Beach Vacation in a month... & I'm scared for my gear.

[East Wind Photography]

I have a similar trip planned and will be down in the sand working to photograph endangered nesting birds. I dont plan on changing lenses outside unless it's DEAD calm and that's usually never the case on a beach.

Canon does offer a cleaning service which is relatively inexpensive. If you are concerned about sand contamination, you can always send your gear to Canon for a full cleaning when you get back. Dont feel that your gear would be ruined if you plopped it in the sand accidentally.

If you are reasonably careful with making sure you have brushed the sand off of the joint between lens and camera, you should not have any problems. Avoid cleaning the front lens element if you can or use a UV filter on the front (a sacrificial lamb). You can unscrew it and wash it under the sink with soap and water if it gets salt haze built up on it.

Enjoy your trip and dont worry about your gear. It's why we own Canon!

 

[pj1974]

I've owned DSLRs for about a decade, and have taken many many photos at the beach. Generally I don't hesitate to change lenses at the beach, but if it's windy I refrain from doing this (or I go to the nearest non-sandy area, eg walk 50 metres away from the sand of the beach). I do not try not to change lens too often, on the beach - but never at ground level, nor when sitting down (as sand is more likely to get pick up / kicked up at that level). So usually I do a change with the body hanging off my neck.

Having grown up in Australia and then spending about a decade in Europe, also visting various beaches when I lived there - and eg going on holidays to Thailand 3 years ago, I have taken my DSLR gear (and prior to that my P&S camera/s) with me wherever I go. Sand possibly did get into (or 'along the barrel of') one of my Fuji P&S cameras - that may have have caused issued (but I had taken over 100,000 shots with it, so that's not bad).

I found more issues with going from very cold conditions (eg below -20 outside) in Romania - to inside conditions (causing the lenses to humidify / 'fog up') was more annoying, and as others have stated, could possibly present more issues. I had the same condensation issue (but with less severity) in the tropics (even when it's been the off-peak / humid season). ???

I enjoy taking photos at the beach - and I love swimming, walking at the beach. So I have taken my DSLR cameras to the beach hundreds of times. When there is a small risk of me actually falling in the water (eg wading in water with waves) I use my older DSLR body / lens combination eg Canon 350D with 18-55mm kit lens, rather than my Canon 7D with 15-85mm.

Certainly do be careful changing lenses... but if you are careful - you should be right. I would also say that having an 'air-rocket' to blow away dust, sand particles, and also a soft (eg micro-fibre) cloth to hand - but away from sand itself, to wipe away any sand, dust, etc - is handy.

Best wishes - and yes, do enjoy your holiday (not just the photography side of it). 8)

Paul

 

[jdramirez]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm thinking I'll get a flexible plastic bag and fasten the end with a rubber band. So everything but the lens is not exposed. So I'll have to adjust the settings in advance, but then I won't have to worry about sand getting between the grooves and into the motor.

I'm feeling more confident... I just have to find some strong but flexible clear plastic that will zip up into a sand resistant bag.

 

[Swphoto]

If you're going to go the plastic bag route, I would use one of these instead of a generic plastic bag. They're cheap and you can re-use them, plus if you don't mind having the bottom portion open then you can still control the camera. I use them when I'm going to be out in the rain for a while.

FWIW I've used my 60D/5D2 on the beach (without protection) and have had no issues. I'll be using my 5D3 this week - I won't bother with the sleeves unless the weather is really bad. Everything will be in a Lowepro AW bag (with the cover on it) when not in use.

http://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-Rainsleeve-18-Inch/dp/B000PTFDYO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369061853&sr=8-1&keywords=optech+rainsleeve

http://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-Rainsleeve-14-Inch/dp/B002TI71HQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369061853&sr=8-2&keywords=optech+rainsleeve

 

[viggen61]

If you're going to go the plastic bag route, I would use one of these instead of a generic plastic bag. They're cheap and you can re-use them, plus if you don't mind having the bottom portion open then you can still control the camera. I use them when I'm going to be out in the rain for a while.

FWIW I've used my 60D/5D2 on the beach (without protection) and have had no issues. I'll be using my 5D3 this week - I won't bother with the sleeves unless the weather is really bad. Everything will be in a Lowepro AW bag (with the cover on it) when not in use.

http://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-Rainsleeve-18-Inch/dp/B000PTFDYO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369061853&sr=8-1&keywords=optech+rainsleeve

http://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-Rainsleeve-14-Inch/dp/B002TI71HQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369061853&sr=8-2&keywords=optech+rainsleeve

I second the rain sleeves from Op-Tech. They're not expensive, and they are shaped to a camera's form better than a plastic bag.

I gave one a workout yesterday with my gripped 7D plus 100-400L. It kept everything nice and dry, even when my hood was channeling water onto it.

My only complaint is the drawstring closure. Between that, the slippery plastic and my lens hood, the front kept sliding backwards. Maybe I should get another "BGN" hood from KEH, and lay down a bead of silicone to keep that from happening...

 

[Hardwire]

Care is all that is required. We had a beach holiday in the Maldives and I took the 5dii and 24-105 (with a few others) but found that I was able to get by with just that one work horse lens....sure its not the best but it suits for a holiday and had the 70-300 and 50 1.4 in the bag for when required.

On the beach, as others have said...turn so your back to the wind when changing lens, keep the body face down and you will generally be fine.

In terms of going near the water...accept that at some point everything will break or get damage and dont let it hold you back...like the attached shot where I (for only the second time) gave her my camera to get a shot of me and we were neck deep in the sea!

Care and caution, not regret for missing out

 

[Dantana]

I used to have these same kind of reservations, but then at some point realized that there was no point in having the camera if I wasn't going to take it anywhere.

I bought my current Canon body before a trip to Hawaii and it did take me a bit to get confident in using it all the time.

Last year I went on a trip to Cabo, and thought about it much less. I had it with me pretty much everywhere. I didn't have any big sand issues, but I almost had a major water issue. We went out for a day of shopping in town which was quite a ways from our hotel. I took only my camera and one lens, which is usually how I like to explore, make the lens decision based on where we are going and then make it work. There was an impromptu group decision to take a boat ride out to the arch at Lands End where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. The boat was small and it was pretty rocky, lots of spray, but everything was going okay, got some really nice shots. The problem came when we got back and the boat landed on the beach, not a dock like where we started. A friend had offered to put my camera in her bag (not waterproof) for a bit of protection as I hadn't brought anything along (bad idea), and as she was jumping from the boat onto the sand she slipped, luckily landing on her backside and holding her bag up and out of harms way.

If it had gotten dunked, the fault would of course had been mine for not being prepared. I had a nice small drybag sitting in the hotel that would have been perfect and quite easy to take along in cargo shorts or a lightweight bag, and now I plan to always have it around when water is even a remote possibility. It's not one of those huge bulky dive bags but one of the smaller ones that rolls up into a very small package. I'd think about picking one up if boats or anything similar are a possibility.

 

[cayenne]

I've just brought it - having it with is more fun than not.

(With that said, I have contemplated an Outex cover a couple of times. http://outex.com/ )

wow, the Outex things looked interesting...till I realized you can't see the LCD screen or the back screen.

I'd guess about your only option with that on would be to shoot in full auto since you'd not be able to see to change your settings?

cayenne

 

[RGF]

The last time I went to the beach, I had a Sony point and shoot ($200) and I had no fear. I was taking pictures while the water was up to my knees with my daughter splashing around.

And now that I have a 60D which might be a 5d mkiii by the time we are beach bound, a 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS mkii, a 24-105mm, and a bunch of other lenses. And one grain of sand is all it takes to screw things up.

So... what do yall suggest? I will absolutely avoid changes the lenses outside... and I will absolutely not leave my gear on the sand or even on a blanket that might have sand on it... but is it worth the risk to even take it out of the hotel? Should I rent a body/lens and let the guys at Borrow lenses remove the sand from the motor?

I was thinking of stupid ideas like wrapping saran wrap around the lens and body and then just treating the lens like it was a prime... but that doesn't really seem reasonable.

I should have agreed to go to Disney again.

Another Sony P&S

 

[weddingsnapper]

Insurance is so important - it's just not worth losing all your gear and then having to start from scratch.

I have most of my gear covered - with a few less important or older lenses not covered. If they go, they go...

It's good to also have them insured against accidental damage, as that always happens when you least need it - both financially and hassle wise.
This is especially true during wedding season - if I drop my main camera and 70-200, I need to know that I grab a new one the next day and that I won't be too much out of pocket. If you're interested, you can see my wedding photography site at https://www.weddingsnapper.com.au

 

[YuengLinger]

It is so hard to be a good dad and a photographer at the same time, I am learning.

Our baby sleeps late, so on the occasional beach trip, I slip out early for some birds, sunrise, etc. For family fun time, leave the gear somewhere I imagine is fairly secure--or I use my 60D with an ef 50mm 1.4 or very old (2005) 16-35 2.8.

Bon voyage!

 

[BeenThere]

Common sense usage works 99% of the time.
1. Don't change lenses on the beach
2. If it's windy enough that you can see or feel blowing sand, leave the gear in a plastic bag and wait for better conditions. Don't set gear on the ground or beach towel unless it is enclosed in a gear bag.
3. If shooting crashing surf up close use a waterproof enclosure.
4. Wipe down the exterior of gear with a damp washcloth when you return to your room. Blow the front protection filter before using your usual glass cleaning method.
5. Buy theft insurance for anything you can't afford to lose.

 

[SteveM]

Similar quandary. With me I reasoned the photos I take of my daughter go no further than my hard drive and maybe an A3 sized print for home. So I leave the 5D Mklll in the hotel on beach days and use my £129 compact - I happily stand up to my knees in the sea then and shoot away - it's not really the super image quality I am interested in, it's the expression on her face and the compact captures that just fine.

 

[rfdesigner]

Many years ago I used disposable film cameras for places where I didn't want to take my SLR..... like rollercoasters!

Todays equivelent are probably waterproof cameras, such as the D30.. but they're a bit more expensive, though still much less than a decent lens.

Fundamentally you need to not worry about your kit.

 

[East Wind Photography]

I just got back from Cape Hatteras. I know what you are thinking. Heed the advice given by users here. Sand and salt spray are the biggest issues. Clean everything very well after each day of use. Try to use a blower to remove single grains of sand from anywhere/everywhere before any wipe down or opening anything.

I used a pelican case to store my gear and desiccant to absorb any residual moisture.

Upon returning, I sent the gear I used back to canon for a cleaning.

 

[Don Haines]

Waterproof P/S..... And have fun in the water!

 

[JPAZ]

Back from a week at a beach with the little ones. Most used the 5diii and 24-70 (and never changed lenses when out and about) but when I know we would be potentially getting wet, used the D10 P&S. The JPEGs out of the D10 certainly don't compare to the RAW out of the DSLR, but most were acceptable. So, getting wet was not a problem.