Don’t leave home without your camera. How many times have you heard that reminder prior to leaving on vacation? Personally, my camera is one of the first items I pack. I don’t dare leave home without it. In fact, there have been occasions when I’ve had my camera case primed and ready and completely overlooked packing the proper toiletries.
That said you shouldn’t be surprised that I have done a ton of research regarding camera cases and other accessories. Since my family travels to Hawaii a couple of times a year (and we practically live at the beach while we are there), I have test-driven quite a few waterproof camera cases. My favorite brands are Otterbox, Pelican and Anvil. All three do an excellent job of protecting cameras not only from moisture, but also sand and dust. What’s more, all three also offer special “shoot-through” cases that feature thin plastic coverings, which allow you to snap pictures without removing your camera from the case.
If you are taking a beach vacation or plan to spend a significant amount of time poolside and want to protect your camera, consider these other tips as well:
Seek Shade. Keep your camera in the shade when you aren’t using it. As a general rule it’s a good idea to keep all of your electronic devices out of direct sunlight. No matter how elaborate (or expensive) your case it will not protect your camera from heat damage. If you have the money and inclination you might also buy a little umbrella for your camera gear to protect it.
Benefits of Foam. I learned this trick from my grandpa. While I have never employed it myself, I can see the benefits of doing so. If you plan to take your camera to the pool, want to shoot some shots from the surf, or even take it on a canoe trip, slip a piece of foam inside the case so your camera will float if you drop it in the water.
Cooler Options. Here’s a trick I use whenever we go to the beach for the entire day. Either purchase a disposable Styrofoam cooler or bring along an extra one and store all of your electronics in it without ice. Then place the cooler in the shade. The cooler is perfect because it protects your gadgets from the elements–not to mention stray Frisbees and volleyballs.
Close Ports. Any electronic device with an open port, such as a headphone jack, is extremely vulnerable. It’s a good idea to make sure you close port flaps to keep the sand out. This is especially important with camcorders, which are particularly susceptible because of their numerous ports and tiny parts. If sand does get into your camera blast it with a can of compressed air to clean it out.
Keep Your Hands Clean. It’s a good idea to wipe your hands with a Wet-One before touching your camera at the pool or the beach. You don’t want to get sunblock or oil on your camera. I have found that the rubberized skins on cameras become discolored when they come into contact with sunscreen.
Acclimating. When you return to your air-conditioned hotel room following a day in the sun, allow your camera to reach room temperature before using it again. I have found that bringing a warm camera into an air-conditioned room can create condensation.
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