Waterproofing your Point and Shoot

[homerboy2u2]

A very interesting article i happened to stumble across today. I think this is something we all have thought about ,but when it comes the time to decide either the kit is too expensive for the use you are going to give it,or it is NOT worth going after it......then comes the Consumer Electronic Show to the rescue:


The CES show in Las Vegas takes place in a high-tech oasis surrounded by a desert. As I wander the aisles with my camera, I can't help but wonder about the one that got away. For me, the one that got away is a camera, lost at sea. Two summers ago, while kayaking in Quebec, my wonderful Panasonic Lumix TZ10 camera, almost new at the time, slipped off the deck of my kayak and slid into the water. It was only beneath shallow water for seconds, but it was a fatal dip into the cold, salty, camera-hostile St. Lawrence Seaway.

The problem with cameras and waterproof bags are twofold. Either they are rigid boxes like the ones from OtterBox or they are bags that don't allow you to take a photo without removing the bag. But at CES my eye caught the DiCAPac booth, displaying a bathtub full of cameras, each housed in a protective waterproof case. Unlike the bulky and expensive hard plastic underwater cases that are designed for a specific type of camera or the bags you can't photograph through, the DiCAPac pouches are refreshingly generic and surprisingly inexpensive and useful. The pouch is clear plastic, modeled after the dry bags that canoeists and kayakers have used for years. The big addition is a polycarbonate lens opening that lets you take pictures even when the camera is in the pouch.

The camera controls are a bit hard to operate through the case, so you need to get most things set up ahead of time. For example, pressing the power switch or shutter is easy, but rotating a mode dial is pretty hard. These aren't really intended for serious scuba divers as the rated depth is only 5 meters, but they should be OK for some surface snorkeling or for use as protection against heavy rain or an accidental spill. And yes, if you drop the pouch into the sea, the camera will float. These waterproof pouches will work great or not so well, depending on your camera and needs.

The pouches that are in production now are in three sizes and shapes that will work for most point-and-shoot cameras and cost around $30. At that price, just get it because you'll need it if you want to photograph that rainy soccer game or you want to safely take the camera on a boat or kayak. They also were showing a pouch that would work for most SLR cameras, although it's not quite ready for sale, won't be available for a few months, and is at a higher price point (above $100). And slightly later they will have a pouch for a camera like my Canon Powershot Pro1, which is a sort of pro/am hybrid, larger than a point-and-shoot but not the size of most SLRs. I'll be visiting www.dicapac.com often, waiting for the announcement

 Here is the article on Yahoo Tech

 This is Otterbox.com webpage.

  Drybagswebpage.

  And this is Dicapac.com,who BTW it also floats.

[tjavery]

Thanks for posting that! Sounds pretty interesting. Might be good for backpacking in the rain

Last year I got one of those large clear plastic enclosures specialized for my little pocket camera - a Fuji F30. It was about $130, not too bad! It's a bit bulky compared to the "pocket-ability" of the F30, but it allows full camera controls underwater (up to 100 feet). You can see the LCD clearly and operate the zoom and flash. But it's not something that I'd want to take on a long hike when rain was a threat.

[RichardM]

I've seen something similar on Amazon.com for Canon PowerShot cameras, but would prefer to try it out first before buying, as there seems to be some question as to campatibility for all models.  If someone wants to buy one and see how well it works for a Canon A720IS I'd appreciate a review.


Nereus Underwater Housing for Canon PowerShot

There are some other alternatives at http://www.thewaterproofstore.com/

[Hayduke]

Anything you put between the camera lens and the subject that is non-optical quality is bound to result in a poorer image. Whether that difference is significant is a matter of personal taste.

With the camera in an additional enclosure I would also be concerned about condensation and trapped moisture either getting in the camera or fogging up the image.

For hiking in the rain I've never had camera problems as long as I kept the camera in my rain jacket when I wasn't actually shooting a shot. The biggest problem by far has been getting stray raindrops on the lens that caused blur spots in the image.

So I guess I'm skeptical about this one.

[RichardM]

I had some money in my Paypal account so I bought a Dicapac ($35 shipped) for my Canon A720IS.  Haven't had a chance to really test it out, but I did toss the camera in it and took a couple of shots.

First impressions:

• nothing holds the camera in position inside the bag so that the lens is centered in the port hole so you often get the black rubber ring in your images
• most controls are workable, but not necessarily easily
• flash effectiveness can be reduced depending on camera position in the bag and how you hold it
• moisture in the bag could definitely be a problem
• the neck strap detaches way too easily from the bag for my tastes

I'll probably try it out the next time we go to the beach or pool, but not necessarily underwater.  The alternative Canon WP-DC16 Waterproof Case runs $170 or so, which is just a little less than the camera itself.

[homerboy2u2]

I was hoping someone could post an opinion on this gadjet,since i was planning on buying one for my Lake Amistad trips. Thank you RicardoM, for your contribution.

  Looks as though for my Canon Powershot SD 1000   I will have to settle for the Canon Water Proof Case...pricier than the camera..





 Another of the sounds to good to be true...and it's not!

[badknees]

Buy one of these.........

[Al]

Last time I needed to waterproof my camera was while canoing Boquillias canyon.  I used a plastic imitation ammunition case from Academy with some foam in the bottom of the case pad the camera and to sorb water in case the case leaked.  I think it was less than $15 in today's dollars not counting the cord I used to tie it to my canoe.  Needless to say I didn't try to take underwater pictures.  Alternatively triple bag it with "ziplock" bags and stuff it in something tied to one's boat.  Should work like a champ unless you have the bad luck of turning over while it is removed from the waterproofing to snap a few pictures which can be avoided with a bit of caution.

Al

[RichardM]

If I were the kayaking/canoeing type, I'd use this bag.  I might secure the strap a bit better.  It uses a quick-release clip which would probably break, knowing my luck.  You pretty much need to have the camera setup and ready to shoot  as far as settings go before you put it in the bag, as it's very difficult to work the selector switch and other controls.  As long as you're aware of the possible rubber rim interference and pay attention when framing shots, it'd probably work ok.

[RichardM]

Looks as though for my Canon Powershot SD 1000   I will have to settle for the Canon Water Proof Case...pricier than the camera..

The Dicapac WP-100 probably fits your camera.  It might even fit your camera better than mine.

[homerboy2u2]

Aha ....maybe so, but right now, i am reluctant to go and buy one. I would rather go and try yours on my camera and if i like it, buy it from you. But?...let's wait for a while , while ponder what to do.

  Of course, i know where i can pick one up, in Houston

[RichardM]

Aha ....maybe so, but right now, i am reluctant to go and buy one. I would rather go and try yours on my camera and if i like it, buy it from you. But?...let's wait for a while , while ponder what to do.

  Of course, i know where i can pick one up, in Houston

Yeah, but I've got the WP-500 which won't fit your camera.