Susan's Spot: Elemental Camera Gear

Oct0ber-November 1995

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

by Susan Noppe

Cameras

For many of us a sea kayaking trip is often an opportunity to capture some great scenery on film. But with the worry of water and salt damage to expensive camera gear, it's sometimes tempting to leave cameras at home or keep them hidden away inside several zip-lock bags within a dry bag and stowed inside a sealed hatch.

Hmmm, not many on-water action or wildlife shots likely. The alternative? Either a weather-resistant or waterproof 'point-and-shoot' camera or-for total control freaks-a water-resistant case for your SLR and extra lenses.

Many of the camera manufacturers now have weather proof camera designs. Are they all the same? No. All four cameras we tested produced good quality pictures. What differed was the level of creative control allowed. Some point-and-shoot cameras make all the decisions for you while others allow you to override them. Although none of the cameras we tested allow you to select the lens aperture, a couple of them do allow you to change the focal length or "zoom" the lens.

What follows is a review of the features of each of the four cameras tested as well as test results for three weather resistant camera cases.

Pentax Zoom90-WR

This is a feature-rich, weather-resistant camera, ideal for someone who wants an autofocus point-and-shoot camera with some creative control. A 38mm f/3.5 to 90mm f/7.5 zoom lens allows the user to capture slightly wide angle kayaking scenes or to zoom in on a bald eagle perched in a tree. The camera autofocuses between the range of 0.8 metres to infinity and calculates the "best" focus using a three point system. Or can you select spot focusing, allowing you to focus on your subject and then recompose the picture with the assurance that the subject will be sharp. A built in zoom flash comes on automatically when required but you can override it. It can also be set when the metering system would not normally employ it, say perhaps when your subject is backlit with a bright background but you're not looking for a silhouette shot. Long exposures of up to 10 minutes are also possible for capturing those moonlit scenes or the stars at night. An infrared wireless remote controller allows for self portraits and reduces camera shake when using longer shutter times.

This camera is not designed for underwater use but is great for wet weather. To wash the Zoom90-WR, Pentax recommends holding it under running water or dunking it in a basin, clearly making it as weatherproof as you'll probably need for ocean kayaking use. $390

Konica Mermaid

This is a waterproof and impact resistant camera which can be used underwater down to 5 metres deep. Although the Mermaid looks somewhat like a child's toy it does provide extra features beyond the standard point-and-shoot. A fixed 35 mm f/3.5 lens produces slightly wide angle pictures and auto focuses in the range of 0.35 metres to infinity. A focus lock feature is useful for taking pictures with the subject off-centre and an infinity focus setting will ignore the foreground and focus on the horizon. Another useful feature is exposure compensation allowing you to over- or underexpose from the camera meter reading. This is useful in situations where you have a very bright background (sunlit sky or ocean) and a darker subject. A built-in flash can be set automatically or manually. A self timer allows you to get into the picture or to reduce camera shake when using a tripod and slow shutter speeds. A maximum exposure time of 7.5 seconds allows for low light non-flash pictures. $300

Canon Sure Shot A1

This is a floating, autofocus, waterproof camera which can be used to depths of 5 metres-great for someone who doesn't want to bother with many adjustments. A fixed 32mm f3.5 lens will produce slightly wide-angle pictures. Underwater, the camera switches to a set focus which will take sharp photos of subjects in the range of 1 to 3 metres. An underwater macro with automatic flash is great for taking closeup shots of the undersea life in the range of 0.45 to 1 metre. A built in flash with red-eye reduction can be set to automatic or controlled manually. For shooting evening available light pictures without flash, the shutter can stay open for a maximum exposure time of 2 seconds. A self timer function allows for self-portraits. $280

Minolta Weathermatic Dual 35

This is a true point-and-shoot waterproof camera. The only adjustments to make on this camera are to select the lens. Two lens positions, wide (35mm f/3.5 ) or normal (50mm f/5.6) can be selected using a top mounted button. Above water, an infrared autofocus mechanism with focus lock allows for a subject range of 0.75 metres to infinity. A close up function is useful for pictures as close as 0.52 metres with the 35mm lens and 0.62 metres with the 50mm lens. Underwater the camera fixes the focus range to between 1.2 to 3.6 metres for the 35 mm lens and between 1.3 to 3.2 metres with the 50 mm lens. The flash will come on automatically underwater if required. An underwater macro mode can be used to take pictures of subjects as close as 0.52 metres. Extra accessories include twin waterproof canisters for extra film and a special view finder for use with a snorkeling mask. $330

Camera Cases

For those who have either an SLR (single lens reflex) camera or a non-waterproof point-and-shoot, you'll probably be interested in some kind of a weatherproof case to protect your camera on sea kayak adventures, especially if you've ever tried to go the zip-lock bag route. Here are a few options.

SunDog River Runner Telezoom Camera Case

This is a great product if you want to keep your SLR dry in inclement weather. An outer light-weight dry bag made from Hydroseal fabric covers an inner padded case which protects the camera and adds flotation. It is not completely waterproof but is watertight for quick dumps. I held it underwater for several seconds and no water made its way in. An action harness is also available which keeps your camera really snug to you and easily accessible while paddling, backpacking or skiing. Comes with a lifetime warranty. $65

Ortlieb Aqua Zoom

Ortlieb makes a wonderfully bomb-proof and weather resistant case. A single dry bag design with inner dense foam padding makes for a lightweight but floating camera case. The case fits both my SLR with zoom lens attached (suspended by the inner strap system) and my flash. Since the outer bag is so tough, you won't hesitate to take it everywhere with you, paddling, rock climbing or skiing. An optional harness system is recommended for keeping your camera tight to your body when involved in active sports. $90

 Pelican Mini-S Case

This is the only truly waterproof case we tested, a nearly indestructible product. One ad shows a truck driving over it and I certainly have used mine as a step stool and a beach chair on many occasions. The mini-S case easily fits an SLR with zoom, an extra lens, flash, film and spare batteries. There's enough room in most kayaks to fit it on the kayak floor in front of your seat for easy accessibility. Some people mount them on their kayak decks. The case floats which is nice if you capsize, it's also easy to leash it to the inside if the boat so your camera investment doesn't float away. $66

A quick word on camera & film care:

Your pictures will only be as good as the quality of your lens and film. So taking care of both is of the utmost importance.

Never touch anything other than a lint-free cloth or tissue (available at camera stores) to your lens and be careful to gently remove any salt crystals before cleaning. A blower brush can be useful. Regularly clean the outside of your camera with a clean cloth so that dirt and salt particles don't work their way into the moving parts or to the inside of the camera when you open it to change film. If you have a waterproof camera follow the manufacturer's instructions for caring for the gasket and-ring seals. Film can be damaged by heat and humidity so keep it in a sealed container stored in a cool place. Adding a package of desiccant will reduce the moisture in the container.

Always change your film in the shade. Exposed film is more susceptible to spoiling so get it processed as soon as possible.

Susan Noppe is a regular WaveLength columnist. All photos are hers.