[Closed] DSLR + beach.........

My DSLR is a tool to be used, it gets put in a normal DSLR bag or a plastic bag in a backpack and used as required. It gets sandy at times. It's been rained on and drowned to the point of malfunction twice but I've got some great shots and it's always come back fine. Just don't change lenses in the rain/sandstorms.

I have a hard time getting exactly what I want for camera bags, and it's absolutely amazing how many of them have no thought whatsoever spared for the tiniest bit of dust or weather deflection. Ridiculous, and bloody annoying too.

Canon L lenses (the ones that dont physically zoom). Sorry.

A decent bag would be a few K cheaper.

Canon L lenses (the ones that dont physically zoom). Sorry.

You mean primes? The focus ring still offers plenty of dust entry options but L's are nicely protected if you can afford it.

Not just primes - but anything except things like 100-400 L IS dont actually move externally and suck dust in.

Sorry I mentioned it really. But something like a 28-70 2.8L or a 24-105 4L or 70-200 2.8L will zoom in and out all day in a dust storm and if / when they fail canon do (and im real e) fix or replace them foc - even well outside warranty. Kind of like the Hope of the camera world. But I guess it relates to where you buy it originally.

Anyway - think of the childrens education fund. Dont blow cash on this unless your dinner is at stake, a good bag and common sense is a better bet.

#Edit - I know you are going to tell me some of them do actually move - but it's relative. Some just suck dust in - most dont. And the OP is off to the beach.

Sorry I mentioned it really. But something like a 28-70 2.8L or a 24-105 4L or 70-200 2.8L will zoom in and out all day in a dust storm and if / when they fail canon do (and im real e) fix or replace them foc - even well outside warranty. Kind of like the Hope of the camera world. But I guess it relates to where you buy it originally.

Well, I've used all of those lenses, and own the 24-105 certainly moves a fair bit, and I've had grit grinding away, but it seems to have gone again. I use it on the beach, but tend to be fairly careful as dust and sand do not mix well with cameras. I'm not sure Ls are that much better than boggo lenses for dealing with sand tbh, and unless you need the quality, boggo lenses are cheaper to replace when they do die from dust ingress...

 

Just use the camera. As long as you don't drop it in the sand or in the sea you'll not do anything to it. I've used cameras on beaches since the late 70s and never noticed any problems - and I didn't need to buy a new camera bag to go near the coast either.

I use a lowepro toploader 65aw which has kept the thing in very good nick over the last 7 years, but the camera is pretty much open to it all when it's out of the bag anyway. Just don't change lenses when it's windy!

If you are particularly worried then you can buy specialist rubber cases that keep out the worst (Camera Armor and the like) or get a proper waterproof case (expensive).

Or.. put the body in a freezer bag and tape the top around the lens (but beware condensation).

Cheers all - I think the DSLR will be a morning/evening walk tool and the P&S can go with us for general beach duties.

Hopefully the weather will be like last April...

[img] [/img]

Hmm.. that camera armour looks interesting, but what I really want is something to keep out dust and dirt. My camelbak is full of it, and that's where I want my camera.

Of course I could just wait for Olympus E-5s to lose their appeal to even the diehard Oly community and snap one up.. could be a long time mind!

Well the sand you need to worry about is driven by the wind, if it is really windy and there is sand about it will get into everything.
Use one of those plastic baggy things or make your own with a clear filter
and a soft zip lock.