Cameras and the beach, any lessons learned

Krs_2007

Senior Member
Curious, the last time I went to the beach with a camera I really didn't think about the salt/sand/moisture.

Any concerns other than the basic, clean/protect that I should be aware of. Just trying to be prepared, after all this camera and lenses cost substantially more than the D40 w/kit lens. Also, anything special for an aluminum tripod other than clean after use.

This comes from all of the protection/care that I have to go through with my fishing gear so it has me wondering about the camera gear.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
Curious, the last time I went to the beach with a camera I really didn't think about the salt/sand/moisture.

Any concerns other than the basic, clean/protect that I should be aware of. Just trying to be prepared, after all this camera and lenses cost substantially more than the D40 w/kit lens. Also, anything special for an aluminum tripod other than clean after use.

This comes from all of the protection/care that I have to go through with my fishing gear so it has me wondering about the camera gear.

DoNt change lenses often. And when a strong gust Comes, turn with ur back towards it. It only take one grain to do the damage. Otoh, I shot weddings that were on beaches with my f5's (film) and all was good. Was worried about 1 grain in the film rail that would get stuck and scratch every film that went through. I cant say I wont ever go with my gear. But its something im hesitant to do.
 

Daz

Senior Member
As long as you are careful, turn you back to the wind when you change lenses, do it quickly and confidently (dont take one off and start fumbling with the body exposed, have everything ready to switch) then you shouldnt have any issues
 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
DoNt change lenses often. And when a strong gust Comes, turn with ur back towards it. It only take one grain to do the damage. Otoh, I shot weddings that were on beaches with my f5's (film) and all was good. Was worried about 1 grain in the film rail that would get stuck and scratch every film that went through. I cant say I wont ever go with my gear. But its something im hesitant to do.


Good point, we are in walking distance so I figured I would just walk back up out of the sand and change if I need to. For the most part I will have one lens on till it comes to portraits in the evening.

Thanks.
 

paul04

Senior Member
Make sure if your not using the camera, put it away in a bag, or carry a small cloth, just to cover the camera.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I shoot on the beaches and deserts quite a bit without issue and while s--t can definitely happen common sense should keep you out of trouble for the most part.

What I do find helpful in both locations, at least during mid-day, is a ND filter. If memory serves my go-to ND for these locations is a four-stop filter but it could be a six-stop. Anyway, that's just something to consider as I find an ND sometimes adds a little flexibility to my shooting options.

....
 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
I shoot on the beaches and deserts quite a bit without issue and while s--t can definitely happen common sense should keep you out of trouble for the most part.

What I do find helpful in both locations, at least during mid-day, is a ND filter. If memory serves my go-to ND for these locations is a four-stop filter but it could be a six-stop. Anyway, that's just something to consider as I find an ND sometimes adds a little flexibility to my shooting options.

....

Yea I forgot to ask about that. I do have 2 ND's, so my plan was to play around with these. Thanks
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
If this is the ocean then keep something over the glass of your lens. UV, ND, etc... whatever. The salt in the air will not be good. Careful of sunscreen oils on hands transferring to the camera and sand sticking to it.
 

Pretzel

Senior Member
Curious, the last time I went to the beach with a camera I really didn't think about the salt/sand/moisture.

Any concerns other than the basic, clean/protect that I should be aware of. Just trying to be prepared, after all this camera and lenses cost substantially more than the D40 w/kit lens. Also, anything special for an aluminum tripod other than clean after use.

This comes from all of the protection/care that I have to go through with my fishing gear so it has me wondering about the camera gear.

I've taken LOTS of shots on the beach over the last two summers, one with the D3100 (which isn't weather sealed), one with the D7100 (which IS weather sealed), and even though I usually went with the lens I intended to shoot with on camera, there were times I swapped on the fly. I made sure to NOT change lenses in a high wind area, and walked back to swap them inside the car when I could, but there were times it just wasn't possible, or convenient, so I was very careful.

The results? Lots of pics I enjoy, no damage.

The way I see it... I bought this camera to enable myself to fully capture the beauty of the world around me, save memories of some of my favorite moments, and all around have fun. If I'm so worried about where I can and can't shoot, or am so fearful that I can't shoot one of the habitats (beach) that I love more than anything, well... that's just crazy talk. I didn't get into this art for the "Olan Mills" side of things. To me, that's kind of like saying "Those motorcycles are cool, just don't get 'em on the highway because it's dangerous!" POPPYCOCK! CLAPTRAP! BALDERDASH! HOGWASH! BUSHWA! TOMMYROT! (and other applicable synonyms!)

I'm going back down to Florida this year, and ND filters are definitely on my list as well!
 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
Thanks [MENTION=11881]Moab Man[/MENTION], watch out of the sunscreen thats one to remember for sure.
@Pretzel, I'm with you on the body being sealed and such, so no worries here just want to see if anyone had anything I hadn't thought about. So far sunscreen and ND's are at the top. Wind/Sand/Salt not good for lens change, but can be done with caution.

I am actually looking forward to going with my current camera setup, the last time I wasn't really full bore into photography so with my current gear it should be a great trip if the weather plays along. As a matter of fact my last trip is one of the reasons why I bought my 7k back in 2012.

Keep em coming if you got em.
 

Pretzel

Senior Member
BTW, take it or leave it, but with the humidity here in OK, and FLA when I travel, I always have a few of those silica gel packets in my camera bag. Can't guarantee it helps, but it sure doesn't hurt, and makes sense to me.
 

adox66

Senior Member
Never being to far from the coast where I live, I spend probably the majority of my time shooting on the beach and apart from common sense I don't worry too much about my gear. Once the camera is on the tripod I leave it there even if moving to a different location on the beach.

If you have a hard grad filter, they are great for the sky.

one bit of advice I would give is wear good footwear. Something with good grip if you are going to be climbing rocks etc and something most definitely waterproof. I know from experience that you can get totally caught up in composing a shot with oncoming waves and before you know it said waves have you ankle deep in water!
 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
BTW, take it or leave it, but with the humidity here in OK, and FLA when I travel, I always have a few of those silica gel packets in my camera bag. Can't guarantee it helps, but it sure doesn't hurt, and makes sense to me.


I haven't thought about that. The humidity is a drastic change for us TX/OK boys. Yet another good idea.
 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
Never being to far from the coast where I live, I spend probably the majority of my time shooting on the beach and apart from common sense I don't worry too much about my gear. Once the camera is on the tripod I leave it there even if moving to a different location on the beach.

If you have a hard grad filter, they are great for the sky.

one bit of advice I would give is wear good footwear. Something with good grip if you are going to be climbing rocks etc and something most definitely waterproof. I know from experience that you can get totally caught up in composing a shot with oncoming waves and before you know it said waves have you ankle deep in water!

Good tip, Thanks. Where we are its all sand but I do want to venture out and look for other elements, like rocks, piers and such.

Thanks.
 

Dxer

Senior Member
Good advice and I am glad I ran across this thread. I am heading to St. Maarten in November and I will definitely plan to park at the end of RWY09. :)
Any additional advice for that kind of photography?
 

skater

New member
I shoot on the beach when we go every other year. It's a tradition for us to go out and do a set of sunrise pictures every trip. Like others said, just be careful; we avoid changing lenses as much as possible. We don't take any special precautions. However, expect that you will need to clean the glass on the front of your lens once you're finished.
 
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