How do you "water proof" your camera bag?

[freelancer]

Planning a trip into the rainforest sometime this year and short of gettting something like a Lowepro Dryzone bag, wondering if there are suggestions and/or experiences I can gather from friends on this forum. Just trying to avoid another bag purchase. At the moment my primary travel bag is a Lowpro Orion AW.

Thanks

[ricohflex]

Pelican cases. Tough. Waterproof. Floats.

[student]

You have stated cearly that you are not keen on buying another bag.

So I will not recommend another bag.

My Lowepro photo-trekker has a plastic bag hidden at the bottom which could be opened up to cover the entire bag. Perhaps you can go to CP and look at this feature and then rig up something similar.

Of course you can also put all important things in ziplock.

[sabahan]

Actually in rainforest,protect yourself more against leeches than your gear,I just came back from Sepilok(Orang Utan rehapitate centre,Sandakan,Sabah) on shooting wild mushroom,one leech bites me,after it falls off,the wound keeps bleeding for almost 4 hours.

[candy]

Originally Posted by sabahan Actually in rainforest,protect yourself more against leeches than your gear,I just came back from Sepilok(Orang Utan rehapitate centre,Sandakan,Sabah) on shooting wild mushroom,one leech bites me,after it falls off,the wound keeps bleeding for almost 4 hours.

hahahaha

[denniskee]

there are so many rain cover for back pack, there are also water proof bag (i think) that allows you to put the whole back pack into it.

I use the rain cover from my vaudi back pack on my micro trekker 100. It works.

[Ian]

A few methods I've used over the years:

Bin Liners (garbage bags),
Slit a couple of holes in the sealed end with a knife and use gaffa tape to seal over strap points. Trim bag to suit camera case. It works quite well and it's a method I still use if I have to lug gear in the wet (not shooting) but the protection only lasts a couple of hours. Is a cow to get at your gear though.

Waterproofing and repellant sprays.
Available from all good camping shops and outfitters. Works well but can be expensive. Apply as per mnaufacturers instructions.

The best solution I've found so far is a custom made rain jacket. I had a local plastic fabricator (they make balloons and other inflatable objects) build me a slip over bag with velcro releases. The material used is waterproof and clear, double welded seams and so on. It cost me about $100 a few years ago but that's cheap compared to the cost cleaning wet kit.

[denniskee]

DIY those transparent plastice like rain jacket (cheap cheap type lar) also can.

Aim is to use the sleeve as snout for the lens, the shoulder area for the camera body. For added safty measure, insert the left side of the cutout into the right (or vice versa), there you have it, double layered rain jacket for camera with lens mounted.

My Crumpler backpack is waterproof anyway I think. Haven't put it in the shower yet to test but might be a good idea!

[freelancer]

Good suggestions - thanks everyone.

My camera bag (Lowepro Orion AW) has that plastic cover but I am pretty sure it will tear easily at the first mis-step and fall over the slipperly muddy surface.

Someone suggested a ripstop nylon poncho as an alternative. Any ideas where I can get something similar?

[simonsng]

Lowepro's AW shld be sufficient, tested my mini trekker AW under the rain (coz I didnt bring out my brolly), for extra protection, try those disposable poncho. But if you going for river activities (boating), you seriously need extra protection. The lowepro dryzone series floats on water, if you happen to fall into the water

[mervlam]

Lowepro's AW is definitely sufficient. i was caught in a sudden heavy downpour with no nearby shelter and i used the "raincoat". it remained dry inside but i was thoroughly drenched.

[synapseman]

I use 3M's waterproofing sprays (Heavy duty). Found in hardware shops.

When treated, my canvas bag is able to repel water from heavy rains for a short time. But when caught out, I'll minimise exposure, so my best form of protection for my equipment is to RUN FOR COVER!

[showtime]

Originally Posted by freelancer Planning a trip into the rainforest sometime this year and short of gettting something like a Lowepro Dryzone bag, wondering if there are suggestions and/or experiences I can gather from friends on this forum. Just trying to avoid another bag purchase. At the moment my primary travel bag is a Lowpro Orion AW. Thanks

your orion AW(all weather) should come with the all weather cover... loook for it. it covers the entire bag and should suffice for rainforrest climate.

[rubric]

Originally Posted by synapseman I use 3M's waterproofing sprays (Heavy duty). Found in hardware shops. When treated, my canvas bag is able to repel water from heavy rains for a short time. But when caught out, I'll minimise exposure, so my best form of protection for my equipment is to RUN FOR COVER!

Just curious, does this change the 'look' of your bag, making it look shiny instead of canvas-matte? And does the surface become a sticky lint magnet? I've used a waterproofing spray before (can't remember brand) but encountered those problems.

[sehsuan]

Originally Posted by rubric Just curious, does this change the 'look' of your bag, making it look shiny instead of canvas-matte? And does the surface become a sticky lint magnet? I've used a waterproofing spray before (can't remember brand) but encountered those problems.

that sounds like you have to MAKE your own bag cover instead.

if you REALLY want to, get a seal-line bag instead.

http://www.seallinegear.com/

http://www.seallinegear.com/vinyl_ba...y=VinylDryBags