yachting Photography

[riverroberts]

Hi, to all !!

im new to this forum and was just after a bit of advise or any tips ?!?

Im going to be going out to shoot a Yachting event and never done anything like this before, ive done a bit of sports photography but that was on dry land !!

I will be on a motorised rib shooting the yachts raceing, im going out a few times before hand to try get a feel for taking shots on a boat and not get sea sick ?!?!
but really, anything to help me would be great at this stage? best lenses to use, filters, protection for the equipment, should i shoot in RAW? just anything really and wonder if anyone has done this sort of thing before ?!?!?

Current Equipment:

Canon 20D
Canon 350D
Sigma 28-300
Sigma 10-20
Canon 100-400 IS


many thanks!!
Aaron . .

[rpthorne]

Wear a life-jacket :laugh1:

[canonman]

I have done a little shooting from the deck of small ocean going yachts, but never shot from a RIB. Similar problems but more amplified ! A RIB on the move has zero suspension and also creates a lot of spray even in relative calm conditions.

I am assuming that you will be able to get close, if so use the shortest lens you can get away with, and use the highest possible shutter speeds (if you are on the move that is). Take as little equipment as possible, and use a wrist strap on your camera at all times.

Shoot RAW if you want maximum information and intend to make quality prints, otherwise JPEG to give you more memory card capacity (if that is an issue) and if you only intend web use for the images.

A 100% waterproof and "floating" bag for whatever gear you decide to take would be wise.

[Bandit]

I feel you will kill your camera gear if you don't protect it from spray. It's asking a lot of both the 20D and 350D. I would not take my 40D or 5D anywhere near the sea in a rubber boat unless I could water seal them somehow?

[george.monaghan]

Hi,

The bounce rate on a rib is exceptional, even in calm waters. You go out into open waters in a breeze then forget trying to take pictures - your too busy hanging on. :help:

A rigid might help, but you got a rib, so a 20D will not cut it - not waterproof enough. You really need a pro camera for this type of work. A waterproof cover (you can buy on E-bay) would be advisable and the advice given above should also be heeded.

You will know better after your recce trip out before the real thing. Hopefully the weather will be kind to you.

[canonman]

In my opinion, the biggest concern from a damage aspect is the lens not the camera itself.

Even when taking shots in heavy weather from beaches or rocks etc, the minute airborne particles that we tend not to be aware of is the killer. We keep our cameras protected when the weather is foul, or don't even attempt to use them, but get lulled into a false sense of security in better conditions.

When the airborne sea-air dries on our equipment, the salt crystals take on the nature of very fine ground glass. This is a major problem with the moving elements of either the focussing or zoom barrels.

To date I've never had a problem with a camera body, but I have learned the hard way even with an "L" series Canon lens !

[riverroberts]

Thanks for all that !!

I was abit worried about my gear getting ruined espically with the salt water !! the 350D is really just a backup and hardly use it, i was considering upgradeing the 20D to the 40D but now you have all said that im thinking maybe best to do it afterwards ?!! if i can handle it, then it is quite a big weekend for the area and i should sell quite a few pictures, so that should cover the upgrade ?!?

would you recommened the 40 or maybe go a bit better ??!??

Also ive not really looked at the waterproof covers before, could be an idea to try out as going to try and get out on the water 3 times before the actual weekend to see what i think ?!?

[canonman]

If you go to www.warehouseexpress.com then run a search for "aquatech", you should find a couple of options good for salt and sand protection. Needless to say even with these you need to be very careful.

[angus]

it may be worth considering an aquapac to put the camera in, i got one for my 350D a few months back and had it out on the water a few times... waterproof to about 15foot, many are sceptical and i havent plunged it to that sort of depth yet but being out and about with it i have some faith.

the worst thing is the difficulty in pressign buttons through the aquapac, i think the material is too stiff for the scottish east coast waters - when warmer its a lot more flexible and easier to use.

as for filters - i would stick a polorizer on... remove as much glare as possible from the water. i wouldnt use any other filters as keeping the shutter speed high is important to keep the pic crisp, also spray seems to look much better with a fast shutter

[Bandit]

Thanks for all that !!

I was abit worried about my gear getting ruined espically with the salt water !! the 350D is really just a backup and hardly use it, i was considering upgradeing the 20D to the 40D but now you have all said that im thinking maybe best to do it afterwards ?!! if i can handle it, then it is quite a big weekend for the area and i should sell quite a few pictures, so that should cover the upgrade ?!?

would you recommened the 40 or maybe go a bit better ??!??

Also ive not really looked at the waterproof covers before, could be an idea to try out as going to try and get out on the water 3 times before the actual weekend to see what i think ?!?

The 40D has a bit of water sealing, but I would not consider it water proof in anyway. You need to look at one of the Canon 1D range for true weather sealing really. A water proof housing is a much cheaper option. But I have never used one so have no idea what they are like to use.

[george.monaghan]

Hi,

Some of these might help:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_ce/203-2871286-3923144?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=waterproof+camera XXsharkXX

[riverroberts]

Ive been told there going to supply me with a waterproof floatable bag for my gear, incase it falls in, apparently it will just bob about on the water, but nothing for the actual camera im going to be useing, so im going to invest in one of the covers thanks :)
I also said could i be strapped to something so i dont need to hold on if its a bit bouncy but they wont strap me to the boat for saftey reasons, incase it capsizes :s