Hawaii T minus 32 days

[tlcmommyx4]

We are going to Oahu in 32 days and I am getting very worried about taking pictures at the beach with my camera! I have seen several post lately about being very careful about taking your camera because of the ocean mist and sand???

I am taking Senior pics there, and also engament pics there( there are a group of 15 of us going, they are not the same people) So I was wondering if there is anything I can buy to protect my canon t1i and lenses?
I have seen so many beautiful shots of beaches and sunsets that there must be a safe way to do this?

I do have one more question, the Luau, what kind of lens would you suggest? I have only one prime the 50 1.8, but I have an UWL the tokina 11-16, the canon 28-135 and a couple more like the kit lens and 55-255. Do I need to buy a new lens or maybe just rent one? I would appreciate any suggestions.

 

[TC09]

Cool. I hope you and your group have a great time here.

The only thing I can think of to protect your lens from ocean mist or sand is to put on a UV filter. There are rubber covers you can buy for your camera body (like this), but I have no experience with them or know how much it will help. I actually think you'll be okay without it... I do suggest a UV filter though, if you don't have them already.

For the luau, I'd go with the 50 1.8 and the 11-16 2.8 since they'll do great in low light (assuming the luau will be outdoors and in the evening.) You may be okay with the kit lens and the 55-200 if the place is well lit.

 

[Experiment_626]

A good-quality UV filter would help protect your lenses. For the camera in general, you could get one of the plastic bags made for rain -- they should be easy enough to find at B&H or Adorama.

Scott

 

[tlcmommyx4]

Thanks I do have a UV filter, and I will for sure go look for one of those bags! The last thing I want to do is break my camera.

 

[My2Girls66]

The rain cover bags can be purchased for like 2 for $6. I got mine at Ritz. Though, to be honest I have never covered any of my cameras while using them on them beach and have never ruined one. I was on Long Beach Island in NJ 2 summers ago and one day the wind was so strong it felt like we were getting sandblasted, seriously, it hurt! The camera stayed in the room that day.
I do cover it up while its not in use. Like when its sitting on the beach blanket, to keep the sand off and the sun from baking it.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's awesome Michelle! I can't wait to see Hawaii through your eyes!

My boys love a beach vacation more than anything else and I've had my camera on the beach a lot through the years. We usually stay right ON the beach so that makes it easy. Not knowing your logistics, it's hard to say what the best approach would be....... Anyway....... I handled it by really just keeping in "photographer" mode or play mode. I would never put my camera in a bag to hold on the beach while I go play......... too easy for someone to walk along and accidentally kick some sand onto it. The sand really DOES get everywhere. I would keep it on my person in "photographer" mode, but then put it back in my room (or car if your room wasn't close) when I was done taking photos. Of course, you'll have to know that the minute you put it away, something spectacular will appear in front of you .............

When you're done for the day, wipe or blow the exterior of the camera off to rid it of any stray sand particles. Of course you know to never change your lens out on the beach.

Did you get your LR3 issue figured out?

Have a great time and be sure to bring us each back a nice souvenir. Maybe a hula girl for the dash in each of our cars? OK, maybe I'll just settle for some really pretty pictures.

 

[tlcmommyx4]

Thanks Janet, 1 hula dash girl, done . We are staying right on the beach and I will for sure go put my camera in the room ( who are we kidding I will make my DH go put it in the room). I am sure you are right about missing the perfect shot while it's in the room!

Do you mean like those cans of air that you can clean your computer with, do you think that would be ok?

 

[My2Girls66]

Not the can of air. A bulb type blower made for cameras.

 

[photo_chick]

I'm in the skip the UV filter camp. IMO it will cause more problems than it helps here, especially on a beach with all that reflected light. The end of the lens isn't any more at risk at the beach than any other time. But do use a lens hood.

As far as having it out there... I bought my camera to take pictures. It can't do that if I don't take it out. Yes, there is a chance it can get gunk in it. But if you use some common sense (like don't change lenses at the beach, don't set it in the sand, etc) you should be fine. I do stick it in my soft case (Lenscoat bodybag) when I'm not using it in pretty much any situation. THe one thing you can't do is set the camera, or you camera bag, down anywhere on the beach. That is one guaranteed way to end up with sand in it at some point in time.

 

[tlcmommyx4]

As far as having it out there... I bought my camera to take pictures. It can't do that if I don't take it out. Yes, there is a chance it can get gunk in it. But if you use some common sense (like don't change lenses at the beach, don't set it in the sand, etc) you should be fine. I do stick it in my soft case (Lenscoat bodybag) when I'm not using it in pretty much any situation. THe one thing you can't do is set the camera, or you camera bag, down anywhere on the beach. That is one guaranteed way to end up with sand in it at some point in time.

You know I do think this is some of the best advise, I sure some people on the boards would just cringe at where and how I take my camera out with me. If I'm running late and don't have time to put it in my camera bag, out comes the kitchen towel and it just gets wrapped up and in my purse it goes. It has been such a trooper! I did have a neoprene soft case that I used all the time, and then I got a battery grip and it dosen't fit anymore. I might have to go look to see if there is one out there that would accommodate the camera and battery grip as well.

I will for sure have on the lens hood and do my best to not put it down anywhere really horrible. Thanks for just reminding me that I did buy my camera to shot everything with it and just use some common sense.

 

[mom2rtk]

You know I do think this is some of the best advise, I sure some people on the boards would just cringe at where and how I take my camera out with me. If I'm running late and don't have time to put it in my camera bag, out comes the kitchen towel and it just gets wrapped up and in my purse it goes. It has been such a trooper! I did have a neoprene soft case that I used all the time, and then I got a battery grip and it dosen't fit anymore. I might have to go look to see if there is one out there that would accommodate the camera and battery grip as well.

I will for sure have on the lens hood and do my best to not put it down anywhere really horrible. Thanks for just reminding me that I did buy my camera to shot everything with it and just use some common sense.

I feel exactly the same way. People ask all the time about taking their camera to Disney and to the beach. Why have such a great camera and NOT take it to some of the most beautiful places I can think of?