The Problem of Water

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The Problem of Water

by SeasideMan ^Pro @ 13/09/09 – 09:47:30

Ever since I've got a decent camera, I've been worried about damaging it. Dropping it, spilling coffee on it, whacking it on something, etc. But by far the most likely thing to damage it is taking it onto the beach every day. If water doesn't get it, the sand will: my 1st Panasonic compact digital stopped working after less than a year and I'm sure it was because of sand ingress.

I have a solution: a waterproof camera. So, I'm eyeing these up. The good ones are expensive, so I'm looking at small ones. I get a double benefit from this: I can take it anywhere and not worry about damage and it will be pocket sized. All-round win! Watch this space!

Cheers, Tom.
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Tags:
- beach
- sand
- dog
- photography
- camera
- photographs
- man
- water
- photograph
- sea
- seaside
- photographer
- waterproof

50 Comments to The Problem of Water

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- la_spice
- 13/09/09 @ 09:53:45
Good idea - nice shot too
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 13/09/09 @ 10:27:27
  Thanks, I've just been looking round and it's a minefield! Some people report models failing the moment they put them in water, others say the images are low quality. I think I'd better keep reading before jumping in to anything.
  - - la_spice
    - 13/09/09 @ 10:39:47
    Best tread ~~water~~ carefully
    - - SeasideMan ^Pro
      - 13/09/09 @ 10:46:25
      teehee :-)
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- brokendownangel ^Pro
- 13/09/09 @ 09:55:05
I will watch to see the resulting pics from one, I would think that the salt in the sea air probably damages yours too x
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 13/09/09 @ 10:28:16
  I think you're right, all the salt can't be good. With winter on the way I really do need to take care!
  - - brokendownangel ^Pro
    - 13/09/09 @ 10:29:44
    Replace it with the waterproof one and see how long it lasts. You do spend a lot of time photographing the beach and its environs so you do need a camera that can do the job long-term x
    - - SeasideMan ^Pro
      - 13/09/09 @ 10:47:05
      You're right of course, but cost is a factor. I really need to make a good decision here.
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- catsInVienna
- 13/09/09 @ 10:06:14
Salt, sand and water and coffee (smile) are damage cameras. A good camera cost a lot of money. The pic with Dan is lovely, he looks very serious with his ball (a bit proud) smile. I think it is cheaper when you buy a camera second hand.

Have a nice time!
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 13/09/09 @ 10:30:25
  I am tempted by a 2nd hand one as they are a lot cheaper, as you say. But the thing is, if I took it into the water and it broke, I'd be stuck. At least with a new one I could take it back. This is troubling me now...
  - - catsInVienna
    - 13/09/09 @ 10:36:48
    That is right and a problem.
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- WyrdSeeker ^Pro
- 13/09/09 @ 10:36:53
Sounds sensible! Couple of years ago I fell backwards into a rockpool whilst trying to balance and take photo's. I really hurt myself as I tried to protect my camera when I fell Luckily camera is still working.
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 13/09/09 @ 10:48:35
  Ouch - I've been SO close to doing that myself so I feel your pain!
  - - WyrdSeeker ^Pro
    - 13/09/09 @ 15:32:38
    My pride hurt more than the gashes on my arms. Felt a real idiot as I knew I was taking a risk balancing as I was. My camera cost a lot and don't know what I would have done if I had broken it. Still be crying now!!
    - - SeasideMan ^Pro
      - 13/09/09 @ 15:50:05
      *shudder*
      
      I would be too if I broke mine!
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- Bushka ^Pro
- Bushka
- 13/09/09 @ 10:49:01
Sounds a very good idea....will remove anxiety from your 'photography' Cheers, Tom!
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 13/09/09 @ 10:51:36
  Thanks, I need some assurance right now. It will cost about £250 for the one I really want and for me at the moment that's a pretty significant investment.
  
  Tom.
  - - Bushka ^Pro
    - Bushka
    - 13/09/09 @ 11:16:08
    Phew! I knew they cost a lot...Wow! However, could act as a further incentive to get involved in Tourism - Photography etc....You are so gifted and you obviously LOVE it!
    - - SeasideMan ^Pro
      - 13/09/09 @ 11:48:36
      You're right on both counts: it would be a good investment, and I do love it. It also opens up a few more possibilities related to sporting ans water-based activities and protects the larger investment in my main camera. All in all it makes sense, but that's still an awful lot of money.
      
      Tom.
      - Bushka ^Pro
        
        Bushka
        
        13/09/09 @ 14:40:05
        
        Agreed! Quite a bit of 'brass'....BUT..age and health considered.....(apart from what it will do for your 'self').....worth the investment....
        
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        SeasideMan ^Pro
        
        13/09/09 @ 14:47:33
        
        I think I'll wait and discuss it with Helen when she's back in a few days...
        
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        Bushka ^Pro
        
        Bushka
        
        13/09/09 @ 15:09:57
        
        Funnily enough, Tom, that is what I was going to add to my earlier comment...
        
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  - - catsInVienna
    - 13/09/09 @ 16:08:55
    It is a good prize!
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- jenray ^Pro
- http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
- 13/09/09 @ 12:00:07
It's a real pain trying to find out the truth behind the claims about cameras of every sort...did you know it has got so bad, the EU is bringing in a Law that the web sites must put ALL the information about cameras and such things on line because so many people have discovered what they were sold didn't suit them at all...perhaps a shop might give you a better deal now... GBHs...XXX
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 13/09/09 @ 12:25:52
  To be honest, I am sorely tempted to go to Jessops and see what they can tell me. I bought my SLR from them. It cost me about £20 more than I'd have paid online, but I have the confidence that if anything goes wrong I can just take it back.
  
  I've just read lots of horror stories about waterproof cameras. Someone bought an Olympus to take on holiday and it broke after a week with water inside, and 2 other people on the same holiday had the same problem. I've heard the same thing about a Pentax and the same about a waterproof Fuji Finepix.
  
  The only ones I haven't managed to find anything bad about are the waterproof Canon Powershot D10, and the Panasonic Lumix FT1 (or TS1). Both of those cost about £250.
  
  I think online retailers need to start telling the whole story.
  
  Tom.
  - - jenray ^Pro
    - http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
    - 13/09/09 @ 12:30:13
    Yes, that's where we would probably go now for a new camera...because at least you'd know exactly what you're buying...a minefield apparently now online...GBHs...XXX
    - - SeasideMan ^Pro
      - 13/09/09 @ 12:33:27
      Yes, minefield sums it up nicely. Some have extras thrown in and some don't, some have free delivery and some don't, etc. Some turn out to be based in Hong Kong and if anything goes wrong you're without your camera for 6 weeks and have to pay international postage. I probably will go to Jessops. In fact, I'll have a sneaky peek at their website now...
      - jenray ^Pro
        
        http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
        
        13/09/09 @ 12:36:53
        
        Good idea... GBHs...XXX
        
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        SeasideMan ^Pro
        
        13/09/09 @ 12:41:18
        
        Poo. They are almost £100 more than Amazon :-(
        
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        jenray ^Pro
        
        http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
        
        13/09/09 @ 13:02:42
        
        they do have sales in the shops that may not be on Amazon...overheads add something but that much is ridiculous...still it's a case of weighing up the pros and cons...wouldn't pay that much more...chase around other camera suppliers on the high street... GBHs...XXX
        
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        SeasideMan ^Pro
        
        13/09/09 @ 14:25:05
        
        I agree. Jessops are selling at the full RRP. I've found one now that's £120 less, but it is in Hong Kong!
        
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        jenray ^Pro
        
        http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
        
        13/09/09 @ 16:00:23
        
        that's a long way to go for a shop...LOL...GBHs...XXX
        
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- antlady69 ^Pro
- http://antmusic-forever.blog.co.uk
- 13/09/09 @ 12:22:42
Sounds like a good idea to protect it from water - but would it help against the sand too?

I can relate to that fear, though. I'm always worried that I drop the camera or bump into something and smash it or ...

xx
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 13/09/09 @ 12:30:02
  The two I fancy most (the Canon and the Panasonic) are both waterproof, dust(and hence sand) proof and also shock-proof. You can drop them from 1.5 metres onto a concrete floor and they don't even get scratched. I will probably have to bite the bullet and fork out the £250 necessary.
  
  Tom.
  - - antlady69 ^Pro
    - http://antmusic-forever.blog.co.uk
    - 13/09/09 @ 12:35:57
    Ouch! That is quite expensive. But then again, this hobby is, I guess, at least when you want good equipment.
    
    In your case, it's probably money well invested.
    
    xx
    - - antlady69 ^Pro
      - http://antmusic-forever.blog.co.uk
      - 13/09/09 @ 12:37:05
      What I meant by that last sentence is that you wouldn't be wasting your money because a) you do need this type of camera, and b) you're making great photos.
      
      Didn't come out right, though, did it?
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    - - SeasideMan ^Pro
      - 13/09/09 @ 12:40:38
      *sigh*
      
      I wish I was rich.
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- jenray ^Pro
- http://www.jenniferhunter.co.uk
- 13/09/09 @ 13:03:18
I meant to say that nearly match Amazon...sorry...GBHs...XXX
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- thehomelyyear ^Pro
- 13/09/09 @ 14:27:50
Sounds a good investment, considering the amount of time you spend on the beach(yes, I have gone green). Love your dog
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 13/09/09 @ 14:30:10
  Thanks, I am fully convined that I need one now. All I have to do now is find the money.
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- sparkles101
- http://sparkles101.blog.co.uk
- 13/09/09 @ 14:34:27
I'm terrible I'm always dropping my stuff in water, the floor (the fate of my last mobie) so a waterproof camera seems a cool idea to me XXX
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 13/09/09 @ 14:48:03
  I know I'll end up getting one, it's just a matter of time...
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- jollyweez
- 13/09/09 @ 17:50:04
So many things are damaged by sea air and water, when you live along the coast. I lived in Daytona Beach when I was single. I would take my car to the beach on Saturdays, and sunbathe.
After an overhaul a few months later, the mechanic told me the underside of my car was rusting away from the sea and sand!
I hope you find a camera that is waterprorf and saltproof and still takes those fantastic pictures of yours: JWxx
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 13/09/09 @ 18:01:04
  We've noticed how quickly things rust too. My bicycle was completely ruined in 3 months!
  
  I'm going to keep shopping round, and I hope I make the right decision!
  
  Tom.
  - - jollyweez
    - 13/09/09 @ 19:03:55
    My gosh! In only 3 months? You must keep the new one inside your house somewhere.
    Good luck on the shopping. Can you search Amazon?
    I go there a lot, and I often will buy 'used stuff,' and it arrives brand-new!
    I trust Amazon. JW xx
    - - SeasideMan ^Pro
      - 13/09/09 @ 19:35:48
      They have what I want at Amazon, and it's only about £20 more than I can get it for elsewhere. I'm tempted, but I really will wait and see what Helen thinks.
      
      I was amazed at how quick it rusted too. This doesn't bode well for our car!
      
      Tom.
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- justal
- http://www.alananna.co.uk
- 14/09/09 @ 09:44:50
My thoughts exactly which is why I got a Pentax Optio W60:

http://www.alananna.co.uk/blog/2009/pentax-optio-w60-first-impressions/

I've been very impressed with it and it fits in my pocket so I can take it everywhere I go!

Al.
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 14/09/09 @ 12:44:49
  It was interesting to read your thoughts on these cameras Al, thanks. Since you made that decision there are 2 new contenders:
  
  Canon Powershot D10
  Panasonic Lumix FT1
  
  They are both available for about £240. I can get your Pentax W60 for about £165, and the newer model the W80 for about £240. I'll have to weigh this up fo a while as there are good arguments for all of them.
  
  Have you had yours in the water yet?
  
  Cheers, Tom.
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- justal
- http://www.alananna.co.uk
- 14/09/09 @ 16:17:22
Hi Tom,
I haven't actually shot with it underwater yet, but its been mountain biking with me (In Wales so it gets pretty wet) and its been out in the canoe with me.

I've also left it at the bottom of my rucksack in a pool of water for a week or so and haven't used and abused it and it always seems fine.

The newer (W80) version certainly looks good. I chose the Pentax in the end as it had a better zoom than the other contenders and takes the same memory cards as my SLR. And it was slightly cheaper than the alternatives as well.

They are all pretty good mind and I've got a Panasonic Lumix (although it is now quite old) and it was an amazing camera for the price. They use Leica lenses that just can't be beat.

Al.
- - SeasideMan ^Pro
  - 14/09/09 @ 17:31:19
  I used to have a Lumix, but the sand on the beach destroyed it after about 10 months! I really fancy the waterproof Lumix more than any of the others. The zoom is 4.6X which is probably enough for me. Typically, it's about the most expensive of the bunch.
  
  Your argument for the W60 is powerful, and at £169 it's a good deal. I think I'll have to make a spreadsheet of the options and decide what's most important to me.
  
  Tom.
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