taking my camera on a kayak?

I'd love to bring my 50D on a mellow kayaking adventure. I'm not talking about class IV rapids-this will strictly be for lakes and maybe very mellow rivers. I have a bad habit of goofing off a bit and tipping over. I don't want to go in to the drink with my gear. How do I protect it?

I've seen big thick plastic bag type things that roll over on themselves. That seems like it would work if I can find one big enough-I haven't really shopped for them before.

Are there any other suggestions for water protection and floatation if I dunk myself?

Thanks!

Im Sasquatch wrote in post #12721890
=I'm Sasquatch;12721890]I'd love to bring my 50D on a mellow kayaking adventure. I'm not talking about class IV rapids-this will strictly be for lakes and maybe very mellow rivers. I have a bad habit of goofing off a bit and tipping over. I don't want to go in to the drink with my gear. How do I protect it?

I've seen big thick plastic bag type things that roll over on themselves. That seems like it would work if I can find one big enough-I haven't really shopped for them before.

Are there any other suggestions for water protection and floatation if I dunk myself?

Thanks!

Exercise a little self control, perhaps. A plastic wrap won't do squat if you take your 50D swimming.

I am not recommending LL Bean as a place to buy, just linking to them to show what is available for purchase on the net. Just Google kayak dry bag and you will see dozens of links.

http://www.llbean.com …281?qs=3006384_​pmd_google

I'd buy a used (obviously!) 20D or similar. Add cheap lens (50 1.8 , kit lens), then select on of the cheaper plastic dry bag options (I don't mean cheap compared to other bags, I mean cheap compared to a proper water housing)

It sounds like you are experienced with kayaking so you should know how hard it is to keep anything dry. A good quality dry bag should work for you as long as you keep it closed while near water. I would do a Google search for some canoeing/kayaking stores and see what is available. Thirty years ago when I was canoeing some a dry bag was about the only thing available that you could depend on to keep equipment dry but I don't know what is available today. You might check out some Pelican cases but I have never used one so I don't know how water proof they are. The dry bag also might be more packable than a Pelican case. Dry bags used to come in several sizes so you should be able to find one that will allow you to wrap some padding around the camera or they may be making them specifically for cameras now.

If you budget will allow it might be better/safer to invest in one of the new waterproof P&S cameras. If you decide to take your 50D make sure you have a Personal Articles Policy that will cover water damage. The insurance is relatively cheap and should your camera take a dunking the policy at least should pay a depreciated amount for your camera.

Have fun and post some pictures when you get back.

As Sparky says, a dry bag is the thing. You can get them to fit your camera. They will keep it dry when closed properly. The only inconvenience is that it takes a minute to get it out of the bag. If you wear your camera while you kayak, it WILL get wet. I have kayaked flatwater for years, and it is not uncommon for a motorboat to go by and dump you in its wake. Or depending on the width and stability of your 'yak, it can be be easy to get unbalanced and roll it on your own (speaking from experience).

I'd just get a waterproof P&S...that's what I was going to do when I started getting into kayaking (but then I ended up moving away)...I used to take my old SD790IS kayaking in its little Pelican case and even then (just from my fingers and random spray) it got too much water on it for my liking (though never any problems)...I'd never take my DSLR kayaking...that's just tempting fate lol

I use a dry bag, I think I got it at rei

Excellent suggestions-thank you all. I used to bring my point and shoot and it did the trick ok. It's now deceased (not water related) so picking up another wouldn't be a bad idea. They don't cost too much.

I will also look in to a dry bag.

My 50D can't swim and I'd be SOL if I lost it over the side. I do have insurance and have filed a claim before in 2009 for some stolen gear. Obviously I'd rather avoid having to file a claim especially for doing something foolish.

I can't afford to replace a 50D on my own so a P&S or an easy to use dry bag seems to be the way to go. Or I could borrow someone else's camera!

Thanks again.

I just used a Lowepro Micro Trekker and made sure to stay upright

I'd rather have my expensive camera protected by a hard Pelican-type airtight case (floats too) rather than risk crushing it in a soft dry-bag!

The best solution for ever-ready camera might be an underwater housing, followed by a waterproof camera.

Im Sasquatch wrote in post #12722626
=I'm Sasquatch;12722626]Exc​ellent suggestions-thank you all. I used to bring my point and shoot and it did the trick ok. It's now deceased (not water related) so picking up another wouldn't be a bad idea. They don't cost too much.

I think you just answered your own question there...