Dive Boat Camera Protocol/Etiquette Question

[InkDiver]

I'm heading down to Key Largo for a long weekend of diving next week. So far, I've only had the opportunity to bring my camera to the springs I've been diving (Nikon D200/Ikelite housing/Ikelite Strobe). This is all in a large Pelican Case (I think a 1620)

At the srpings, you just set the camera up, and walk down to the whole in the ground and submerge. But I'm wondering how you handle it on a dive charter. Do you lug the whole Pelican case on with you, or do you set the camera up before boarding and have it ready to go when you get on the boat, leaving the case at the car?

I don't want to go there and end up being "that guy" if you know what I mean.

Thanks for any info.

[parabolic]

Set up your camera before you board. That avoids the necessity of building your equipment on a bouncing boat, and saves space.

[fisheyeview]

You'll still be known as "that guy" though. :D

I set mine up before I go on the boat. You can use the camera rinse tub provided by teh boat, or provide your own. This is what I do. There is too much risk in the community camera rinse. I guess this makes me "that guy" too.

[hammerhead man]

I also set up the camera before I go on the boat; however, sometimes I also carry a small waterproof container that holds extra batteries and digital cards that I switch between dives if necessary. Just be sure that if you open you housing on the boat to keep it away from everyone so that you don't accidently get water or other crud on the camera or housing while changing cards or batteries. Also, if you open your housing make sure to check the o-ring carefully to ensure that it will seal properly again before closing the housing. If the boat has a fresh water camera rinse bucket I would also check out the camera by putting it in the bucket before the next dive to ensure that there are no leaks.

Regards,

Bill

[alcina]

Yup, me four. Set up before I head to the boat.

I have a milk crate with a foam insert on the bottom. I put a big towel in it, stick the camear gear in, layer the towel over so nothing can get bumped or scratched and I'm done. This is the perfect size for most of the boats I dive on and can fit under the seat on a couple, too. It's about half the size of a dive box.

I also have a soft sided cooler - one of the bigger ones you get a walmart or target etc. My dlsr rig including strobes fits inside with a little creative thinking. This is what I took with me on the boat in Cocos coz it wasn't roomy at all. Acts as a buffer, keeps the camera even temperature and becomes a mini rinse bucket. Plus being able to put the strap over my shoulder to free my hands was great.

I also try to make sure I get my seat at the exit point of the boat. I don't have to drag my rig through a whole host of people that way. The downside is you have to make sure that your rig is completely out of the way. Other divers are not 100% aware of your rig all the time and might trip over something, knock your rig, drop something on it, stand on it, lean on it, etc. Cameras do not belong on seats. IMHO they belong under the seat where possible and definitely out of any walk paths/areas.

I wouldn't use the communal rinse tank for more than a quick dunk. I don't let go and I don't walk away. 1) it's courteous so the next guy can use it and 2) there's just too much that can happen in one to risk it. And many divers will rinse their masks in the camera bucket - some people freak out about this, I don't personally, but it's something to consider.

[RockyHeap]

I second the soft sided cooler as a photo gear hauler.

I half way pre-assemble my gear (camera in housing with fresh batteries empty chip) before I board the boat, but still finally affix strobe arms and such while on the boat.

Between dives, be sure to not drip water from forehead or wet suit arms while changing batteries/chips. dry everything including yourself off.......

I don't like having my big rig with strobes and arms bouncing around in a central rinse tank with a bunch of point and shoots I do a quick rinse, then back into my soft sided bag for the ride home to the dock.

[InkDiver]

Thanks to everyone for the advice and suggestions. I'll be heading out today to find a soft sided cooler :D

[Hammerhead]

I also have a soft sided cooler - one of the bigger ones you get a walmart or target etc. My dlsr rig including strobes fits inside with a little creative thinking. This is what I took with me on the boat in Cocos coz it wasn't roomy at all. Acts as a buffer, keeps the camera even temperature and becomes a mini rinse bucket. Plus being able to put the strap over my shoulder to free my hands was great.


Alcina, what are you shooting now? Just wondering if my bulky great Ike rig and 5D might also fit.

Got a fair bit of travelling coming up this year and would like to get it right - your cooler bag sounds very sensible...

[pakman]

Larry, check some of the shops along the pier in Sai Kung. Give me a holler if you have found one. I still haven't come across a "large" soft sided cooler like the one's they have in the US that would fit a fully kitted DSLR. For local dives, I use one of those large plastic storage boxes with tops that lock with some bubble wrap inside.

[shellbackdiver1]

I bring my gear on fully assemble and ready to go. I try to store my camera inside the cabin as far to the front of the boat (less people) as possible in a soft cooler bag. Inbetween dives I don't worry about rinsing.

Also always ensure the helper of the boat knows how to set my rig on the deck when you hand it off to him. Too many times I have see them try to place it in a lens down position (even with a dome port on) or try to grab one of the sync cables.

Finally your camera is your responsibility. Cameras are fragile gear mixed among a crappy environment with many times unfit divers that are unable to keep/maintain there balance. They sometimes tend to be tired and care about nothing other then getting the gear off no matter what is in the way.

[ce4jesus]

Soft-sided cooler for me as well. As a matter of practice I usually sit up front of the boat near the head. Yes I'm last in the water, but I'm also last out. No one has to walk by my gear heading to the water. In all liklihood you'll be the only guy on board with a beast of a rig. You can make friends by collecting email addys and sending folks underwater portraits. So being "that guy" is not all that bad.

[Slaveeye]

Wow. A soft-sided cooler! Man why have I never thought of this. Makes perfect since. Padded protection and doubles as a rinse tank. I'm getting one today!!!!:D

Thanx to everyone. You all RAWK!

[OceanObsessed]

I got mine from NRS (http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=1255&src=related_items&refer=From-2886-To-1255). I got the large one: 20"L X 13"W X 12"H. My whole Ike housing with 8 inch dome port & DS-125 will fit in it and I can zip it closed. There is still room for foam padding etc.
-Chris

[Teamcasa]

Slick idea! Now, off to find a sutiable cooler that will fit into my camera backpack!

[Blair Mott]

One thing I would be careful of is handing your camera up to the deck crew and having them put your camera right into the rinse bucket while they are working hard to get everyone on the boat. I have seen this 3 times on different boats. Everyone excited to be back on the boat all cameras go into the rinse bin and and once your gear is off and stories are told you go to get your camera out of the bin with a scratch on the lens from all the other cameras in the bin. Good luck and have a great time!

[ce4jesus]

Good advice Blair...or it could be worse. You could go get your camera and pour water out of the housing as another camera's wrist strap grabbed a latch on the way out. Happened to my wife last year in Coz.

[Teamcasa]

One last piece of advice. Tip the deck hand early, before the dives begin. Tell them there is more if you and your gear get handled with care. Works wonders – unless you are on the boat with me!;)

[Charlie59]

Sure great advice for not using the communal rinse bucket, however, what is it about the camera bucket that draws people to wash their masks in it? What is the incredible and irresistible need to put soap in this bucket with camera cases that may leak due to this exposure.

GEEZ!

[Allison Finch]

Make sure you get a soft sided cooler with wheeles on it. It's much easier to drag your gear than carry it. Also, once on board, you might try to fill it with water to use as your private rinse tank.

[alcina]

Alcina, what are you shooting now? Just wondering if my bulky great Ike rig and 5D might also fit.

Got a fair bit of travelling coming up this year and would like to get it right - your cooler bag sounds very sensible...

You should be able to find one if you have access to something like Kmart etc. Maybe even on the web.

I'm shooting subal and Inon strobes, so my kit, even with the big dome, is likely smaller than yours is.

I'm not a fan of the wheels as they don't pack as well and it's one more thing that go wrong. But my kit isn't that heavy or bulky so it's easy to sling over a shoulder and hike with.

[dartref]

Good advice Blair...or it could be worse. You could go get your camera and pour water out of the housing as another camera's wrist strap grabbed a latch on the way out. Happened to my wife last year in Coz.
Amen! I've seen a couple of great cameras left in the rinse bucket only to have the housing latch knocked loose by another camera being put in the bucket also. Both cameras were ruined. Fortunately, I personally haven't had that problem, yet.