beach photography

[dustydirtbiker]

i don't know if this should be in photo tips or equipment. w/e...

I'm goin to a beach soon. What can I do to my camera to make it safer on a beach?? Is it the sand or the salt or both that I need to be worried about? I am going to build a 'blimp' soon and heard those are good for beach protection, but I cant build one soon enough! grrrr

[ngoduyviet]

Originally Posted by dustydirtbiker

i don't know if this should be in photo tips or equipment. w/e...

I'm goin to a beach soon. What can I do to my camera to make it safer on a beach?? Is it the sand or the salt or both that I need to be worried about? I am going to build a 'blimp' soon and heard those are good for beach protection, but I cant build one soon enough! grrrr

Just don't get too close to the water and make your lens use decision before heading there. If you do need to change lens, safest is go back to your car, close the door and change it inside your car. A spec of dust is ok, but a small grain of sand will wreak havoc on your camera sensor if it gets in.

Other than that, I haven't had a problem shooting around any beaches.

[MT Stringer]

I was down on the Surfside beach Saturday and anytime a car would come by, I could feel the fine sand blowing in the air. We were there for a meet and greet so I decided to leave the camera put away this trip and let someone else take the photos. Maybe next time.
Mike

[Stargazer77517]

I do a lot of beach seascapes and the above comments are right on the mark. I keep mine covered when not in use, lens cap and towel or bag for the camera setup. You will get salt spray on it so wipe it off after each use. I use a small lent free damp towel. Clean the lens also.
Now if its windy, I wouldnt even get it out unless you are a good distance from the sand.
I know, i got a piece of sand in a lens and it completely froze up the auto focus. Had to send to canon. Canon also has a clause that if they see dirt/sand its not covered by warrenty......cost me 85.00 to clean plus shipping.
Just be careful and keep covered when not using and you should be OK.

[Cerbera LM]

Take pictures, unless you're standing next to a someone from Weather channel who's doing hurricane coverage. My "problem" of the beach is condensation. I just leave the camera in the car rather then bringing it inside.

[Dennis_H]

My biggest tip is if you walk into the water to shoot back toward the beach, don't slip... unless you really want a new camera. (Yes, it's from experience...)

[Angelo]

Enjoy the beach and the camera. Just take normal precautions like others have recommended. Have fun and shoot away...

[humminboid]

First of all, don't worry so much! Simple precautions will do nicely. Yes, do enjoy the beach!

UV filter on the front, sunshade. I use a bit of Palm Pilot screen protector film over my LCD screen,and it has worked fine for the last 3 years. Change it when it gets a bit tatty. Keep the camera in some sort of plastic bag, when not shooting in grim situations. A gallon Zip-Lock comes to mind.

When I was a reporter for a western daily, I carried my camera and lenses in a yellow Forest Service 33 gallon garbage bag. It was a bit large, but kept everything free of the ever-present dust. I got more on the camera covering rodeos than I did otherwise. I did clean/dust the equipment with a camel hair brush and blower on a regular basis.

I could leave that bag, and camera equipment in the unlocked car, and never worry about somebody stealing it! Disinformation!

But: don't tempt fate. Normal security precautions, always.

I use a motel shower cap to cover camera and lens when it is raining. I hook it around the body, then use my left (zooming) hand to hold it securely around the lens. I get wet, but the camera doesn't!

If it gets a bit damp, let is sit inside for a while to dry out. Water never did much good for electronics. Last extreme: lens on, use a hair dryer on LOW! to dry it. LOW, and from a distance! Plastic will melt!

If it is really windy/blowing with flying spray and sand, etc., don't shoot! Unless your editor is not the understanding type. Then quickly!

For cleaning, a microfiber towel, slightly damp to wipe the salt, etc. from the exterior, then lens cleaning fluid, and another microfiber cloth for your exposed glass, including viewfinder and LCD screen. GENTLY!

It's all good!

[L Stegall]

I also like to use zip lock bags when transporting my camera/lenses from an a/c hotel room to a hot humid spot like the beach and visa versa. Prevents fogging. Let camera/lens get acclimated to temp before removing.

[Stargazer77517]

Yep, If Jim Cantori walks up. I wouldnt get the camera out, LOL.

Originally Posted by Cerbera LM

Take pictures, unless you're standing next to a someone from Weather channel who's doing hurricane coverage. My "problem" of the beach is condensation. I just leave the camera in the car rather then bringing it inside.

[toverman]

Also anywhere near the water, use the neckstrap! I haven't seen anybody drop a camera in the water, but too often I see someone shooting in or near water with the strap dangling down. It's the cheapest insurance against drops!

We were in Surfside a couple of weeks ago (20D+17-40 f/4L) and I had no serious issues. Condensation was a problem only once (on a real sticky morning), and I used that lens for everything except when I put on my 70-200 to get closer to an old rusty boat. Blowing sand thankfully didn't affect my gear this time around.