Saltwater

[Sterling Williams]

Well I cannot find a thread about this that isn't at least 5-9 years old (and since we do not yet have a DSMC2 section, I guess this is going here since I have a Scarlet-W)

Just curious what everyone's experience has been shooting with the DSMC2 bodies around saltwater. And I'm not talking underwater or getting sprayed (going to try to avoid that if possible), but just being on the boat/standing in the water. I know the DSMC2 bodies are supposed to be a lot better on weather sealing than original DSMC. Do you take any specific precautions, housing, etc. ?

 

[Mario Gonsalves]

I would wrap a plastic bag around the cam everytime I get near salty water.

 

[Tom Gleeson]

Unless there is a chance of saltwater immersion or saltwater splashing directly on the camera I don’t bother with protection. As I only occasionally shoot near saltwater the cumalitive effect is not an issue. Even then my camera has been splashed by surf a few times and I have simply but carefully wiped the camera down at the end of the day. I would not leave the camera without a Mini mag in it for anytime as saltwater laden air entering here would be bad.
If you worked every day filming surf carnivals then some extra protection would be helpful but the camera needs ventilation and a plastic bag needs to be setup carefully to seal the camera but not cook it. Red cameras are tough and they will likely obsolete before getting a chance to corrode but don’t drop it in the saltwater the’re not that tough.

 

[Sterling Williams]

Unless there is a chance of saltwater immersion or saltwater splashing directly on the camera I don’t bother with protection. As I only occasionally shoot near saltwater the cumalitive effect is not an issue. Even then my camera has been splashed by surf a few times and I have simply but carefully wiped the camera down at the end of the day. I would not leave the camera without a Mini mag in it for anytime as saltwater laden air entering here would be bad.
If you worked every day filming surf carnivals then some extra protection would be helpful but the camera needs ventilation and a plastic bag needs to be setup carefully to seal the camera but not cook it. Red cameras are tough and they will likely obsolete before getting a chance to corrode but don’t drop it in the saltwater the’re not that tough.

This was kind of my thought. I've had cameras take the occasional spray but I avoid it if possible. And I always break down my gear and clean it during a dirty outdoor shoot.

 

[Zeb B]

Salt water is the worst kind of corrosive. Protect the shit out of your cam if you value it. You can't clean the internals and water molecules are real itty bitty so they get into everything. My DJI Inspire corroded after a single big wave shoot in Hawaii. Like right through the power coat

 

[Les Hillis]

As a precaution, you could tape up or cover over any connectors, even ones with things plugged into them. Particles in the atmosphere settling on the camera could be enough to corrode things over time.

I've heard of camera's being considered semi-disposable or single-purpose-only when their intended use is consistently around salt water.

 

[Jens Jakob Thorsen]

Salt water is the worst kind of corrosive. Protect the shit out of your cam if you value it. You can't clean the internals and water molecules are real itty bitty so they get into everything. My DJI Inspire corroded after a single big wave shoot in Hawaii. Like right through the power coat

This.

 

[Mike McEntire]

For sure try to keep any salt spray away from the camera. I have literally watched bolts rust in hours during a shoot that was exposed to salt spray.
Was on a boat and it was windy so there was no escape from it. Camera is still going strong.

 

[Vance Colvig]

Magnesium and salt water/atmosphere is the worst.

 

[Sterling Williams]

I seem to be getting a lot of mixed reviews on this. I frequently go down to the coast, so I am around saltwater a lot of the time.

I guess I will just have to do the best I can and maybe get one of those rain cover/camera wetsuit options (any suggestions?)

I mean I'm not going to be shooting interviews with an underwater housing on. :biggrin:

 

[Robert Hart]

No metal-to-metal flush joint is 100 percent perfect and water has an uncanny way of wicking in through tight spaces to stay there and do its harm. By necessity you have to leave the fan and airducts relatively free of obstruction.

My personal preference is to bag a camera as much as I can to avoid splashes or spray/fine sand drift landing on it in the first place. If you want to be really obsessive you could tape the front of the bag to the rim of the lens and tape a food grade plastic glove into a hole in the bag for focusing, running and stopping the camera etc.

The challenge is finding the best compromise between ease of operating and protecting your asset and how much your asset's repair/write-off value factors into the total cost of the project if it is also your own.

I certainly do not subscribe to the notion of going full gung-ho and letting the camera take its chances. It disrespects the time, craft and effort of those who put it together.

That is also a bit like the fox on the highway confronting every speeding truck with its hackles up and its teeth bared, one of those not if but when things. Maybe the truck will pass over a few times but sooner or later a wandering wheel set will do the job.

 

[Maciej Zauszkiewicz]

Do you have any ideas for rain cover which is the best? Of course as a salt water protection.