rlatuchie

I am going to be going on a pelagic birding trip out of Monterrey, CA later this month. I plan to shoot seabirds with my Nikon D500 and Nikkor 200 - 500/5.6 lens. Weather conditions can vary quite a bit on these day-long trips, and if we have hard rain, I probably wouldn’t take the camera out. But there is a fair amount of routine marine spray that we can expect during the day, and I’m curious as to what type of protection my lens might require, other than routine cleaning during the day. Any suggestions are appreciated.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Find yourself a good weather cover for your camera/lens. Check Lenscoat.com and Peakdesign.com

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

My first question would be, how big is the boat???
Maybe more protection for you than the camera. Do you get motion sickness?
Not likely to have rain in a month. The closer we get to fall the less likely to have wind but of course mother nature can serve up a surprise at any time.
IF I were going, I would just take a plastic bag to put the camera into and some 100% cotton rags to wipe it down if there is a bit of spray.
If it gets THAT rough you'll have no business being out there! Won't be anything to shoot as well.
IF it's a real photographic trip, ask the operator what you should need, they go out every day/week. Good luck and have fun!!!
SS

rlatuchie

Not sure exactly, but it’s large enough for 30 - 35 people or so. I have been on two of these trips previously without a problem, but seasickness is always a possibility, and I will likely have a patch or medication to take. These trips rarely get cancelled because of weather, but they can be rough. Thanks for your suggestions.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

There are several brands of waterproof covers available, some of which make it difficult or impossible to reach some functions. I rarely use them, but I use a haze filter to protect the front of the lens for protection from sea water spray. I like a hooded jacket when it's truly rough, to keep water from running down my neck and everything else. Always wipe the camera and lens down well with clean water, then dry it carefully, after use.

I've gotten my best open water bird shots in rough or very rough water, largely because the soaring Albatross, Petrels, and others are active only then. You won't see them in calm seas. Their manner of dynamic soaring flight close to the waves and troughs make for excellent shooting, particularly if you're on a boat where you can get high enough to shoot downwards. I like to get high in a crow's nest if the boat has one, though your tolerance for swinging and swaying has to be pretty good. I've been around water and boats all my life, so that is no problem, but not everyone's cup of tea.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

There are several brands of waterproof covers available, some of which make it difficult or impossible to reach some functions. I rarely use them, but I use a haze filter to protect the front of the lens for protection from sea water spray. I like a hooded jacket when it's truly rough, to keep water from running down my neck and everything else. Always wipe the camera and lens down well with clean water, then dry it carefully, after use.

I've gotten my best open water bird shots in rough or very rough water, largely because the soaring Albatross, Petrels, and others are active only then. You won't see them in calm seas. Their manner of dynamic soaring flight close to the waves and troughs make for excellent shooting, particularly if you're on a boat where you can get high enough to shoot downwards. I like to get high in a crow's nest if the boat has one, though your tolerance for swinging and swaying has to be pretty good. I've been around water and boats all my life, so that is no problem, but not everyone's cup of tea.