Protecting a Camera During a Colour Run

**Kerrowdown** · 05-10-2013, 11:25 PM

Originally posted by ASheffield

Leaving it at home!

**monochrome** · 05-11-2013, 06:13 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kerrowdown

Leaving it at home!

Better yet, leave yourself at home, too. WTF is so much fun about being pasted with paintball ingredients whilst running a 5K?

panoguy · 05-11-2013, 04:24 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

Better yet, leave yourself at home, too. WTF is so much fun about being pasted with paintball ingredients whilst running a 5K?

I think the fun is in having your picture taken so you can join the class-action lawsuit for "coloured lung disease" in a few years... (even paintballers wear a mask!)

ASheffield · 05-11-2013, 04:54 PM

I unexpectedly ran a color run today. It was well worth the risk.

panoguy · 05-11-2013, 05:15 PM

Originally posted by ASheffield

I unexpectedly ran a color run today. It was well worth the risk.

What's that famous internet saying... "pics or it didn't happen?"

ASheffield · 05-11-2013, 05:43 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by panoguy

What's that famous internet saying... "pics or it didn't happen?"

Flickr: VinylRecordLover's Photostream

sgirvin · 05-21-2013, 07:54 PM

This is sort of too late, given that the OP already took his pictures... but there are some things you can do.

Color runs are sort of derivative of the Indian festival of Holi, which is an incredible photographic opportunity--so much color, energy, and happiness! Holi is fun because it breaks down barriers and everyone gets to play a giant sort of mutual free-for-all tag. (Plus, I doubt it's any more dangerous than eating dyed Easter eggs or working in a kitchen when there's a bunch of flour in the air. If the organizer is good, it should just be food coloring in cornstarch.)

Especially if you have weather-sealed gear, I don't quite see why the cornstarch should necessarily be such a huge issue if you take some precautions. I shot my local Holi earlier this year with my K-r (which is notably not weather-sealed) and my camera is no worse for it, despite the fact that I had people throwing colored powder at me for about six hours. I put my camera in a clear plastic bag (of the kind that sheets get packaged in, with some structural integrity and a zipper on one end) and cut out a hole in the bottom for my lens, in order to protect it from water and the majority of the dust. Some dust inevitably got in through the back of the bag with my hands, but less than I feared would. One thing I would say is critical, though, is a cheap UV filter--the filter I used still has a slight pinkish tinge. Because the bag was clear, I could still see through the viewfinder and my camera stayed protected

I also saw people who used underwater housings and rain bags--and one guy with a 5DmkII and a weather-sealed lens with no protection. He said that he'd been shooting Holi for five years and hadn't had a problem, but I'm not sure I could be quite that fearless myself.

I think you should pretty much be ok if you have a first layer of protection, a UV filter, and a lens you don't care too much about. You'll probably need to do some cosmetic cleanup after the event, but a few minutes with a blower and some Q-tips was enough for me. Or sit in a tree with a long lens. That works, too. I can see not wanting to risk your gear at all if your livelihood depends on it, but if you're taking pictures for fun...

Disclaimer: I'm no expert on the weather-sealing limit of cameras, so I could be totally in the wrong here. But Heie poured sand all over his cameras to no ill effect! I'd hate to see anybody pass up a fun photographic opportunity if it can be done safely. Cameras are tools to be used! sgirvin's Album: Holi - PentaxForums.com

Tonto · 05-22-2013, 12:30 AM

Originally posted by sgirvin

Cameras are tools to be used!

Couldn't put it better myself.

Docrwm · 05-22-2013, 04:45 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by sgirvin

This is sort of too late, given that the OP already took his pictures... but there are some things you can do.

Color runs are sort of derivative of the Indian festival of Holi, which is an incredible photographic opportunity--so much color, energy, and happiness! Holi is fun because it breaks down barriers and everyone gets to play a giant sort of mutual free-for-all tag. (Plus, I doubt it's any more dangerous than eating dyed Easter eggs or working in a kitchen when there's a bunch of flour in the air. If the organizer is good, it should just be food coloring in cornstarch.)

Especially if you have weather-sealed gear, I don't quite see why the cornstarch should necessarily be such a huge issue if you take some precautions. I shot my local Holi earlier this year with my K-r (which is notably not weather-sealed) and my camera is no worse for it, despite the fact that I had people throwing colored powder at me for about six hours. I put my camera in a clear plastic bag (of the kind that sheets get packaged in, with some structural integrity and a zipper on one end) and cut out a hole in the bottom for my lens, in order to protect it from water and the majority of the dust. Some dust inevitably got in through the back of the bag with my hands, but less than I feared would. One thing I would say is critical, though, is a cheap UV filter--the filter I used still has a slight pinkish tinge. Because the bag was clear, I could still see through the viewfinder and my camera stayed protected

I also saw people who used underwater housings and rain bags--and one guy with a 5DmkII and a weather-sealed lens with no protection. He said that he'd been shooting Holi for five years and hadn't had a problem, but I'm not sure I could be quite that fearless myself.

I think you should pretty much be ok if you have a first layer of protection, a UV filter, and a lens you don't care too much about. You'll probably need to do some cosmetic cleanup after the event, but a few minutes with a blower and some Q-tips was enough for me. Or sit in a tree with a long lens. That works, too. I can see not wanting to risk your gear at all if your livelihood depends on it, but if you're taking pictures for fun...

Disclaimer: I'm no expert on the weather-sealing limit of cameras, so I could be totally in the wrong here. But Heie poured sand all over his cameras to no ill effect! I'd hate to see anybody pass up a fun photographic opportunity if it can be done safely. Cameras are tools to be used! sgirvin's Album: Holi - PentaxForums.com

Two things - yes, cameras are tools to be used but I was raised to respect and properly use all my tools. Leaving a hammer out in the rain is the equivalent for me of ruining a lens by being careless about these color runs. Also, this whole thread came about because professionals I respect, who have pretty consistently offered excellent advice about gear, pointed out the damage done to new gear when used in these environments. So, I am going to look at their input as a guide to how to keep my gear in good shape.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/05/how-to-ruin-your-gear-in-5-minutes-without-water

Racer X 69 · 05-22-2013, 05:19 AM

Originally posted by ASheffield

Flickr: VinylRecordLover's Photostream

So did you make it to the color run Annie?

Originally posted by sgirvin

This is sort of too late, given that the OP already took his pictures...

Um, last time I checked, Annie was a woman's name.

Docrwm · 05-22-2013, 09:51 AM

Oh No! They're coming to Atlanta to make more money!

ASheffield · 05-22-2013, 02:37 PM

Originally posted by Racer X 69

So did you make it to the color run Annie?

Um, last time I checked, Annie was a woman's name.

I signed up last minute for another colour run that I had just found out about. I also have a few more coming up.

ASheffield · 05-22-2013, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Oh No! They're coming to Atlanta to make more money!

The one in Raleigh is donating the money to the NC Special Olympics.
Raleigh

ASheffield · 05-22-2013, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by sgirvin

This is sort of too late, given that the OP already took his pictures.

Does my profile picture make me look like a guy or something?

Docrwm · 05-22-2013, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by ASheffield

The one in Raleigh is donating the money to the NC Special Olympics.
Raleigh

More accurately = some of the money. They appear to be a for-profit company.
"a portion of the proceeds benefit the Special Olympics North Carolina."

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05-10-2013, 11:25 PM	#16
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,835	Originally posted by ASheffield Protecting a Camera During a Colour Run Leaving it at home!

05-11-2013, 06:13 AM - 1 Like	#17
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by kerrowdown Leaving it at home! Better yet, leave yourself at home, too. WTF is so much fun about being pasted with paintball ingredients whilst running a 5K?

05-11-2013, 04:24 PM	#18
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by monochrome Better yet, leave yourself at home, too. WTF is so much fun about being pasted with paintball ingredients whilst running a 5K? I think the fun is in having your picture taken so you can join the class-action lawsuit for "coloured lung disease" in a few years... (even paintballers wear a mask!)

05-11-2013, 04:54 PM	#19
ASheffield Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 329 Original Poster	I unexpectedly ran a color run today. It was well worth the risk.

05-11-2013, 05:15 PM	#20
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by ASheffield I unexpectedly ran a color run today. It was well worth the risk. What's that famous internet saying... "pics or it didn't happen?"

05-11-2013, 05:43 PM - 1 Like	#21
ASheffield Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 329 Original Poster	Originally posted by panoguy What's that famous internet saying... "pics or it didn't happen?" Flickr: VinylRecordLover's Photostream

05-21-2013, 07:54 PM	#22
sgirvin Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Washington, DC / Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26	This is sort of too late, given that the OP already took his pictures... but there are some things you can do. Color runs are sort of derivative of the Indian festival of Holi, which is an incredible photographic opportunity--so much color, energy, and happiness! Holi is fun because it breaks down barriers and everyone gets to play a giant sort of mutual free-for-all tag. (Plus, I doubt it's any more dangerous than eating dyed Easter eggs or working in a kitchen when there's a bunch of flour in the air. If the organizer is good, it should just be food coloring in cornstarch.) Especially if you have weather-sealed gear, I don't quite see why the cornstarch should necessarily be such a huge issue if you take some precautions. I shot my local Holi earlier this year with my K-r (which is notably not weather-sealed) and my camera is no worse for it, despite the fact that I had people throwing colored powder at me for about six hours. I put my camera in a clear plastic bag (of the kind that sheets get packaged in, with some structural integrity and a zipper on one end) and cut out a hole in the bottom for my lens, in order to protect it from water and the majority of the dust. Some dust inevitably got in through the back of the bag with my hands, but less than I feared would. One thing I would say is critical, though, is a cheap UV filter--the filter I used still has a slight pinkish tinge. Because the bag was clear, I could still see through the viewfinder and my camera stayed protected I also saw people who used underwater housings and rain bags--and one guy with a 5DmkII and a weather-sealed lens with no protection. He said that he'd been shooting Holi for five years and hadn't had a problem, but I'm not sure I could be quite that fearless myself. I think you should pretty much be ok if you have a first layer of protection, a UV filter, and a lens you don't care too much about. You'll probably need to do some cosmetic cleanup after the event, but a few minutes with a blower and some Q-tips was enough for me. Or sit in a tree with a long lens. That works, too. I can see not wanting to risk your gear at all if your livelihood depends on it, but if you're taking pictures for fun... Disclaimer: I'm no expert on the weather-sealing limit of cameras, so I could be totally in the wrong here. But Heie poured sand all over his cameras to no ill effect! I'd hate to see anybody pass up a fun photographic opportunity if it can be done safely. Cameras are tools to be used! sgirvin's Album: Holi - PentaxForums.com

05-22-2013, 12:30 AM	#23
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	Originally posted by sgirvin Cameras are tools to be used! Couldn't put it better myself.

05-22-2013, 04:45 AM - 1 Like	#24
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by sgirvin This is sort of too late, given that the OP already took his pictures... but there are some things you can do. Color runs are sort of derivative of the Indian festival of Holi, which is an incredible photographic opportunity--so much color, energy, and happiness! Holi is fun because it breaks down barriers and everyone gets to play a giant sort of mutual free-for-all tag. (Plus, I doubt it's any more dangerous than eating dyed Easter eggs or working in a kitchen when there's a bunch of flour in the air. If the organizer is good, it should just be food coloring in cornstarch.) Especially if you have weather-sealed gear, I don't quite see why the cornstarch should necessarily be such a huge issue if you take some precautions. I shot my local Holi earlier this year with my K-r (which is notably not weather-sealed) and my camera is no worse for it, despite the fact that I had people throwing colored powder at me for about six hours. I put my camera in a clear plastic bag (of the kind that sheets get packaged in, with some structural integrity and a zipper on one end) and cut out a hole in the bottom for my lens, in order to protect it from water and the majority of the dust. Some dust inevitably got in through the back of the bag with my hands, but less than I feared would. One thing I would say is critical, though, is a cheap UV filter--the filter I used still has a slight pinkish tinge. Because the bag was clear, I could still see through the viewfinder and my camera stayed protected I also saw people who used underwater housings and rain bags--and one guy with a 5DmkII and a weather-sealed lens with no protection. He said that he'd been shooting Holi for five years and hadn't had a problem, but I'm not sure I could be quite that fearless myself. I think you should pretty much be ok if you have a first layer of protection, a UV filter, and a lens you don't care too much about. You'll probably need to do some cosmetic cleanup after the event, but a few minutes with a blower and some Q-tips was enough for me. Or sit in a tree with a long lens. That works, too. I can see not wanting to risk your gear at all if your livelihood depends on it, but if you're taking pictures for fun... Disclaimer: I'm no expert on the weather-sealing limit of cameras, so I could be totally in the wrong here. But Heie poured sand all over his cameras to no ill effect! I'd hate to see anybody pass up a fun photographic opportunity if it can be done safely. Cameras are tools to be used! sgirvin's Album: Holi - PentaxForums.com Two things - yes, cameras are tools to be used but I was raised to respect and properly use all my tools. Leaving a hammer out in the rain is the equivalent for me of ruining a lens by being careless about these color runs. Also, this whole thread came about because professionals I respect, who have pretty consistently offered excellent advice about gear, pointed out the damage done to new gear when used in these environments. So, I am going to look at their input as a guide to how to keep my gear in good shape. http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/05/how-to-ruin-your-gear-in-5-minutes-without-water

05-22-2013, 05:19 AM	#25
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,073	Originally posted by ASheffield Flickr: VinylRecordLover's Photostream So did you make it to the color run Annie? Originally posted by sgirvin This is sort of too late, given that the OP already took his pictures... Um, last time I checked, Annie was a woman's name.

05-22-2013, 09:51 AM	#26
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Oh No! They're coming to Atlanta to make more money!

05-22-2013, 02:37 PM	#27
ASheffield Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 329 Original Poster	Originally posted by Racer X 69 So did you make it to the color run Annie? Um, last time I checked, Annie was a woman's name. I signed up last minute for another colour run that I had just found out about. I also have a few more coming up.

05-22-2013, 02:40 PM	#28
ASheffield Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 329 Original Poster	Originally posted by Docrwm Oh No! They're coming to Atlanta to make more money! The one in Raleigh is donating the money to the NC Special Olympics. Raleigh

05-22-2013, 02:49 PM	#29
ASheffield Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 329 Original Poster	Originally posted by sgirvin This is sort of too late, given that the OP already took his pictures. Does my profile picture make me look like a guy or something?

05-22-2013, 02:51 PM	#30
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by ASheffield The one in Raleigh is donating the money to the NC Special Olympics. Raleigh More accurately = some of the money. They appear to be a for-profit company. "a portion of the proceeds benefit the Special Olympics North Carolina."