jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I think it would depend on how stable the kayak is. Some are very stable and have stabilizers on them. Others are small and easy to tip over and don't have any room to put the camera down in.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Have you contacted the Minnesota Canoe Association. They have a kayak branch, as I recall. Will you be wearing a waist skirt that waterproofs the hull. MCA used to run training classes on one of the city lakes where they taught the eskimo roll. You gotta do it right obviously. I wonder if National Camera Exchange in Golden Valley might have some suggestion for camera protection. I do remember that long ago you could get a camera box-like doo-dad for underwater photography.

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Thank you!!

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Thanks, John. I can check with them...National Camera.

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Thank you everyone...I am overwhelmed with the responses...so much advice. So much wonderful advice!! I still don't know exactly what I'm going to do yet but one thing for sure is that I'll get some kayaking experience first, before I bring along anything of value. I am liking the idea of the ammo box and the dry bag. I'll be looking into these items.
Thank you all so much!!

Marsha

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

If you are using your own kayak, outfitters are the way to go. With a good set, you cannot spill the kayak. Then you can bring your best gear. I do it with my stuff.

Selene03

I love taking pictures of birds and wildlife from my kayak as much as any other photography I do. I am mostly in salt water bays and estuaries though sometimes in the ocean. The salt water adds an additional problem. I wouldn't hesitate to use my best gear on 32 ft boats, though I had to be careful on my brothers sailboat in oceans off Hawaii. My personal opinion after trying many of them are that the waterproof cameras that are sold for under $500.00 do not allow me to take pictures I am satisfied with either on land or on the water. There are too many compromises with them to allow them to make the kind of sharp photos I want. They also don't have enough zoom capability. My iphone camera is better and you can find cheap but well made waterproof covers for them, but the photos you get from them are suitable for posting on facebook and not much else. I tried a panasonic with a longer zoom--it's ok, but not great. I finally though maybe I would try a refurbished Canon sl1 since it didn't cost that much and I wouldn't be destroyed if it got really ruined. It turned out to be a wonderful solution. I started out with an 18-135 mm lens, but have settled on using it with a 70-300 mm lens. It is a perfect combination for me, as it is very light weight, and the camera is remarkably element-resistant in spite of it being a low end Canon camera. A whale spouted on it, which covered it in weird gunk, but everything still works a year later except the pop-up flash won't pop up any more, which is of no concern to me, since i only use the camera in my kayak. Waves have sometimes gotten it wet, though I try to protect it--again, it is still working and the sl1/70-300 mm combo produces photos that I can live with. Canon just had a sale on refurbished models of the sl2, which I just ordered to replace the sl1--I think I will like having more megapixels and other features of the camera, but the detail I got from the simple sl1 was significant. I haven't read through all of this so I don't know what your better gear is, but I think the entry level Nikon would work just as well, maybe better. I also tried using a Sony RX 10 iii, but it didn't focus fast enough for the birds; it was ok, but the sl1 is better with whales and dolphins. I have been told by several camera dealers that Sony's are less well weather-proofed than other cameras, but I never really tried them on the water as I find them too fiddlely.

I do keep the camera in a dry bag when not in use and when I am protecting it. Everyone is different, but I think the lower end camera is a great compromise between the point and shoots and my pretty high end gear. I love watching birds and wildlife in natural settings and the combination I use is great for capturing that. You are right to not want to miss out on opportunities. Whatever you decide on, have a great time!!! It sounds like a great way to spend some time in the summer.

I

tmack

Hi There, I want to put in a plug for the pelican case. I have used one many times on rivers and creeks and have had some mishaps on the river with my D800. I keep the case well tied to the boat and only take the camera out in calmer water. The camera goes back in the case and seals very quickly and securely. I did lose a case once when the canoe overturned and the orange case was quite visible floating down the river. It was recovered soon and nothing was damaged even though it had gone over a small rapid and hit a few rocks. Use your best judgement here and common sense helps. The smaller cases with the clear plastic lids are great for the little Lumix point and shoot I also use at times.

DHThomas Loc: Baton Rouge, LA

I've taken my Lumix GH5 with 100-400 lens with me while canoeing on flat water. The gear was safely stored in a Pelican waterproof and unsinkable case when not in use. It would be a tight squeeze to get the case and my legs into the cockpit of my kayak, however.

goofybruce

I am not an expert, but do love photography and kayaking, so here's what I do:
I have a couple of Sony cameras and take them with me. The camera is in a hard-sided, waterproof Pelican case with a handle. I have a kayak paddle leash which is attached to the handle and other end clipped to one of the bungee cords which are on most kayaks. I also have a wrist strap on the camera.
It takes a little time, but when I want to take a picture, I put the case between my legs on the floor of the kayak, open it, put the strap around my wrist then lift the camera up, take the shot(s) then reverse the procedure. At no time is the camera not secured around my wrist when it is out of the camera case. The camera case has a foam insert which is cut to the size of the camera with my favorite zoom lens and a cutout to hold an extra battery. I have used that rig for several years and have not lost a camera yet. Of course, I'm not shooting rapids and taking pictures at the same time. That's what GoPros are for.
I also carry a small Olympus TG-5, which is completely waterproof (in fact it has a setting to shoot pictures when scuba or snorkeling so you can hold the camera under water to get a unique view of lily pads). One accessory for that camera is a wrist strap which floats and has enough buoyancy to hold the camera. The Olympus is attached to the kayak by another leash and kept readily at hand on the front deck held in place by the bungee. It has survived several water gun battles on the "high seas" when the combatants turned on the "official" photographer.

One suggestion on buying a proper fitting case is to take the camera to a sporting goods store to get the proper size. A lot of those hard waterproof cases are not tall enough to hold a camera.

An alternative is a dry-bag, however that takes more time to unroll/roll back than opening the hardside case and doesn't offer the protection. Both, when closed, will float.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

atfab

Marsha

I shoot from a kayak on a regular basis, generally on flat water not fast moving rivers. A good dry bag is what you need, I will keep my eguipment in the bag (between my legs) up until the time I am ready shoot and then return it when I am finished. I most often carry a 300mm lens and 1.4 tele extender but have carried the 500mm. I find that hand holding is easier than trying to deal with a mono pod, make sure you do not make sudden movements or lean over the side too far and you will be fine. Also remember when you are approching wildlife do not make sudden movements that will frighten them. Watershed makes a superb bag but it is a little pricey there are several other manufacturers available with good bags such as Seal Line, NRS and Sea to Summit.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

I take lots of photos from my kayak with my best camera gear. Mostly on Klamath Lake, Oregon. Some photos at http://www.gopeterg.com/Rocky-Point . My kayak is a very stable Hobie Mirage Sport, https://www.hobie.com/kayaks/mirage-sport/ . This kayak moves via pedals not paddles. Thus, my hands are free to take pictures. I kayak only when the water is fairly smooth. I support my camera with a monopod and stabilize it with a Op/Tech Bino/Cam harness, https://optechusa.com/bino-cam-harness.html. I carry dry bags to protect gear if the weather gets nasty.

Walt C

I had same dilemma. So I left my Nikon 750 and lens behind and bought an inexpensive but great Panasonic DMC -ZS40. The mag was a sharp focused 30x. I am sure there are many such makes in that $250-350 price range. I think I bought mine on sale at Costco for
$200.It was great for shooting game as well as landscapes.Easy to use from a kayak and easy to protect. Transparent dry bag so you can also stuff in some extra batteries and see what you have - cost maybe $40. Tether it to the kayak. Make sure you use the camera a lot before the trip. My manual was 300 or 400 pages. You will have to know instinctively what buttons or changes in the lens you will have to make to get the best shots. Good voyaging.

KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

A lot of good advice above. After looking at your photos in your portfolio, I don't think you'll be happy with anything but your favorite camera. You do very nice work.

That being said, take a cheap P & S with you until you get comfortable being in the kayak and manoeuvring around. I suggest getting a thin bungee cord to attach your paddle to the kayak, just in case (that way you won't see it drifting away from you when it falls in the water). Practice stowing the paddle as you drift (which you will have to do to take photos), my kayak lets me bungee it parallel to the kayak. Also practice setting it across the kayak and drifting. I'd suggest getting the smallest water-tight box that your dslr & lens will fit in (also connect that box to the kayak with a cord), put your P & S in it and use the towel method with it between your legs. Get comfortable kayaking and shooting. Once you are confident in that, then try your next trip with the real thing.

Be sure to show us your results. If you're going up into the boundary waters, I'm jealous.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Good point, I also carry an extra paddle, and anything not tied to the boat will go into the water! I've already dropped one camera into the lake, got it back and since it was a waterproof it still works, Bob.