Leaving the camera on the beach for a swim..

[benca1]

Let's say you're at a not-well-known beach. You can see people coming and going. It's really hot and humid. You figure it's safe to go into the water a bit. You would put your camera in the car, but it's waaayyy back there, and it's probably 160 degree inside it anyway.

What do you do?

[cosworth]

laptop alarm.

http://www.nextag.com/laptop-alarm/search-html

[SuzyView]

I've had this problem before in FL & NC. I ended up getting a large cooler, put all equipment in it and one ice pack in the middle. :) It worked.

[Steve Parr]

Let's say you're at a not-well-known beach. You can see people coming and going. It's really hot and humid. You figure it's safe to go into the water a bit. You would put your camera in the car, but it's waaayyy back there, and it's probably 160 degree inside it anyway.

What do you do?

I don't go swimming...

[SuzyView]

LOL :) I don't either. How weird is that?

[benca1]

Well, I'll be in Hawaii, so I'm going in the water! I've done this before with my G3.. just left in my backpack at the beach. But it was my G3.

Now I have a 30D, which I called in sick today to receive, and I'm loathe to do the same thing.

Laptop alarm and a cooler idea. Those are both good. Real good. No one would think to steal a cooler (unless they're really hungry). Or look inside. I could combine them to be geeky safe. My likey.

[Jon Foster]

I wouldn't go swimming either.

Jon.

[Eagle]

If I had my camera at the beach I'd definately be taking pictures of the babes in bikinis and not worrying about swimming. :cool: ;)

[elTwitcho]

Let's say you're at a not-well-known beach. You can see people coming and going. It's really hot and humid. You figure it's safe to go into the water a bit. You would put your camera in the car, but it's waaayyy back there, and it's probably 160 degree inside it anyway.

What do you do?

If I was going swimming, I wouldn't bring my camera. If I was going to take pictures, I wouldn't go swimming.

Up to you of course, but I err on the side of caution wherever I can

[SuzyView]

Oh, I almost forgot to remind you, be careful of the sand on your camera. It's a killer. I've seen a camera totally destroyed by sand. If I were you, I'd park pretty close, take all the pictures you need to, run to the car and store it in a cooler and go swimming. You can't have it all, I fear.

[A&RDESIGNS]

If I had my camera at the beach I'd definately be taking pictures of the babes in bikinis and not worrying about swimming. :cool: ;)
AMEN BROTHER!

[staciecd]

I just keep a very close eye on it while in the water.

Stacie

[benca1]

Anyhoo, this is my last trip with my wife to hawaii as a couple because she's 5 months pregnant. So a camera is not optional and enjoying hawaiian ocean water is mandatory.. hence the dilemma.

I'm much better off having solicited some advice and appreciate the help. Now I know there's some alternatives besides staciecd's age old method ;) (which is what I've always done)

[Citizensmith]

The cooler thing is a good idea in general.

They are solid so offer a lot of physical protection. They help to keep the temperature regulated inside, a cooler in a 160 degree car is going to stop your sensor melting out the bottom of the camera. And, they don't look like a camera bag. That nice LowePro you have sitting there may result in a broken window, but people are much less likely to smash and grab an old cooler. I had a bunch of tools rattling around in one, loose in the back of a truck, and they never got stolen.

[Steve Parr]

There's no way I'm leaving my gear on the beach while I take a dip, and no way I'm leaving it anywhere in my car.

If my camera leaves the house, it goes where I go...

[saravrose]

sorry.. camera doesn't get left on the beach... the cooler idea doesn't seem terrible. maybe i'm just a bit uptight about my gear... I prefer to keep it safe and sound and with me. think of it like a big necklace... you just feel more confident when it's with ya...

sari.

[Andy_T]

Simple.

When you want to go to the beach, take photos of it, and also swim at the occasion, with nobody to accompany you and look after the camera (and your car keys, money, etc. btw) simply leave your 30D in the hotel safe and take the G3 with you.

I had my wallet picked from my pants pocket on a public beach in Barcelona, Spain in the 10 minutes it took me to get a quick swim ... when I thought I was watching it or some of the other bathers would look after it. The officers taking up my claim informed me that it is a rather stupid thing to do (and happens quite often). Don't know about Hawaii, but I'd rather not take chances.

I wouldn't take a big DSLR to the beach anyway, but mainly for reasons of invasions of privacy.

Best regards,
Andy

[Nidz]

I wrap up my camera or put it in it's bag where it's cooler then stash it in the back of the car where it is safe.

Yeah i agree people get weird when there's somebody taking photos on the beach. Especially where there's little kiddies around. And not to mention sand + camera = bad news. I'd either go to the beach for a swim or go for the sole purpose of taking photos.

[20DNewbie]

Love the cooler idea. Maybe take it another step further though. Find yourself one of the old style metal ones and put a latch on it so you'd be able to padlock it, snap off one of the handles also. Then fill it halfway with sand, get 2 heavy duty ziplock bags(the waterproof kind), double bag the camera and stick it inside. I'd like to see someone trying to run down the beach with a 50lb. cooler with only one handle without drawing attention to themselves.:lol:



I wouldn't take a big DSLR to the beach anyway, but mainly for reasons of invasions of privacy.

Unless it's a private beach how could one have the slightest impression of privacy? Alot of beaches I've gone to there is always people there with cameras and camcorders and forget about it if it's a vacation spot.

I would on the other hand feel a bit weird bringing my 20D to a beach, but a P&S would be more comfortable it being less invasive.

Just my thoughts.

[BillsBayou]

I don't see any underwater housings for 30D out there. Otherwise, you could just take it into the surf!

[hemuni]

I once had a compact freeze up due to sand getting inside the body. I don't want to risk that with my dslr. But i do bring my mobile phone, which has a decent 2mp for the occasional family snap and i just leave it under a towel or something if going to the water. The cooler sounds like a good idea though, will remember.

[NYC2BGI]

Do not leave your camera by itself on the beach or in the car. Anyone who sees you with a high end camera like the 30D will be tempted to grab it. Bring a small point and shoot or hold on to your camera n matter what you do.

[SuzyView]

My little family went to Murtle Beach a year ago for a whole week. It was great. I never went into the water to swim. I had my 10D and lens in my Lowepro holster bag to keep things simple. I didn't want to miss photo ops. But that being said, I only took it to the beach once. I took a couple of film disposable cameras that ended up taking great shots. It's not a crime to use those cameras because you can still get the images put on a CD at the lab. But even with that, you don't want the film to melt in the hot sun. Put it away in a bag when not using it. Have a wonderful vacation and don't worry about the gear being stolen or damaged. You will enjoy your time with your family so much more.

[bonzaisushi]

get the waterproof shooting case, and take it with you! Viola! problem solved.... hehe.

[Ross McT.]

My wife (then 4 months pregnant) and I were in Hawaii back in December and had the same dilemma.
I ended up leaving the camera in the hotel safe when we was out on the beach for swimming.

Its not a relaxing vacation if your constantly worried about if someone is going to steal your stuff all the time.

There is a lot of crime on around the beaches, so be careful. Don't think that your car is safe either. Lots of trunks are broken into on all the islands. Rental cars stand out like a sore thumb.

We went to a black sand beach south of Hilo (on the big island), and I didn't leave my camera anywhere other than at my side. When we were leaving at the end of the day, there was a few rather suspicious looking people waiting in a van for the right moment to spring into action at a rental car. most rental car places tell you to leave nothing of value in your car, and make sure that you get insurance just incase.

[Citizensmith]

and make sure that you get insurance just incase.

Which is a very good piece of advice and can let you enjoy yourself more as you will worry less about something getting stolen. Sure it would be a bummer to lose your trusty 20D but those things are discontinued now so it'll have to get replaced by a 30D. :)

[Ross McT.]

If you do have to leave your camera in the car, make sure to take your cf cards with you! At least if your gear is gone, you will have your shots.

If you must take them near water, put them in a zipper seal bag or a small pelican case.
They sell ones for wallets / id that you can hang around your neck.

[20DNewbie]

:Dtrusty 20D discontinued replaced by a 30D. :)
Hmmmm, I seem to remember buying an extended policy when I got mine. Salesman blah blah blah, bring it in inside a bag with salt water and sand in tiny bits and you'll get a replacement ;);) nudge nudge say no more say no more.:D