Splashproofing/waterproofing a DSLR - any suggestions?

greeneyedspirit

Hi guys,
I'm going on a sailing trip in September, and was wondering whether anyone would have any suggestions when it comes to protecting a Dslr from the spray water (and the rain, probably)?
I saw this http://www.aquapac.net/ukstore/waterproof-slr-case-br-code-455-1411-0.html but have found quite contradicting reviews, ranging from 'brilliant' to 'piece of ****', so I'm not sure what to think.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated
Thanks

Nforce

What camera model do you have?

greeneyedspirit

Nforce wrote: »

What camera model do you have?

Sorry, should have mentioned that...
I have a Nikon D300 and a 18-200 mm lens.

melekalikimaka

http://www.ikelite.com/web_two/nik_d300.html

greeneyedspirit

melekalikimaka wrote: »

http://www.ikelite.com/web_two/nik_d300.html

:eek:
umm... ok! Thanks, but no thanks, I'm afraid :pac:

Any suggestions that don't cost quite as much? I'm not planning on going diving with the cam. I'll be sailing, and there will be water splashing up.
I think a housing might be a bit ott for that, no?

melekalikimaka

sea water is nasty... em ya can get waterproof bag sorta things

greeneyedspirit

melekalikimaka wrote: »

sea water is nasty... em ya can get waterproof bag sorta things

Is sea water THAT nasty that a bag thingie won't do the job?
I mean, yes, I see the point that a bag yoke is never going to be as good as a housing. That's obvious.
The thing is, I'm not sure if spending that kind of money on something I'd use once a year, if that, is worth it? Better than a destroyed camera, for sure, but... meh.:(

Nforce

Isn't the D300 splashproof already? I'd be just a concerned anout the lens,though

greeneyedspirit

Nforce wrote: »

Isn't the D300 splashproof already? I'd be just a concerned anout the lens,though

I guess that depends on the amount of water... (and sea water at that)?
Probably best to go down the safe route of keeping the cam below deck and stowed away in heavy seas/high wind situations.

PCPhoto

like everything to do with photography - if you want the correct/best option - you have to pay for it.

you could just get a couple of clear plastic ziplock bags and some sellotape to give you an airtight layer which would "protect" from the splashes.
(not guaranteeing that it will protect 100% but should cover you for some splashes...make sure you have sellotaped it properly)

Sea water is the devils spawn (for photographers) same as diesel is the devils spawn for car enthusiasts (ie. Clarkson, Hamster and Captn Slow)

CabanSail

The D300 is supposed to be Splash Proof. I have had mine in quite a bit of spray from Storm Waves breaking on a shore where it got damp survived. It had the 18-200 on it at the time too. I just made sure to dry it well & wipe off the salt spray with a damp cloth as soon as possible.

You can get these RainSleeves which do keep some water off but can also be a bit of a pain to use.

cnocbui

This might suit:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/560924-REG/Ewa_Marine_EM_U_B_U_B_Underwater_Housing.html

Simplicius

get the new canon powershot - it's waterproof , shockproof and a great digital by all accounts for around €450.

ValueInIreland

I have used both the rain sleeves (Mentioned above) and the Aqautech rain covers while shooting the Volvo ocean race in the last 10 days in Galway.
On the fine day with no rain or waves I was just about to loose the rain sleeve as it can be cumbersome when two other boats passed and drenched us -rain cover and smile in place! On the second day out I went with the professional Aquatech which was a big improvement and boy was I glad,as I had borrowed a much more expensive camera.
My Advice: Everybody should have a pack of the rainsleeves in their bag for the sake of €10 and if you do a lot of shooting where water (rain) is an issue consider an Aquatech cover. http://barkerphotographic.ie/aquatech.htm

cian1500ww

ValueInIreland wrote: »

My Advice: Everybody should have a pack of the rainsleeves in their bag for the sake of €10 and if you do a lot of shooting where water (rain) is an issue consider an Aquatech cover. http://barkerphotographic.ie/aquatech.htm

Anyone know if there is a similiar cover to the aquatech for Pentax K-m SLR's ?? I'm looking for something reusable and cheap to keep rain from the camera.

YourName

Only saw a photographer at the Dublin Meath match at the weekend with one of them on, obviously it was just in case as it didn't rain in the end but they don't look too bad either.

greeneyedspirit

ValueInIreland wrote: »

My Advice: Everybody should have a pack of the rainsleeves in their bag for the sake of €10 and if you do a lot of shooting where water (rain) is an issue consider an Aquatech cover. http://barkerphotographic.ie/aquatech.htm

That Aquatech cover does look interesting. Thanks!

Calina

I would be surprised if the Aquapac fitted your DSLR with a 200mm. I use a lot of Aquapac products and their water proofing is excellent. For the DSLR case, it's difficult to manouevre a zoom in them so to be honest, I wouldn't think it suits your case and it's possible your zoom may be too big anyway.

I don't know what the splash proofing on a D300 is, so cannot comment on that:

Where seawater splashing is concerned you can be lucky or unlucky. I soaked a Canon 350D several times. It is still working. I got some significantly fewer splashes on a Canon 40D last November. It is dead.

If you are sailing the Aquatech might be more than adequate. I am not sure I would use it so much for a lot of the kitesurf stuff but it looks quite nice

cian1500ww

Anyone know what this cover would be like: http://cgi.ebay.ie/Pro-Insulated-WaterProof-Digital-SLR-Camera-Rain-Cover_W0QQitemZ350202659352QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_DigitalCamAccess_RL?hash=item5189b48218&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1300|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 ??

hopelessOne

As mentioned, the RainSleaves are an essential accessory for anyone... I used one out at the Skelligs this weekend and it proved invaluable when we got soaked on the way back (but I still wanted to keep shooting). They have a small hole which allows you to use the viewfinder properly.

Although they're priced as disposable items, they last a good while and it really just depends on how stretched/torn the viewfinder hole gets.

greeneyedspirit

Calina wrote: »

I would be surprised if the Aquapac fitted your DSLR with a 200mm. I use a lot of Aquapac products and their water proofing is excellent. For the DSLR case, it's difficult to manouevre a zoom in them so to be honest, I wouldn't think it suits your case and it's possible your zoom may be too big anyway.

The lens I have isn't really that big, it's 18-200, I don't expect to use it at full zoom when the cam would be in, say, something similar to the Aquapac. So that might just work... But you're right, apparently any zooming at all is difficult with those cases.

Looking at the Aquatech cover, that might have to be the way forward.

ValueInIreland

cian1500ww wrote: »

Anyone know what this cover would be like: http://cgi.ebay.ie/Pro-Insulated-WaterProof-Digital-SLR-Camera-Rain-Cover_W0QQitemZ350202659352QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Photography_DigitalCamAccess_RL?hash=item5189b48218&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1300|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 ??

These are good for light showers but are not suitable in heavy rain.