Splashguarding a dSLR

Hi Folks-

I am new to the forum, so please forgive me if this is the wrong place to post, but here goes:

I am trying to figure out a way to take pictures of sailing races with my dSLR from a tiny aluminum motor boat. I am worried about simply shooting away because occasionally there are small splashes and the like, and I would hate for my camera or lenses to get totalled. At the same time, I am a student on a small budget. So, does anybody know of a decent way to protect my camera from a few errant drops of water on the cheap?

Someone suggested simply trying a ziploc bag, but this causes heavy distortion (looks like shooting through gauze). I also thought about using a plastic bag and cutting out a hole for the lens, but I imagine that will twist/impede the motor of the camera as it autofocuses. I would also want to be able to zoom, so I am looking for a way to accomodate that.

Thanks for all of your help. I'm glad I found this site -- seems very cool.

David

What camera are you using. Canon's pro bodys / lenses pretty much come splash proof. But if you dont have one of thouse, you might try ewa-marine housing.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=photo

or just some standard rain gear would probably do the job fine too.

Something like

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...ku=63991&is=REG

Thanks for the tips, I will definitely check out those links.

I am using a Canon Digital Rebel with the kit 18-55 lens and a Canon 75-300 zoom.

David

What you need is an Ewa bag. I just did a google on ewa bag and came up lots (> 67K) of hits discussing their use and stores where they can be bought.

Tom

We all did this when covering football in the rain. This would qualify for incidental splashes.

1) Get trash can liner suitable for small wastecan, like what sits next to a desk.

2) Cut off corner. Hole should be about half the size of front filter.

3) Poke lens into hole. Plastic will stretch to fit. Masking tape to filter.

4) Stretch plastic just a little bit over prism. Tear hole at eyepiece.

5) Shoot away.

In the rain, I use a golf-sized umbrella. Just stick the handle in your front pants pocket and let it rest against your shoulder.

All the best, James

The trash bag trick is excellent. Thanks James. And here I was going to recommend dunking the camera in Plasti-dip!

Cheers

James

Awesome suggestion on the trashbag -- THANKS! I was looking at doing that with multiple ziplocs, but just hadn't even thought of a clear trashbag.

David