Camera in kayak, bad idea ?

A Nikonos V should be dirt cheap to buy... no camera stores in Montreal? These are old film cameras.
 
Otter Box and Pelican cases all float just fine.

If you are that terribly concerned buy a Pentax k5 or k7 with weatherproofing. It will hold up just fine as long as you are able to rinse it off regularly.

Of course, so will almost all mechanical cameras. Just rinse them off with fresh water. At the end of the trip send the camera to a good tech and have it completely cleaned and lubed.

The tough thing with film cameras is keeping the salt water off the film while changing it in a sea kayak.
 
Get a small Pelican case. They are waterproof and will float. If you get one just a bit larger then the M, you can fit it under the spray skirt between your legs.

I took a camera down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon in one. It kept the camera bone dry and I had several Eskimo rolls through the bigger rapids.
 
Better yet, just find a working Nikon action touch AF (the underwater camera). The lens is nice and you can beat the hell out of it and not worry. I think I paid $10 for mine.
 
jsrockit said:
A Nikonos V should be dirt cheap to buy... no camera stores in Montreal? These are old film cameras.
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I'm meeting a local guy tomorrow, apart from evident water damage and the o-rings, do you guys know what to look for on a used Nikonos V ?
 
Your question answers itself. Bad idea. Unless you are a professional and this is an assignment and your equipment is insured chances of salt water hitting your camera are good. The Nikonos V is probably your best bet for the future. As far as Thursday leaving get a small point and shoot, anything under $100. $100 is a lot cheaper than repairing a Leica. Have a fun and sage holiday.
 
they're great -- i still recommend the waterproof nikon digitals simply because with the nikonos you might find yourself at a great point, shoot the last shot of film, and can't change ---

digital is best --- you have more margin for error

leave the leica behind that day
 
No, changing film is not all that hard in a sea kayak unless there is a lot of wind/waves. Have done it lots of times myself. Of course with the back open, the whole waterproof integrity goes out the window.
 
Lauffray said:
I'm meeting a local guy tomorrow, apart from evident water damage and the o-rings, do you guys know what to look for on a used Nikonos V ?
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Hopefully some real experts will chime in. My reading agrees with yours: o-rings are the main issue. Provided it takes photos (try it with film) what have you got to lose?

Most of the lenses, though, are dedicated underwater and don't work in air. See http://www.photo.net/learn/underwater/uw2/Nikonos.html

I use a waterproof (5m) digital P&S. And tie it onto my life jacket.
 
I would just buy a cheap and cheerful alternative camera, maybe a little zoom compact, cheap SLR, whatever, and keep the Leica for safer pursuits.

I know some people will say "why have it, if you're not going to use it", but I'm talking about buy $40 worth of camera as a cheap insurance policy for this particular outing.
 
I'm not sure if the Nikonos is that great an idea, even providing you find a decent one in the time allocated the lenses are designed for use underwater and from what I've read perform very or somewhat poorly in the air.

If you have the money, the Nikon AW1 seems like by far and away the best option. Fully everything-proof, compact, and decent sensor. You could take along a weatherproof film P&S but I'm not sure how much I'd trust a 20+ year old automatic camera.
 
I use a Nikon F3 on canoe trips: rugged, reliable, not too heavy, and most important, cheap to replace. A small Sealine bag works fine; it's waterproof, bright yellow, and floats. No, it's not great for rapid working. But if it's not raining or choppy I just leave the camera on the bottom of the canoe. See first sentence: cheap to replace! Have fun with whatever you use (but not the Leica...). David
 
nongfuspring said:
I'm not sure if the Nikonos is that great an idea, even providing you find a decent one in the time allocated the lenses are designed for use underwater and from what I've read perform very or somewhat poorly in the air.
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Not really, the 35mm f2.5 standard lens usually found with these cameras is designed to work in the air too and it's a very fine performer.

That said, I would suggest (again) as a cheaper alternative the Canon Aqua Snappy (a.k.a. Sure Shot WP-1, A-1, Prima AS-1, Autoboy D5), it's a quite capable point and shoot AF, motorized, camera and you can get it for next to nothing.
 
thegman said:
I would just buy a cheap and cheerful alternative camera, maybe a little zoom compact, cheap SLR, whatever, and keep the Leica for safer pursuits.

I know some people will say "why have it, if you're not going to use it", but I'm talking about buy $40 worth of camera as a cheap insurance policy for this particular outing.
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Not bad. A quick tour of the local thrift shops could turn up an Oly mju-II or a Canan Sure Shot Supreme or the like for a couple of dollars (I've bought both of the above for that price.)
 
I can talk from experience on this as I am a OZ Sea Guide and UK BCU 4* leader in sea kayaking.


I would go with a waterproof digital and keep the Leica for the camp.


If you want to use the Leica in your kayak:



To keep it (Leica) safe and dry there's only Pelicase and put it in your day hatch. Keep the seals free from sand or dirt!
Definitively no Zip lock bags or roll top bags for the Camera.

When you are going to take a photo, raft up unless you are in one of those US barges or a klepper :)

Keep a micro/camping towel in a dry spot and in reach, your hands will be whet with salt water.

If your Pelicase gets whet dry it before opening it or drops of salt water will fall on your camera.
 
If it's just splashing and not a full dunk you're avoiding, how about a Oly Mju II? Great lens, nice and small. You can keep that in a Ziplock for added security and just pull it out when you need it.
 
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