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Keeping camera dry at Victoria Falls
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May 13, 2018 11:33:09   #
byuaceman Loc: Mesa, AZ
 
I am fairly new to this and this is my very first question so please be gentle. I am excited to visit Victoria Falls in June. I guess it will be wet. Any ideas on how to take pictures and still keep my DSLR dry? I read one article that suggested I use a waterproof camera. I hope that is not my only alternative. What are your suggestions?

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May 13, 2018 11:34:55   #
Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado
 
There is so much mist that no raincoat or other cover can really keep the camera or you dry. Waterproof camera is the best way to go.

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May 13, 2018 11:35:30   #
ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK
 
byuaceman wrote:
I am fairly new to this and this is my very first question so please be gentle. I am excited to visit Victoria Falls in June. I guess it will be wet. Any ideas on how to take pictures and still keep my DSLR dry? I read one article that suggested I use a waterproof camera. I hope that is not my only alternative. What are your suggestions?


https://optechusa.com/rainsleeve.html

There are several different rain sleeves out there but this is the least expensive and simplest that I have found.

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May 13, 2018 11:36:45   #
CaptainBobBrown
 
Use a clear plastic bag tied so that the lens is uncovered but the rest of the camera is shielded. Worked for me at VF last year. Alternatively you can get a variety of DSLR covers on line. I chose one for my recent Costa Rica sojourn but a clear plastic bag works just as well.

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May 13, 2018 11:46:42   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
byuaceman wrote:
I am fairly new to this and this is my very first question so please be gentle. I am excited to visit Victoria Falls in June. I guess it will be wet. Any ideas on how to take pictures and still keep my DSLR dry? I read one article that suggested I use a waterproof camera. I hope that is not my only alternative. What are your suggestions?


I suggest the following. Made by OPTECH. Comes 2 in a package.Rain Sleeve. Throw it away after shooting and put a fresh one on. Why GAS..Gear Acquisition Syndrome when those covers will protect what you have.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469774-REG/OP_TECH_USA_9001132_18_Rainsleeve_Set_of.html

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May 13, 2018 12:23:27   #
DJD Loc: Seal Beach, CA
 
byuaceman wrote:
I am fairly new to this and this is my very first question so please be gentle. I am excited to visit Victoria Falls in June. I guess it will be wet. Any ideas on how to take pictures and still keep my DSLR dry? I read one article that suggested I use a waterproof camera. I hope that is not my only alternative. What are your suggestions?


My wife and I toured Victoria Falls a few years back, about the same time as you are going. The pathway along the falls provides some great views. Part of that pathway is covered in mist. For us, at one point, there was so much mist we could not see the falls. It was like walking through a rain storm. Our tour company provided some heavy duty ponchos which worked well. Also there were vendors at the falls that will rent ponchos. Knowing the mist may present a problem, I mostly kept my DSLR under my poncho and just used a waterproof point'n shoot. A plastic rain sleeve for your camera will work too. A bit cumbersome, but they'll do the job. Keep in mind that your shoes will get soaked. Wear crocks or something similar. Here's a YouTube link showing our trek through VF and the mist: https://youtu.be/S7QSG_MdA7M Hope this helps. You'll enjoy the falls.


(Download)

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May 13, 2018 12:24:33   #
daddybear Loc: Brunswick, NY
 
Used them on the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls. Pick up some micro fibre pads to wipe the lens.

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May 13, 2018 12:42:48   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
The best and easiest thing is photograph from the top of the falls. Then enjoy the journey around the base of the falls. Even if you were to waterproof your camera, the portion, the lens, which is exposed to the mist will be unusable within seconds, if not sooner, of being pointed at anything you might want to photograph. The results of any photograph you might want to take will be a mist induced blurry photograph.
--Bob
byuaceman wrote:
I am fairly new to this and this is my very first question so please be gentle. I am excited to visit Victoria Falls in June. I guess it will be wet. Any ideas on how to take pictures and still keep my DSLR dry? I read one article that suggested I use a waterproof camera. I hope that is not my only alternative. What are your suggestions?

Reply
May 13, 2018 14:41:23   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
byuaceman wrote:
I am fairly new to this and this is my very first question so please be gentle. I am excited to visit Victoria Falls in June. I guess it will be wet. Any ideas on how to take pictures and still keep my DSLR dry? I read one article that suggested I use a waterproof camera. I hope that is not my only alternative. What are your suggestions?


Leave the good camera in the hotel's safe, and bring a waterproof camera, or rent an underwater housing for your camera, or rent an underwater
camera, or get a waterproof cover like one from this company:

https://aquatech.net/

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May 13, 2018 19:28:02   #
whwiden
 
Take a couple of clear shower caps like you get in some hotels. And some large rubber bands. Use your lens hood. Most of the time keep your camera under your poncho. On the Zimbabwe side I found it drier up top, with a number of places to take photos without worry about water, particularly an overlook with a view of a bridge. Used the same procedure in Zambia but found it much wetter. Seemed to be a function of the prevailing winds. Used autofocus and a do everything lens.

It was ackward but worked to keep camera dry.

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May 13, 2018 19:29:12   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
Gene51 wrote:
Leave the good camera in the hotel's safe, and bring a waterproof camera, or rent an underwater housing for your camera, or rent an underwater
camera, or get a waterproof cover like one from this company:

https://aquatech.net/


Best answer, and the Olympus TG5 is an often mentioned suggestion.

I’ve also used the again sleeve or a large gallon sized ziplock bag. You cut a hole in the bottom and push the lens through that opening and secure with a rubber band around the lens hood. Hand goes through the zip-lock side. I keep,a few of these for “just in case” scenarios.

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May 13, 2018 20:17:31   #
SharpShooter Loc: NorCal
 
byuaceman wrote:
I am fairly new to this and this is my very first question so please be gentle. I am excited to visit Victoria Falls in June. I guess it will be wet. Any ideas on how to take pictures and still keep my DSLR dry? I read one article that suggested I use a waterproof camera. I hope that is not my only alternative. What are your suggestions?


b, welcome to the Hog!
Keeping the camera dry is NOT the problem. Plenty of ways to keep the camera dry.
The PROBLEM will be keeping the mist OFF of the objective lens.
My suggestion is do whatever to keep the camera dry, any plastic bag or rain pancho will do that. Take an old cotton T-shirt and cut it into manageable pieces and keep them dry. You’ll need them to constantly dry the objective lens. Before EVERY shot if there is rain like mist. Keep the camera pointing down and cap on and only remove and point up to shoot. You might need to pre-set everything including the focus.
I’ve shot falls in Yosemite that I couldn’t shoot. Not because of getting the camera wet but because I can’t keep the water droplets off the objective lens, even with an extra long makeshift hood to get a usable shot.
Have a great trip and good luck!!!
SS

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May 14, 2018 05:56:53   #
coach17 Loc: Sun City Center, FL
 
SharpShooter wrote:
b, welcome to the Hog!
Keeping the camera dry is NOT the problem. Plenty of ways to keep the camera dry.
The PROBLEM will be keeping the mist OFF of the objective lens.
My suggestion is do whatever to keep the camera dry, any plastic bag or rain pancho will do that. Take an old cotton T-shirt and cut it into manageable pieces and keep them dry. You’ll need them to constantly dry the objective lens. Before EVERY shot if there is rain like mist. Keep the camera pointing down and cap on and only remove and point up to shoot. You might need to pre-set everything including the focus.
I’ve shot falls in Yosemite that I couldn’t shoot. Not because of getting the camera wet but because I can’t keep the water droplets off the objective lens, even with an extra long makeshift hood to get a usable shot.
Have a great trip and good luck!!!
SS
b, welcome to the Hog! br Keeping the camera dry i... (show quote)


I have had one of these for years. It works great

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/602711-REG/Vortex_Media_P_SJ_M_B_Pro_SLR_Storm_Jacket.html

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May 14, 2018 06:58:04   #
cweiss
 
Like whwiden I use hotel shower caps, and used one at Victoria Falls as well. Worked fine. You obviously have to cover again immediately but it just takes a moment. And I always carry a spare (free) in case I drop one.

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May 14, 2018 07:03:02   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
Along with the raincoats made for the camera there are some tips in these vids. I am sure other related vids will pop up also.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS0_rwKzcbM&index=2&list=PLJTYzXcZmD3iHQ-h1fbYcHSwjQTCbYCjb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS0_rwKzcbM&index=2&list=PLJTYzXcZmD3iHQ-h1fbYcHSwjQTCbYCjb

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