Waterproof case for Camera???

[OuttaHandParticipant]

I asked this on the GC boards and got a couple responses. thought I’d bring it here and see what the locals think. . . .
❓
I’m thinking of getting a waterproof “case” to use my small digital camera while protecting it from water. Would not be diving with it, but would be on boats, rafts, etc. where it’s bound to get wet.
A quick ‘net search yielded this possibility: Link
➡
By the way — this needs to be something that the camera can
function in — not just be stored in. In other words, I want to be able to take pictures in a wet environment.

Has anybody used these for cameras or other sensitive equipment? Any others that anyone could recommend? Comments?

[EnergySaverMember]

I think the product you pointed out would be a good choice. Not sure if the “bag” is pliable enough to allow good “button pressing” with it inside, but you certainly could try. A possible compromise to try … purchase the product you indicated, but keep it in there only when your NOT taking pictures, BUT also have the camera inside of a regular zip lock bag … this way your attempting to take pictures through a thinner zip lock bag (less protection, but more function), then return it to the special bag when done (for max. protection).

Having said this … just how valuable is your camera? Have you considered having a “cheaper” camera for such situations? You still could “bag” the cheaper camera, but cut your losses if it sinks to the bottom of the lake. If your interested, I’ve got a Casio Exilim EX-S2 sitting around that I’ve pondered selling on occasion … it’s real thin (3/8″) and works real well in a zip-bag … I’d part with it for $40 plus shipping cost, it has an extra battery too.

[OuttaHandParticipant]

Using a cheaper camera was another option I had considered. But I already have a couple digital cameras. The waterproof bag would actually be for the cheaper of my two digital cameras.
I have a nice digital SLR that I just got. That one would stay high-n-dry. My other one is a nice little 5 megapixel, very compact camera. It takes very nice pictures and I thought that one would be perfect for something like this. All of its controls are push-button so it could be operated nicely inside the bag. The only ipossible issue I do see is that the lens of the camera has to pop out when it’s turned on. Not sure if these bags are pliable enough for that to happen. I’m guessing they are since this pop-out lens configuration is not that uncommon these days.

[JeremyParticipant]

I moved this topic to the Help forum because it seemed to make more sense here than in General…

Isn’t taking pictures through a wet or dirty bag going to interfere with the auto focus and maybe give you a blurry picture? I’d think if the bag had anything on it, the camera would try to focus on that instead of what you are taking a picture of… and even if you got it to focus, the stuff on the bag would be visible in the picture.

I have a waterproof camera that I use for geocaching (Pentax 43WR). It is rated to the same waterproof standards as most GPS units so it can be used in the rain and even submerged briefly (but not used underwater). Newer Pentax H20 units can be used underwater, and most companies (like Canon) offer waterproof housings for their higher end cameras that let you shoot underwater.

I like Ron’s suggestion of just buying a cheap old camera and using it until the water kills it (or you drop it out the boat, it gets crushed on some rocks, gets left in the woods, etc. :)).

[OuttaHandParticipant]

I don’t think focusing would be too much of an issue. Older autofocus cameras used ultrasonic sound. Those would try to focus on anything that would bounce back the sound.
Newer digitals autofocus using the image itself that falls on the sensor. As long as what you’re shooting through is relatively clean, you have no problem.
Think of it as shooting through a window. As long as the window is clean, your camera focuses on what’s outside — not the glass of the window.
Same with this bag. As long as there are’s no dirt or water droplets in front of the lens, it should focus on what you’re aiming at.
The idea of having another camera that is just for this use is not a bad one. It’s just that I don’t need another electronic, battery-devouring device around.

[Author]

Posts