Camera equipment in a kayak?

[cshontz]

I'm getting a small 9' sit-in kayak soon for day-paddling, and entry-level stuff. But one of the things I really want to do with my kayak is photography. I'm concerned about taking my Canon 400D and lenses out there. Storing them in a dry-bag isn't a problem, and there is ample room behind the seat. Might be room in front.

However, I'm trying to visualize how I'd extract the camera while adrift without tumbling into the water?

I'm currently 100% inexperienced. What is the likelihood of me going for a swim with my camera equipment? Suggestions?

 

[tdesanto]

I went through the same dilemma. My logic is this: for the most part, anything you take with you in the kayak should be able to get wet. Or, you should plan for the fact that anything could get wet.

Short of forking out a lot of $ for a waterproof housing, I opted for a point and shoot and a small pelican case.

The pelican is easier to use (quicker to open and close) than a waterproof bag.

The downside is that the P&S isn't as good as my SLR equipment/lenses, but it's smaller and good enough for the photos I take while on the water.

You can also get cheaper waterproof housings for P&S cameras than you can for an SLR. So you might consider that too. It's better than my solution, because with my solution, my camera is only protected while I'm not using it. When I'm using it, it's just as vulnerable as without the Pelican case. Plus, I have to make sure that my hands are completely dry before I open the case to retrieve and use the camera.

If you really want to take the SLR, may I suggest one of Pelican's smaller cases for it vs. a dry bag? Again, I think they protect better and are easier to open and close.

Good luck and congrats on finally getting the kayak.

 

[Ghostship]

I use a Pentax Optio W20 waterproof camera when I kayak, I've even taken underwater pics. Works great for me, although I don't do a lot of photography. Here's a sample of the pic quality:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ghostship/sets/72157603117993195/

 

[upcruiser]

I stick my camera in my dry bag and most of the time, just put it in the rear bulkhead and take it out at my destination to shoot. Sometimes though, if the scenery is pretty epic, I'll strap my small drybag with the camera in it through my recovery hoop, just infront of my cockpit, and take it out to shoot if I need to. Not sure what your boat setup is like but if you have one of those extra large openings it might be a bit of a reach getting it from a similar location.

In my experiences, in some pretty rugged weather, I've yet to get my camera wet or even damp in a good dry bag.

 

[cshontz]

Frustratingly, I have a nice waterproof Canon camera housing - for a broken camera.

This is the kayak - actually the angler is pictured, but its identical. The behind-seat space is adequate, but accessing it while adrift might be tricky.

 

[Spenser]

Another vote for the Pentax Optio. Use it in the kayak, flyfishing and rainy weather. Thing has been bullet proof. Not like a DSLR but it can get wet.

 

[jh504]

We use a pelican case with our SLR and I am very happy with it. Not that I would, but I could tow the case behind the boat and not worry about it.

 

[Nullifier]

I do alot of photography from canoes and kayaks. You have a few options for carrying slr cameras but here is my personal favorite set up.

Go to www.nrsweb.com and order a drybag made by watershed. Look for the ocoee model and order it with the padded liner. This bag is totally waterproof. It uses a zip lock style closer and being a duffle it is easy to get the SLR out even with a large lens on. You can place it between your legs in front of you. I use a coiled style paddling leash atached to the d ring on the side of the ocoee bag incase of a capsize.
This brand has been around along time and is the mercedes of drybags.

 

[sinuhexavier]

I throw my camera in a zip loc freezer bag and hope I don't drop it...

Works for me...

 

[snipecatcher]

I use a Pelican 1050 micro case. It is large enough to house my point and shoot camera, cell phone, and wallet while I'm fishing out of the kayak. When I get a fish, I chunk the whole case in the water towards my buddy so he can get out the camera and snap a pic for me. One problem is that my hands are always wet, so when I put the camera back into the case, and it sits in the sun, the condensation in the case gets pretty bad.
-Dan

EDIT: I found a picture of the case in action!