Photog help needed... Best "waterproof" camerabag for kayaker?

[Jem]

So the kayaking bug has bit my dad, who has been a long time photographer. His current camera is a Canon 10D with a variety of lenses.

On his Christmas list he has "a water proof bag for a medium sized camera" which I assume means for his 10D with attached lens.

I KNOW there are a ton of generic "Dry bag" solutions out there that would fit the camera. What I'm wondering about, is how awkward these are in practice, and if there isn't something out there that does as good a job keeping the equipment dry (when it is stowed away), but is a bit easier to access should a good shot present itself upon rounding a bend in the river.

Ideally... something with relatively quick/simple access. Realistically the bag would need to be at his feet in the kayak... so a pop-up top would best since the bottom of the bag would probably get water splashed on it.

Any suggestions or other solutions are welcomed. Thanks!

[iaJim]

ziplock bag?

[michaelb]

What kind of kayak? You say "at his feet" does that mean is paddling a river kayak without a dry skirt? There are bags you can shoot through and keep the camera in the bag (maybe best for a tipping river kayak without a lot of room. There are zip open clear dry bags that could work, or hard pelican cases that would be bombproof.

[Jem]

[quote michaelb]What kind of kayak? You say "at his feet" does that mean is paddling a river kayak without a dry skirt? There are bags you can shoot through and keep the camera in the bag (maybe best for a tipping river kayak without a lot of room. There are zip open clear dry bags that could work, or hard pelican cases that would be bombproof.
This is the kayak:



He won't be doing any hi energy kayaking (whitewater, etc.). Mostly flat rivers, ponds and lakes. Maybe a sheltered marine bay. The bag should protect against casual splashes, and the possible, but (hopefully) unlikey event of a capsize in still water. But I can't imagine he would *regularly* be putting himself into situations where he would be at risk of capsize. And if he was, I doubt he'd bring his camera on those trips.

The balance here is between fairly good protection, and convenience. If it is too hard to get at and work with, it will mean fewer pictures will be taken, or opportunities lost while the camera is being accessed.

Do you have links to places that sell the bags you describe above. Would be curious to see how they are designed and work. Thanks!

EDIT: Oh, and no spray skirt at this time... open cockpit.

[lafinfil]

My first thought was Pelican top loader like the 1430 http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1430 but it might be a bit bulky.

My second thought was a good soft side cooler and outfit it with some insert organizers from Domke http://www.tiffen.com/domkecat33.htm

I have used soft sided coolers for a variety of things for location shoots in bad weather.
You can get them cheap and they collapse when not in use. I have a bunch on Domke bags
so I just pull out the inserts and arrange them in the coolers.

It also lowers the theft potential - coolers dom't scream expensive photo gear.

[itsmylittlebrothersbike]

Pelican case. Good stuff indeed.

[michaelb]

I remember seeing a dry bag for camera that was actually lens mounted, but don't see that now (at REI or EMS or Piragis). They all seem to offer this by aquapac, which comes in several sizes:

http://nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2873&src=substitute&refer=From-2872-To-2873

I use a small plastic box (similar, but inferior and cheaper than a pelican). The advantage of box over a bag is that if you get moisture in the bag by opening it up, you won't be able to get it out. The foam in a pelican will absorb and protect from that somewhat. Condesensation can be an issue for multiday trips too. If you think he will want to pull the camera out, a box may provide better access and more protection. The advantage of the bag is they are lighter and easier to pack, and less likely to bang around his feet.

[Jem]

Well I've looked at all the links indicated above, and now my head is swimming! All very good solutions, depending on the situation. I guess I'll need to think some more about how exactly he is LIKELY to use it.

The PELICAN looks great, and my instinct is to lean towards that, but in a smallish cockpit he might be bumping in to it a lot.

The cheapie padded cooler idea, with a couple camera dry bags inside might end up being the best solution. I'll need to play with the idea. It would mean 2 things to open (cooler, then drybag), but is still more convenient than a generic kayak drybag, and offer some padded protection.

Thanks all, for providing grist for the mill. This shuld be enough to head me in the right direction. I have an EMS near me to check out camera drybags. Any national retailers carry the Pelican?

Thanks!

[lafinfil]

Pelican is a camera industry standard so you can find them at all the majors
B&H, Adaorama, J&R, Helix, etc.... There are also on line retailers for them,

They are also widely used by many other industries for equipment.
I even had a client that retrofitted them as crash kits for EMT / Paramedic kits.
They are also military spec too and used for many OEM applications.

They sell a dry bag and a Peli Desiccant (SILICA GEL) for moisture.
They have O-ring seals and are so tight they have a pressure release valve
so they won't explode in an airline cargo hold.

too http://www.pelican.com/miscellaneous.php

[karsen]

I use a Pelican case. I don't think there's a better option out there if want your camera equipment to remain dry and safe.