How do you protect your Theta Camera ?

**hjoseph7** · 4 Days Ago

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The Theta camera's are generally well built. They are usually made of a magnesium metal that feels solid enough, but does not protect it from rain, heat, or drops. I should know, my Theta Z dropped while sitting on a Monopod when a strong breeze suddenly passed by knocking the whole thing to hard cement. The camera went dead for about 10 minutes, but I was able to revive it. unfortunately I noticed that after the fall, all my scans had ugly black streaks in them.

Richo is not exactly famous for speedy repair work , but luckilly my company said they will send me a replacement while the camera is being repaired. With that said, I began looking for protection cases for the Theta Z, but they pale in comparison to the protection cases for iPhones. Richo sells a protective case calle the TH3, but its made from plastic that I heard easily scratches, degrades the image a little bit and is quite expensive. I was thinking about just wrapping up the camera up in some type of rubbery tape so if and when it hits the ground it would just bounce off. Anybody has any ideas ?

JohnMc · 4 Days Ago - **1 Like**

$65 seems cheap. Risk/reward. Yes, anything in front of a lens can degrade an image. Would your alt method impede camera functions? Would it create (over)heat concerns? Assure that if/when camera makes use of that's the only area allowed to impact? Seems the problem lies in operating with a monopod in conditions not favorable to monopod use, and that you solve simply with weight, ground screw/spike, or more legs.

**robgski** · 3 Days Ago

As the others mentioned, get a better monopod, or a spiked monopod whenever situation allows. IF there is still risk, get the cover Ricoh makes and see if the image is truly degraded.

It is tough because of the 180 degree plus FOV the Theta allows. It's one of the only downsides to using the Theta, IMO.

**hjoseph7** · 3 Days Ago - **1 Like**

Originally posted by robgski

As the others mentioned, get a better monopod, or a spiked monopod whenever situation allows. IF there is still risk, get the cover Ricoh makes and see if the image is truly degraded.

It is tough because of the 180 degree plus FOV the Theta allows. It's one of the only downsides to using the Theta, IMO.

So far I found this "protective" case for the Z1 on ebay: Silicon Protective Case Silicon Protective Silicone Case with Lens Cover Shell for Ricoh Theta Z1 V8L0 | eBay Does not look that protective, but I was thinking that maybe I could wrap some type of rubberirzed tape arround the perimeter of the Case such as this: https://rubbersheetwarehouse.com/products/neoprene-rubber-strips-60a-medium-...nt=21540356803

Usually I use a Light Stand with a much wider footprint when I'm outside and the Monopod with a much smaller foot print when I'm inside. That day however, I could not get the RICOH TE-2 Extension Adapter Off the Monopod so I could switch to the Light Stand no matter how hard I tried. It was a breezy day, but I would not call it windy. I set up the Theta Z1 on the Monopod since I had no choice. I hid behind the bushes so I would not be seen on the Scans. Then I heard a loud "WAPP". The camera had hit the floor !.

Last edited by hjoseph7; 3 Days Ago at 07:03 AM.

4 Days Ago	#1
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,865	How do you protect your Theta Camera ? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. The Theta camera's are generally well built. They are usually made of a magnesium metal that feels solid enough, but does not protect it from rain, heat, or drops. I should know, my Theta Z dropped while sitting on a Monopod when a strong breeze suddenly passed by knocking the whole thing to hard cement. The camera went dead for about 10 minutes, but I was able to revive it. unfortunately I noticed that after the fall, all my scans had ugly black streaks in them. Richo is not exactly famous for speedy repair work , but luckilly my company said they will send me a replacement while the camera is being repaired. With that said, I began looking for protection cases for the Theta Z, but they pale in comparison to the protection cases for iPhones. Richo sells a protective case calle the TH3, but its made from plastic that I heard easily scratches, degrades the image a little bit and is quite expensive. I was thinking about just wrapping up the camera up in some type of rubbery tape so if and when it hits the ground it would just bounce off. Anybody has any ideas ?

3 Days Ago	#3
robgski Pentaxian At Large Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,663	As the others mentioned, get a better monopod, or a spiked monopod whenever situation allows. IF there is still risk, get the cover Ricoh makes and see if the image is truly degraded. It is tough because of the 180 degree plus FOV the Theta allows. It's one of the only downsides to using the Theta, IMO. Last edited by robgski; 3 Days Ago at 05:58 AM.

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4 Days Ago - 1 Like	#2
JohnMc Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 446	$65 seems cheap. Risk/reward. Yes, anything in front of a lens can degrade an image. Would your alt method impede camera functions? Would it create (over)heat concerns? Assure that if/when camera makes use of that's the only area allowed to impact? Seems the problem lies in operating with a monopod in conditions not favorable to monopod use, and that you solve simply with weight, ground screw/spike, or more legs.

3 Days Ago - 1 Like	#4
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,865 Original Poster	Originally posted by robgski As the others mentioned, get a better monopod, or a spiked monopod whenever situation allows. IF there is still risk, get the cover Ricoh makes and see if the image is truly degraded. It is tough because of the 180 degree plus FOV the Theta allows. It's one of the only downsides to using the Theta, IMO. So far I found this "protective" case for the Z1 on ebay: Silicon Protective Case Silicon Protective Silicone Case with Lens Cover Shell for Ricoh Theta Z1 V8L0 \| eBay Does not look that protective, but I was thinking that maybe I could wrap some type of rubberirzed tape arround the perimeter of the Case such as this: https://rubbersheetwarehouse.com/products/neoprene-rubber-strips-60a-medium-...nt=21540356803 Usually I use a Light Stand with a much wider footprint when I'm outside and the Monopod with a much smaller foot print when I'm inside. That day however, I could not get the RICOH TE-2 Extension Adapter Off the Monopod so I could switch to the Light Stand no matter how hard I tried. It was a breezy day, but I would not call it windy. I set up the Theta Z1 on the Monopod since I had no choice. I hid behind the bushes so I would not be seen on the Scans. Then I heard a loud "WAPP". The camera had hit the floor !. Last edited by hjoseph7; 3 Days Ago at 07:03 AM.

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