Outback & DSLR Storage?

My wife and I are each proud new owners of Hobie Outbacks... so new that I just got them loaded up on to the roof rack today and we've yet to put them in the water (tomorrow )....

We're both into landscape and wildlife photography and are really looking forward to the new opportunities we're sure to realize with our new Outbacks. I was wondering, however, if anyone has any creative ideas for storing your DSLR inside the 8" hatch to provide decent protection AND relatively easy acces. My wife is shooting with a longer lens (150-500mm, which will fit down there) but obviously we're looking to keep the gear dry as well as cushioned.

Just thought I'd throw this out here in the event someone's already found a workable solution.

Thanks in adavance.
Ken
http://www.KenSchramPhotography.com

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Ken
http://www.KenSchramPhotography.com
Sharing our world one frame at a time
2011 Hobie Outback

Unfortunately, if you take the mirage drive unit out when in shallow water, unless you get the Mirage Cassette Plug installed quickly, small waves or a small boat wake can send a wash of water up to the hatch cover.

Be warned that if any water gets on top of a Hobie designed hatch, every time you open the hatch, water will be dripping, perhaps pouring in, on any objects inside that are beneath the hatch. Your DSLR equipment will need to be well protected when put inside a hatch.

I use ziplock bags for point and shoot type cameras. A DSLR might require a larger sized ziplock and they do make 2 gallon bags.

Thanks for the reply, Rnykster. We enjoyed our maiden voyage yesterday and I learned a lot - including the water running from the top of the hatch when opened. Off to purchase a few sponges for that purpose today . Have a few other ideas for the DSLR too... thinking about a soft sided cooler that I could squeeze into the hatch and then line with custom cut egg foam. Put the cooler into a large dry bag that I can roll up and seal when things get rough.

I'll try to post back when I've got it figured out. All I know is having the DSLR along is a requirement. We missed some awesome photo opportunities being within 30 - 50 yards of Great Blue Heron, Osprey chicks in the nest, deer... Looking forward to years of enjoyment and many incredible nature photos.

Thanks again
Ken
http://www.KenSchramPhotography.com
Sharing our world one frame at a time

_________________
Ken
http://www.KenSchramPhotography.com
Sharing our world one frame at a time
2011 Hobie Outback

When any or all the suggestions fail, you might consider an Olympus Stylus water proof, shock proof, idiot proof and ????? proof cameras.

The guys in our family are kayakers, boaters, fishers, bikers, hunters, hikers often in terrible weather.

Our Olympus Stylus 1050 SWs have survived water, rain, drops and other horrors and keep working.

My 1050 has been in rain in a driftboat, jon boat and a big power boat all day or waders/shirt pockets, and it has been dropped several times and still works.

We use the Olympus Floating Strap #202204 that sells for $20 to keep them floating. My floating strap has saved my camera a couple of times. The cameras will sink if dropped in the water without the little life jacket.

We put the Always On Red Neoprene protective camera cases on the cameras to protect their outsides re dirt, mud, crud and scratches. You unsnap the velcro, and the cover unfolds for a quick shot.
http://www.goalwayson.com/

Some of us are going to ask Santa for this Olympus Update:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_secti ... oduct=1548

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2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

I've been considering buying a Stylus bomb proof camera and have been holding off until come out with one that has more zoom power. In your experience, have you had any problems scratching whatever it is that protects the lens?

You're welcome Ken. Looks like I'll be watching your blog now. To get a shot of a goose and a deer together in the same photo is remarkable. Forgot to mention the alternative to internal storage - you might consider an Otter or Pelican case for the DSLR.

We took our third trip with the Outbacks this morning and the first trip with the cameras. I found a soft-sided 12 can cooler at Walmart for $8, cut a piece of foam to hold the camera w/ 70-300mm lens in place inside the zip up cooler and then set it inside the center 8" hatch. Fits nice and secure while providing pretty easy access to get the camera in and out. Didn't think to take a picture of the stored camera but I'll try to remember tomorrow.



A little common sense, extra protection (and a personal articles insurance policy that covers the gear ) and I have zero concerns about us taking our gear on the Outbacks. In fact, it's the primary driver behind our decision to buy them. Hopefully have more to post tomorrow.

_________________
Ken
http://www.KenSchramPhotography.com
Sharing our world one frame at a time
2011 Hobie Outback

I would recommend using a pelican case.

I carry a nikon body, 70-200 2.8, 17-55 2.8, 11-16 2.8, and a sb 600 flash in my 1450 case.

I dont go on the water with my dslr without it.

Thank you, JoseC and Rnykster for the recommendations on the Pelican cases. We both have those on the list as well, especially for my wife's longer 150-500 Sigma which, while it would fit in the 8" hatch, rides much better bungeed down behind her seat.

One last question... are the pelican cases designed to float? With all of that foam in them, one would think they would but I thought I'd ask someone with experience.

Thanks again.

_________________
Ken
http://www.KenSchramPhotography.com
Sharing our world one frame at a time
2011 Hobie Outback

No problem with the Styluses in the family inspite of the continual abuse and those with friends.

All of us are pathological about closing the lens case on the camera after we take the pictures. That is the only precaution we really take, besides protecting the lens, it saves on the battery.

I had a Nikon which I protected while in the outdoor stuff. Then, my wife was using her hands to talk with at an indoor family birthday party and knocked the Nikon out of my hand unto the table. It only fell a couple of feet, and it was DOA. I had a pram sink with me at a dock due to a lie about load capacity. My cell phone in my shirt pocket never recovered. The Stylus floated away in its life jacked and a guy and his daughter netted it with a fishing net in their kayak several feet from the dock. After I dried it off, it worked fine.

Whenever, I'm in our Oasis, my Freedom Hawk, my Jon boat or in a drift boat with a guide the protective after market neoprene jacket is around the camera and the little life jacket is attached. It has fallen in the boats/yaks and into the water. It floats with its life jacket. I just dry it off after it takes a swim/shower, and it's ready to take pictures. We leave it in either the front side pocket or the rear one while underway in the Oasis.

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2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

They are used by our military, the Aussies and Nato's in really bad situations.

This link can tell you about the use and durability.

There is even a sale on the Yellow Pelican Case that works for Cameras with lenses.

http://www.pelican-case.com/1150-yellow.html

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2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

No need to be too fancy schmancy ...an airtight kitchen storage box with a clip-down lid should be more than adequate