Waterproof camera covers

[FowlersFreeTime]

I did a cheeky thing last weekend: I took my A6700 on my dad's boat and subsequently carried it ashore wrapped in a t-shirt so I could take pictures on the small cay we were visiting.
Dad said it was a stupid thing to do.
Wife said it was a stupid thing to do.
I knew it was a stupid thing to do, saltwater and digital cameras do NOT mix, but I couldn't resist capturing the memories. Having done it once, I want to do it again, but I'd like to be more prepared. Plus, I'd like to take my camera with me on future kayak trips.

What are everyone's thoughts on waterproof solutions?
Is something like the DiCAPac Waterproof Case worth it, or do I have to go all-in and get a Sea Frog Housing? If you've got suggestions, I'm listening.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I suppose a cellphone would be safer, but I wanted to try using my "real camera" at the beach

• ILCE-6700
• E 16-55mm F2.8 G
• 55.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 100

• ILCE-6700
• E 16-55mm F2.8 G
• 55.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 100

 

[iamdlewis]

If you've got suggestions, I'm listening.

So simplest way to go is to just not drop the camera in the water. I've carried mine into the gulf at Ft DeSoto and next time I am there will probably go in with a tripod. If you are going to be around people that are doing a lot of splashing then maybe one of those bag things wouldn't be a bad idea but I never had luck with the ones that are designed for phones so I have my doubts on how good they will be for making adjustments.

I want to take my camera out on a kayak trip but most places I've been to do not have kayaks that I feel are good to take a camera on. Most of the ones that I have been on have been more for rapids than for say fishing so they are not really designed for you to carry anything other than the paddle.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

So simplest way to go is to just not drop the camera in the water. I've carried mine into the gulf at Ft DeSoto and next time I am there will probably go in with a tripod. If you are going to be around people that are doing a lot of splashing then maybe one of those bag things wouldn't be a bad idea but I never had luck with the ones that are designed for phones so I have my doubts on how good they will be for making adjustments.

I want to take my camera out on a kayak trip but most places I've been to do not have kayaks that I feel are good to take a camera on. Most of the ones that I have been on have been more for rapids than for say fishing so they are not really designed for you to carry anything other than the paddle.

I am considering just getting a dedicated roll-top waterproof bag to carry the camera and when not in use, keep it in there.
I would do the same on my kayak inshore, but I know better than to take it offshore with me. I've rolled my kayak offshore and lost lots of $ worth of fishing gear, so lesson learned. Safe enough in the mangroves for bird watching though. If you or any other members are ever in south Florida and want to try that out, I have a spare fishing kayak and can take you.

 

[Richard A]

So simplest way to go is to just not drop the camera in the water.

Great piece of advice! I really can't add anything other than just be careful.

 

[DaveC Oz]

In the early 1980's I did a lot of whitewater kayaking and had a "waterproof" housing for my SLR. In '83 I went on a 12 day raft tour down the Franklin river in Tasmania. Knowing I was unlikely to be able to repeat the trip I allowed about 2 rolls of film per day. Unfortunately on the second day my camera was wrecked when the seam of the housing split. Took me nearly a year to shoot the left over film.
NEVER count on anything being safely waterproof.
Always balance the risk to your gear against what you will miss getting if it's damaged and needs replacing. There have been several times when I've taken my camera out on a boat, but it's not usually been a relaxed experience for me.

 

[Slug]

I take cameras kayaking all the time even with long bird lens on. I use waterproof bags which double fold at the opening and are available in various sizes at outdoor shops and on line. only takes a minute to get the camera out and if in calm conditions I just poke it in the open bag.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I take cameras kayaking all the time even with long bird lens on. I use waterproof bags which double fold at the opening and are available in various sizes at outdoor shops and on line. only takes a minute to get the camera out and if in calm conditions I just poke it in the open bag.

View attachment 78711

Yes, this is probably going to be my plan next time. I have a small bag like this, so will probably buy one just for the camera (measured with my longest lens attached).

 

[Chris 3754]

I scuba dive and am around water all the time with my cameras so this is always on my mind. Check out backscatter.com, they have all kinds of options and resources on their site for underwater and around-water photography. The underwater stuff can get quite expensive since it needs to deal with the pressure, but there are reasonable just waterproof options. I always use a leash when on a boat, scuba shops sell coiled leashes that extend and retract so you may be able to clip it to you or your boat. The running “joke” though in the underwater photography world is it’s not if your housing will leak, it’s when will your housing leak. So far so good for me, but I am definitely not bringing my new $7k a1ii underwater.