Protecting against smoke?

Hi again!

I have a question about cigarette smoke.

-- I DO NOT SMOKE -- and I know how very bad it is.
I also know how it invades EVERYTHING.
IT leaves a sticky film on and in everything it touches.
I hate being around the stuff.

But.

In a few weeks I'm going to spend a week under the tattoo needle getting my sleeves finished up. I really want to document it. I would like to shoot at least a little HD video and a lot of photos.

The artist wants me to take photos as well, his camera is a bubble gum machine toy compared to my brand new 5D mkII.

The problem is, they smoke there. The artist won't smoke while he works on me but will take breaks to smoke. His wife will sit in the room and smoke while he works though.

Is there some sort of protective plastic cover I can put the camera in to minimize smoke invasion? I thought about putting a large clear baggie over the camera and rubber banding it around the lens neck. Would that be adequate? Or do they make bags for hostile environments for these things?? I see news photogs using their Vic cams in the rain with bags fitted over them to keep them dry. They appear to be factory made just for video news cameras.

I guess if I can't find a cover that would work I could just keep it in a sealed bag then take it out for a short time to grab some shots then re-store it in the sealed bag.

Surely there must be something out there for this.

Thanks guys!!

It's got it's own covers built in, it'll be fine

Yes the 5d2 is well sealed. Dont worry about it. People use these cameras all over the world in all kinds of weather conditions. Trust me when I say a smoke filled tattoo parlor is the least of your cameras worries.

The 2nd hand smoke on the other hand...is not so good for you!

Tobacco smoke particles range in size from .01 to 4 microns. The 5D might be well sealed to keep blowing sand and small pebbles out of it, but it's not going to keep something of this size out. I'd store it in a ziplock bag and take it out only when you want to use it, that should minimize the smoke it will come in contact with it, and a week shouldn't be anything to worry about. You might consider wearing a mask, I wouldn't want to inhale that crap for a week. Here is an article on second hand smoke, you can use Google to find many more.

http://abcnews.go.com …31740&page=1#.T​uIkSpiEyDU

http://www.amazon.com …es-Diameter/dp/B000PTFDYO
These rain covers are pretty good in the rain, I don't know about smoke.

A week of second hand smoke is nothing. Hell a week of first hand smoke is nothing. You guys are a bit paranoid.

I don't think it would be any different than the people who shoot bands in clubs. A week should be fine. I'd worry more about the camera bag getting stinky.

I wouldn't worry about it, personally. A couple hours of mild secondhand smoke won't harm the camera.

As stated above, "soft" materials like the strap and bag may smell bad for a few days afterward.

I'd be more concerned about my lungs rather than the camera.

artyman wrote in post #13518495
I'd be more concerned about my lungs rather than the camera.

You're more likely to get hepatitis from the tattoo needles than to have any health affects from spending a few hours in a smokey room.

I'm amazed at how the fear-mongering about 2nd hand smoke has taken hold as "truth".

I used to shoot at a club, and there was a smoke room, in which i spent a decent amount of time being a former smoker and shooting the people there. There has been no effect of smoke on my camera, and it's been there for like 300 all together at least. And there were like 20 people smoking at any given time there.

Is it really sanitary to get a tattoo in a place where people are smoking?

Last week i went to an annual meeting conferences, in six hours my camera was getting a coffee oddor...i clean later with a cloth with a 50/50 water-alcohol, i think it could apply to the smoke.

bulldogg7 wrote in post #13519080
Is it really sanitary to get a tattoo in a place where people are smoking?

Is it possible to get a tattoo in a place where people are NOT smoking?

RTPVid wrote in post #13519141
Is it possible to get a tattoo in a place where people are NOT smoking?

I'd rather sit in a room of smokers for a week than get a tattoo done

Don't forget all that exposed skin in the tattoo parlour, lots of extra skin flakes in the air, could play havoc with your cameras sensor.

Of course there is also the problem of exposing your camera to all the traffic fumes on the journey to the tattooist.

No, I think it is best if you and your camera stay in your padded cell where you are completely safe.