Which Camera for Canoe??

[Fausto]

A friend is taking me canoeing along the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn this Friday & it's a great photo opportunity BUT...

there's always a pretty good chance of me becoming an immersed landlubber, SO...

how would you pick up a cheap camera on short notice? Something where it wouldn't be a big deal if it ended up in a watery camera grave?

Disposable? Holga? I don't want to end up with crappy pictures.

Any body want to sell a cheap, working body/lens combo?

 

[Mackinaw]

Years ago, Kodak (and others) sold inexpensive, disposable 35mm underwater cameras. I bought one on a lark and was pleasantly surprised on how good they were. Haven't seen one in years and I'm not even sure they're being made anymore. In lieu of that, you can try and find an underwater housing for a 35mm film camera or pick up a water resistant digital.

Jim B.

 

[ZeissFan]

Go to your local thrift shop and get an inexpensive film point and shoot for less than $3. There generally are loads of them, because their designs are dull and unimaginative, no matter how great the lens or the features, and very few people want a used film P&S in the age of the digital P&S.

 

[swoop]

B&H has the disposable waterproof cameras. I think they're right next to the film counter. on the endcap of the CD/DVD media. Or you could buy an Olympus P&S. It'll run you $300 or so but really it's about as much as a cheap lens.

 

[Solinar]

The Canon Sure Shot A-1 Panorama Waterproof Camera is a 35mm AF point and shoot that is waterproof to an incredible underwater depth of 16 feet - which may be good enough for a canoe. I don't know if it floats.

 

[peterc]

I have a Nikon L35AW for rain/water use. They can be had pretty cheap these days. Several other companies made similar underwater 35mm cameras.

 

[spyder2000]

You could also look for an Ewa Marine bag. This is/was a heavy vinyl bag with an optical plastic window and a pressure seal for the opening. You place the camera inside, fold the top over and tighten the pressure seal clamp. Activating film advance in the bag is a little fiddly (and works best with an auto advance) but you get an inexpensive waterproof (to 15 or 20 feet anyway) that makes your quality camera safely used in a canoe.

 

[RFOBD]

They make underwater bags if you have a cheap P&S you're willing to put in, as do they.

 

[ferider]

I myself have played with this idea: Olympus Stylus 850 SW (Shock & Water Proof)

Roland.

 

[mackigator]

Some ideas, all of which I've done at some point:

Zip lock bags.

A small Pelican style box. I favor the clear lids.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/4458/Cases_Accessories_Waterproof_Cases.html

Or a roll top style vinyl waterproof bag.
http://www.rei.com/search?query=waterproof+bag&button.x=0&button.y=0

And then shoot with the camera you already know, using some care. For the wet times, get a disposable Kodak waterproof film camera. Cheap. They take surprisingly good pics, especially when aimed at on your friends and the moment, rather than the city. http://www.flickr.com/search/?ss=2&w=all&q=disposable+waterproof+camera&m=text

The small waterproof digital cameras are nice, and the EWA marine bags work, as do the plastic enclosures. But all three are relatively expensive for once in a blue moon water work.

I've wanted to try the Nikonos for some time.

Mackigator

 

[fgb2]

Canon WP-1 is cheap and durable (got one for my six year old son, still working 2 yr later) -- fixed 35mm lens, clean and lubricate the O-ring if you go that way.

Digitals are more versatile (zoom lens, movies) but pricier - I've had good luck with the Pentax Optio W cameras. Going down water slides with one of these I got a little water in the housing, but it still took pictures and dried right out after I opened it up. The pro photographer at the Disney World Typhoon Lagoon water slide said she had heard good things about the Olympus models as well.

Digitals will sink like a rock, you might attach a float if you really anticipate a capsize.

 

[Fausto]

Good ideas all!

My friend and her camera took a dunk last time she went out & that's why she keeps a stock of old Pentax K1000's that she picks up for $30 or so.

Anyway turns out the tide's not going to be in on Friday so it will be another time soon.

 

[BillBingham2]

I like the K1000 or Nikon EM or OM-10 (pick your favorite lens mount flavor) the best. I had a Nikonos III for this sort of thing, great camera to have for rainy day/night shots, rock solid.

B2 (;->

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Dude, I don't mean to be sarcastic but...this is the Gowanus Canal. To the best of my knowledge there are no waterfalls or rapids. As far as falling in...I might worry more about pollution or my ego. I have taken cameras on far worse expeditions without damage to them. But, let me recommend a camera. The Minolta Weathermatic (Dual 35). It is a simple point and shoot with a 35mm f3.5 % 50mm f5.6 & DX coded. It runs about $35. Try www.collectiblecameras.com

 

[Graham Line]

Ask your canoe buddy if he/she has a dry bag; take the camera you can most afford to lose if you can't borrow something waterproof.

The Weathermatic is great if you can find one. Pentax and Olympus make nice waterproof digis. My son took one to Costa Rica and had a lot of fun with it. Has WR in the designation.

Keep your weight low and centered in the boat. I guide some flatwater boat trips and the only people who fall in are either rushing to get out at the potty stops (some people have no endurance) and the ones who stand up to get a nice shot of the great blue heron.

Don't get into a boat with someone who is plus-sized AND doesn't know what they're doing.

Homework: http://photokayaker.fit2paddle.com/C560391461/E20061108132730/

 

[charjohncarter]

Somebody already said it but this is the one:

 

[Johann Espiritu]

Check out the Olympus Mju II - it's not exactly going to survive a dunk in the water, but it's got weather sealing. I've used it in the pouring rain and actually clean mine in the shower. 🙂

 

[Fausto]

Dude, I don't mean to be sarcastic but...this is the Gowanus Canal. To the best of my knowledge there are no waterfalls or rapids. As far as falling in...I might worry more about pollution or my ego.

Hey, the Gowanus Canal is the most treacherous body of water in... in... downtown Brooklyn, maybe. 😱

Believe me, both my ego and my camera would take a beating! As for the pollution, I'd probably start sprouting new organs.

If I were wending my way down the Amazon I would totally invest in a Nikonos. I just want to get some good black & white pictures of urban decay without worrying about losing a Nikon F3 in the drink.