Seabird Centre - lens protection?

stacy87

stacy87

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Stacy
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Myself and my family are trying to plan a trip to the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick in the next month or so, and I figured this would be a good opportunity to try and get some decent pictures of "proper" wildlife (rather than our pets!). What I am wondering is if it would be important for me to get some form of protection for my lenses, incase the weather does not agree with us?! The lenses I have are the 18-55mm kit lens, a 50mm f1.8 and my friend has agreed to let me borrow their 55-250mm lens for the trip too, to see how it works etc.

I am still a novice, so would appreciate any advice/tips from those in the know :thumbs:
 
protection from what?

Some people will advise UV filters and others will say they effect the quality so not to bother. Although, if you are shooting in to the wind they can help.

Best protection will be lens hoods for each of them.

Then you are going to need sandwich bags, elastic bands or electrical tape to protect them from the rain.
 
I was thinking that the lenses may need some protection from sea spray and/or sand blowing in the wind. Its really to make sure that I'd be prepared if the weather wasn't too kind to us!
 
stacy87 said:
I was thinking that the lenses may need some protection from sea spray and/or sand blowing in the wind. Its really to make sure that I'd be prepared if the weather wasn't too kind to us!
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Best not to get salt spray on the front element. It leaves marks when it dries.
If their is spray about give your camera and lens barrel a wipe with a slightly damp cloth when you get into a dry place.
 
Lens hood should protect from most of the weather unless shooting straight in to the wind, then you could get water on the glass. Bang a UV filter on.

Wrap the rest in a sandwich bag and you'll be fine :D
 
Harvey_nikon said:
Lens hood should protect from most of the weather unless shooting straight in to the wind, then you could get water on the glass. Bang a UV filter on.

Wrap the rest in a sandwich bag and you'll be fine :D
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The last thing I would have thought of would be a sandwich bag! :D thanks very much for the advice! Will have s look at lens hoods later :) will a UV filter affect the result of the photos much?
 
Your body is not waterproof. The lenses you list are not waterproof. You do not want to get any of it wet if you can avoid it. If you get water on the front of the lens, whether the bare lens or a filter, your shots won't look too clever. The best bet is to avoid water getting anywhere near any of it.

Plastic bags will work fine for the body and the lens barrel. A lens hood (strongly recommended) will help prevent spray or rain even getting to the front element. If you insist on shooting and the conditions are iffy then I'd support the use of a protective filter, but make it a decent quality brand with multi-coated surfaces. If the conditions are calm and clement then I'd keep the hood (always use a hood) but leave any filter off.
 
tdodd said:
Your body is not waterproof. The lenses you list are not waterproof. You do not want to get any of it wet if you can avoid it. If you get water on the front of the lens, whether the bare lens or a filter, your shots won't look too clever. The best bet is to avoid water getting anywhere near any of it.

Plastic bags will work fine for the body and the lens barrel. A lens hood (strongly recommended) will help prevent spray or rain even getting to the front element. If you insist on shooting and the conditions are iffy then I'd support the use of a protective filter, but make it a decent quality brand with multi-coated surfaces. If the conditions are calm and clement then I'd keep the hood (always use a hood) but leave any filter off.
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Thank you! I'm definitely going to invest in a lens hood :) if it turned out to be an extremely miserable day, I would most likely not get the camera out (fear of damaging it!!)
 
Be extra careful if you shoot up at seabirds flying overhead - actually, a Canon probably makes quite a good cr@p catcher!!!
 
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