under the brand name of "T-ZIP", you'll see it on other gear as well. It's also not the easiest thing to get into and out of -- not something you'll be diving into and grabbing your gear "fast" if you've sealed it all up. Probably par for the course; easy for you to get into probably means easy for water to get into.
* Lots of straps/adjustments/doodads to get the thing to sit comfortably on your back. More than I really knew what to do with. After a few minutes of adjustment, however, you can get it reasonably comfortable, even with a tripod strapped to the back (it's got a tripod holder, outside center).
* Carry-on sized, just leave your bottles of lens cleaner in your check bag.;)
If you're looking for something lightweight, reasonably easy to move around with (slap it on your back and go!), and which seems built to withstand most splashes/rain/etc along the way, this seems like it'll do the job. If you want to take pictures fast, like, say, from within the boat, grab the camera, shoot, etc, consider a waterproof housing or somesuch similar -- this just takes too long to get to your gear from its "waterproof configuration". If you're thinking there's a chance the bag's going to wind up in the drink, or you're not concerned with how easy it is to get around with your stuff, well, it might be more worthwhile to go with something more rigid and known for being water-fast (pelican, etc). They claim that this bag will survive being submerged, and will float with something like 35 lbs of gear in it, but...well, I wouldn't chance my camera + lenses like that.;)
Hope this helps!
Edit: Added link to Lowepro page on the item.
Message edited by author 2006-09-05 16:03:16. |
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09/05/2006 04:14:57 PM · #4 |
| Zip=lock bag and put it into an army ammo can. They normally have very good rubber seals. There are also high priced commercial boxes. On a 7 day trip through Cataract Canyon on the Colorado River a few years ago I used one of their ammo cans to store photo equipment. If it can stay dry going through the rapids of that canyon a canoe trip shouldn't be a problem. Good luck |
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09/05/2006 04:16:36 PM · #5 |
For my A620, I bought Canon's waterproof box. I've used it several times at pools and the like with very good results.
It's a little bulky for shooting on land, but it works as advertised, and it's a lot of fun when you want to shoot in the water. :)
You can see some examples in my portfolio. |
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09/05/2006 04:17:12 PM · #6 |
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09/05/2006 04:20:22 PM · #7 |
Simply stuff your normal camera bag into $10-20 dry bag.
I've used them canoeing and kayaking. Leave some air in it so it floats and no worries. They are cheap, easy and they work great.
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07/13/2007 10:43:22 PM · #8 |
Thinking about rain gear that will allow me to continue shooting with the camera covered.
Any additional opinions on the FotoSharp rain cover or the Storm Jacket?
Are there other items on the market that you would recommend?
I tend not to use tripods (at the moment).
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07/14/2007 11:27:48 AM · #9 |
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07/14/2007 12:36:23 PM · #10 |
LoudDog's suggestion of a dry bag is a good idea for keeping all of your gear dry. We have an Akona dry duffel bag that we use on dive trips and it works great.
Another idea is a watertight hard case. Pelican makes watertight cases in a large range of shapes and sizes. They are well made and practically indestructible.
If you just want a raincoat for your camera, B&H has a bunch of different Rain Capes (Covers & Slickers).
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07/14/2007 12:52:11 PM · #11 |
One very inexpensive and good option is to pick up a 5 gallon pail and lid at lowes, Home Depot, or Ace Hardware. They seal well, float, and will keep a lot of things dry and are easy to tote. The round shape fits well in a conoe or kyak. Some silica packs will help keep humidity down in the pail. Put the silica packs in a zip loc bag, and seal it whenever the pail is open.. You may want to tie a cord and anchor to it if you are going to be going thru rapids, so if it gets away it will not float too far down stream. This simple system saved my camera gear in 1970 while canoeing the Swuannee river thru Ga and Florida
The pail can be used for other things around the camp too if you have time to dry it before traveling again.
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07/14/2007 01:37:33 PM · #12 |
These usually work pretty well
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07/14/2007 10:16:15 PM · #13 |
Canoeing? This discussion starts and ends with Pelican cases.
Problem solved. You can close the thread now... |
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07/14/2007 10:26:28 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by option:
Canoeing? This discussion starts and ends with Pelican cases.
Problem solved. You can close the thread now... |
- - - unless you'd like easy access to it when you round a bend and want to get some shot from the canoe or kayak.
I shoot a lot from kayaks and I like to use an extra large dry bag with several dish towels and microfiber towels inside with the camera. Easy access and completely waterproof. Any water on my hands from the paddle is easily taken care of with one of the towels. I remember which one and keep it away from the camera. |
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07/14/2007 10:29:14 PM · #15 |
| Dont play around I whitewater kayak and carry two lens and dslr body plus memory cards in a pelican dry box with memory foam padded interior. At a cost of around $30 USD. The lowe pro dry zone will not save you from submersion. Its good for a rainy day. But when you flip and your bag goes under the zippers will leak and the bag will not float unless you fill it with an air tight bag of some sort the boxes do. Otter Makes a dry box that is similar to the pelicans also. Hope this helps. |
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