The following is a guest post by Amiee Maxwell. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.
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 absolutely 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 7 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 suppose to be. Straps keep you from dropping your camera off the side of the boat or off the cliff.
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 tougher 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.
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 2 ounces and literally 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.
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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.
Planning a trip? The Go Backpacking team uses and recommends:
- Skyscanner for researching flights
- Hostelworld for booking hostels
- Airbnb for renting rooms and homes
- Rail Europe for train passes
- World Nomads for travel insurance
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Good tips, will keep them in mind!
These are all great tips. Thanks for a great source.
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.
Thanks for the tips, they will come in handy for especially with new camera
Great post thanks a lot. Enjoyed reading it!
I really loved this post. You describe this topic perfectly.
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.
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.