OHenry Loc: St. Michaels, MD

I need more advice from the Hogg Pros! I'm headed to the Oregon coast for some photos. I've been told there will be some salt spray to watch out for. How should I be protecting my lenses and how should I be cleaning them when I get off the beach?? This inquiring mind needs to know!

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Use a UV filter on your lens.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Like Racmanaz says a UV or clear filter will take the brunt of the sand and salt and protect the lens. You will still have to clean the filter. For this first blow all the particles you can off the filter, then use a micro-fiber cloth and a cleaning fluid designed specifically for photographic glass. Do NOT use Windex, Glass Pluss, or the like.

You might want to get a Circular Polarizing filter for shooting on or near the water. A CP will allow you to eliminate the glare off the water.

olcoach Loc: Oregon

Hi, There won't be spray unless you get really close to the water. You can cover your gear with a plastic bag, or buy a cover but I'd be surprised if you need it unless it rains and that is a real possibility. There are so many things to shoot that you will be the one dictating how to protect your camera and lens. Don't worry about it as you'll be fine. Have a great trip and let's hear from you and see some of those shots when you get home. Mike

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Good question and you are wise to be concerned. There is nothing that can do more damage to your camera while you are sleeping than salt water.

First, what camera do you have? Odds are it is not sealed and therefore very susceptible to salt spray. Even when I use my professional camera (water sealed) I still follow all of the suggestions below when dealing with salt water spray. Salt water spray can be devastating and the damage may not show up for months as the salt continues to corrode metals (sea salt absorbs moisture from the air and stay moist which is why it will continue to corrode metals even years later.)

No matter where you are along the coast, when the breeze is blowing, there will be a fine salt-laden mist (even if you don't feel it, your camera will.)
When the wind is stronger, the spray can carry for more than a mile inland. You may not feel it, but your exposed camera might. A nightly body and lens cleaning is warranted (for your camera that is).

First, get a quality UV filter with a brass ring (cheaper filters use aluminum which can gall and freeze on your camera.) This will help seal your lens from the salt spray.
For example: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/11974-REG/B_W_65_070156_77mm_Ultraviolet_UV_Filter.html

Just be sure to remove it and wash it daily. If you do this right, you should NOT have to clean your camera lens.

Get several Rainsleeves from OpTech USA and use them when on the beach. They are Inexpensive and effective. See following link. Sold in packages of two.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469774-REG/OP_TECH_USA_9001132_18_Rainsleeve_Set_of.html
(You can also fabricate your own if you have the right plastic bags, but unless you live on the coast and take pictures all the time, I find it easier to buy one designed for the purpose.)

When using the RainSleeve in salt mist I DO NOT recommend reusing them. But if you have to reuse one, wash it with a liquid soap and hot water, and dry it with a towel. (FYI, salt mist also carries dissolved proteins than allow the salt to adhere like glue to surfaces; it is not always simply washed off.)

You may also encounter some light rain, so these will allow you some freedom to shoot. Avoid heavy rains - no fun for you, poor photographs for distance, and risky for your camera.

Bring a package of lens cleaner wipes.

If you have to change lenses do it in your closed car or in a plastic lens change bag. NEVER open your camera on the beach, especially when the waves are breaking or wind is blowing. It is just not worth the risks (internal damage may take a year or more to kill your lens and/or camera).

Each night, gently wipe your camera down with a damp (NOT WET) soft 100% cotton towel. (Those old fashioned 100% baby diapers are good, just wash them several times before using to remove most lint, etc.)

Remove the UV filter and clean it and its threads. You can also rinse it with warm water and then clean it with a lens wipe.

DO NOT use any dry cleaning methods (a micro fiber cloth and a LensPen are dry) on your lens or filters if they appear to have salt spray on them. The salt crystals WILL scratch your lens. First gently use a damp soft cotton cloth followed by an alcohol lens wipe to remove the salt. Then clean as usual if more cleaning is necessary.

If you use a circular polarizer, be sure to clean it daily to remove salt residue from in-between the rotating rings. (DO NOT wash a polarizing filter as water will get in-between the two rotating glass elements which can leave residues.)

OK, this seems like a lot to remember, but it is all pretty basic and addresses the same concerns. Insidious salt corrosion can ruin you camera in weeks or even years.
Two basic rules: 1) Keep any and all salt spray/mist from touching your camera. 2) Clean your camera nightly just in case.

Armed with some information and a little common sense, you should do just fine and get some amazing photographs.
Don't let all of the above cause you to fear using your camera extensively along the coast -- just take a few basic precautions to preserve the life of your gear.

There are few places in the US like the Oregon coast for dramatic ocean shore photos.
Please post your favorite photos for us to enjoy. :thumbup:

flyingcrown1 Loc: Moravian Falls

Hi OHenry, First, I agree heartily with Festina's advice. I photograph regularly on the North and South Carolina coasts and have taken an "extra" precaution in protecting my lens from the effects of salt air/mist. I covered my Sigma 24-70mm with a silicon wrap called "Lens Mummy". Being silicon, it is waterproof and adheres to itself but not to the lens. Therefore, leaves no residue if/when it is removed. This ads extra protection to the overall body of the lens from the corrosive effects of salt spray. I highly recommend this product for this type situation. Here is a link for the product. NOTE: many silicon wraps are available from Ebay sellers at more "budget-conscious" prices and are just as effective. I hope this is helpful.
http://www.lensmummy.com/

Picdude Loc: Ohio

When I was younger I worked about 10 years on various ships in the Gulf of Mexico, off Grand Banks and one summer off northern Alaska. I carried an old Nikon EM with me through all of that to take pictures of sunsets, shore line, dolphin and porpose, etc. I never kept the camera wrapped and never did seem to have any problems. I did keep either or both a CP and UV filters on the lens. You will find both of these indispensible as you shoot.

The biggest issues I had was coming out of the air-conditioned interrior to a very warm outside and having condensation form on the camera surface, particularly the lens. The best advise I have for that condition is PATIENCE. Trying to wipe the dew off as it forms usually leads to a bigger mess and frustration. I would recommend waiting the few minutes it takes to dry then check for water spots, if any (I rarely had any unless I tried to rush the process and dry it off early).

The condensation rarely formed between the filter and the lens (usually only when it was very cold inside and very hot outside) which was another good reason to keep a filter on the lens.

Lots of good advice from Festina Lente, Flyingcrown and others. Remember to have fun and post some shots for us to live vicariously from :)

gsrunyan Loc: Aurora, CO

Zeiss makes a lens wipe that you can get at Amazon.

Individual packets containing a lint proof paper soaked in isopropol alcohol. I use them to clean my glasses and the speaker ends of my hearing aids!

Glenn

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

In those situations I use a large Zip type bag upside down with a hole cut for the lens and a rubber band to hold it in place. I cut a smaller hole in the back for the viewfinder, held in place with the viewfinder hood. Add a clear filter and you're all set. there is room to get your hands underneath and it makes a pretty good raincoat too.

Carol Patterson

:-D

Carol Patterson

:-D Hadn't heard of this product...Thanks

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Walmart sells those too.

Carol Patterson

Very thorough. Thank you. This should help tremendously.
I suspect the demise of my camera in January, may have been due to visits nearly a year previous, after vacations on California and Oregon beaches. Maybe I'll go back to the beach with my good camera, using these tricks from all of you.

ISO100 Loc: Richland City Indiana

You can also get them at WalMart. $2.97 + tax for 50 individually warpped wipes.

ISO100 Loc: Richland City Indiana

You can also get them, Zeiss wipes, at WalMart. $2.97 + tax for 50 individually warpped wipes.