Kayaks and Cameras (Page 6): My plan , this summer fingers crossed, is to use my older Canon, and the kit lens, big plastic bag, now I think my kayak is a bit more stable than many...

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Mar 16, 2018 09:47:22 #

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I am hoping to join friends this summer on some ka... (show quote)

My plan , this summer fingers crossed, is to use my older Canon, and the kit lens, big plastic bag, now I think my kayak is a bit more stable than many others, a Manatee Tandem, not too much stability problems once I'm in and sitting, even with a grand kid aboard, of course I've been keeping the dry side up on all kinds of watercraft for a lot of years, Bob.

Mar 16, 2018 09:47:52 #

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Bill_de wrote:

It depends on the style of kayak and the type of water. You indicated no whitewater, that makes things easier. If it is a sit in, rather than a sit on top, you should have no problem. I always kept a piece of foam covered with a towel to rest the camera on. That kept the camera protected from anything but tipping over. When you want to use it just reach down and pick it up. I used various DSLR bodies over the years. I started with a 70-200 but switched over to a 200-400.

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Your photos are beautiful!! Thanks for sharing them. Along with a towel under the camera, one could have a lightweight trash bag with the camera sitting in it...just to protect from paddle splashes?

Mar 16, 2018 09:53:19 #

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

John N wrote:

The WATERPROOF camera's are perhaps the safest option. I have had several - my favourite, a PENTAX WP60 is now in the Pacific of La Joolla, because the strap broke where the nylon cord was moulded to the webbing strap. My current NIKON AW100 is still going well after 6 years, but the feeling I get is that the OLYMPUS range is best - unless you can afford the NIKON AW1 which has a larger sensor. All of the cameras seem to perform to a decent standard so long as there is plenty of light about. All fall down in low levels and I've not found one yet with a flash worthy of the name.

So, depending on budget I'd certainly look at the AW1, then go to the Olympus TG5.
I would (considering my experiences above) look at a camera that can secure the strap at two points, if not look for a strap that can be fitted in the tripod mount then through the strap fitting. Fit a waterbouy, waterproof camera's still sink and if the water is a little bit dirty (suspended sediment etc.) you'll likely not see it again. If you go for a bigger model, a bridge camera perhaps, use a waterproof bag. I'd use the best considering the contents - and ORTLIEB have a good reputation, otherwise go for a hard case such as a Peli case and secure this to your kayak in such a position so that you can confidently retrieve it for use.
An alternative to 'proper' cameras would be the action camera's such as GOPRO. I've never had one, nor used one, but a lot of people like them.

You may be with friends, but I'd implore you to consider an introductory course with a coach, and not to skimp on the safety aspects - PFD's etc. I'm a B.C.U. L2K Coach and place a lot of emphasis on experience.

I hope you enjoy your trip and look forward to seeing your results on UHH later this year.

http://www.europe-nikon.com/en_GB/product/digital-cameras/nikon-1/adventure/nikon-1-aw1
http://www.olympus.co.uk/site/en/c/cameras/tough/tough_cameras/tg_5/index.html
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seatriever-Waterbuoy/dp/B001AGZY4K
http://www.ortlieb.com/en/
http://peliproducts.co.uk/cases/protector.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9uuahOXw2QIVlGwbCh3GPgHJEAAYAiAAEgJP7vD_BwE

All addresses are for UK / EU outlets but most will have a 'stars and stripes tag for transfer to your side of the pond.

The WATERPROOF camera's are perhaps the safest opt... (show quote)

Thanks John for sending me the links...I appreciate the extra effort! Aside from kayaking, look what I got yesterday..my first snowy!

(Download)

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Mar 16, 2018 09:54:36 #

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

foathog wrote:

Get yourself a waterproof ammo box. They are air tight and would float if overturned and it was loose. We used to canoe down the Delaware River and camp out on the islands and that's what I used. We never turned over (thanks to my heroics) but the camera (canon F1 at the time) never saw a DROP of water.

Great idea! Thanks!

Mar 16, 2018 09:57:04 #

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

Great idea! Thanks!

Ammo box is a good idea, I carry one with my kayak stuff in it, got it from Harbor Freight, plastic, small, inexpensive.

Mar 16, 2018 09:57:28 #

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

ole sarg wrote:

Let me get this straight first time in a kayak a craft that is very easy to tip over and you don't want to dunk your gear, you have experienced kayakers who use water proof cameras and you are not sure you if you should take your good gear. To be specious, do they let you out alone? I think you have answered your own question after considering the facts!

Good morning to you too....I am getting some great advice here and IF I took out a bigger camera I would hope to have a feel for the slow, small, quiet river, etc. and some experience under my belt.

Mar 16, 2018 09:58:58 #

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

SteveR wrote:

I'm not sure how accessible it would be in a kayak, but I have taken a good camera canoeing in the safety of a military ammo box. They're water tight. I tied a rope to the handle so it couldn't float away. I only took the camera out when I knew that it was safe and got some decent photos. Oh, yes, my Dad and I did manage to tip the canoe when we got entangled in brush on one trip. The camera stayed completely dry.

Thank you. Others have mentioned this also and it does sound like a good idea.

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Mar 16, 2018 10:00:17 #

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Well, my wife and I went canoeing with our daughter and son-in-law some years ago. They were accomplished canoers; we were not. Crashed into a downed tree. Overturned. Lost my camera. What a great excuse to upgrade my equipment! Crash = GAS fulfillment! (LOL)

Mar 16, 2018 10:14:39 #

Bill_de Loc: US

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

Your photos are beautiful!! Thanks for sharing them. Along with a towel under the camera, one could have a lightweight trash bag with the camera sitting in it...just to protect from paddle splashes?

Actually I liked the towel better. I should have said that I also folded the rest of the towel over the camera when paddling, taking it off when drifting. The problem with a garbage bag is that all those little splashes tend to puddle up. Then when you see something and want the camera you very slowly lift the plastic being very careful where that water flows to. That is a pretty impossible thing to do, and you just missed your shot. Even with an old D70 I found a damp towel never hurt anything.

Thanks for your comment on the pictures.

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Mar 16, 2018 10:21:08 #

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Bill_de wrote:

Actually I liked the towel better. I should have s... (show quote)

I guess that makes sense! Thanks again.

Mar 16, 2018 10:23:00 #

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Owl #1 is breathtaking.

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Mar 16, 2018 10:26:20 #

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

bsprague wrote:

Owl #1 is breathtaking.

Thanks....I have a few more on my Flickr link...attached here. I'm going back today. It's been hanging around the fishermen (people..lol). Lots to eat I guess.

Mar 16, 2018 10:29:06 #

guardineer

I bought a nice used waterproof Olympus after trying to teach a cell phone to stay dry in a raft. My tiny budget renders active photography while kayaking as foolish. Don't be afraid to pack the good stuff in a well secured dry bag.

Mar 16, 2018 10:35:09 #

leenso52

Pixel, I read replies quickly and did not see info about a plastic case that somehow fastens on top of the kayak right in front of the cockpit. I'm sorry that I have no info to share about it, other than several kayakers have them. I love kayaking and have a 15.5 foot Current Design. I love it, but it is very tippy and yes, the most "dangerous" times regarding falling in are when getting in and out. I finally have adapted a method that is not pretty, but works! Another topic for a different forum! So yes I have seen people bring their best gear, but they are the more experienced kayakers and they use this case.
I bring either my cell and/or $200 waterproof Fugi I bought years ago. If I could I would buy one of the better, much more expensive ones but I'm retired and can not. I leave my DSLR home! You will only get fair pics with that, not bad on things close up. Pretty good under water. My cell, by the way is a Samsung 7 Edge which is waterproof for 30 minutes under water and I "lost" it once before launching and about 20 minutes later luckily found it, UNDER my boat! Worked fine! Both my cell and and Fugi fit in one of my front pockets of my PFD. One thing I need to remember to bring this coming season is a cloth to wipe off the eye of the camera from the splashes!
I generally go with meetup groups and they are there mostly to kayak so if I stop too many times to get the camera out I am then in a race to catch up!! And I'm 66. So not easy. I'm trying to just enjoy the moment rather than journal it, as someone said, taking a National Geographic shot in a boat in motion is not likely anyway! But my photographer's eye sees everything through a lens, I'm sure people here would agree. This season I'm going to try and leave camera AND cell phone in my car and truly live in the beautiful moments only kayaking can bring. Kayaking and photography are my "passions" so it's hard to choose. That's the goal though this season. ENJOY!

Mar 16, 2018 10:37:00 #

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

leenso52 wrote:

pixel, I read replies quickly and did not see info... (show quote)

Thank you for the good advice and cloth tip!

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