Keeping DSLR safe at the beach

Internetpilot · 07-12-2010, 05:25 PM

Okay, maybe I'm treating my KX like a baby, but when I recently went to the beach I brought my wife's Fuji waterproof camera instead. It can actually go in the water and sand is not a problem. I know, I know, you want to bring the KX, but for me, personally, I just wouldn't do it. Too much risk and not worth it for me.

-- Chris

jjdgti · 07-13-2010, 07:13 AM

I second the idea of a CPL and in addition to packing the swiming suit, prepare the camera as well.
1. Select the lens you want to bring (A super zoom is ideal 18-250mm as an example). it will be plenty of light, so a fast very expensive lens is not needed.
2. A CPL will be nice. it helps you to protect the lens while capturing nice water shoots.
3. Make sure the Memory Card has plenty of room, so you do not need to change it (8 MB or higher is recomended).
4. Charge the battery as well, so again you do not need to change batteries in the middle trip.
5. Pack 2 Ziploc bags, put the camera in one and leave the other one just in case of an emergency of the first one get dirty or something else happen.

Enjoy and have fun.

yoshizuki · 07-13-2010, 08:26 PM

a cpl filter shines in beach photos. also protects front element against sand / mist.

alexeyga · 07-13-2010, 08:51 PM

Stop worrying about condoms and just use the bloody thing! It's made for taking pics, not for wiping the dust of it!!! damn.... By the time you'll get to the shooting part at this rate the camera will be too old and won't have any resale value anyways no matter if it's full of sand or not....

Russell-Evans · 07-14-2010, 02:44 AM

Originally posted by alexeyga

Stop worrying about condoms and just use the bloody thing!

I like the Outex condom as it is in my price range at a couple of hundred. It also seems to me, as I would be at the beach, I would probably want to try some shots in the water anyway.

Thank you
Russell

**Kerrowdown** · 07-16-2010, 11:42 AM

"Keeping DSLR safe at the beach"

I guess leaving it at home is not an option.

sameagle · 07-16-2010, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by Kryosphinx

Be extra careful about allowing sand in your camera bag. Once in, it's very difficult to remove.
Just think of all the scratches as you're walking around! *cringes*

+1

Last weekend I brought my brand new iphone4 to the beach, put it carefully in my beach bag (on the sand).

when i got home, even though i had been extremely careful, i found a pretty deep scratch across the front glass of the iphone.

sand is nazty. i would not let ANYTHING touch the front of your lens especially. i'd also be incredibly careful about letting anything touch the lcd screen/s.

Mike Wise · 07-17-2010, 02:19 PM

If I was really worried about changing lenses, I'd bring my faithful old film changing bag with me: put the camera and lenses in the bag, slip on the sleeves, and do all of the changing (and fumbling) in the bag. It's not only weather proof, but light proof! :-)

cbaytan · 07-19-2010, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by Xatenp

Hey guys,

I have been searching here and google for tips on taking a DSLR to the beach.

My question is, what precautions to take? I will be going to the Bahamas and want to protect my new K-x. I will not get too close to the water, but am worried about sand being kicked around and flying around.

Also is a UV filter recommended? Any good ones you can link to for the k-x?

Thanks!

My main concern would be keeping the body away from the harsh sun for a long time, especially when lens hearts up barrel oil tend to leak surface on the diaphragm blades, lens killer. No need to mention body jammes up with severe heat. Sometimes I use my own shadow to protect body from the sun, I am not kidding.

UV filter? Definitely, not only the sand, also a protector of famous beach UV lights. I would use a Tiffen Haze-1, "5 stop" UV protector.

Other things you already know of, like don't drop the camera from the boat....

Have fun.

ManhattanProject · 07-21-2010, 11:30 AM

Best precaution, buy a pentax. They offer weather sealed bodies and lenses in classes that competitors can't compete with.

SpecialK · 07-21-2010, 12:20 PM

Baggie and a Quantaray filter...

Jonson PL · 07-23-2010, 04:54 AM

My K10 is sealed, and I don't change lenses on the beach. So being around sand, has not concerned me.
Though I'm always amazed, all the places it has managed to creep in

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07-12-2010, 05:25 PM	#16
Internetpilot Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NE Florida Posts: 130	Okay, maybe I'm treating my KX like a baby, but when I recently went to the beach I brought my wife's Fuji waterproof camera instead. It can actually go in the water and sand is not a problem. I know, I know, you want to bring the KX, but for me, personally, I just wouldn't do it. Too much risk and not worth it for me. -- Chris

07-13-2010, 07:13 AM	#17
jjdgti Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,824	I second the idea of a CPL and in addition to packing the swiming suit, prepare the camera as well. 1. Select the lens you want to bring (A super zoom is ideal 18-250mm as an example). it will be plenty of light, so a fast very expensive lens is not needed. 2. A CPL will be nice. it helps you to protect the lens while capturing nice water shoots. 3. Make sure the Memory Card has plenty of room, so you do not need to change it (8 MB or higher is recomended). 4. Charge the battery as well, so again you do not need to change batteries in the middle trip. 5. Pack 2 Ziploc bags, put the camera in one and leave the other one just in case of an emergency of the first one get dirty or something else happen. Enjoy and have fun.

07-13-2010, 08:26 PM	#18
yoshizuki Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 74	a cpl filter shines in beach photos. also protects front element against sand / mist.

07-13-2010, 08:51 PM	#19
alexeyga Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 838	Stop worrying about condoms and just use the bloody thing! It's made for taking pics, not for wiping the dust of it!!! damn.... By the time you'll get to the shooting part at this rate the camera will be too old and won't have any resale value anyways no matter if it's full of sand or not....

07-14-2010, 02:44 AM	#20
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553	Originally posted by alexeyga Stop worrying about condoms and just use the bloody thing! I like the Outex condom as it is in my price range at a couple of hundred. It also seems to me, as I would be at the beach, I would probably want to try some shots in the water anyway. Thank you Russell

07-16-2010, 11:42 AM	#21
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,833	"Keeping DSLR safe at the beach" I guess leaving it at home is not an option.

07-16-2010, 12:41 PM	#22
sameagle Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 323	Originally posted by Kryosphinx Be extra careful about allowing sand in your camera bag. Once in, it's very difficult to remove. Just think of all the scratches as you're walking around! cringes +1 Last weekend I brought my brand new iphone4 to the beach, put it carefully in my beach bag (on the sand). when i got home, even though i had been extremely careful, i found a pretty deep scratch across the front glass of the iphone. sand is nazty. i would not let ANYTHING touch the front of your lens especially. i'd also be incredibly careful about letting anything touch the lcd screen/s.

07-17-2010, 02:19 PM	#23
Mike Wise New Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado, USA Posts: 24	If I was really worried about changing lenses, I'd bring my faithful old film changing bag with me: put the camera and lenses in the bag, slip on the sleeves, and do all of the changing (and fumbling) in the bag. It's not only weather proof, but light proof! :-)

07-19-2010, 02:32 PM	#24
cbaytan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trabzon/Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,010	Originally posted by Xatenp Hey guys, I have been searching here and google for tips on taking a DSLR to the beach. My question is, what precautions to take? I will be going to the Bahamas and want to protect my new K-x. I will not get too close to the water, but am worried about sand being kicked around and flying around. Also is a UV filter recommended? Any good ones you can link to for the k-x? Thanks! My main concern would be keeping the body away from the harsh sun for a long time, especially when lens hearts up barrel oil tend to leak surface on the diaphragm blades, lens killer. No need to mention body jammes up with severe heat. Sometimes I use my own shadow to protect body from the sun, I am not kidding. UV filter? Definitely, not only the sand, also a protector of famous beach UV lights. I would use a Tiffen Haze-1, "5 stop" UV protector. Other things you already know of, like don't drop the camera from the boat.... Have fun.

07-21-2010, 11:30 AM	#25
ManhattanProject Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Midwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 221	Best precaution, buy a pentax. They offer weather sealed bodies and lenses in classes that competitors can't compete with.

07-21-2010, 12:20 PM	#26
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Baggie and a Quantaray filter...

07-23-2010, 04:54 AM	#27
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	My K10 is sealed, and I don't change lenses on the beach. So being around sand, has not concerned me. Though I'm always amazed, all the places it has managed to creep in