Photography from a sit on top
 

On my enclosed deck kayak, I keep my standard SLR camera in a
waterproof deck bag. I may be doing some tropical paddling on a sit on
top. I could put the deck bag behind me but it has a dry suit zipper
which takes some effort to open. I suppose another possibility would
be some sort of water proof chest bag.

Anyone done much photography from a sit on top with a standard (non
waterproof) camera?

Photography from a sit on top
 

Alex Horvath wrote:
On my enclosed deck kayak, I keep my standard SLR camera in a
waterproof deck bag. I may be doing some tropical paddling on a sit on
top. I could put the deck bag behind me but it has a dry suit zipper
which takes some effort to open. I suppose another possibility would
be some sort of water proof chest bag.

Anyone done much photography from a sit on top with a standard (non
waterproof) camera?

Try to check housing system that divers use. They're expensive but they
fit some of the SLRs. They're a bit bulky but they don't require to be
opened to use the camera and are of course totally waterproof.

I use such a system with a digital camera

Laurent

Photography from a sit on top
 

Alex Horvath wrote:
On my enclosed deck kayak, I keep my standard SLR camera in a
waterproof deck bag. I may be doing some tropical paddling on a sit on
top. I could put the deck bag behind me but it has a dry suit zipper
which takes some effort to open. I suppose another possibility would
be some sort of water proof chest bag.

Anyone done much photography from a sit on top with a standard (non
waterproof) camera?

Another option is to spend (maybe 200 US$) some money to buy a cheap
waterproof camera. I've been using a Pentax WR105 for several years now,
it survives submerging, banging quite hard into things and it floats.
With the 38 to 105mm lens you can zoom in quite a bit and the quality of
the pictures is pretty good, albeit not like an SLR. Then again, you
don't need to worry about it falling in the water or getting splashed.

Wilko

--
Wilko van den Bergh Wilkoa t)dse(d o tnl
Eindhoven The Netherlands Europe
Look at the possibilities, don't worry about the limitations.
http://wilko.webzone.ru/

Photography from a sit on top
 

Good idea. It's just a matter of time till I drop my Nikon N90 + lens
into the water. Changing lenses especially on a kayak is a real
juggling act. Also, just getting an SLR near slat water for extended
periods likely reduces it's life.

Did you consider Nikonos? I think the disadvantage is that it's a
really old design.

Wilko wrote in message ...
Alex Horvath wrote:
On my enclosed deck kayak, I keep my standard SLR camera in a
waterproof deck bag. I may be doing some tropical paddling on a sit on
top. I could put the deck bag behind me but it has a dry suit zipper
which takes some effort to open. I suppose another possibility would
be some sort of water proof chest bag.

Anyone done much photography from a sit on top with a standard (non
waterproof) camera?

Another option is to spend (maybe 200 US$) some money to buy a cheap
waterproof camera. I've been using a Pentax WR105 for several years now,
it survives submerging, banging quite hard into things and it floats.
With the 38 to 105mm lens you can zoom in quite a bit and the quality of
the pictures is pretty good, albeit not like an SLR. Then again, you
don't need to worry about it falling in the water or getting splashed.

Wilko

Photography from a sit on top
 

I sometimes carry a compact camera in a fanny pack swung 'round to become
a belly pack. Pretty handy arrangement.

But mostly I paddle small home made canoe type boats with a loop of line
around the thwart in from of me and a small kid's type backpack clipped to
the line with a snap hook. All the pack pockets are right there handy.

I prefer a canoe type of boat for paddling up small creeks and other
narrow channels where the kayak paddle needs too much side clearance, and
when the creek gets really narrow a kayak can't be backed out easily but
all I have to do in a canoe is sit facing in the opposite direction. Both
canoes and kayaks have hulls which will go both forwards and backwards but
the seating arrangement in a canoe makes it easier.

Alex Horvath ) writes:
On my enclosed deck kayak, I keep my standard SLR camera in a
waterproof deck bag. I may be doing some tropical paddling on a sit on
top. I could put the deck bag behind me but it has a dry suit zipper
which takes some effort to open. I suppose another possibility would
be some sort of water proof chest bag.

Anyone done much photography from a sit on top with a standard (non
waterproof) camera?


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Photography from a sit on top
 

Alex,

In addition to what has been recomended is that you can buy a waterproof
camera bag which can house most 35 MM SLR's (I believe sea&sea used to make
these, though there are other vendors as well). These bags won't allow you
to change lenses, but they are good down to recreational depths (some are
rated as low as 30 feet) if properly sealed. As with all such devices, they
must be sealed properly, without any sediment on the seals, to work
properly. They seem to run about $200-$300.

Rick

"Alex Horvath" wrote in message
om...
On my enclosed deck kayak, I keep my standard SLR camera in a
waterproof deck bag. I may be doing some tropical paddling on a sit on
top. I could put the deck bag behind me but it has a dry suit zipper
which takes some effort to open. I suppose another possibility would
be some sort of water proof chest bag.

Anyone done much photography from a sit on top with a standard (non
waterproof) camera?

Photography from a sit on top
 

Alex Horvath wrote:

Good idea. It's just a matter of time till I drop my Nikon N90 + lens
into the water. Changing lenses especially on a kayak is a real
juggling act. Also, just getting an SLR near slat water for extended
periods likely reduces it's life.

Even if it's not sal****er, one error (and we're all human...:-) ) and
it's an expensive joke. One friend of mine has two expensive digital
camera's that are lying at the bottom of one and the same creek. Nice
compact models, he got great pictures with them... but they're gone now.

Did you consider Nikonos? I think the disadvantage is that it's a
really old design.

Nah, I didn't think about that one. I wanted something that I could
easily find because I was about to embark on a six week paddling trip. A
camera that I could use with one hand (never let go of my paddle :-) ),
that had decent zoom and picture quality, that didn't overexpose
everytime I saw the sun and underexpose when there was one cloud, that
would float and which wouldn't hurt my wallet in case I accidentally
broke it. So far, it's lasted longer than I had hoped for.

Wilko
--
Wilko van den Bergh Wilkoa t)dse(d o tnl
Eindhoven The Netherlands Europe
Look at the possibilities, don't worry about the limitations.
http://wilko.webzone.ru/

Photography from a sit on top
 

Photography from a sit on top
 

"John Fereira" wrote...
(William R. Watt) wrote:

I prefer a canoe type of boat for paddling up small creeks and other
narrow channels where the kayak paddle needs too much side clearance,

How so? With a high angle paddle stroke in a kayak which is typically
much
narrower than a canoe I contend that a kayak would actually require less
side clearance.

I use a high stroke with a kayak paddle. It is much more awkward in tight
situations even in a narrower boat. Add low overhanging branches & it's
darn near hopeless. A 2 piece kayak paddle can be taken apart to use as a
canoe paddle in ight quarters.

and when the creek gets really narrow a kayak can't be backed out
easily

Only if you don't have much experience paddling backwards in a kayak.
Paddling a kayak backwards is not difficult with a little bit of practice.

Backpaddling is dead easy with a kayak paddle if there's room to use it.

but all I have to do in a canoe is sit facing in the opposite
direction. Both canoes and kayaks have hulls which will go both
forwards and backwards but the seating arrangement in a canoe makes it
easier.

That depends on the canoe. My tandem has tractor seats. My solos have a
thwart right behind the seat. Neither are convenient for turning around in.
I've done it a few times though.

Canoes are much better than kayaks if you have to be in & out often at
awkward landings, especially if you can't come broadside to shore or the
obstruction. Just nose up to a beaver dam or fallen tree, walk to the bow &
step out.

Lloyd Bowles

Photography from a sit on top
 

"Lloyd Bowles" wrote in
m:


"John Fereira" wrote...
(William R. Watt) wrote:

I prefer a canoe type of boat for paddling up small creeks and other
narrow channels where the kayak paddle needs too much side
clearance,

How so? With a high angle paddle stroke in a kayak which is typically
much narrower than a canoe I contend that a kayak would actually
require less side clearance.

I use a high stroke with a kayak paddle. It is much more awkward in
tight situations even in a narrower boat.

I'd agree that a high angle stroke can be a bit more awkward when the water
is extremely shallow but I don't find it any less awkward than a low angle
stroke under any other conditions.

Add low overhanging branches
& it's darn near hopeless.

Add low overhanging branches with a snake in them and I'd prefer to be in a
closed cockpit boat. Frankly, I don't find paddling in waters that are so
narrow and enclosed with low hanging tree branches to all that enjoyable,
not matter what kind of boat I'm paddling.

A 2 piece kayak paddle can be taken apart
to use as a canoe paddle in ight quarters.

True, didn't think of that.

and when the creek gets really narrow a kayak can't be backed out
easily

Only if you don't have much experience paddling backwards in a kayak.
Paddling a kayak backwards is not difficult with a little bit of
practice.

Backpaddling is dead easy with a kayak paddle if there's room to use
it.

but all I have to do in a canoe is sit facing in the opposite
direction. Both canoes and kayaks have hulls which will go both
forwards and backwards but the seating arrangement in a canoe makes
it easier.

That depends on the canoe. My tandem has tractor seats. My solos have
a thwart right behind the seat. Neither are convenient for turning
around in. I've done it a few times though.

Canoes are much better than kayaks if you have to be in & out often at
awkward landings, especially if you can't come broadside to shore or
the obstruction. Just nose up to a beaver dam or fallen tree, walk to
the bow & step out.

True. Although a sea kayak may be more appropriate in conditions which have
their own set of awkward landings (breaking surf).

Photography from a sit on top
 

"John Fereira" wrote in message
.. .
"Lloyd Bowles" wrote in
m:


"John Fereira" wrote...
(William R. Watt) wrote:

I prefer a canoe type of boat for paddling up small creeks and other
narrow channels where the kayak paddle needs too much side
clearance,

How so? With a high angle paddle stroke in a kayak which is typically
much narrower than a canoe I contend that a kayak would actually
require less side clearance.

I use a high stroke with a kayak paddle. It is much more awkward in
tight situations even in a narrower boat.

I'd agree that a high angle stroke can be a bit more awkward when the
water
is extremely shallow but I don't find it any less awkward than a low angle
stroke under any other conditions.

Oops, I meant that the kayak paddle was more awkward in tight situations
than a canoe paddle. The high stroke helps, but not enough.

Add low overhanging branches
& it's darn near hopeless.

Add low overhanging branches with a snake in them and I'd prefer to be in
a
closed cockpit boat. Frankly, I don't find paddling in waters that are so
narrow and enclosed with low hanging tree branches to all that enjoyable,
not matter what kind of boat I'm paddling.

I love narrow streams with overhanging branches. There don't seem to be any
tree climbing snakes in this area.

Lloyd Bowles

Photography from a sit on top
 

"Lloyd Bowles" ) writes:
"John Fereira" wrote...
(William R. Watt) wrote:

I prefer a canoe type of boat for paddling up small creeks and other
narrow channels where the kayak paddle needs too much side clearance,

How so? With a high angle paddle stroke in a kayak which is typically
much
narrower than a canoe I contend that a kayak would actually require less
side clearance.

I use a high stroke with a kayak paddle. It is much more awkward in tight
situations even in a narrower boat. Add low overhanging branches & it's
darn near hopeless. A 2 piece kayak paddle can be taken apart to use as a
canoe paddle in ight quarters.

problem with kayak fanatics is you can't tell them anything. there are big
canoes and small canoes, big kayaks and small kayaks. in a narrow channel
a canoe of the same size is better. yes its possible to paddle a kayak
backwards but paddling a canoe frontwards beats paddling a kayak backwards
hands down. and if you do have to resort to a poling or to sticking out one
foot and pushing, well the kayak fanatic will say that's easy in a kayak too.

when it comes right down to it it's easier and a lot more fun to sail a
canoe or kayak through a narrow channel steering with weight shifts (which
I've done up a narrow winding beaver creek), but you can't sail backwards
and it's tricky to sail a canoe or kayak and take photos at the same time.
I have a feeling some kayak fanatic is going to disagree.

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Photography from a sit on top
 

Amen William, I thought the same thing.

Te Canaille

"William R. Watt" wrote in message ...
"Lloyd Bowles" ) writes:
"John Fereira" wrote...
(William R. Watt) wrote:

I prefer a canoe type of boat for paddling up small creeks and other
narrow channels where the kayak paddle needs too much side clearance,

How so? With a high angle paddle stroke in a kayak which is typically
much
narrower than a canoe I contend that a kayak would actually require less
side clearance.

I use a high stroke with a kayak paddle. It is much more awkward in tight
situations even in a narrower boat. Add low overhanging branches & it's
darn near hopeless. A 2 piece kayak paddle can be taken apart to use as a
canoe paddle in ight quarters.

problem with kayak fanatics is you can't tell them anything. there are big
canoes and small canoes, big kayaks and small kayaks. in a narrow channel
a canoe of the same size is better. yes its possible to paddle a kayak
backwards but paddling a canoe frontwards beats paddling a kayak backwards
hands down. and if you do have to resort to a poling or to sticking out one
foot and pushing, well the kayak fanatic will say that's easy in a kayak too.

when it comes right down to it it's easier and a lot more fun to sail a
canoe or kayak through a narrow channel steering with weight shifts (which
I've done up a narrow winding beaver creek), but you can't sail backwards
and it's tricky to sail a canoe or kayak and take photos at the same time.
I have a feeling some kayak fanatic is going to disagree.

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Photography from a sit on top
 

http://www.sagebrushdrygoods.com/

This company was mentioned by a professional photographer. They have
dry bags for SLR's. This is exactly what I'm looking for since I don't
want to go under water and I prefer to use an SLR for picture quality
and lens flexibility. I use a deck drybag (Voyageur) in Baja on a
closed deck kayak and it works great. The pro in the article puts the
dry bag under the skirt between his legs. Obviously you don't remove
the camera when it's rough and why would you try to take a picture
when conditions are bad anyway? Even if you don't take pictures from
the kayak, you may want to have easy access to it when you land.

On the sit-on-top, I would probably put the camera bag in small
backpack which could easily be opened and the camera removed for
shooting opportunities.

The only disadvantage I see to this system is that extensive use on
the water will probably reduce the life of the camera but that is not
a concern for me.

http://www.eskimo.com/~gluhm/bio/FAQ.htm



"Rick" wrote in message link.net...
Alex,

In addition to what has been recomended is that you can buy a waterproof
camera bag which can house most 35 MM SLR's (I believe sea&sea used to make
these, though there are other vendors as well). These bags won't allow you
to change lenses, but they are good down to recreational depths (some are
rated as low as 30 feet) if properly sealed. As with all such devices, they
must be sealed properly, without any sediment on the seals, to work
properly. They seem to run about $200-$300.

Rick

"Alex Horvath" wrote in message
om...
On my enclosed deck kayak, I keep my standard SLR camera in a
waterproof deck bag. I may be doing some tropical paddling on a sit on
top. I could put the deck bag behind me but it has a dry suit zipper
which takes some effort to open. I suppose another possibility would
be some sort of water proof chest bag.

Anyone done much photography from a sit on top with a standard (non
waterproof) camera?