Weatherproofing for beach trip

[photosbybrian]

Bob, I'm planning a trip to the beach for me, my family, and my 40D. I know the 40D is not really weatherproof like the 1D, so what can I do to prevent internal damage form salty air, sand, etc (typical beach environment stuff)? Do I just wrap it like I would if it were raining, or is there a skin available to provide better protection form the elements. Thanks for the help.

BB

[KeithB]

They make the bags that cover everything but the lens. 

However, you might want to buy a cheap (the refurbished ones like Bob just reported on seem like really good deals!) extra "beater" digital for these situations.  Canon even makes some water-tight housings so that you can actually take it into the water!

When I take mine to the water park, people always think that I am one of the park's official photographers and ask me to take their picture!

[photosbybrian]

What "bags" are you referring to? Where can you get one? Unfortunately there is no room in the budget for spare hardware. Thanks

[KeithB]

Anything that is really going to be bullet proof is up into the "hardware" category:
http://www.ewa-marine.de/index.php?id=453&ca=&ra=&ext=&model=Canon%20EOS%2040D&L=0

[photosbybrian]

Thanks for the info Kieth. My original thoughts were not to actually take the camera into the water, but mainly protection from the natural elements of a beach environment. However, looking at the item in the link cranks up a whole new set of ideas for underwater and semi-submerged photography that I've never considered. I live near the mountains and don't get to the ocean that often, so it may be worth it to experiment a little to make this trip count. It's a family vacation and not a serious photography trip, but that doesn't mean it can't be!

[KeithB]

That is where a reurbished camera like the one Bob Discusses here:
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/canon_powershot-a570is_review.html

and an underwater case would be ideal.  If there is a protection failure (no dirty jokes, please!) you are risking the "beater" camera and not the 40D.

And these waterproof cases/bags work good in the snow, too.

[Bob Atkins]

I'm not sure you need much additional protection for just working on the beach. I've taken lots of images on the beach without any protection added to the camera. You just have to be a little careful of the sand - for example when changing lenses.

I've also shot from a boat with no added protection except maybe a filter on the lens when there is spray around.

I'm just careful to keep the camera in a closed camera bag when it's not in use, and if it gets any sand or spray on the external surface, to clean it off after use. If you use a tripod on sand you're going to have to rinse it off (in fresh water) after use.

If I thought there was a chance of dropping the camera in the water or getting hit by waves, I'd use a small P&S, not my DSLR. The same would apply if I wanted to use a camera underwater. Good underwater housings for DSLRs are not cheap, but you can get some fairly inexpesive bags and cases for underwater P&S use.