Shooting from a kayak

I'm interested in shooting from a kayak but I have had capsizing issues in the past and I'm wondering if anyone here has experience with paddling around in a kayak (or canoe) and taking photos while in floating around.

I've looked at housings for my 5D MK II at around $1000 I'm not sure if thats the best way to go.

I think I'd be ok with having a very good water proof bag for the camera to sit in when not in use and then when in use I would just be careful not to tip the boat.

Is that an insane idea and should I just get a good housing or would the bag method be ok?

I'm not an idiot when it comes to the water and I wouldn't be pulling my camera out to take photos in fast moving or dangerous water.

Thanks

I have used my camera from a Kayak often. I first of all bring a waterproof bag - about $20 from a kayak suppier and then I use my 'camping camera' . It's my old 350D. If it goes in the drink, I'll be upset, but not like if it was my 40D. I suggest you do the same - use your 20D and 28-135. Just take it easy and you will be OK. I have gone through mild rapids with no probs - no capsizes with camera yet.

Ahh good advice that.

I was keen to use my 5D but yeah 20d much safer option.

The other thing I was thinking was to have the bag tied to the kayak so if I did capsize I wouldn't lose the bag and contents. Same deal with if I had a housing for the camera I would want to have it attach via cord to my kayak. Or if I was in a gentle lake maybe a floatation device for the housing so if it did somehow end up in the water it wouldn't sink.

sounds like a good idea to me!

here another suggestion, buy insurance,it will cover your equipment if you drop in water...Outdoorsman11

personally Id get the housing... yeah its not cheap but a good housing on your 5dII will give you more flexibility and reliability. I wouldnt want my gear down in the drink.

Get a giant Zip-Lock

S-Man wrote in post #9247103
Get a giant Zip-Lock

I go through the surf in San Diego a lot with my G2, now my G9 while kayaking. I use 2 1 gallon ziplocks. put the camera in one, leave a little air in it. put that + a wad or paper towels or napkins in the second one and blow it all the way up so it's full but still has some give to it.

When you're out there; remove the outer bag; dry off your hands then remove the camera. When you're ready to come ashore.. repeat in reverse.

If you flip; which happens often to me in a smooth bottom river kayak in the ocean surf.. the bag will pop out of the kayak and float for you to retrieve.

You may want go to this site http://photonaturalist​.net/
I know he has an article on photo kayaking also he may have a audio blog on this topic.

Are you kayaking in good light? Would a waterproof compact be up to the task? I've seen some pretty excellent shots from Pentax's new waterproof compacts (the w60 and w80, I think). Would be nice if you didn't have to worry at all and could leave it out and even take some IN the water if you chose.

ThomGascoigne wrote in post #9243024
I'm interested in shooting from a kayak but I have had capsizing issues in the past

This doesn't sound too good.

This may be off the wall,but why not practice kayaking more before the inevitable happens?

You want waterproofing for sure I think. The housing is expensive, but the bags are cheap. Problem is the bag you can't shoot out of while preserving IQ. If you were to somehow hack a filter into the bag and put the camera inside the bag, and screw the filter onto the lens, then you've got full waterproofing for the cost of bag+filter. Looking around the internet, I found something that does this commercially made. http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …S10_Waterproof_​Case_.html

Not sure how either would work, if DIY you'd need to make sure filters are waterproof and maybe secure it to the bag with a hose clamp? Just sort of musing, I have no idea if this would succeed. If you're only worried about an accidental drop, I think you would be wasting money on a full on housing.

Thanks guys for all the responses!

I'm not sure how to do multi quotes, Sorry!

Outdoorsman11: I have a sage max protection plan but this is just on the body, I'll have to look into this further.

Juliet Kilo: Fantastic mate I'll check that out now. Thank you.

Tdragone: Ah thats a good idea, I don't trust my abilities to make a zip lock style bag work for me though.
Canonnoob: Yes I think this is the way to go I guess I just won't be able to shoot for a while until I can buy one.

Tkbslc: Mostly good light but I do want to do some night time and sunrise / sundown stuff. Will look into these though. I wish the g11 was water proof

TimeTraveler: I'm certainly not the best Kayaker out there that's for sure. I owned one for a couple of years, it wasn't as wide as I would have liked it to be but thats no excuse. I don't think I will capsize as much as I used to with my new kayak but I'm not willing to risk my gear. Accidents can happen especially with me so better to be safe than very sorry.

Firstclass: Cheers mate yes I think this is the way to go. Now to save up so $

Thanks again all. Very helpful I'll have to post up one of my better kayaking shots when I get out there.

I wouldn't trust Zip Lock bags. I once tried double bagging a first aid kit and and after capsizing found both bags full of water amd a lot of soggy first aid supplies. However this was before they had the giant bags with the double zippers. Still a good dry bag is fairly inexpensive and the material is a lot thicker and tougher than Zip Locks plus a dry bag is designed to be used on a river.

While not a solution for water on the camera, perhaps an outrigger attached to the kayak might help with the tipping issues. This site offers them and I'm sure that there must be other places in the States that offer similiar items.

http://www.kayrak.ca/

Regards,