Advice for using camera gear on the beach

[nehhet]

So I’m going to an event this weekend called The race of gentleman. Should I expose my camera to the elements. I plan on only keeping my rf100-500 on my r6 mii and not changing the lens. Should I use a cheaper lens like my 24-105 f4 or don’t bring a camera at all. It’s supposed to be sunny and mid 70’s I’ve shot by the water plenty of times but never a prolonged amount of time like this. Maybe 3-4 hrs.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Only you can answer this question.  I'm usually cautious and avoid lens changes in unfriendly conditions where possible..  If there's no wind and it's going to be still, it's not a big deal shooting at the beach.  I've had my camera to the beach many times with no ill effects.  If it's windy enough to blow sand around, I won't do it.  If I was going to be around people playing volleyball I would do so from a distance.  Sea spray is the same. You can be near the water and take photos safely.  I also gently wipe down my camera every night after it's been used.  So it is stored clean ready for its next adventure.  If you have to apply sunscreen, bring wet wipes for your hands.  They are also helpful for food if you don't have a place to wash your hands.  Taking reasonable precautions goes a long way.

Sand and playa dust are two things you will never get out of your camera.  If you are in doubt, you can always use a mobile device.  If you do notice sand or foreign debris, Canon offers cleaning and maintenance services.  I'm not telling you not to bring your camera to the beach.  A camera is made to be used, so again just be mindful of the conditions.

[ebiggs1]

Camera gear is made to use. If you can't use it or are afraid to use it what the heck good is it? My gear does what I want or I get something that will.

I have shot beach scenes while standing in the Atlantic ocean water up to my waist. I have shot in the desert southwest and the frozen north. The gear goes with me but of course it is wise to use some common sense, too.

However now in my advanced age I consider whether I can stand the environment or conditions and if that is a yes, then the camera gear can. 😁

[Tronhard]

As my colleague Ernie said, you have to manage risk and use your gear.  The R6 series has decent weather sealing as do both the RF lenses you mention, but they do extend, so air will move through those lenses towards the camera.

Really, the wind is going to be your worst enemy.  If it's windy, and blowing from the sea, that will blow both sand and salt air a considerable distance inland.  Even if it's blowing off-shore, you may get sand coming the other way. 
The following image shows the salt and sand laden air blowing way inland

For me, this is where I would definitely use a good quality front protect filter: for environmental threats such as airborne particles, that is the filter's forté.  It seems to aid in the reduction of air ingress via the front element, as some Canon lenses specify that such a filter is required for weather protection. 

As to the rest of the camera, if in doubt, as simple a thing as a plastic bag even an bread bag (sans bread! 😊) with a hole cut for the front for the lens at the (normally) closed end of the bag, and the open end to your face would mostly protect from other particles, especially coming in via lens extension.

If you are hefting the body and lens for a considerable time, I would take a camera bag or holster and have the camera in that - removing it only when you absolutely need it and, as I am sure you are aware, avoid changing lenses in open air - if I have had to I used a very large plastic bag which could fit both lenses and the camera on he one occasion I was stuck at a beach and had to change optics.  Also, turn the camera off if changing lenses - that will stop the sensor being energized and thus attracting dust and also the shutter will close in front of the sensor.

As Rick said, make sure you have clean hands, so water-based wet wipes and a dry cloth would be a good idea. For hydration, I take water and avoid sticky drinks.  Definitely, going through a thorough cleaning process afterwards is a wise precaution.  I often have a very small paint brush to dust off the body from time to time in dubious conditions.

[zakslm]

nehhet,

I agree with the all of the advice you've been given, particularly Ernie's advice, "Camera gear is made to use. If you can't use it or are afraid to use it what the heck good is it?"  Not doing so with stuff and things is what my wife calls "pickling" which I am sometimes accused of doing.   

About 1.5 yrs ago, I did a fair amount of beach shooting in Hawaii (Kauai).  I've also done some shooting at beaches when visiting SoCal. 

I was careful about salt spray from the ocean and the cautious about sand and windblown sand and I didn't have any problems.  I always have a protective filter on my lenses and they come in handy on the beach.  

I won't repeat Rick, Ernie and Trevor's other advice and tips, but they are worth following.

As for clean up, as soon as I could after leaving the beach, I did clean my gear whether it looked like it needed it or not including the filters on the front of my lenses with a brush and microfiber lens cleaning cloth and the exposed surfaces of the camera and len barrel with a clean, inexpensive microfiber cleaning cloth like those used for household/auto cleaning tasks.  Sometimes I moisten a corner area of that microfiber cleaning cloth ever so slightly with fresh clean water and go over the plastic surfaces of the camera.  I try not to moisten it very much so that when the slightly damp cleaning cloth is rubbed over the plastic surfaces, any moisture on the camera seems to evaporate immediately.   

Good luck!

LZ

[ebiggs1]

"Not doing so with stuff and things is what my wife calls "pickling" which I am sometimes accused of doing."

[Isac]

I’d say bring your camera, but take some precautions to protect it. Keeping the RF100-500 on and not switching lenses is smart since sand and saltwater can easily sneak into your gear. Make sure you have a good UV filter to protect your lens, and consider a rain cover or even a plastic bag with a rubber band around the lens for extra protection. A microfiber cloth and air blower are must-haves for cleaning up dust and sand after the shoot.

I’m actually planning a similar trip this summer to the new River Country Water Park. I’m debating between bringing a compact weather-sealed camera like the Fujifilm X-T5 or sticking with my Canon R6, which I’ll also use to snap photos of the hotel I’ll stay at—found it on https://www.westgateresorts.com/hotels/florida/river-ranch/westgate-river-ranch-resort/river-country....

[maboleth]

Personally, I never go or use any lens without a UV filter. I know how much frontal glass element can withstand and even be scratched without much (or any) image quality loss, but I cannot fathom doing that or exposing it to the wind, rain or sand without filter.

The only lens I ever used without filter was a EF-S 24mm pancake, but it did have its small ring-like hoodie.

[ebiggs1]

"Make sure you have a good UV filter to protect your lens,..."  "...  I never go or use any lens without a UV filter."

I agree totally about using a filter to protect the front element but there is no good reason to use a UV and in fact it can hurt your IQ. Modern digital cameras no longer require UV filters that was a film days thing. My preference is the B+W MRC MASTER 007 Clear Filter series

[maboleth]

Yeah that's true as well. I just call them UV filter but I doubt they filter any UV, whatsoever. They are just there to protect the lens and I didn't notice any degradation in quality. I'm using mostly Hoya HMC and K&F Concept Nano filters.

I also have/had modern Hoya UX filters but their coating was so fragile, I actually made hair-like marks after cleaning them with photo paper. I returned to the good ol' HMCs - they are cheaper and far more robust.