Keeping camera dry at Victoria Falls
May 14, 2018 07:04:52 #
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?
This is the perfect excuse to buy a Tough camera.
May 14, 2018 07:30:52 #
A quick web search gave me this - Taking Photographs at Victoria Falls
https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/taking-photographs-at-victoria-falls.html
Have fun
https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/taking-photographs-at-victoria-falls.html
Have fun
May 14, 2018 07:44:40 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
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?
When I was a photo journalist before weather proofs camera's existed we used clear plastic bags and the open end was rubber banded just behind the lens hood. And yes, this was the only time I used a skylight filter to protect the front element of my lenses. Other wise I never used them.
We used a little over sized bag to allow us to focus and trip the shutter. Today in retirement, even though most of my camera's are water proof I do not shoot in the rain. Since we live in Florida in the winter I no longer worry about snow.
May 14, 2018 08:39:37 #
I have used two zip lock bags hooked together at the seam - one right side out and one wrong side out. Zip lock together at the opening, slice one bag’s bottom seam so that you have good access to the camera controls and viewfinder; and, then cut a semi circle out of the bag the size of half the size of the lens hood at its widest plus about 1/2 inch allowance for popping the hood thru. This will cover a Canon 7D mark 2 with a 100-400L lens mounted. Then I take a wide produce elastics and secure one at the intersection of the hood to lens. I bring a second elastic with me in case I loose one or need to seal the bag closed on the camera end between uses. This system worked really well for 2 years and then I bought a storm jacket to use which allows access to the monopod mount. Good luck!
May 14, 2018 08:44:22 #
Don’t let the low price of the OpTech rain sleeve color it as low quality. I’ve used it in winter storms in Greenland and the camera stayed dry and functional every time I used it. They are very durable, multi use protectors. Make sure you have a lens filter on and a microfiber cloth in your pocket to wipe off mist between shots
May 14, 2018 08:46:06 #
The next time you take your pet to the vet ask if he or she has a breeding sleeve or where you might buy some locally, low price 100 is about $20.
May 14, 2018 09:16:36 #
when I was there I wished that I had gone out to the bridge between the two countries and shot from there. My shots at the falls were fair, but the double rainbow are good. I took alone a rain cover for my camera and it was a waste of money. torn within minutes.
May 14, 2018 09:27:47 #
The amount of water changes. By June you might get away with trying to use your DSLR and having it usable in the future by trying one of the suggestions above. We visited in late March. The camera went into a waterproof bag and stayed there. We wore the ponchos and were still completely soaked within minutes. It was like being in a tropical rainstorm times two. Water on the path was two inches deep. No clouds in the sky; just splash from falls. No one was allowed above the falls as the water was so great. No way I would even think about subjecting an expensive camera to that even for a second. Get a waterproof camera or a housing like divers use. On our next trip in November the water was so low I didn’t need any protection. Since mst of the commenters don’t say when they visited take their suggestions with several grains of salt.
May 14, 2018 09:28:29 #
I don't remember it being that wet ("rainy") on the Zimbabwe side... I got some very nice shots (rainbows included!). Which country will you be approaching the falls from? Enjoy your visit... don't forget to look with your eyes, not just a view finder!
May 14, 2018 09:48:08 #
Best vantage point for pictures at Victoria Falls is from a helicopter. Expensive, but worth it. They offer two options: short ride over the falls (14 minutes); longer ride, which includes the river canyon (30minutes?).
May 14, 2018 10:01:14 #
We didn't take the helicopter; for almost the same money we took a trip into Chobe National Park in Botswana... excellent day tour & money very well spent!!
May 14, 2018 10:44:32 #
kaerophil
Loc: Oxford, CT
Be aware that if you go to the Zimbabwe side, you will have to pay for a temporary visa, which is about $25-30.
May 14, 2018 10:58:55 #
We did the ultralight flight over the falls. Very cool and highly recommended. But you can’t take photos.
We entered Zimbabwe from Botswana (from Chobe) and got a multitude visa that included Zambia and went back and forth several times on that visa.
In any event don’t let a small visa cost keep you from seeing the falls from both countries. It was a lot of time and money to get there in the first place.
We entered Zimbabwe from Botswana (from Chobe) and got a multitude visa that included Zambia and went back and forth several times on that visa.
In any event don’t let a small visa cost keep you from seeing the falls from both countries. It was a lot of time and money to get there in the first place.
May 14, 2018 11:06:31 #
kaerophil
Loc: Oxford, CT
I also did the microlight flight over the falls and it was worth every cent. I went with this company: http://www.seasonsinafrica.com/adventure-activities-zambia/victoria-falls-activities/livingstones-adventure/batoka-sky-microlights/
I also went to the "Devil's Pool", which you can only do in the dry season. That was also a fantastic experience. See: https://tongabezi.com/experience/livingstone-island?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5-TXBRCHARIsANLixNzTnD2uhqc4ccN6QdshJc-tFtcxRWr6vOJI2fV_o_XFwN2AM_WZp00aAm3pEALw_wcB
I also went to the "Devil's Pool", which you can only do in the dry season. That was also a fantastic experience. See: https://tongabezi.com/experience/livingstone-island?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5-TXBRCHARIsANLixNzTnD2uhqc4ccN6QdshJc-tFtcxRWr6vOJI2fV_o_XFwN2AM_WZp00aAm3pEALw_wcB
May 14, 2018 11:34:57 #
Add a UV filter to lens and pre treat it with Rain-X.
At least two treatments letting totally dry between them
The droplets will join together and run down leaving most of lens clear.
At least two treatments letting totally dry between them
The droplets will join together and run down leaving most of lens clear.
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