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Home » Gear

7 Highly Effective Ways to Protect Your Camera While Traveling

Modified: Jun 11, 2020 · Published: Nov 30, 2010 by Guest Blogger |

I am not as concerned with theft as I am with losing my digital camera to the elements.

I’ve gone through three point-and-shoot digital cameras in the last three years, and I have vowed to make my new Canon PowerShot last at least two.

I was heartbroken when my first digital camera died after some sand got into the lens at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

I had dreamed about hiking into the Grand Canyon since I was a little kid, and I sadly have no photos at the bottom of the canyon.

My last camera only made it a few months; it met its end when drink powder ripped open in my bag during my first ultramarathon.

The road can be pretty tough on cameras, so here are seven highly effective ways to protect your camera while traveling:

1. Utilize the Camera Strap

So this is pretty much Photography 101, but always use your wrist or neck strap to secure your digital camera.

I often remove the strap because it can blow in front of the lens and get in the way of my shot, but it wouldn’t if I had the strap wrapped around my wrist like it is supposed to be.

Straps keep you from dropping your camera off the side of the boat or the cliff.

Table of Contents

  • 2. Invest in a Crushproof Case
  • 3. Choose a Tough Camera To Begin With
  • 4. Don’t Forget the Floating Camera Strap
  • 5. Opt For a Waterproof Case
  • 6. Get Yourself a Gorillapod
  • 7. Don’t Skimp on Insurance

2. Invest in a Crushproof Case

If I had only discovered Pelican cases and Otter boxes years ago, I wouldn’t have gone through so many cameras.

These cases are crushproof, dustproof, and water-resistant.

I love being able to toss my camera in my backpack and not have to worry about it getting crushed or scratched.

The only thing is they won’t protect your camera out of the case.

3. Choose a Tough Camera To Begin With

Some cameras are just more robust than others. The Olympus Stylus Tough series cameras are waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof, and crushproof.

These cameras are built with the adventure traveler in mind and can withstand whatever abuse you toss at it.

4. Don’t Forget the Floating Camera Strap

Just because you got yourself a nifty waterproof camera doesn’t mean that it will float if you drop it in the water.

Get yourself a floating strap, so in case you do drop it in the water, it won’t sink and be lost forever.

5. Opt For a Waterproof Case

If you’re not in the market for a new waterproof camera, you can waterproof your existing camera with a relatively inexpensive case.

The Aquapac Compact Camera Case turns any digital camera (up to 8 inches in diameter) into an underwater camera.

Waterproof to a depth of 15 feet, the Aquapac’s ultra-clear lens lets you take great underwater shots right through the case.

Related: Travel Photography Advice from a Five-Year Traveler

6. Get Yourself a Gorillapod

Have you ever tried to use a rock ledge or a signpost as a tripod, just to have a gust of wind blow up and toss your camera to the ground?

Try a Gorillapod instead. These flexible tripods weigh less than two ounces and monkey its way around an object to help you safely get the perfect shot.

7. Don’t Skimp on Insurance

If you’re hard on electronics, I highly recommend purchasing warranty or accident protection plans for your camera.

Many plans will protect your camera 100% from mechanical failures as well as falls and water damage.

__________

About the Author: Amiee Maxwell writes about travel and outdoor gear at Travel Gear Blog, part of the BootsnAll network. You can follow her on Twitter @AmieeMaxwell and @TravelGearBlog.

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This post was written by a guest contributor. Please reference the author's byline in the post above for more information. If you would like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines. For information on advertising opportunities, go here.

Comments

  1. As We Travel says

    December 03, 2010 at 8:46 am

    Good tips, will keep them in mind!

  2. woodworking ebooks says

    December 11, 2010 at 7:44 am

    These are all great tips. Thanks for a great source.

  3. Joshua Johnson says

    December 15, 2010 at 2:00 am

    I use Pelican cases and couldn't be happier with them. I know that if it is wet or adverse conditions such as kayaking or mountain climing or just long hours in a backpack on top of a bus somewhere, the camera is going to be fine.

  4. Mokhathi says

    December 17, 2010 at 10:19 pm

    Thanks for the tips, they will come in handy for especially with new camera

  5. Water Damage Hollywood says

    February 02, 2011 at 4:48 am

    Great post thanks a lot. Enjoyed reading it!

  6. Water Damage Boca Raton says

    March 12, 2011 at 3:53 am

    I really loved this post. You describe this topic perfectly.

  7. Kirsten says

    April 09, 2012 at 9:43 am

    Great tips! All that I recommend when I teach. Cameras may be replaceable but it's an expense you just don't want to have to be subjected to when you're budget traveling around the world as so many are.

    • Dave says

      April 09, 2012 at 9:23 pm

      And I've learned the hard way that cameras are often a lot more expensive outside the USA. In South America, they're often 30% more expensive.

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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