Camera in kayak, bad idea ?

I bought a real nice Nikonos V with 35/2.5 lens about a year ago for $150 shipped.
I suspect you could find the same combo for closer to $100 now.

It's a great camera in both good and bad weather. The lens is very good.

Chris
 
You could get a new set of Nikonos seals overnighted to you for a reasonable cost. Add some papers in the envelope and no one will be the wiser.

Check the battery compartment.

This guy has LOTS of good info and is an excellent resource.

http://www.southern-nikonos.com/

I've bought from him many moons ago and got great service and info.

Good luck, have fun and come back safe and with lots of pictures to share.

B2
 
I guided in the San Juan islands for years.
Make sure you have a longer FL lens with you. The typical RF outfit will leave you unsatisfied with your reach on many occasions.
Pelicans are fine for transport but leave much to be desired as far as access goes.
Who wants a Pelican in the cockpit while paddling?

I used a roll top dry-bag with a MJUii for close in and a 70-210mm SLR/DSLR.
 
The Nikonos V has 4 seals which should be periodically lubricated. The battery for the Nikonos is the same as for the M6/Nikon F3hp. Changing film on a small boat should not be a problem. I have done it. As for how many shots can be taken in one hour: Consider that you have a roll of 36 exposures. It would mean taking a photo every 1 minute and 40 seconds, which would mean constant photographing in one hour. I had southern-nikonos service my camera a good number of years ago and purchased some seal lubrication. The standard lens for the camera is a 35mm f2.5.
 
Guys, I got this this morning 😀

1402780321.129747.IMG_3874.jpg

1402780324.542080.IMG_3875.jpg

I checked the o rings then passed by a store after to have it checked again, the flash connector o ring seems a bit flat, but since I'm not exactly diving with it I think it should be ok. I'll replace the o rings when I get back.
150$, I think it was a good deal
 
Lubricate the o rings with the grease supplied or just use vasalene. Make sure there is no grit on the o rings. I used to wipe them down with a kleenex and then apply the grease.

For info, the only other lens for the Nikonos which can be used above the surface is the 85mm. However, I don't think it was too popular as it used zone focus and of course it was a lot harder to focus accurately then the 35.
 
I will ! Do you think if the o rings aren't top shape that it would matter for my intended use ? Both people I consulted said that if there's no pressure, that is, if I'm not actually underwater, then it should be ok. (I'll be in a kayak, possibly lots of waves, spray, wet hands etc)
 
I guided in the San Juan islands for years.
Make sure you have a longer FL lens with you. The typical RF outfit will leave you unsatisfied with your reach on many occasions.
Pelicans are fine for transport but leave much to be desired as far as access goes.
Who wants a Pelican in the cockpit while paddling?

I used a roll top dry-bag with a MJUii for close in and a 70-210mm SLR/DSLR.


+1 on the tele.

About tethering camera to boat and /or roll top bag in cockpit. All fine on flat water, a couple of surf landings will show you the error here.

As the OP states that it will be on calm water all this might be ok but weather changes and tides can make a flat bay very interesting.


As a disclaimer, I have been involved to much in training and incident management lately so my views are a bit distorted. But whatever you do activity or camera wise plan for a worst case scenario, in your case this might only be falling in.
 
If you decide to get the 85, be aware that the back of the lens (applies to the 35 as well) is not waterproof unless the rear lens cap is in place.

Don't know about the o rings but I suspect the camera is good above the water even if there is splash. I think I owned the II, IV and V over my career. The IV sucked as in AE mode, it would not tell you the shutter speed it was using. V cured that problem.
 
I will ! Do you think if the o rings aren't top shape that it would matter for my intended use ? Both people I consulted said that if there's no pressure, that is, if I'm not actually underwater, then it should be ok. (I'll be in a kayak, possibly lots of waves, spray, wet hands etc)

If the camera is only going to get splashed, or handled with wet hands, I wouldn't worry about the O-rings.

And, to be clear, I have a Nikonos-V and a sea kayak (a Klepper). I spend a lot of time paddling the Great Lakes and subject my Nikonos to the same type of conditions you describe. You should have no problems.

Jim B.
 
@ Lauffray,

The Nikonos V is the only way to go for kayaking - glad to see that you picked one up. I got mine for $200 a couple of years ago in mint condition (it was actually a birthday present from my wife).

The Nikonos V is a good alternative camera for water sports or stormy/rainy weather shooting. It beats risking water damage to a costly digital or film camer.
 
Awesome, you guys are amazing 😀
I just developed a test roll tonight and it works great. Will post some pictures when I get back
 
Guys, I got this this morning 😀

View attachment 99792

View attachment 99793

I checked the o rings then passed by a store after to have it checked again, the flash connector o ring seems a bit flat, but since I'm not exactly diving with it I think it should be ok. I'll replace the o rings when I get back.
150$, I think it was a good deal

Smart move...
 
+1 on the tele.

About tethering camera to boat and /or roll top bag in cockpit. All fine on flat water, a couple of surf landings will show you the error here.

As the OP states that it will be on calm water all this might be ok but weather changes and tides can make a flat bay very interesting.


As a disclaimer, I have been involved to much in training and incident management lately so my views are a bit distorted. But whatever you do activity or camera wise plan for a worst case scenario, in your case this might only be falling in.

Thanks for the expert advice !
 
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