One of the greatest benefits of kayaks and canoes for me personally is the opportunity to photograph other paddlers, wildlife in its element, and nature in general. Of course, to do this requires taking a camera and accepting the risk that the camera might get wet, submerged, flooded, or lost. While I certainly don't want to experience any of those things, there are options available for minimizing the chances of them happening as well as minimizing your losses or damages if any should happen.
Let's start by talking about the cameras. Picking the right camera is probably the first step and some are much better suited to the paddling environment than others. And while some may be better suited to the environment, they may not fit your needs or budget. They come in all types and sizes with huge ranges of features and accessories. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but more of a generalization of different types of cameras.
Disposable cameras- they actually take surprisingly good pictures. There are several different models and prices,ranging from less than $10 on up. Some are designed for underwater or "sport" use. These generally have an inexpensive plastic housing over them to keep the water out. The down side of these cameras is that they are designed for one time use only and require an additional expense to have your photographs developed.
Sport cameras- by this I am referring to cameras geared towards water sports. They often are advertised as being waterproof and buoyant. They usually have brightly colored bodies making it easy to see, find, and recover if you should drop or lose one. They have a very wide price range depending on what features you want, whether it is digital or film, and the actual " depth rating" (meaning how far below the surface it is supposed to remain watertight). These are usually reliable, reusable, user friendly and affordable.
Compact Digital Cameras- These are the small lightweight feature- intensive cameras that have become so popular over the past few years. They use a variety of different memory cards and batteries depending on the brand. They offer the user the opportunity to review images as they are taken and also to keep or discard the images on the spot . They can vary immensely in prices, again depending on your choice of features, performance levels, and image sensor size. Some manufacturers have recently begun marketing waterproof models as well.
Digital or Film SLR Cameras- These are generally the more expensive cameras. They can also come packed with many features and options. In my experience, they are usually a little bigger physically. They have the ability to use different lenses making them ideal for a variety of situations.
Underwater cameras- These cameras are designed for use below the surface but most can be used above the water also. These cameras are primarily used by divers and underwater photographers and can be quite expensive. They are, however, becoming more and more affordable. These cameras can be film or digital, SLR or fixed lens, and also have different depth ratings.
You probably already have a camera and aren't crazy about buying another one just for paddling. Either way, here are also some options for minimizing the chances of damaging your camera new or old.
Dry Bags and Dry Boxes- These are watertight storage containers. They are available at most sporting goods stores, outfitters, and dive shops and come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Just remember they offer no protection at all when your camera is not in them.The key to making these work for you is to ensure they are properly closed and your camera gear is secured inside them when not being used.
Underwater Camera Housings- They can be anything from model specific clear molded hard polymer housings on the high end to basically clear sealable plastic bags on the low end. They are available from diver supply stores as well as photography equipment suppliers. The key here is to find the balance you need between the camera you have, your intended use, and your wallet. These housings can range from thousands of dollars down to $35 depending on quality, depth rating, and model. B&H photography, Leisure Pro, Diver's Supply, and Ritz Camera are just a few of the many companies that can supply these housings. They all have web sites for online pricing if you are interested. Area dive shops and camera stores may have some available although they probably will have to order them.
Should the worst occur and your camera is completely flooded or severely damaged, there are still some options available providing you prepare in advance. BE AWARE MOST OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS WILL NOT APPLY IF YOU ARE SELLING YOUR PHOTOS. Providers will consider you a professional photographer and will require you to purchase appropriate commercial coverage.
Owner's Manuals- See if your owners manual has specific procedures to follow should your camera become flooded and familiarize yourself with them ahead of time.
Manufacturer warranties- Most will not cover water damage but some do, depending on the camera. Read your warranty and find out specifically what is covered and what isn't.
After-market warranties- They can be expensive but may be worth the cost if you find one that will cover water damage to your camera equipment. Check for specific coverages and ask your camera store about the companies offering them. Not all warranties or the companies providing them are created equal.
Home Owners Insurance- Check with your insurance agent and see if you have any present coverage. You will probably find that you do, but most likely deductibles and/or limits apply which can basically null out the value of the coverage for your photo equipment. Your present insurance may also only cover certain situations such as theft or fire. Depending on the value of your camera, you may want to have it added as a separate rider. I was surprised to find how economical it was for me to add my camera and lens to my homeowners policy. It is now covered for all types of loss with no deductible at what I thought was a very reasonable price.
Okay, so now I am just about out of ideas on how to protect your camera gear while paddling except for this one last tip (arguably the most important one!): IMPROVE YOUR PADDLING SKILLS! Seriously, the more you paddle, the better you will be at it. This will also give you improved confidence and skill levels when it comes to the multi-tasking involved with photography from a kayak or canoe.
One other piece of advice: always carry at least one extra fully charged set of batteries as well as 1 additional roll of film or memory card if you are shooting digital. You never know what's going to happen!
