Camera
From KayakWiki
Cameras are great for recording the kayaking experience. Both still and video cameras are available that are suitable for kayaking.
Some method of keeping the camera dry is essential. The camera may be a disposable underwater cheapie, a regular camera with a waterproof container, a waterproof camera or a diving camera. The waterproof container may be elaborate, or as simple as a double ziplock baggie. If you are just looking for a tough and waterproof container to transport a camera, look at the better dry boxes.
Standard cameras make wonderful photographs, but not all kayaking pictures are worth keeping. Film development costs can be reduced to almost nothing with the use of digital cameras. With the digital camera, photos can be shared with friends across the internet, posted on homepages, or on KayakWiki. Paper copies of special photographs can be printed on a color printer or processed at a camera store, or even at a local shop's digital photo kiosk.
If you want to enhance your ability to take pictures of water or of paddlers on water, consider a polarized filter for the camera.
[edit] Waterproof cameras
JIS Standards
There are many JIS standards, but the following are of particular interest to paddlers when applied to electronic gear.
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 7 | Water shall not enter the enclosure when it is immersed in water under defined conditions (Immersion resistant). For cameras, this is usually 1 meter depth for up to 30 minutes. |
| 8 | The equipment is usable for continuous submersion in water under specified pressure (Submersible) For cameras, this is typically 1.5 meter depth for up to 30 minutes. |
Waterproof cameras are typically rated to JIS7, though there are a couple that are rated JIS8. You may find others that can handle up to 5m depth for extended periods of time (suitable for snorkeling). Some waterproof containers for cameras have similar capabilities.
Examples of such point-and-shoot cameras are:
- Film
- Pentax WR90 and WR105 (JIS7) (may only be available second hand; Pentax seems to have abandoned 35mm film.)
- Digital
- Pentax Optio W20
- Pentax Optio W30
- Olympus 720SW (7.1 Mp, JIS8 - 3m for up to one hour)
- Olympus Stylus 770SW
- SeaLife Reefmaster ECO Shot
- Sealife DC500 Digital Camera
There are also other brands that are worth looking at. These kinds of cameras are perfect for sea and mild whitewater kayaking. They can take a dunk or roll and it is safe to rinse off saltwater by just holding it under a soft stream of fresh water.
[edit] Scuba Diving Cameras
Diving cameras and cases are designed for extended submersion to depths of 30m (100ft) or more. The architypical dive camera is the Nikonos - sadly, no longer made. Other brands, such as SeaLife and Sea & Sea are available at dive shops. Cases are made for a large number of cameras, both digital and film, and are relatively affordable. Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony and others make cases for their digital cameras that can handle 30m. Similar cases can be had for video cameras as well. These cases are often made of polycarbonate, a very tough plastic, and can handle rougher conditions and more violent submersions than a JIS7 rated camera.
- Bill Tuthill's list of weatherproof and waterproof cameras
- Digital Photography Review - a site with reviews and information on just about every digital camera ever made.
