Taking a beach trip - precautions

[Whateverist]

I'm planning a short trip to the beach and would like to take along one of my FSU's, however, I'm worried about the sand and salty air's effects. I know these cameras were built to last, but I'd rather not take unnecessary risks.

When I bring along my digital, I take the usual precautions; I keep it away from water and sand, keep it in its case whenever its not in use, and clean it when I get home as sand and dust always manages to blown onto it. Would this be enough to keep the FSU safe too? Will my camera rust before my eyes or am I just being paranoid?

 

[Pherdinand]

Short answer is, yes you are being paranoid.

 

[Spyderman]

That's why I don't like sandy beaches. 😀

 

[icebear]

As you you asked the question - yes, you are paranoid. Enjoy the beach and don't worry too much ;-)). As long as you don't change lenses in a misty spray of salt water so that the corrosive stuff can get somewhere inside your lens back or camera body, you should be ok. And wiping it down with a slightly damb cloth after you return home wouldn't do harm either.

 

[Whateverist]

yes, you are paranoid

It's not paranoia if they're really out to get you 😀

Thanks for the reassurance. I just wanted to be safe rather than sorry.

 

[Beemermark]

Worse problem about the beach isn't the sand but the salt spray (I assume your going to the ocean). I keep mine in a full case except for when actually taking the picture, I also wipe it down completely as soon as I get back in the car. If you wear glasses you'll notice a fine almost greasy film on the lenses when you leave. Of course windy days are the worse but they can also better picture days.

I've never had any negative effects with my Leicas and I shoot at the Atlantic beach quite often.

 

[Joao]

This will be a good occasion to use a skylight or UV filter, your lens will be safe.
Regards
Joao

 

[Tarzak]

Wear a hat and some sun screen.

 

[Rogier]

I lived on a caribean island for 5 years.
Even took the camera with me on the boat, put it in a housing an dragged it down to 200ft... It was a Canon 10D. And worked without a problem....
Camera's are tools..

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I took a camera on the dunes in Cape Cod on a windy day....sand did get into the mechanism. But, prior to that and since then I have taken cameras on the beach many times without problems. I was just on the beach in Mexico in an oncoming storm with not problems.

 

[Fabrice2]

i took a nikon F and other cameras to my last vacations, without any problem.Just use a bag or a ready case and don't drop your camera in the sand.
But with my EOS xti i used the camera armor (i'm kind of paranoid too) , it was a bad idea, it's made of rubber, so it was a magnet for sand.There's now 2 piece of sand on my captor.
The kind of problem we avoid using film.And if you're really paranoid or if there is lot of wind, use a rain protection sleeve,i think it's made by optech.

 

[julio1fer]

Keep the camera in a tightly closed plastic bag when you are not using it.

 

[Whateverist]

Keep the camera in a tightly closed plastic bag when you are not using it.

I usually keep it in its case in my backpack. That'll do, right?

 

[Roger Hicks]

Consider the 'walkie' beach photographers of 50 years ago.

Yes, their cameras (normally second-hand Leicas) wore out in 5-10 years of use on the beach, 3-5 months non stop, every year.

How big a problem is this?

Cheers,

R.

 

[ruben]

Worse problem about the beach isn't the sand but the salt spray (I assume your going to the ocean). I.....

I second this and remind that the FSUs are not excelling in their seal properties. The same goes for FSU lenses.

However, like light exposure, salt exposure is also an issue of time length.

Beyond these, you should remember that photographers are split between those saying "keep my precious gear afar from danger", and those saying "I have bought my gear to use it".

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[kuzano]

The cameras are all replacable...

The cameras are all replacable...

The memories from trips to the beach are not.

 

[raid]

I once used a Canon F1N with 24mm lens at the Maine cost. The wide angle perspective made the waves appear far away from me. I got soaked with salt water! I did what I did to save the F1N until I returned to Pensacola where an experienced camera repairman took the camera apart and cleaned corrosion. After $125 of repair, the camera still works like a charm 15 years later.

 

[mh2000]

well... when I last went to the beach I left my FSU/mechanical gear in the trunk and carried a Olympus Stylus Epic... fully weather sealed (with a 35/2.8 that can beat most FSU lenses)... and I had more fun. your choice.

 

[kievman]

I Bought a Pentax WR (weather-resistant) 90 Zoom for 10.00 on ebay just for beach and water shots. works great and I dont have to worry about damaging my lovely FSU gear -Michael