mellis5132

Thanks to everyone for advise

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

With regard to filters. Don't skimp on price. Go high end. B+H or Hoya.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

When scuba diving from a dive boat, the standard routine when coming back onto the boat is to submerge all your gear in a barrel of fresh water. I don't suppose that applies to regular Nikons, though.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Here in Miami and especially near the coast it is all about sun, air, salt and of course sand. I love maritime photography and I do not get any special protection but I do not get near the salt spray either.
For years I have used cameras without weather sealing. I do my shooting and on my way back and using a damped piece of cloth, usually lint free, I clean the camera thourougly and let it dry before I store the camera in a container with a desiccant.
I have been doing this for as long as I can remember, lets say about 30 + years and NEVER a problem.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

So long as the camera and lenses are not subjected to salt water spray; over about 60+ years I haven't found the salt air to be a problem if you wipe off the camera with a warm, damp, clean, soft cloth. Sand on a beach is the problem especially in wind. My suggestion would be to get a cheap small digital camera, perhaps even a throwaway--I think they still make them.

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

Get a good homeowner's policy, and shoot what you want, where you want, when you want. Just be careful, but don't let concern keep you from shooting your best stuff with your best gear.

I kayak in the ocean with my E-M1 strapped to the deck with bungee cord. It gets dripped on all the time. I change lenses carefully, not in rough water. If the water gets too rough, I put the camera in a dry sack.

I used to rock climb and whitewater kayak with a F3HP. I never let worries about equipment get in the way of taking the best pictures I was capable of.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

The K-20D in particular, seals, gaskets everywhere. For some reason they took away some of the pro features for the K-7. Pentax DSLRs in many cases are weather resistant, not waterproof. But likely far safer around "weather" or "the elements" than say a Canon. Most companies have water resistant / weather proof P&S cameras.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Lots of beautiful beach scenes on Flickr taken with all kinds of cameras. I'm sure each of those cameras didn't die after use on the beach! I have photographed on the beach many times without any problems. But when I do, I use weather resistant cameras and lenses with filters. Pentax is known for their weather resistant equipment. Fuji also has weather resistant equipment. Don't change lenses in the open, blow the sand off your equipment and then wipe down with clear water when you get home. And blow out the sensor. If you ever go to Arches (Utah) on a windy day it can be just as sandy as the beach.

mellis5132

Thanks to all. I really enjoy this site. Has been a lot of help

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Use your phone, sand gets into EVERYTHING!!!

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Ralph- your Fuji X-Pro 2 is weather sealed as is your 35 mm lens. Don't you take that combination out in inclement weather?


How do you like the 14 mm lens? I have my eye on the 16 mm lens- it's weather sealed :) And since I'm in Oregon half of the year I need that.

PACSMAN Loc: MA

I shot on the beach in Iceland for many days with my D810 without any problems at all. That included shooting in the water with my tripod on ice beach. I wiped the camera down with a microfiber cloth as much as I could (I bought a few before I left). I wouldn't change lenses on the beach, but I wouldn't take a trip like that and shoot with a lesser camera. Just use it and enjoy.

Machinedoc Loc: Yorktown Heights, NY

I have been taking my SLRs and DSLRs to the beach for years...always being very careful. I don't change lenses, I keep a filter on the lens and I don't take the camera out of the Sea to Summit bag if the breeze is onshore...I always wipe the camera and lens down with a microfiber afterwards and thoroughly clean the bag as well. As evidence, I have uploaded a shot taken at Assateague State Park in Maryland with my D90 and a lens at 80mm. It still works fine...Reasonable care is the guiding principle. For really wet stuff, I use a Canon S95 powershot in a waterproof housing. Enjoy the beach...just be careful!

(Download)

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

Hi Suntouched--sorry to go OT, but since you're in Oregon, what is/are the best time(s) to visit the coast for photography? We want to drive up the coast from Northern Cal to Washington. Would like to avoid a lot of rain and clouds. thanks!

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

I have been taking pictures on the beaches of the Panhandle since 1979. I have also been taking marine/estuary environmental photographs since 1984.

I am on every beach from Dekle Beach to Pensacola Beach 2-3 TIMES A WEEK and in the spring during graduation and prom, 5 times a week. I some REALLY tough conditions too; strong winds, high humidity, and blazing temperatures.

I do NOT use a filter or any other protective gear. And while I try NOT to switch lenses during a session, I have done so in the past.

My cameras are completely cleaned after each use. So are my lenses. I pull REGULAR maintenance on them, not just daily when I shoot, but every week and once a month depending on the task.

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SHOOT ON THE BEACH.

Buy a good blower, a lens pen, wet AND dry sensor cleaning systems, use your lens cap when not shooting... that means take it off to shoot then put it right back on, try NOT to shoot into the wind or spray and change lenses under cover only... NOT in the open air. (A big windbreaker works during the cooler months).

As others have said, I have had ZERO environmental damage to my cameras over the years... NONE. And that isn't luck. Your gear is tougher than you think and it can handle tough conditions provided you take care of it.

GOOD LUCK!