Keeping the Camera Dry

Fotoguy20d · Dec 1, 2009

Anyone have any advice on how to keep camera equipment dry in a canoe? I'm looking at doing a Colorado River canoe trip in March - I've been told there's nothing resembling white water but I still wouldn't count on not flipping the canoe at least once. If nothing else, water always seems to end up in the bottom of the canoe. My normal method (without camera) is to put my backpack in a large contractor garbage bag with a cinch strap or two tying the pack to one of the canoe struts (only thing worse than having a pack sink to the bottom of a lake is having you sink to the bottom of the lake). I'd do the same here and use my Tamrac Expedition 7, but it's not conducive to getting the camera out quickly to take photos. I've used doubled-up giant ziplocs before, stored in a daypack tied to a strut but there's got to be something better.

Thanks,
Dan

John Koehrer · Dec 1, 2009

A drybag from REI or similar?

mr rusty · Dec 1, 2009

How about

http://www.aquapac.net/usstore/waterproof-camera-camcorder-cases-588-0.html

I've used their little cases for docs/money etc (not for cameras) and found them excellent

- - and check out the warranty - just read that for the first time - I'm impressed!

jolefler · Dec 1, 2009

You'll find it all....

at NRSweb.com. They have dry boxes and bags of every description.

Our family does whitewater touring and you just can't beat a waterproof P&S while you're in the boat. Leave your big money system in the bottom of a dry bag/box for when you're on a break. Things get too busy at times in the boat for cameras like the zone focus, manual exposure Nikonos. I prefer the AWAFL35 or "Action Touch" from Nikon during the mid 80's. An AE/AF 35mm
f2.8 that's cracking sharp (from the L35AF line) and also feaures anauto winder. I keep it snapped on a short lead to my PFD....lose the neck strap or you can become entangled when getting dumped. Oh, tie that good camera's dry bag/box into the boat....never need to hear the resulting whining when it's washed downstream after a swim!

PS: don't even think about garbage bags inside packs for a trip like this....the right tool for the job, or very soggy consequences!

Jo

canuhead · Dec 1, 2009

Pelican. Floats, crush proof and quick to open and close. Make sure to let it dry properly if you get any moisture in it (wet hands on camera etc etc). But I would also do what Jo suggests. A waterproof p&s would be indispensible on a canoe trip. Friends took a Pentax one down the Grand Canyon and it survived tumbling around in a pfd pocket during the odd swim through rapids.

Larry.Manuel · Dec 2, 2009

Yes, Pelican case will do. I did 400 km on Albany River [N. Ontario] in 1990 [ending in James Bay], with M4-P. No problems.

>getting the camera out quickly to take photos

Nikonos.

verney · Dec 2, 2009

I use zippered dry bag (Ortlieb Travel-Zip) that has a divider shell from an old camera bag inside it. Does not work in fast situations but keeps the camera dry and safe.

As already mentioned, forget trash bags.

Fotoguy20d · Dec 2, 2009

jolefler said:
I prefer the AWAFL35 or "Action Touch" from Nikon during the mid 80's. An AE/AF 35mm f2.8 that's cracking sharp (from the L35AF line) and also feaures anauto winder.

Any thoughts on a fair price for one of these?

Thanks,
Dan

lonepeak · Dec 2, 2009

I see you're on the east coast so try Eastern Mountain Sports for a good dry bag. Stay away from the see through plastic ones...they're more of a splash bag. I always carry my camera in a dry bag inside a double zip lock. That's running rapids and getting plenty wet. You don't need to spend a lot of money...just use common sense. What part of the Colorado are you canoeing?

Fotoguy20d · Dec 2, 2009

I didn't realize Pellican cases weren't that expensive. For $86, this one looks big enought to hold a couple of bodeis and 2-3 lenses plus flash:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/75512-REG/Pelican_1450_000_110_1450_Case_with_Foam.html

iamzip · Dec 2, 2009

I agree with jolefler, you can buy waterproof 35mm point & shoots for peanuts on eBay. I got my Action Touch for less than $20 including shipping, and there are several other options available.

jolefler · Dec 2, 2009

Wow! Nice price!

I might have slightly more in each of my two Action Touch models. I've owned quite a few....kept some parts.

They're worth what you can get 'em for on the Auction site. I'd surely pay $60 guaranteed working. KEH often has had one or two in the past, too. I'm sure they'd be at least that much for them.

There are a couple of others...Canon's WP-1, Minolta has a dual lens (35, 50mm) model that easier to work on than the Action Touch. Look for cameras with Fisher-Price color scheme With so many, you can surely pick up a bargain by then.

Jo

Fotoguy20d · Dec 2, 2009

lonepeak said:
I see you're on the east coast so try Eastern Mountain Sports for a good dry bag. Stay away from the see through plastic ones...they're more of a splash bag. I always carry my camera in a dry bag inside a double zip lock. That's running rapids and getting plenty wet. You don't need to spend a lot of money...just use common sense. What part of the Colorado are you canoeing?

We'll be somewhere in Canyonlands - a friend of is organizing the trip and we were invited to join

I've done the ziploc (usually the 3 gallon ones) route when hiking and expecting weather (which is always, it seems). I live less than 5 miles from Campmor (and the adjacent EMS) and now there's an REI in the area - I'll see what they have, but looking at the info I got from the trip organizer, he (more accurately, his outfitter) is providing one very large drybag and one smaller one.

My thinking now (until someone changes my mind) is a waterproof P&S (whether Nikon or Canon) and a Pelican case for the SLR, and bring my Expedition 7 as a daypack for when we hike in the canyons.

Dave Pritchard · Dec 2, 2009

Most waterproof bags contain plastic. Consider keeping plastic fumes off your lenses. You can coat a lens with PVC or poly by putting it in a ziplock bag. Coating depends on the newness of the bag, length of time it is in there, and temperature. I do put glass in plastic, but for short times, and use a paper bag between lens and plastic.

lonepeak · Dec 2, 2009

Be prepared for some extremes in Canyonlands that time of year. It can be in the 60's during the day and below freezing at night and storm at any time. We were on the White Rim last Easter when a group was blow off the Green River. This is my favorite area in Southern Utah. Have fun and be safe!

iamzip · Dec 2, 2009

I like waterproof cameras such as the action touch without the bright yellow color scheme, because people stare at me when I walk into the water and just let the camera go under... heh heh.

verney · Dec 3, 2009

Fotoguy20d said:
My thinking now (until someone changes my mind) is a waterproof P&S (whether Nikon or Canon) and a Pelican case for the SLR, and bring my Expedition 7 as a daypack for when we hike in the canyons.

I would ditch that Pelican and put the Expedition 7 inside a dry bag. You can keep it open inside the dry bag when you are not expecting rough ride and close it when you do. Ortlieb Travel-Zip has a long zipper allowing good access. If Travel-Zip is not big enough then consider Ortlieb Big-Zip and there must be other manufacturers also for similar gear. You can always put some other stuff in there too if there is room.

Bulk and weight while canoeing is not as important as when backpacking but it still matters.

jolefler · Dec 3, 2009

What He Said!

verney said:
I would ditch that Pelican and put the Expedition 7 inside a dry bag. You can keep it open inside the dry bag when you are not expecting rough ride and close it when you do. Ortlieb Travel-Zip has a long zipper allowing good access. If Travel-Zip is not big enough then consider Ortlieb Big-Zip and there must be other manufacturers also for similar gear. You can always put some other stuff in there too if there is room.

Bulk and weight while canoeing is not as important as when backpacking but it still matters.

Save the weight of the Pelican; the Expedition 7 will absorb plenty of shock.
An open dry bag is easier to deal with, and more splash resistant, than an open hard case.

Sirius Glass · Dec 3, 2009

jolefler said:
Save the weight of the Pelican; the Expedition 7 will absorb plenty of shock.
An open dry bag is easier to deal with, and more splash resistant, than an open hard case.

Especially when the canoe capsizes.

Steve

Keeping the Camera Dry

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency