Cameras on the Playa

lebarondescarteun · Post by **lebarondescarteun** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:40 am

Any good advice on protecting your camera from the Playa dust?

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:42 am

Ziplock bags when not in immediate use, even inside your pack or bag. Don't take it out during white-outs. In fact, I forgot to take my camera out at all last year.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:30 am

I brought disposable cameras. I figured that way if they got messed up I wouldn't care so much. They seemed to work fine for my level of photographic skill. (In other words, your mileage may vary.)

Good luck!

B.

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:41 am

dont know if I just happened to buy a manky camera or what, but my Nikon CoolPix (?) digital pretty much doesn't work after visiting the playa. The telescoping lense doesn't pop in an out anymore. I know I could go to the camera shop and have it cleaned or fixed, but I just dont have the heart. The camera was a nightmare the whole time on the playa. Regardless whether I used a rechargeable battery pack or the extra pricey AA's, the camera ate right through batteries...and Im sure its the heat. But I swear, I got maybe 25 photos before the batteries bit the dust. anyone else have a similar problem with heat and battery life, or dust and lense mechanics?

MrMullen · Post by **MrMullen** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:43 am

AntiM wrote:Ziplock bags when not in immediate use, even inside your pack or bag. Don't take it out during white-outs. In fact, I forgot to take my camera out at all last year.

About the best thing you can do. I had my older camera and I kept it in a bag when not in use and never took it out in dust storms. You can keep it safe, just becareful and use common sense.

skeetsh00ter · Post by **skeetsh00ter** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:56 am

the nikon coolpix is just a shitty camera, my old one did the same damn thing with the lens not going out. Does it give you the "Zoom Error" screen screen when you turn it on? I took mine to the camera store and they wanted to charge $130 or something to order the parts and fix it. After looking around on the internet i found that lots and lots of people have this same problem. So i think it was less of a playa problem and more of a crap camera problem.

The CO · Post by **The CO** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:41 am

I have found low-tech is better out there. Disposables are fine for most people. I used my Canon F-1 for 6 years with no problems; the F-1s are damn near indestructable & use no battery except for the light meter. Kept it bagged & cleaned it when home, still works fine.

Blackbird · Post by **Blackbird** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:56 am

Would it be overkill to get/bring a housing for the camera? I don't think I'd want to bring my digital otherwise, and disposables are just so....extra waste, extra cost (developing) and I can't put them on my computer. I feel the quality of the pictures I would take with a disposable just wouldn't even be worth it.

To those of you who have brought cameras in the past, (aside from problems, like running out of batteries quickly or losing it or whatever), did you find yourself taking a lot of pictures or did you just forget about it and leave it in your tent the whole time?

before anyone berates me for being a spectator, I figure there will be excellent sunrise/sunset shots and it is my first time going...So yeah, not really expecting(or wanting) to have a full documented folder of Critical Tits (I think that's what it's called :? ).

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:19 am

Teo del Fuego wrote:dont know if I just happened to buy a manky camera or what, but my Nikon CoolPix (?) digital pretty much doesn't work after visiting the playa. The telescoping lense doesn't pop in an out anymore. I know I could go to the camera shop and have it cleaned or fixed, but I just dont have the heart. The camera was a nightmare the whole time on the playa. Regardless whether I used a rechargeable battery pack or the extra pricey AA's, the camera ate right through batteries...and Im sure its the heat. But I swear, I got maybe 25 photos before the batteries bit the dust. anyone else have a similar problem with heat and battery life, or dust and lense mechanics?

My coolpix is still running fine. I doublebag it most of the time. Yes, it eats batteries, especially if you're using the screen or any fancy functions. I have an extra and a solar recharger. I may retire it to larry's truck and get something better for myself. I also have a Sony Mavica, the old one that takes floppy discs. Works great out there, and I can disassemble it and clean it myself. Takes the best night fire pictures ever. Also a battery sucker.

My Minolta 35mm works great out there, but I'd beat it to hell on drunken sailor rampages long before I took it to Burning Man, so maybe it just expects abuse. The back doesn't even stay closed unless it is in its case. And what has worked wonders, a Kodak 35mm point and shoot. I just get the film developed onto CD to use it with the computer.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:19 am

Blackbird wrote:To those of you who have brought cameras in the past, (aside from problems, like running out of batteries quickly or losing it or whatever), did you find yourself taking a lot of pictures or did you just forget about it and leave it in your tent the whole time?

I usually head home with 10-20 pictures. I usually just don't think to pull it out when I see something cool. I've never had a problem with my digital cameras, but that's probably because I don't take them out very often and am religious about returning them to the ziplock after use. I clean it with a small paintbrush when I get home.

I usually regret taking pictures of the big art because there's so many better photographers already taking pictures and posting them after the event. I always wish I had taken more pictures of personal things like the journey there, my camp-mates, people I met, etc. It's so nice to look back a year later and get a reminder of that cool German dude I drove around on my art car, the camp mates who have stopped coming to the playa, the preparation successes and failures, etc.

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:23 am

Blackbird wrote:Would it be overkill to get/bring a housing for the camera? I don't think I'd want to bring my digital otherwise, and disposables are just so....extra waste, extra cost (developing) and I can't put them on my computer. I feel the quality of the pictures I would take with a disposable just wouldn't even be worth it.

To those of you who have brought cameras in the past, (aside from problems, like running out of batteries quickly or losing it or whatever), did you find yourself taking a lot of pictures or did you just forget about it and leave it in your tent the whole time?
.

I've heard an extra housing just traps dust and makes life worse. We have an underwater Nikon which never goes to the playa. Keeping out moisture is one thing, playa dust is an entirely different beast. Don't know personally, but I do know folks with very good digital cameras who only take the basic precautions and have had no troubles.

Some years I take dozens or hundreds of pictures. Last year I did not take a single one. Two cameras in the vehicle and I didn't get them out until we got back to Utah.

Oh, label your camera. That way if you lose it, you stand a chance of getting it back. says the woman with the unlabeled cameras.

Blackbird · Post by **Blackbird** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 12:22 pm

AntiM wrote:
I've heard an extra housing just traps dust and makes life worse. We have an underwater Nikon which never goes to the playa. Keeping out moisture is one thing, playa dust is an entirely different beast. Don't know personally, but I do know folks with very good digital cameras who only take the basic precautions and have had no troubles.

Some years I take dozens or hundreds of pictures. Last year I did not take a single one. Two cameras in the vehicle and I didn't get them out until we got back to Utah.

Oh, label your camera. That way if you lose it, you stand a chance of getting it back. says the woman with the unlabeled cameras.

The dust can wriggle in? I mean I know it's invasive, but If i put it in the housing before I left and kept it in there until I got home I would imagine it would stay pretty clean. Hm.

As far as "basic precautions", this just entails keeping it in a bag (or two) and only taking it out breifly? And of course being careful. I just don't trust myself to not just hang around with it, waiting for photo ops.

I am beginning to think maybe I shouldn't bring any camera. I know at least one person in my group brings his (he does the baggy thing, and super-cleans it when he gets home) so maybe I can just bum pictures off him. . .

I have to say, when I first came here I was really worried people would yell at me for not knowing anything, but you guys have been super helpful and nice all the while (most of you anyway

)!

Muchas Gracias

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 12:28 pm

Well, 2006 was my first year, and I took a bunch of pictures. Then again, I was doing strange things like taking a picture of my camp every day (I had someone who'd shown up late in the week start to lecture me about taking pictures, until he figured out it was MY camp I was photographing), and I was also taking pictures of buses, since I would like to customize one someday.

I stayed away from photographing people. I did take pictures of art cars and various art structures. And people on stage in Center Camp. (My theory was, if they are on stage they probably wouldn't mind the attention. Not that those pictures turned out anyway.) I also shot a bunch of pictures at the Alternative Energy Zone when I took the tour. (Alternative energy is one of my interests-- I think most people find those shots pretty dull, to be honest. ["But, its a cooler they modified to cool the air in their tent!"])

I guess it depends upon what you are interested in and if you think to photograph it.

I justify the disposable cameras because, IIRC, the places actually reuse a good portion of them. (Or maybe I hallucinated that "fact"...?)

B.

Blackbird · Post by **Blackbird** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:10 pm

[quote="BAS"]
I justify the disposable cameras because, IIRC, the places actually reuse a good portion of them. (Or maybe I hallucinated that "fact"...?)

B.[/quote]

Really? I'll have to ask my friend (works in photo at longs) about that. I didn't know film was reusable...(??)That's cool though I guess. It would still be extra cost for me, buying them and then getting them developed, all of that for the poor quality one ends up with, just doesnt seem worth it to me.

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:15 pm

thanks everyone for the info re: the Nikon Coolpix. Don't know why, but it makes me feel better to know its not just me. Battery consumption was so bad I considered wearing criss-crossing bandoliers full of AAs. The more I go the less likely I am to bother with a camera. Others will take much better photos and post 'em. Still, it is kinda cool to whip out yer ipod and show folks the neverwashaul youve been babbling about

Post by **mdmf007** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:19 pm

This is how I roll for BM pics.

Heres my set up
FOr years I have always used the Casio EXILIM in whatever the newest model is right now I am using a 6MB setup. They are small, the batteries last forever and three of them get me 2-3000 photos. on 2 2MB cards.

So hees how it works Buy a camera from Best Buy / CompUSA or any other mege retailer and get the good insurance plan. Go to BM and you are going to totally dust out this camera, but it still takes great photos. With your insurance plan take it back and they will exchange it immediately and send yours out to get cleaned up and resold somewhere else. Unethical? no - the insurance plan says even for at fault abuse they will do this. I cruise the rest of the year with a brand new camera and no PLaya dust.

My set up - I use this worldwide and it takes up no more room than a pack of cigarettes.

Casio EXILIM
3 2MB Cards
3 Batteries (plus one more in camera)
one case a tiny bit bigger than a pack of smokes holds it all.

On the other hand I have brought my Olypus E1 out and regretted it. Said insurance is not available and cleaning professionally is the only option.

I stopped doing it as the cleaning bills paid for the casio digital many times over.

later all.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:51 pm

I got some advice from a photo buddy that has spent time freelancing in Iraq and Afghanistan on protecting gear from a desert environment.

I'm planning on doing the following with my Nikon d70.

1. Seal up all ports, doors, seams, switches, wheels, etc with gaffer tape. Gaff tape works like duct tape except it leaves no sticky residue.

2. Mount and keep a single lens affixed until you are able to return the camera and yourself to a "clean" environment. Changing lenses anywhere in or around a hostile environment is bad. Use gaff tape to seal around the mount ring. At the moment, I am planning on running with my 18-70mm "kit" lens. If it gets trashed, I can replace it for around $100 and carry a 50mm prime as a back up.

3. Carry multiple UV filters to replace as necessary to protect the glass from scratches and get a metal lens hood.

4. High capacity memory card to minimize opening the camera up for cards swaps.

5. Battery pack handgrip to minimize opening the camera up for battery swaps.

Even with all that, the D70 is probably only going to come out for a day or two on the Playa. I'm primarily bringing it for documenting the trip there and back from Texas. Its a lot of camera to carry around and potentially misplace.

I'm going to pick up some 35mm disposables for walking around "oh shit I wish had a camera" moments and have my trusty Canon point and shoot digital.

I love to take pictures. I love to document my travels. And I will get permission before taking any candids of anyone there.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:33 pm

mdmf007 wrote:FOr years I have always used the Casio EXILIM in whatever the newest model is right now I am using a 6MB setup. They are small, the batteries last forever and three of them get me 2-3000 photos. on 2 2MB cards.

Second recommendation for the Casio - I have the EX-Z750, but the whole line seems to be about the same. Tiny, great battery life, good picture, durable. Cheap knock-off batteries are available on Ebay, along with travel chargers. Mine has lasted one "normal" vacation plus two trips to BM and lots of banging around the rest of the year. No problems whatsoever. I see the current models on sale regularly for about $200. The idea of just bringing several extra charged batteries is probably better than carrying a charger.

Post by **mdmf007** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:37 pm

Almost forgot one of my best tips.

If your using digital - make sure you upload to a laptop or change cards as often as reasonable.

I almost lost our entire trip to BM at one of the Star Wars themed fights. We spent 20 minutes looking around for it on the playa near the base of the man. Out of desperation I yelled out "anyone find a digital camera?" a beautiful young woman come up and said "Yep - whats it look like?" I was ecstatic.

Had she not been honest she could have walked with 500 bucks in hardware for free.

later all

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:55 pm

Blackbird wrote:
BAS wrote: I justify the disposable cameras because, IIRC, the places actually reuse a good portion of them. (Or maybe I hallucinated that "fact"...?)

B.

Really? I'll have to ask my friend (works in photo at longs) about that. I didn't know film was reusable...(??)That's cool though I guess. It would still be extra cost for me, buying them and then getting them developed, all of that for the poor quality one ends up with, just doesnt seem worth it to me.

Well, I don't know about the film, but I seem to recall hearing that the bodies of the camera are reused. (I know film used to be recycled for the silver content, but I don't know if there is much silver content anymore.)

All of that is just what I seem to recall hearing at one time or another. I can't swear that I am remembering it correctly, if you must know the truth.

B.

wavephaser · Post by **wavephaser** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:11 am

Good thing I stumbled over this thread....
I plan on bringin my Cannon C7000 (with tripod)and a Sony HDD camcorder, and a laptop to store oddles of images. BM is going to be smack in the middle of our trip so I want to get as much data as possible for our memories. The camera and camcorder both fit into an all weather terrain photobag (we'll see about that) and the tripod will have its own caring case. I know I'm going to get the tripod dustsed all the hell up and will more than likely be spending down time at camp trying to dust off the gears and maybe oiling it a slight. I couldn't afford the best buy service/warrenty on the camcorder so I know that I'm going to be babying it, and probally will have little use for it the majority of the time there. I'm thinking I can handle the dust (I might even keep a few pairs of the cotton archival gloves on me to use with the cameras to help dust/scratches. My Major worry is the heat. I know its going to get hella hot out there, so will my plastic melt? I've seen tapes melt on dashboards before so I'm kinda worried. Anyone have problems with melting plastic out there, or do you store your gear in a rigged cooler to help combat the heat? Forgive me if I ramble..I just woke up not too long ago.
wavephaser(1of2)

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:04 am

I would say if it gets hot enough to melt a camera...we're all gonna be in trouble no matter how good our shade is and how much sunscreen we got on..

I plan on storing my gear in my truck. Of course, I'm going to be tenting and shading the truck and sleeping in the back.

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:38 am

We keep a dry cooler in the back of the vehicle for electronic stuff. Nothing fancy. Only gets used part time anyway.

When you get to Burning Man, be sure to go get a tag for your camcorder.

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/e ... meras.html

wavephaser · Post by **wavephaser** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 8:55 am

Thanks Anti-M and Cap Smashy! The cooler idea sounds good to me, and I will definatly be getting all my tags and papers.( I'm looking forward to getting tags, it'll make me feel all important and shiney why I could even wear my burgandy fedora as a press hat

) I know I hate it when people snag my photo without my permission, so I always ask before I start shooting....its just polite. See now we gotta make sure the car makes it to and from in one piece. (crosses everything on that one)
thankies,
wavephaser(1of2)

phil · Post by **phil** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:24 am

hi, wave,

My Major worry is the heat. I know its going to get hella hot out there, so will my plastic melt?

May I suggest that the powder is worse than the heat? Louise and I have been coming since '96, and our first trip, the first day our high was 107. We've always brought cameras, first film, now digital, and we've never had a heat-related failure. We _don't_ leave our stuff on the dash in the sun. :->

When we used film, we kept a cooler for our stash of film, but we don't bother with that for memory cards.

Louise has brought her Canon digital Rebel for years, and I've brought a variety of Nikon film cameras and lately the D70 digital. We do put UV or skylight filters on the lenses, and we use canned air and wipes to keep the bodies fairly clean. Since we're not in Afghanistan or Iraq for months, we don't tape our seals - other than the filters, we do no mods on our cameras. We keep them in their cases until we use them, and we don't take them out in the windstorms. I have Ewa marine bags for my pocket cameras, and I use them at the playa during dust storms. (Like Anti M, I have 'real' underwater photo stuff, and I would never bring that to the playa, as I fear the dust getting in there somewhere.)

I too always ask permission before photographing people. Most are okay with it, some aren't. That's why we ask. If it's a crowd watching some event, I just snap away. One guy objected to me taping him in a crowd, and I laughed at him, good naturedly of course. His head was wrapped in a scarf, coving his head and face completely except for his eyes, and he was wearing goggles. I asked if he was afraid he'd be recognized, and he realized he was being needlessly pedantic about the rule, laughed, and off we went on our repsective ways.

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:23 pm

No matter what you bring, if it is video capable, have it tagged at the greeter's gate. Better yet, fill out the video tag form BEFORE you get to the Greeter's station.

lebarondescarteun · Post by **lebarondescarteun** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:47 pm

Doe's anyone know anything about those new hard-drive camcorders?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:10 pm

Alkalines won't cut it.
You need a good rechargeable or lithium.
I had great battery life.

I don't get to use a tripod much.
They make dust bags that attach to a filter on the lens.
Much happier with film than digital out there.

Buy a cheap older film camera.
Cheap these days as people switch to digital. ($20-$30)
You need a good digital to compete with 35mm.
BHphoto for good prices on pro film.
Develop with disc.
My 7mp Canon is crap by comparison to film.
Fine for convenience, but you can see the difference.

My best camera-
Place in bag.
Place in box.
Leave at home.

Some people take their best though.

wavephaser · Post by **wavephaser** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:51 pm

lebarondescarteun wrote:Doe's anyone know anything about those new hard-drive camcorders?

We just got ours, so we are still trying to figure it out. I got it so I woulnd't have the hassles of having to worry about discs or tapes. Now we get to learn to use it, seems to work well enough.

lebarondescarteun · Post by **lebarondescarteun** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:19 pm

What kind did you get?

Cameras on the Playa

Cameras on the Playa

While on the subject of cameras......

Re: While on the subject of cameras......