Help: Leica MP on Canoe Trip

[tom@home]

Maybe one for the pros: how do I keep my Leica MP dry in case of carnage (canoe tips in rapids) yet still have it ready to grab great shots?
Thanks!

[Keith]

Sorry I can't help you ... but will say that I would not be getting into any damned canoe with a Leica MP!

[MarkoKovacevic]

A non lubricated condom? Seriously. those things stretch a lot, and they're quite watertight.

otherwise I'd say a pelican case, or buy a nikonos(they're cheap now)

[BobYIL]

Originally Posted by MarkoKovacevic

A non lubricated condom? Seriously. those things stretch a lot, and they're quite watertight.

otherwise I'd say a pelican case, or buy a nikonos(they're cheap now)

What size?!? Films needs to be advanced! (Quite a large size should be..)

[gavinlg]

Originally Posted by MarkoKovacevic

A non lubricated condom? Seriously. those things stretch a lot, and they're quite watertight.

actually a really good idea...

[loquax ludens]

I used a Pelican case on a canoe trip once. It kept my Canon AE-1P perfectly dry. But there were no rapids on that trip. Just an easy jaunt down a slow-moving river.

[farlymac]

Two options. Get a custom made watertight enclosure, so you can take photos while going under when the canoe capsizes (remember to wear a tether). Or just leave the thing high and dry in the hotel room.

PF

[jpmac55]

Haven't tried these...

http://fotosharp.com/camera_rain_covers.html

http://www.stormjacket.com/SJ1.html

[ColSebastianMoran]

For smooth water Kayaking, I put the camera in a gallon sized Freezer-thickness Ziploc bag, with enough air so it would float. That gave me comfort in smooth water, but would not in white water.

[Bob Michaels]

I think everyone should own a mechanical Nikonos (II or III) as they seem to be around $100-125 these days.

You simply cannot do better for situations like this.

[swoop]

You can't bring it on a canoe and keep it safe. Not going to happen. Take your chances, or leave it at home.

[Lauffray]

Seriously man, don't do it, that's how I lost my F100

[GaryLH]

Originally Posted by Lauffray

Seriously man, don't do it, that's how I lost my F100

+1

Don't bring your mp, get a nikonos or minolta weathermatic dual for 35 mm instead or use one of the many new waterproof up to around 7-12 ft digital cameras.

Too many things can happen on a canoe trip like a tip over .

If u most bring, make sure u store in something that will float too....

Gary

[marcr1230]

I use old ammo boxes - usually you can find them at army surplus stores
Put foam or bubble wrap on the bottom and sides, and for extra protection use a ziplock bag around the camera, tie the handle of the box to one of the cross bars or a seat.
The camera will be protected and accessible, but not instantly available
I would not shoot from a canoe in the rapids, you'll probably have other priorities.
It is fine though to shoot after the rapids from a controlled situation or of course from the shore

[MikeL]

A place I used to fish had a fast side pool with an overhanging willow. Weekend canoers would run into the willow and the canoe would keep going, eventually tipping. The pool would nearly fill up (exaggeration) with camera gear, wine, cheese, and purses, none of it protected. My uncle and I would place odds when we saw them coming.

If it were me, I'd buy a waterproof digicam and then sell it for a small loss (rental fee) when done. Keep it in a foam pouch (floats), and you'll always have it handy to "grab the great shots".

If you really want to bring the MP, I'd put it in a pelican case with foam and desiccant packs. That's what I use with science gear that costs a ton and the cases have saved my bacon a couple times.

And don't forget to tie the pelican case (and your dry bags) to something, or your MP may float miles downstream from you. Have a fun trip!

[Vincent.G]

Originally Posted by tom@home

Maybe one for the pros: how do I keep my Leica MP dry in case of carnage (canoe tips in rapids) yet still have it ready to grab great shots?
Thanks!

It depends on whether this is your first and last canoe trip you are ever going to do or not. You only live once. I say go for it because I would.

[rodinal]

Besides the security issues for the camera, I'd say that no M Leica is a good choice for that situation. A motorized AF camera, film or digital, weatherproofed like hi-end Canons or Nikons, is better for white waters. You can always use a watertight enclosure, but manual focus AND manual film advance AND manual exposure... AND rapids... not a good idea.
Horses for courses.

[SolaresLarrave]

I went for rapid waters in Costa Rica and didn't last two minutes in the raft: a huge current swept me out. Fortunately, I was wearing a vest and had heard the emergency drill that I was very glad about having left all my photography gear at home.

A Leica MP in a canoe trip that may entail a plunge? Sure... if you want to return Leica-less.

[FrozenInTime]

Several years ago I swam up a few rivers in Kakadu Australia with my Hasselblad 501c in one of these dry bags :
http://cascadedesigns.com/en/seallin...ee-bag/product

Make sure to use one of these thick vinyl ones - not the lighter weight proofed nylon bags as they are easily pin pricked.

However, If you want to use the camera on the water, as others have already said, there are other cameras better suited for the job.

For less immersive yet still potentially wet sports such as hillwalking, my M6 survived the New Zealand rain on a couple of multi-day great walks.
http://cascadedesigns.com/en/seallin...al-pak/product
Very waterproof yet still with easy access - but not submersible unles you really carefully roll the closure each time.

[skibeerr]

I am an avid sea kayaker and sometimes the conditions equal white water so I have some experience here.

I agree with most posters on the Nikonos etc. but if you really must use your MP....

Pelicase is your best friend here, tether it securely to the boat best inside a bigger pack.
Going thru rapids you will need your hands on the paddle :-) so no photo ops. but between them there is often calmer water where you might take the risk.
But for me the combination of keeping it dry, afloat, and not floating downstream and easy to grab does not exist.

Off course there will be lots of interesting photo ops around the water and camp http://www.flickr.com/photos/wim_b/s...7627654356793/ so bringing a better camera along is a good idea but I would never use it sitting in the canoe.

The proof for me is that most photo's taken from within kayak's and canoes are made in calm (boring) conditions, the good action photo's are made from the shore.

[tom.w.bn]

Originally Posted by FrozenInTime

Several years ago I swam up a few rivers in Kakadu Australia with my Hasselblad 501c in one of these dry bags :
http://cascadedesigns.com/en/seallin...ee-bag/product

Make sure to use one of these thick vinyl ones - not the lighter weight proofed nylon bags as they are easily pin pricked.

Absolutely agree. Those bags are absolutely water proof. Put your camera in there together with your dry clothes and secure the bag with a rope to the Canoe. Only take photos at land or when the water is very calm. When the water is rough, every hand is needed so you won't have time to take photos.

Edit: The nice thing about this bags is, that there is enough air in them so they float.

[d_c]

Forget the MP and get yourself a Nikonos V. If you really must bring the MP along then don't plan on taking any 'on the river' shots with it - you'll need to secure it in a Pelicase while canoeing (i.e. something indestructible that floats) or there'll surely be tears.

[swoop]

Originally Posted by d_c

or there'll surely be tears.

A whole river of them.

[thegman]

If it were me, I'd be taking something else. It sounds sarcastic, but it's not meant to be. I think you'd relax and enjoy the trip more taking something a little cheaper.

[Johann Espiritu]

I'd leave the MP in the hotel room (or Pelican case) and use a Olympus Mju II while canoeing.