Cameras & Kayaks

[cbass]

My wife bought me a new kayak for my birthday! 😀 I'm very excited to use this boat in the many rivers and lakes here in New England as well as at the beaches on Cape Cod.

I'll be wanting to bring my photo gear along on kayak trips and I'm wondering what is the best way to keep my cameras & film dry while I'm not using them. I'll probably bring my Bessa L & CV 15mm most of the time as well as small P&S digicams.

Any suggestions for cases or dry bags? Thanks in advance.

 

[clarence]

I've heard good things about Pelican Cases.

We used them for our sensitive electronic equipment back in the army.

I suspect that you wouldn't be able to get away with a full baptism though.

Clarence.

 

[dexdog]

Pelican cases are among the best, but tend to be a little bulky. I have carried a number of cameras in the regular roll-up type dry bags that are sold in the kayak and canoe sections of sporting goods stores. Get the clear plastic type, because they are easier to rummage through when looking for your cameras, keys, wallet, etc. Sea-Line is a common brand, and good quality.

 

[traveller]

Friends of mine like this Pelican case, always telling me there's no better one. The only negative point for them is the size.

 

[flipflop]

hmm...pelican cases are good for sure...but if your budget is tight and you are not going in rough water I would say a large tupperware would work as well. I take my pentax k1000 and yashica fx-3 in my kayak all the time. I have never flipped over, but its nice to have a place to keep the camera out of the inch of water in the bottom of the boat.

 

[Mackinaw]

I've been kayaking in the Great Lakes since the late 1980's. Bit the bullet back in the early 90's and bought a Nikonos V which is a constant companion in my Klepper double. Prior to the Nikonos, I used a small, waterproof camp sack to store my cameras but it was a constant pain opening and closing the bag whenever I needed my camera. The Nikonos solved that tissue for good.

Jim Bielecki

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I used to belong to a Kayak fishing club here on the gulf coast, alot of us used Nikonos cameras back then.

Todd

 

[R Alan]

Ammo boxes at the local firearms dealer work for me when I kayak the Great Lakes. Less than $10, too. Just check the rubber seals before you buy them.

Roy

 

[traveller]

If you would like a smaller bag Ortlieb can be recommended too. I don't know the pricing in the US, here they are reasonable.

 

[cbass]

Thanks for the tips. The kayak is small (Perception Swifty) and there isn't much space under the deck, so I'm limited as to the size of case or drybag -- smaller is better. I may also be able to stash a waterproof camera in the front pocket of my PFD.

 

[jonasv]

I wouldn't bother with a bag.. constantly fiddling with it would, at least for me, take part of the fun out of both photography and kayakking. Nikonos cameras aren't too expensive anymore nowadays, I wouldn't doubt a second.

 

[RObert Budding]

Kayaking is a lot of fun. But make sure that you can do at least a wet exit and re-entry with a paddle float. And read "Sea Kayaker Deep Trouble" by Matt Broze and George Gronseth. Better to learn from the mistakes of others.