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

[jdramirez]

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.

 

[Z]

I understand your apprehension, but the way I try to look at it is: what's the point in having that gear with you if your fear will inhibit your creativity?

Either get your gear insured for all risks (which you should anyway) and forget about it, or just take the $200 point and shoot. You'll probably end up with better photos.

 

[pierceography]

I wouldn't worry too much. Just use common sense for the most part and you should be fine. When I went to the Caribbean last year, I had my 5Dm3, 24-70 (mk1), 70-200, 100mm, and a few other lenses.

The vast majority of my pictures were taken on the beach, including some where my camera was almost sitting on the sand trying to get angle shots. I would never change lenses on the beach -- I'd head back up towards the beach hotel we stayed at if I wanted to swap. I'd only set my camera down on my camera bag while I was on the beach, but even that was only a few times. And I never took my camera (and myself) into the water -- though I wouldn't worry about going waist deep if the waves weren't too much.

The best piece of advice I can offer is to watch the humidity. Our hotel room was air conditioned (thank god), and being on an island the humidity was usually close to 90%. With the temperature and humidity differential between our hotel room and the exterior, my camera and lenses would immediately fog up and be unusable for ~10 minutes once I walked outside, which would make it real difficult to run out and grab a shot if I saw something interesting.

So I would bring several large ziplock bags, put your gear in them before you plan on heading out, and let them sit outside (we had a secure porch area) so that your gear can get acclimated to the temperature. The bags will prevent some fogging, but will it will take longer for your gear to become acclimated.

 

[Loswr]

+1 on the insurance. When I go to the beach, my gear does, too - else, what's the point in having it? I don't generally wade into the water with it - I'd get a waterproof housing for my S100 for that.

 

[jdramirez]

I understand your apprehension, but the way I try to look at it is: what's the point in having that gear with you if your fear will inhibit your creativity?

Either get your gear insured for all risks (which you should anyway) and forget about it, or just take the $200 point and shoot. You'll probably end up with better photos.

I do have my gear insured... but for catastrophic damage and theft. One lone grain of sand is on me to send it back to get it cleaned out. I'm taking my gear... but I wish I had a better plan for keeping sand away.

 

[JPAZ]

FWIW, we obtained our gear to use it. Common sense should prevail, however.

For a beach vacation, I'll take my kit if I am walking or sitting but if I know I am going in the water (even up to my knees), the gear stays securely locked up and I take my old D10 P&S. In good light, the pics out of that are OK and the camera can go underwater to 14 feet without worry.

 

[BruinBear]

I live in southern California and bring my camera and lenses, including non weathersealed ones, to the beach all the time and have never had any problems.

And yes, I do change lenses all the time at the beach, just get into a habit of pointing the lens/camera down and away from the water when changing lenses as the mist/spray from the ocean does tend to get all over your stuff. To the same point, my front elements tend to be pretty covered in mist by the end of the day so make sure you have something to clean with.

I would also suggest you bring along a rocket blower or similar. Getting sand on your gear is pretty much unavoidable. I would take extra care that there isn't any sand around the mount when you go to change lenses. And NEVER wipe down any lens surfaces, even with liquid cleaners, unless youre sure that you have blown off all sand particles, youll essentially be sanding your lens.

As for being in the water while holding your camera, it really just depends on how comfortable you are with not dropping your gear and how high the tide coming in is. I have had my 6D and 17-40 on a tripod about a foot above the incoming tide level shooting a slow shutter of the water coming in. Camera came out unscathed but tripod wasn't as lucky, had to that it apart and clean every single piece.

Along with all that...ENJOY YOUR VACATION! Don't worry too much about your gear as everyone else said.

 

[brad-man]

I live in southern California and bring my camera and lenses, including non weathersealed ones, to the beach all the time and have never had any problems.

And yes, I do change lenses all the time at the beach, just get into a habit of pointing the lens/camera down and away from the water when changing lenses as the mist/spray from the ocean does tend to get all over your stuff. To the same point, my front elements tend to be pretty covered in mist by the end of the day so make sure you have something to clean with.

I would also suggest you bring along a rocket blower or similar. Getting sand on your gear is pretty much unavoidable. I would take extra care that there isn't any sand around the mount when you go to change lenses. And NEVER wipe down any lens surfaces, even with liquid cleaners, unless youre sure that you have blown off all sand particles, youll essentially be sanding your lens.

As for being in the water while holding your camera, it really just depends on how comfortable you are with not dropping your gear and how high the tide coming in is. I have had my 6D and 17-40 on a tripod about a foot above the incoming tide level shooting a slow shutter of the water coming in. Camera came out unscathed but tripod wasn't as lucky, had to that it apart and clean every single piece.

Along with all that...ENJOY YOUR VACATION! Don't worry too much about your gear as everyone else said.

+1 I live in S Florida and frequently bring my gear to the beach, though I do try to use only weather-sealed lenses. I have to go at least once a year for the annual Air & Sea Show which coincides with Fleet Week. Though, sadly, it was greatly reduced to civilian planes & boats this year due to sequestration

 

[jimjamesjimmy]

id suggest selling all your gear and getting a camera that youd be happy taking out with you to take pictures, imagine if you went on a trip to the desert , what would you do then!

where is the fun in photography if you cant even take your camera to a beach! absolutely crazy

 

[jdramirez]

id suggest selling all your gear and getting a camera that youd be happy taking out with you to take pictures, imagine if you went on a trip to the desert , what would you do then!

where is the fun in photography if you cant even take your camera to a beach! absolutely crazy

thanks for the help, I put up the craigslist ad just now.

 

[fresh_melbourne]

ahhh ... same problem here ... I am shooting two weddings in Europe and on the way back to Australia I am going to have a 1 week stopover in Vietnam. Great! Love the great photo opportunities but I am afraid I will not have a relaxing day on the beach watching my equipment all the time. Unfortunately I have no solution yet - I thought about leaving 50% of the equipment in the hotel safe - 25% in the room - and carry 25% around.

I have no insurance for my gear as it is really expensive to get one (at least here in Australia) - I am pretty much only worried about theft as this is something you can't control and all your gear is gone. So definitely thinking about one. How much do you pay for your insurance (please also mention the insured total and excess). I would love an insurance just for the trip ...

My sites: www.freshphotography.com.au www.fabulous-femme.com
My gear: love my 5DIII with lots of lenses ... my favourites: 50 1.2L, 85 1.2L II, 70-200 2.8 IS II

 

[pato]

I recently too my EOS 550D to the beach in Thailand. I always had it with my Sigma 18-125 in a bag, together with my Sigma 400mm lens. I only changed the lens when I was sitting on a beach chair or very sure that there was no sand in the air. Was no problem at all.
And don't forget, sand grains are normaly fairly large and don't get into the really small opening in the lens. Simply be carefull while changing it, but that's more or less.
Ah and don't drop it into the sand, or at least have a air-duster (or however it's called in english) ready to clean it

 

[verysimplejason]

Just bring something like this if you really don't have the budget to get an underwater case. It's good for playing in knee deep water. Also make sure that somebody is holding your items every time. For me, it's me and my wife holding the bags with lenses always.

http://shashinki.com/shop/dicapac-korea-m-54.html

 

[jdramirez]

ahhh ... same problem here ... I am shooting two weddings in Europe and on the way back to Australia I am going to have a 1 week stopover in Vietnam. Great! Love the great photo opportunities but I am afraid I will not have a relaxing day on the beach watching my equipment all the time. Unfortunately I have no solution yet - I thought about leaving 50% of the equipment in the hotel safe - 25% in the room - and carry 25% around.

I have no insurance for my gear as it is really expensive to get one (at least here in Australia) - I am pretty much only worried about theft as this is something you can't control and all your gear is gone. So definitely thinking about one. How much do you pay for your insurance (please also mention the insured total and excess). I would love an insurance just for thIe trip ...

My sites: www.freshphotography.com.au www.fabulous-femme.com

I pay 46 dollars per year for about five thousand in Gear. usually jewellery is protected by this type of policy.
My gear: love my 5DIII with lots of lenses ... my favourites: 50 1.2L, 85 1.2L II, 70-200 2.8 IS II

 

[Hobby Shooter]

I would just take the 60D and the 24-105, maybe if you have a wider alternative as a second one also. That should cover the most. I live in a very dirty and dusty country and often go to the beach. I always have a cotton scarf for myself and that I also use to wipe off the camera over the course of the day, sometimes I use it to cover the camera also.

 

[Harry Muff]

Leave your camera in the room and have a splash around with your kid. I'm sure she'd like that more than being your model.


Some things are more important than taking photos.

 

[alexanderferdinand]

Since 30 years I have carried my stuff nearly everywhere.
Beaches, mountains, small planes, sailing boats. Never felt unsecure, just thought a few seconds about safety (belt wrapped around my hand, will there be drops of salty water...), but then you should forget this and simply make pictures.
Never had a problem.

Sounds like an advertisment, but: just do it!

 

[brianboru]

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/ )

 

[michi]

Depends on the beach and climate I would say. Beaches with thicker sand are really no problem. It's that powdery fine sand in windy climates that can get nasty. I would recommend to stick a UV filter (or maybe even a circular polarizer) on your lens, and then bring a few plastic or ziplock bags that you can stick your equipment in when not in use. Yeah, some people say the camera is made for taking pictures, and they are right, but if you don't have tons of money, you still have to worry about your expensive equipment that you saved up for. There's nothing wrong with trying to minimize damage.

 

[Don Haines]

My gear goes with me everywhere..... including canoe trips. If I am going somewhere "safe", I use an ordinary camera bag. If I am going somewhere a bit riskier, I bring the gear in a pelican case.... keeps it very safe when not in my hands. It also makes a fairly indestructable travel case.

The 60D is semi-sealed. Ive used mine in all weather for many years and never a problem.