Taking a camera kayaking

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Matt.

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I am going to New Zealand in December and am just in the middle of planning everything. I will be taking a number of sea kayaking trips whilst i'm there, and am wondering how best to deal with the camera situation.

The kayaking trips won't be too extreme, and are although it's in the sea, it will almost certainly be flat calm and sheltered.

The basic kit that i'm taking on my trip is a 40D + 17-40L.

Do you think i would be ok just taking the camera in a waterproof case and only getting it out occasionaly? I don't really want to buy a water housing as they cost about double the camera cost! and i'd rather not take a different camera if i can possibly help it!


If you have any experience with cameras and kayaks then any help would be appreciated.


Thanks!
 
ALWAYS look at the worst case scenario - if it can go wrong it will go wrong!.

If it was me i'd take a ultra tough compact for the Kayaking trips - something like the Olympus uTough 1030 type things. They are virtually indestructible. Mines been scuba diving, been dunked in beer (dont ask!!), stuck in the freezer, dropped, and generally abused by all and sundry and its still as good as new.
 
My experience with cameras and kayaks/canoes is that it's easiest to keep it slightly wrapped up in a sweatshirt or somekind of clothing between/in front of your legs.
If it's calm seas then there should be no worries. The waterproof housing is a great idea in case winds/waves pick up or you're sure you're done taking pics for the day.

Just keep in mind the safety of your baby (camera). No horsing around, no racing...etc.
 
I do a lot of sea kayaking - I have my own sea kayaks that we build. (Am I allowed to post www.kayakuk.com ?) I actually bought a G10 and housing for the reason you are stating - bulk and worry from the salt water. It doesn't have to be rough to get water in the cockpit - you bring a pint or two in when you put your feet in - it runs out of your booties, unless you wear crocs or something similar.

I would say though, that a pelicase would be ideal. You could put it under the spray deck between your legs and just get it out when you want to use it. If it is calm enough, or you are confident enough, to release the spray deck, then you will be fine to get it out. Once ashore, you won't have to worry, but it is slow, should a pod of dolphins appear or similar. If that is too bulky and awkward, then a proper dry bag, under the deck bungies will be perfectly protected against water and easy to get at, but it might be in the way of your paddling. It would be worth having a play in a sea kayak with your gear before heading off to the other side of the world and hoping you are prepared.
 
I might just email the kayak place and see what they recommend. I don't want to end up buying new kit though as this trip is already costing enough!
 
A dry bag is about £10. Weighs nothing to take with you (Ok 100g) and will keep the camera dry - it will even float with it in if you leave some air in it when you roll the top down!
 
Matt,

I do a lot of sea kayaking and would not take my dslr in the kayak with me.

I have paddled with a guy in the Outer Hebrides (rough water out at St Kilda) and he had one in a dry bag. He could only get shots in calm conditions and even then it took a long time.

I use an Olympus U 850 SW when paddling and it's great except you cannot zoom in enough.

I used this when paddling in New Zealand.

If you are taking a trip with a paddling company in New Zealand, check with them. I paddled with a paddling company - all double kayaks. Although conditions tend to be calm there, if you are sharing a kayak, you have an additional element to consider - the behaviour of your fellow paddler.

Hope you enjoy your trip - I thoroughly enjoyed it. Don't forget to go swimming with the dolphins - fantastic swimming in the wild with them because they chose to stop and play with you. Wish I'd taken my camera in the water that day.

Ken
 
Slightly off topic but a warning also, I took a go-pro action camera to the Maldives earlier this year to get some under water scuba/snorkeling footage! After a couple of dives the waterproof plastic housing for the camera quite literally crumbled to bits in my hands one evening! A combination of very hot sun and failing to rinse the salt water off it after use. The thing that really annoyed me was I was so anal about rinsing my flippers, mask etc in clean water after use and not leaving them in the sun but completely forgot about the camera case!! Lesson learned!

2 weeks after this and £40 for a new housing later I mounted the camera under the front bumper of my car while in hot pursuit of an Ultima GTR on the way back from the Le Mans 24 hr race. The ultima kicked up a stone and I had to part with another £40!!
 
I've shot from kayaks and canoes in quite poor conditions, and from powerboats in absolutley horrible conditions, and my peli case has never failed to keep my stuff dry, so that would be my suggestion. All the sea kayaks i've paddled have had a flat area of deck in front of each cockpit for puting a chart or similar on. If you can find out how big this is then you can get a suitably sized case and bungee it there, rather than inside the boat, and it would be much more accesible.

I'd also suggest a flexible housing or rain cape as well.

If you want to shoot in absolutely all conditions then a compact camera in a dive housing is a great backup.
 
I just got an email back from the kayak place saying they have Peli cases for cameras. I think that should be fine for me :)
 
I was in NZ in 2007/8 river-rafting and they had a tog there in a canoe..he was using a D80 with no waterproofing and kept it in a peli case in the bottom of his canoe between shoots.....
 
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