How can I protect a Nikon D7100 and lenses from salt spray, sand, and humidity on a coastal trip?
Asked 6/10/2013
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I’ll be traveling along the California coast and may spend a day whale watching. I’m bringing a Nikon D7100 with the 18-105mm kit lens and a 35mm DX f/1.8G, all carried in weather-resistant cases. I’m concerned about salt water, sand, humidity, and condensation, and I’ve seen mixed advice about using protective filters. What practical steps should I take to protect the camera and lenses without hurting image quality?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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Most important - Don't let the camera come in direct contact with salt water or sand
When you change lenses go indoors (even inside a closed car will do) to prevent airborne sand and water from entering the camera.
When moving between cold (air conditioned) and hot areas put the camera in an airtight bag (or as close to airtight as you can, a closed camera bag is not ideal but not so bad) and let it warm up before exposing it to hot humid air (to avoid condensation)
If you are in an area where your camera could get splashed a little you can make a "poor mans" water sealing with a plastic bag and a UV filter.
If there's a lot of water or sand in the air (an area that is splashed constantly or a sand storm-ish situation) then it's probably time to put the camera away.
Don't forget to enjoy the holiday, if protecting the camera stresses you out put it away in a sealed plastic bag inside you camera bag and forget about it.
Originally by user2481. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2481
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The big risks are salt water, sand, and condensation. Keep the camera away from waves and splashes—salt water can quickly damage electronics. Avoid exposing it to blowing sand, and if conditions are very wet or sandy, it’s best to put the camera away.
Try not to change lenses outdoors near the shore. If you need to swap lenses, do it indoors or at least inside a closed car to reduce sand and moisture getting into the camera.
For light splash protection, a simple plastic bag can work as a temporary rain cover; some people pair that with a UV/protective filter on the lens to shield the front element. A filter generally won’t meaningfully affect image quality in normal use, but it’s mainly for physical protection, not a substitute for proper weather sealing.
To prevent condensation when moving between air-conditioned and warm humid areas, seal the camera in an airtight or zip-top bag first and let it warm up before opening it.
Store the camera in its bag when not shooting, and zip-top freezer bags are a simple extra layer of protection. After a very humid or salty trip, consider a cleaning, especially sensor cleaning.
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