Equipment Protection While Travelling - Advice Please

[Michael Hiles]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I will be traveling to Kenya next month, with some time on a beach, in Nairobi and the Maasi Mara.

 

I have been warned against invasive dust and sand (?) and possible or likely damage to my Leica equipment. Friends have worrisome stories of cameras grinding to a halt. Does anyone have experience in this regard? Safe practices and precautions?

 

Needless to say, I don’t want abrasive stuff (or anything else) getting into precision equipment and I would be grateful for experience-based advice and suggestions.

 

Grumpy wild life will be the subject of further inquiries.

 

[LocalHero1953]

Which cameras? The SL is dust proof (except when changing a lens).

My Praktica Super TL2 certainly ground to a halt after 3 months in Somalia many years ago (no great loss), while my M3 and M2 lasted without problems for similar periods in the far east, middle east and Africa.

- keep the lens cap on unless you're going to use it (the opposite of what I do at home, so it requires adjustment of my automatic shooting behaviour)

- clean and dust nightly: rocket blower and (afterwards) lens brush for lens elements. Slightly damp cloth/tissues for the rest.

- change lenses in still, low dust environments; I used to change regularly both in vehicles and outdoors - it depends.

- watch out for dust clouds from passing vehicles, dust devils and similar; if I had enough time, I just thrust the camera into my bag.

- have a reasonably dust resistant bag, for this purpose. Zip closure is better than just a buckled/velcro'd flap.

 

But in the end you're there solely to take photographs (don't tell that to non-photographers travelling with you), and you won't get any good shots if your camera is kept sealed away where you can't get it in a hurry. You'll have a great time.

 

I'm off to Oman next month (where we used to live) so I will be adopting these same practices with the M240.

Edited January 12, 2017 by LocalHero1953

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Michael Hiles]

Thanks Local - hugely helpful. The equipment will be an M2 and perhaps an M3, Visoflex II, 35, 50, 90, 200. All will be stored mainly in a (really nice) Benser case, and that will be in a modern and well zippered backpack/rucksack. I think I will be able to avoid or at least mitigate against dust storms and the other obvious hazards, and I was also thinking of a simple plastic bag as a first line defence while wandering around.

 

Thanks again.

Edited January 12, 2017 by Michael Hiles

[Doc Henry]

Michael, my experience is not Kenya but Algeria and Tunisia. I don't know if you'll have sandy desert but take care of sand. The desert especially when there is wind or breeze. But the view is magnificent on the dune with a little wind
Anyway not easy to see the landscape in case of sandstorm
A tip , store his cameras in his bag and take them out  just for the photos. Avoid changing lenses.
For the porticos of the airports and if you shoot films put in protective bags like "Domke" (a small can contain 10-15 rolls) is highly  effective, do not put in luggage compartment.

Attention to camera theft. Sufficient reserve batteries and film (or memory card)
 

Good trip and nice photo Michael
Bonne Année

Regards

Henry

Edited January 12, 2017 by Doc Henry

[jaapv]

 

I will be traveling to Kenya next month, with some time on a beach, in Nairobi and the Maasi Mara.

 

I have been warned against invasive dust and sand (?) and possible or likely damage to my Leica equipment. Friends have worrisome stories of cameras grinding to a halt. Does anyone have experience in this regard? Safe practices and precautions?

 

Needless to say, I don’t want abrasive stuff (or anything else) getting into precision equipment and I would be grateful for experience-based advice and suggestions.

 

Grumpy wild life will be the subject of further inquiries.

 

I've been to Kenya quite a few times - never such problems. The only lens that sucked dust has been Canon 100-400 old type, which was notorious for being a dust trombone.

As for wildlife, just follow the guidance of your driver/guide.

[stuny]

I hope you'll be in an true off-road vehicle.  Vans (think soccer mom with 4 wheel drive) are lower and seem to attract road dust, but the higher vehicles do not suffer from that.  sand will not be an issue in the Mara, but it will be at the beach, but no different from any of your other beach visits.

 

Viewing and shooting are far better in the true off-road vehicles (Land Rovers most frequently in Kenya, as well as Toyota Land Cruisers) all outfitted for open viewing vs. a large sunroof from lower down in a van. 

[Michael Hiles]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Henry, Jaap, Stuart,

 

Many thanks to you both for sharing your experience and wisdom. It sounds like some care and attention to the obvious risks will work well. Clearly, changing lenses in the open in a sand/dust storm invites disaster, and I think I can remember to stay smart enough to avoid that risk.

 

We will be visiting our daughter, who does a senior job for the Canadian government in the embassy in Nairobi. She has invited her antique folks to visit. I think we may get to hug a small elephant.

 

We will visit the Maasi Mara on an organized safari - I believe they use Toyota Land Cruisers (maybe Land Rovers). I never anticipated that I/we would ever go on such a trip. Me/Safari???!!!  We have the blessing of two wonderful daughters who enrich our lives.

[Jeff S]

Apart from already good advice, two things I always do for long distance travel......have back-ups and carry insurance (for everything a warranty doesn't cover....theft, loss, damage, etc)....one will help on the trip; the other will assist if something bad happens and alleviate some worry.  After all, you want to have fun and not sweat things that common sense will likely help you avoid.

 

Jeff

[Michael Hiles]

Thanks for the dope slap Jeff. I hadn't thought about reviewing insurance. In October we had a break-in at home and I lost the core of my kit (mostly now replaced, and happily so). It is amazing how much it costs to replace equipment that sounds absolutely ancient. But I got some outstanding deals from friends and from judicious use of Ebay.

Edited January 12, 2017 by Michael Hiles

[Jeff S]

Insurance policies vary greatly by country, by region, by company and by individual circumstance.  In the US, I've always carried a separate rider to my premium home policy for camera gear and various collectibles and valuables, e.g., vintage photographs, first edition books, etc.  These are at full replacement cost (that I determine, no appraisal, even though I have such), including any appreciation, no deductible, worldwide, and for all circumstances including my own stupidity.  It's amazingly inexpensive....relatively....as I consider it a cost of the hobby (like film, paper, etc) and a means to alleviate worry.  

 

Jeff

[Rangefinder]

I've been shooting in the desert SW of the US many times.  What has worked for me keeping the focusing barrel clean is a little piece of 35mm film leader.  I cut a little "hook" at the end of the leader and fit it between the focusing ring and the barrel.  Just run it around with the lens barrel extended and it's capture dust/grit partials.  For changing lenses in dusty conditions, I generally try not to do that but, if you must, here's a precaution I use:  Get the biggest Zip-lock bag you can find and, when not it use, keep it closed.  To use is, place you camera (lens attached) in the bag along with the favored lens and zip the bag shut, again.  It's a little "fiddly" but you can change the lenses.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Mike

[Herr Barnack]

I would say that a camera bag with the camera/lens compartment that closes with a zipper is mandatory.  I wuld also put the camera and lenses in ziplock food storage bags inside the camera bag for an extra layer of protection. 

 

In addition, avoid changing lenses outdoors, and even inside the vehicle if at all possible.  Choosing a lens to use for the entire day and attaching it indoors in your hotel room (or wherever you will stay) would be the optimum choice for avoiding sand/dust ingestion. 

 

If you must change lenses when out and about, I would do it inside the vehicle with all doors and windows closed.  Put the camera and lens inside a plastic trash bag and do the change in the plastic bag, similar to using a dark bag to load film onto reels for processing. 

 

You could even take a 35mm size dark bag (they are about 0.75 meter square) for this purpose as they have double sippers with flaps and sleeves that close around your forearms with elastic.  Be sure to have the lens mounted on the camera and front and rear lens caps installed on the previous lens before taking them out of the bag.

 

Oh:  and make sure your kit is 100% insured.

Edited January 14, 2017 by Carlos Danger

[Michael Hiles]

Thank you both (and all) - these are excellent suggestions, and easy to implement. The ziplock bag suggestions should be easily done, and staying in a car or house when changing lenses is a likely possibility.

 

I hope the suggestions are helpful to others too. That is an attractive element of this forum.

[stuny]

On the game drives you'll find you will be very much out in the open all the time.  Just wait to change lenses until a minute after your vehicle stops, so any dust settles.  Bring 2 bodies so you will have two different focal lengths ready at all times without having to change lenses.  You'll probably want the 200 on all the time.

[Michael Hiles]

Thanks Stuart. Useful advice. I bought the 200mm very recently, in anticipation of the African bush, and I am expecting it to be always at the ready. The other body will likely have a 90mm (maybe 50mm) mounted. I have no idea how close we will get to some large animals, and I don't want to only get pictures of whiskers.

[LocalHero1953]

In my first post, I was careful not to recommend changing lenses in a vehicle, but to use your judgement. Vehicles, especially those used regularly in the bush, can be reservoirs of dust, not dust-free zones. Add AC and fans, and you have a recipe for blowing dust into a body. OTOH still air outside may be a good place to change a lens.

 

And I suggest you also use your judgement about how many layers of ziplock bag you place your kit in (if two are better than one, why not three, or four?). When you just happen to see that particular rare creature and you want to catch it before it hides behind a tree, you don't want to be unzipping multiple layers of bag before you can even start to get the camera ready!

[Michael Hiles]

In my first post, I was careful not to recommend changing lenses in a vehicle...

 

Thanks Paul. There is always an informed and careful balance to aim for. While I want to take sensible and effective precautions, I also intend to make some pictures given reasonable circumstances. But not at a dumb cost. I am also not going swimming with crocodiles, even in a ziplock bag. Everyone has made super suggestions to minimize risk of equipment damage and maximize picture opportunities - and you all may have saved me much grief and future expense. For which I am very grateful.

[jaapv]

Umm, swimming in waters with crocodiles known to be around, is exactly what I did last October   . However, not without some precautions...

[jaapv]

Thanks Stuart. Useful advice. I bought the 200mm very recently, in anticipation of the African bush, and I am expecting it to be always at the ready. The other body will likely have a 90mm (maybe 50mm) mounted. I have no idea how close we will get to some large animals, and I don't want to only get pictures of whiskers.

200 is rather on the short side...  And the 280 version 3 is miles better.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Michael Hiles]

200 is rather on the short side...  And the 280 version 3 is miles better.

 

I am afraid that I and the wildlife are going to have to make the best of it - the 200mm is what I have got available. I also almost never use long lenses, so this will be a new-ish experience. I bought the 200mm at a good price (and in very nice condition) hoping I will have some future use for it, so there is some compromise, including with my banker. And I didn't want to hire Bearers/Sherpas.

Edited January 15, 2017 by Michael Hiles