Beach .. sea .. .how to protect the gear?

pedro.m.reis

Newbie but eager to learn
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Aug 10, 2005
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Location
Lisboa, Portugal
Hi ppl.
I'm out to the beach! 15 days of relax... well, if my 6 months daughter allow....
How do you guys protect your gear aroud the sea? besides the lens filter and, offcourse, do not let the sea water and sand get to them, is there any other precaution i shoud have?
 
Buy a Pentax Optio waterproof digital. Go swimming and take underwater movies of fishies and water babies. Pluck it down in the sand for group shots. Spill beer on it.
Have lots of fun and relax knowing nothing will happen to your camera during your vacation. When you get home load some film in your RF and shoot some serious work!
 
keep a uv filter on everything

bring a small blower/brush

and wipe down bodies/lenses with damp cloth after each outing (keep the salt crystals off your equipment)

SPF 30+ sunscreen 😀
 
From experience, the essentials are:

1. neck strap
2. filter over lens
3. bag, such as a backpack

I would recommend you take gear with you that you are not concerned about using, i.e. if something gets a spot of water on it, you won't freak out.

Optional items:
1. plasic bag
2. distilled water
3. "silica packs" (???)

The plastic bag would be to cover up your equipment, but I've never seen anyone do it. Distilled water in case you drop some of the equipment in the salt water, you could rinse it off. Highly likely your hotel or nearby store will have this, but just in case might be good idea to take at least a small bottle of the stuff.

The "silica packs" -- no idea what they are called, but you put them inside bags to keep the humidity out.

Jano
 
photogdave said:
Buy a Pentax Optio waterproof digital. Go swimming and take underwater movies of fishies and water babies. Pluck it down in the sand for group shots. Spill beer on it.
Have lots of fun and relax knowing nothing will happen to your camera during your vacation. When you get home load some film in your RF and shoot some serious work!

Sounds like an excellent advice 🙂 !
Now.. how can i tell the wife that i need another camera........
 
greyhoundman said:
And watch for strolling losers. 😉
Another member recently had a whole bag swiped by a guy on horseback with a hook.

That is realy true... i guess that i'll let the expensive stuff at home.....
But this really sucks, since i realy dont have much time to taking photos except on
vacations.....
 
jano said:
From experience, the essentials are:

1. neck strap
2. filter over lens
3. bag, such as a backpack

I would recommend you take gear with you that you are not concerned about using, i.e. if something gets a spot of water on it, you won't freak out.

Optional items:
1. plasic bag
2. distilled water
3. "silica packs" (???)

The plastic bag would be to cover up your equipment, but I've never seen anyone do it. Distilled water in case you drop some of the equipment in the salt water, you could rinse it off. Highly likely your hotel or nearby store will have this, but just in case might be good idea to take at least a small bottle of the stuff.

The "silica packs" -- no idea what they are called, but you put them inside bags to keep the humidity out.

Jano

Naaa ... too much trouble .. 😀 😀

jano said:
I like dave's idea best 😀

Better ! Much better 😀 😀
 
I used to have a praktica for this purpose.Then it died in mid - city.

I used most of my beloved gear on the beach (keep it in a waterproof sandproof bag when not in use).

praktica mtl 3 with no name 135/2.8;pan F at 50 in d-76 and yellow filter
 

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Well, bottom line:

1- Dont take the expensive camera/lens
2- Take one of your - not so best - friends camera
3- Use filter+waterproof bag
4- Watchout for thieves
5- Have fun!

Thanks.... i think 😀 😀
 
I just throw my M4-P or whatever camera I've got with me in a ziplock and take it out to shoot and put it back when I'm done.

I spend a lot of time at beaches all over the place and never really worried about bringing my camera too much. Everyone talks about how bulletproof Leicas are and how they were used during wars and such, a day at beach isn't going to kill it. Sand and salt water suck for pretty much anything fragile but with a bit of care you'll be OK.

No need to bring a super fast lens since beaches tend to be very bright with all that water around.
 

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Note to self: keep an eye out for hoodlums on horses. They should stick out like sore thumbs, I've never seen people on horses at beaches.

Pedro: add neckstrap to the list. I nearly dropped my new Zeiss Ikon in the water and fortunatley it was attached to my neck. 😱
 
photogdave said:
In Canada the latest model is called the Optio W10. I have an older one called the Optio 43WR. I'd look for a used one of these, as it has an optical finder and uses AA batteries.

Found it!

Humm, at 195€ could be a nice buy.......
Maybe i'll talk to the Mrs....
Do you own one? Have any sample pics?
 
jano said:
Note to self: keep an eye out for hoodlums on horses. They should stick out like sore thumbs, I've never seen people on horses at beaches.

Pedro: add neckstrap to the list. I nearly dropped my new Zeiss Ikon in the water and fortunatley it was attached to my neck. 😱

I'm not afraid of thives on horses ... where i'm going - a very small fisherman's village - there should be no problem with that.
But one never knows.....
 
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