camera protection

oliverstwists · Post by **oliverstwists** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 11:10 am

Just wondering how I should protect my low/mid range quality digital camera while snapping shots? I've heard for storage and even usage the camera shouldn't come out of the zip lock back? Any thoughts,
Thanks.

Steven bradford · Post by **Steven bradford** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 5:18 pm

Leave it at home, and take a disposable. Have the pix scanned to cd when ya get back.

Seriously.

bianco · Post by **bianco** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 7:44 pm

what about this... two years ago i was wondering the same thing, i had bought myself a nice digital camera and i didn't want to go back to the stone age technology wise, especially for my favourite week of the year, so i got myself an underwater housing for my camera.

The ones designed by the camera manufacturers for a specfic camera are quite expensive, but you get cheaper ones that fit all cameras of a certain size, i paid under $100 for mine- i'd put a link but i forget the brand. They're waterproof usually to 10m or 50m so you'll get zero playa dust in the camera, and you have the luxury of having your digital camera with you and not having to worry about it! If you take a lot of photos you avoid the cost of having all of them put on CDs too, which will mount up year after year.

I actually use the underwater housing a lot when not in the desert, i've used it diving a couple of times, and on boats or just messing about in the water, anywhere where normally i'd be worried about getting the camera wet or getting sand or grit in it.

One little issue to consider when you buy a housing is the flash, if you have a compact camera with a built in flash, the camera will probably neeed a custom housing rather than a generic one if you plan to use the flash... the light has to be directed out of the housing, not reflected and bouncing around inside! I don't use flash much so its not a problem for me.

go on, treat the camera to some proper eye candy!!

Steven bradford · Post by **Steven bradford** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 8:16 pm

Also, there's a company that makes splash bags, which are essentially heavy clear vinyl ziplock bags with a clear filter mounted on them, to mount to the camera. They're very flexible, especially for external flash use.

You could also jury righ one with a cheap UV filter and a ziploc bag and tape.

But you still have to worry about loss.

That's why I like just writing my name and address on a couple of disposables, and taking those.

cg_in_lv · Post by **cg_in_lv** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 11:28 pm

I've taken my mid-range digital to Black Rock City the last two years. I put it in a "1-Gallon Storage" ZipLoc bag with just the strap hanging out. I unzip the bag and pull it out for a picture then put it right back in. I end of replacing the bag a couple of times during the week.

Works great. Although I've not needed it for the camera yet, having a can of compressed air might not be a bad idea.

oliverstwists · Post by **oliverstwists** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:12 am

Do you know what company makes those cheap splash bags?
Thanks

theBrooke · Post by **theBrooke** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 4:02 pm

would also love to know who makes the splash bags, google didn't help

theBrooke · Post by **theBrooke** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 4:17 pm

ok so I was being lazy.. a little more looking and found that aquapaq makes some... rei has em

Steven bradford · Post by **Steven bradford** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 4:57 pm

Finally remembered the name of the company. Ewa-Marine. They also make "capes" http://www.rtsphoto.com/html/ewamar4.html

swampdog · Post by **swampdog** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:30 am

I just bought a new digital (at a great discount!) from a mall store - the big mall camera chain - and their extended warranty seemed like a good deal (since I'd just been reading comments on Amazon about horrible service departments, even under warranty). It occurred to me that it would also cover playa damage.

Gothalot · Post by **Gothalot** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:37 pm

cg_in_lv wrote:
Works great. Although I've not needed it for the camera yet, having a can of compressed air might not be a bad idea.

UM NO! DO NOT use a can of dust-off. You will end up shooting the playapoo into parts of your camera you cant reach. Dust off shoots pretty hard and you can force dust into areas that worked, well untill you shot it in there at least. Electronics are fragile but I did fine with mine.

The best thing you can do is plastic it when you arent using it, take it out shoot some stuff then place it BACK in the bag. Keep it in your backpack untill you need or want it.

vic · Post by **vic** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:29 pm

I tried using the plastic bag method and gave up on it. For the last two years I have used the following procedures with good results.

1. Put gaffer's tape on all openings. (the camera's, not yours)
2. Keep the camera in a dust resistant bag when not in use. The bag does not need to be water proof, but tight enough to keep out fine dust.
3. Don't take out the camera in a dust storm.

If you are super compulsive about your camera, go with the one-use cameras, or better yet, no camera - Go, participate, be free.

Rusted Iron · Post by **Rusted Iron** » Tue Aug 24, 2004 9:02 pm

After wrecking a 35 mm a few years ago, (by setting it down in the art car and letting someone else drive away with it--uncovered), I bought a digital. I keep it inside it's zip up camera bag and inside a ziplock bag and haven't had any problems with it. Yet.

darkskab · Post by **darkskab** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:12 am

I have a fairly nice digital that I took to the playa last year. I was really worried about ruining it, but it turned out fine. It lived in a zippered case and only came out for pictures, so there wasn't even a discernable buildup of playa dust. The weather was pretty nice last year, though.

stonefree · Post by **stonefree** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:29 am

I have a decent digital camera. I'd love to bring it rather than get a disposable and the advice here is very good. I'm leaning towards bringing it and keeping it in a plastic bag when not in use. If anyone else has camera survival stories,, please share!

dbarton · Post by **dbarton** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:12 am

stonefree wrote:I have a decent digital camera. I'd love to bring it rather than get a disposable and the advice here is very good. I'm leaning towards bringing it and keeping it in a plastic bag when not in use. If anyone else has camera survival stories,, please share!

skylight or UV filter is a good idea too, to protect the lens

Gothalot · Post by **Gothalot** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 6:27 am

Considering there are fewer moving parts in digital cameras you have less to get messed up.

Playing devils advocate here on the other hand; electronics can be sensitive to micro dust. Many are reccomending disposable cameras.

My vote is for digital though. Environmentaly sound and conveiniant.

Keep that camera bagged well and it should come back safe.

sierrahiker68 · Post by **sierrahiker68** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 2:22 pm

I took a decent digital cam with scube housing last year. Only had to open it to replace batteries and memory cards. It was kept very clean.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 3:09 pm

I kept my digital camera in a ziplock bag and only took it out long enough to take pictures. The first year I was paranoid and would only take it out when there was no wind, but the last couple of years I even used it during dust storms. No trouble so far. A few bits of dust built up on the lense and the barrel thing that retracts when not in use so I carefully cleaned it with a soft brush when I got home.

Same camera for 3 years with no problems. Being exposed to airborne dust for 10 seconds at a time hasn't been enough to cause any problems. All bets are off if you drop the camera or don't put it back in the ziplock bag immediately, though.

Use the thicker freezer bags as they're less likely to be punctured during handling.

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 7:15 pm

I'll be taking a digital camera for the first time thisyear. My wife has taken one for several years, taken no special precautions, and has had no problems. I've taken a Nikon FM2n, which is a 35mm camera. After the event, I take it to a camera store (Keeble & Schuchat, in Palo Alto) and tell them to have it cleaned by a Nikon authorized repair person. It comes back looking as good as new. I plan on doing the same thing with my new D-70 after this year's burn.

I have a CoolPix that I keep in an Ewa Marine bag for use in dust storms. The bag doesn't fit the camera well, and the metal ring covers the optical view finder, blocking it completely. The plastic is shiny, and it reflects light so that I can't see the LCD, either. I just point and hope when I take a photo. I hope that different models of camera don't have these problems in Ewa bags.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 7:23 pm

I've taken my Nikon Coolpix out there and used it during all sorts of conditions including the white outs for 3 years now. Other than cleaning the lens I've had no trouble with it. I kept it in a small canvas carry bag and that was it for protection, no ziplocks, pelican cases, nothing. And it's still going strong. It's still got the camera tags the greeters gave me attached to it so every time I use it I get a reminder of the event.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:36 pm

Thanks, guys,,, I'm taking my (gasp) new Coolpix out this year, and was also given my dad's old 35 stuff (also Nikon) to take out... The info about the place in Palo helps, as I want to make sure the old stuff is clean after... And I've had some pretty sad results for repairs from some of the more local places...

The one thing I dare not take out is the old Bolex's... tho I'd love to take some raw 16MM I'd be scared that I'd hurt or mung up one or both...

(Edited because when push comes to shove, I can't sell worth a darn when drunk!!)

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:17 am

Wow, a lot of Coolpix owners...me too! I've brought mine the last two years without any trouble, following precautions discussed here at length already. My only addition: I have found that a rock climber's chalk bag makes a great short-term camera holder. I 'biner it to my belt, and if I'm doing a bunch of detail shots of something while climbing on it in between it holds the camera securely but accessibly. Most have a soft inner lining that's kind to cameras, and some have stash pockets that'll hold memcards or spare batts.
I usually pick one day mid-late week to hit the deep playa and "shoot the big stuff", so I'm not chained to a viewfinder all week. Douglas Adams has a great quote about how when Westerners are confronted with a scene of indescribable beauty and magnificence, their instinct is to take pictures of it....."Last Chance to See", I think....I'll post it if I can find it.

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 10:11 am

http://tinyurl.com/d55ba

Kinetronics has a square bag made of transparent plastic like you see in storage bags, with zippers. They put an air mattress pump on the side, create an overpressure, and you stick your hands in with your camera through a couple of holes to change lenses, etc.

It's not available yet (Fall 2005, they say), but it looks easily doable by the average burner. Just need to figure out a way to filter the air intake without burning out the motor trying to suck through the filter.

dr.placebo · Post by **dr.placebo** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:41 pm

I've taken a Canon G2 to the playa the last 3 years, as well as taking it on backpacking and kayaking trips. The camera still works as well as it ever did, and the only protection I've used has been a small padded camera case, water resistant but not waterproof.

Maybe I've been lucky, but the following rules work for me:

1. Keep zipped up in case unless about to take a picture
2. Keep zipped up during dust storms
3. Keep out of the sun as much as possible (heat)
4. Keep camera and case wrapped in cloth when not in use
5. Ask permission to shoot wherever practical

I suppose that variations on the rules work for the human body as well, but I probably take better care of my camera.

binahkitty · Post by **binahkitty** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:09 pm

:lol: :oops: :P :x :shock: :D

WHOA

ANYHUE......Everybody listen UP:

2 things you can do:

CHEAP ROUTE: Put a non-lubricated condom over it (I'm serious)

EXPENSIVE ROUTE: Buy a Scuba Housing specifically made for your model

I own a top of the line Professional digital, so I've got the Scuba, but I've had tons of Professional friends with even nicer cameras only use a condom.....no ego here, but y was there not one straight, good answer to this person's question? Shitty, oh well, hope I helped some.

:roll:

fetching · Post by **fetching** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:19 pm

here's one solution for people taking SLR cameras.

http://web.syr.edu/~lmason/waterproofing.html

i'm taking my digital SLR and lenses and am going to make something like this. I was going to buy a pro model from tenba, but why spend 45 bux on it when i need other things?

also, buy a good blower, like the giottios rocket. never use compressed air in a can to clean inside your camera or lenses.

this blower rocks, has a valve on the air intake to keep dust out.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... ype=search

fetching · Post by **fetching** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:23 pm

[quote=]"binahkitty"]CHEAP ROUTE: Put a non-lubricated condom over it (I'm serious)

[/quote]

interesting. should i use ribbed, for extra pleasure? :lol:

montana wildhack · Post by **montana wildhack** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:34 pm

the condom sounds like a good idea...anyone ever try saran wrap?

binahkitty · Post by **binahkitty** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:52 pm

never heard of that.....might work...very creative (:::

camera protection

camera protection

Consider this

extended warranty

Re: Consider this

cameras

Zip locks worked for me.

d camera

"mini clean room"

rubber soul