Taking pictures at the beach.

[Shudderbug]

Quick question for y'all that take or have ever taken pictures at the beach. What do you do to protect your camera/accessories from the sand?

[Moppie]

Nothing.

It is only sand.

[Traumuh]

Nothing. If you are worried about it, some sort of filter for sealing. Possibly a plastic bag or something to cover the body?

[alt4852]

Nothing.

It is only sand.

maybe your beaches are different from the ones in my area. i use filters when i'm at the beach because it blows the sand everywhere, and i always wipe down my equipment right when i get back because the air is very salty and you can see it deposit on the rubber grips on the camera and lens after a day out shooting. i'd also bring plastic bags in case you ever want to set down your bag in the sand and don't feel like cleaning out bits of sand for the next couple of months from the stitching in your bag.

[Moppie]

maybe your beaches are different from the ones in my area.

Unless the sand at your beachs is sentient, then I don't think so.


If you pick up a handful of sand and rub it against the front element of your lens, you might scratch it.

Simply taking it out of the bag isn't going to hurt it.

I've had my camera out on a beach were it was windy I had to turn the car around to open the door.
It was blowing well over 120kph, and it was hard work just standing up. The air was damp, and filled with sand and salt.
I took about 20-30 photos before I got to cold.
No harm was done to the camera, or me.

Not a mark or a scratch on the lens.

I've dipped the bottom of my camera in the sea trying to get a low angle, I've had it covered in spray while shooting around rocks on a surf beach. I've it layed in the sand so many times I've lost count.
And it still works.

Remember plastic and glass don't rust and the vunerable parts of the camera are pretty well locked up inside behind lots of plastic and glass.

As long as you don't go swimming with the camera around your next you will be ok.

[mikekelley]

The camera is going to be fine, don't worry about it. Unless it's hurricane force winds, nothing will happen.

[jrader]

Well, if you really don't like salt/sand damaging the lens body, you can take a tube sock and cut it to fit around everything except the front element. A lot of surf photographers do this when there is high wind and a lot of spray. Just know it's a pain to switch lenses or switch from auto to manual focusing (not to mention IS).

As long as you maintain your gear after you leave the beach, it shouldn't be an issue though. I shoot at the beach all the time and wipe down my lenses, filters, and camera afterward every time. Never had an issue.

John

[Picture North Carolina]

Having shot in hurricanes, the most important rule I made for myself is to minimize lens changes. Plan and mount before you get out in the elements. I also carry an array of assorted size brushes with me. You can brush away any sand that has blown into nooks and crannies. None of it will be able to work itself inside the camera if you did not open the camera. Canned air also works well, but has to be applied correctly because it can remove as well as further embed contaminants.

[kurtisdiff]

I have UV filters on my lenses as I often get mist and misc stuff on my lenses. (I seriously doubt any of this would hurt the lenses, but I don't like the idea of constantly rubbing the front element.....maybe I'm paranoid? ;-) )