Dust and sand

[the_lone_wolf]

Hey all

Off to Morocco in a month's time with a group to ride our bikes down to the Sahara through the High Atlas mountains and back again

I'll be taking my D5000 with me, as having a good photographic record is important to me, but obviously sand and dust aren't the best things for delicate SLRs

I'll be keeping the kit 18-55 lens on permanently so no bother with keeping dust out of the sensor, but I need a case that'll keep the dust and sand out of the camera, while also protecting it from knocks, 2/3rds of the trip is off-road so the bike will end up horizontal plenty of times

I've looked at Pelicase, but cannot fathom the sizes, anybody have any other recommendations?

[K12beano]

Sounds like great fun, good luck

the_lone_wolf said:

I'll be keeping the kit 18-55 lens on permanently so no bother with keeping dust out of the sensor...

I hate to worry you, but zoom lenses can be notoriously bad at pulling and pushing air back and forth into the camera body.

Not really sure what case/bag would best suit for "sand-proofing" mind.

[RobDickinson]

Just take it as is and cleanit when you get back, dust bunnies can be fixed in PP.

Or take a blower and give it a clean from time to time.

[CAB]

I agree re the blower, other than that all you need is a wet cloth.

If you want to be extra safe get a waterproof lowepro bag

CAB

[pugwash4x4]

saharan dust will get EVERYWHERE, spent 3 weeks in morocco almost a year ago and i'm STILL finding dust both in the vehicle and in the cases and bags we used. Missus has a D-SLR and used a waterproof bag to keep it clean- it was a god send. you will need some sort of blower and duster at least.

[Simpo Two]

Thinking laterally, a Tupperware box with some padding in would keep the dust out... not pretty, but practical and about £2.

[crmcatee]

Forget about the tupperware box. First knock and it'll be in bits.

Peli is the case of choice.

Normal precautions - e.g. don't change lenses or memory cards when it's windy. If you're photographying people when they go past in the sand - click and then turn away and shield your camera.

Edited by crmcatee on Monday 15th March 10:13

[Simpo Two]

crmcatee said:

Forget about the tupperware box. First knock and it'll be in bits.

You ever tried breaking Tupperware?

Obviously a proper 'Paris-Dakar' style case will be better, but I don't know the OPs budget.

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 15th March 10:21

[crmcatee]

Me neither but I'm sure he doesn't want to screw up his camera either.

If there's a chance that his bike is going over (and it will) I know which one I'ld like my camera to be in.

[Simpo Two]

True.

[Zod]

I did a tour of the Atlas a couple of years ago in Land Rovers. I changed lenses inside my camera badg and didn't have any real dust issues. I did most of my photography using the 17-40mm F4 L (now replaced by the 16-35mm F2.8 L in my kit). I think you will find thhe 18-55mm kit lens disappointing in its ability to cover the vistas that you get up there. You also need something long to get little towns, churches, mosques, monasteries that you spot in the distance.

[hallsie]

Have you considered an underwater camera housing?

Its got to be dust proof if it waterproof!

Camerasunderwater.com are pretty good at being able to osurce what yopu want, and if you have a friendly dive shop they can get 10% off too!

I wish I had one as ive just dropped my DSLR in the lake whilst fishing, have a look at my next post!

Stu

[the_lone_wolf]

Thanks for the replies all

I like the Tupperware idea, in soft bags I'd be more concerned but I'll have hard panniers and possibly a top box too so it should be OK, will do a bit of experimenting next weekend.

If it turns out to be a non-starter, what size pelicase suits

I'm happy taking only one lens, the bike weighs almost a quarter of a ton before I start adding luggage so trying to keep weight to an absolute minimum possible, at the end of the day it's not a photography trip it's a motorcycle trip so I have to cut down on the non-essentials:

[CrashTD]

I took a camera through a few deserts. Was wrapped in a t-shirt, in a zipped bag, in a car. Still covered in dust/sand.

Waterproof case idea seems like a good one

[crmcatee]

Don't ask me - what the hell do I know about travelling light




And that was minus anything to wear...