Any precautions I should take?

[jonesy]

Well, hubby and I have almost made it... 25yrs married in May! (I was a child bride you know )

As a special treat, we are planning a very special holiday.. to Hawaii Its somewhere I've always wanted to go, as volcanos have always fascinated me.

I've been told that "Big Island" has many different climates, from dry air to rain forest to active volcano. Is there any special precautions I should take for the safety and reliability of my camera? (E620)

Many thanks in advance
T

[catkins]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

My advice -
leave the camera, buy lots of lovely postcards of the scenery, spend lots of lovely romantic time together, and occasionally get someone to take some photos of you with touristy bits in the background It's called a romantic getaway from it all

And here's why (with a credit to http://www.squareone.org/Hapa/a21.html

[jonesy]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

Thanks for the reply. I really cant see myself travelling somewhere exotic without the camera. For the duration, I may end up putting it in Auto mode, and using like a point and shoot, but I will have the flexibility of being able to control the camera of we manage to go to see the lava flows at dusk. Hubby walks everywhere at break-neck speed, not really looking at things, so me taking photos, slows him down and he ends up seeing things and relaxing more. (I think we must be the only couple who has done 2 of the 3 Disney parks in Florida in one day!)
I think I will take the camera out each day, but if I end up not using it because I'm chilling with hubby, so be it.

[shenstone]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

As a geologist I am SOOOO jealous and of course you should take a camera I want to see the pictures ... consider yourself under orders !

I would ensure it's in a decent quality camera bag and the lens cap is on as usual and you give it a little time to adjust if the climate changes a lot very suddenly e.g. going up a mountain into a cold zone

Other than that just enjoy ...

Regards
Andy

[jonesy]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

Thanks Andy.
I have a couple of camera bags, but I think I may end up taking the smaller one, mainly because it zips up, whereas the crumpler doesnt.
I have UV filters on the lenses, is it likely that there could/would be condensation between the filter and lens?
Would there be any issue with the volcano ash/dust/steam? (could it get into the lenses when focussing/zooming? I know very little about volcanos, apart from I've wanted to see one for as long as I can remember)

[Zuiko]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

Congratulation, Tracey, and what a wonderful holiday you have to look forward to!

I'm tempted to say that after 25 years you should know what precautions......but I won't!

But seriously, you must take a camera. i can only guess what the conditions will be like, based on your description. The main problem with volcanos, I would think (apart from the obvious) would be if they are issuing dust or ash. A dust proof camera bag would be a good idea, plus a cloth or some wipes to remove dust that settles on your camera when using it. Refrain from changing lenses where there is a lot of dust and when you do, remove dust from the camera and lens first.

Dry air shouldn't be a particular problem but once again it could be accompanied by dust.

Rain forest may give you a humidity problem. Keep the camera in a bag with silica gel when not using it, wipe any moisture before putting it away and get it out to air once back at the hotel, after leaving it a while if there is a temperature variation. If shooting in wet or very humid conditions a plastic bag with a hole for the lens will help protect the camera. Keep a clear filter on the front of the camera and have a lens cloth to hand to wipe the filter as it mists up (better a filter than the front element of the lens!)

Take plenty of memory cards, batteries and a charger - and an adapter for the local type of mains plug. Shoot loads of pictures and post them all here when you get back.

Most of all, have a great time!

[catkins]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

Thanks for the reply. I really cant see myself travelling somewhere exotic without the camera. For the duration, I may end up putting it in Auto mode, and using like a point and shoot, but I will have the flexibility of being able to control the camera of we manage to go to see the lava flows at dusk. Hubby walks everywhere at break-neck speed, not really looking at things, so me taking photos, slows him down and he ends up seeing things and relaxing more. (I think we must be the only couple who has done 2 of the 3 Disney parks in Florida in one day!)
I think I will take the camera out each day, but if I end up not using it because I'm chilling with hubby, so be it.

Ooh well, I thought it worth a try!

I certainly know what I would be taking with me:

• camera, wideangle zoom (& depending upon weight & space, possibly telephoto zoom), flash, spare camera/flash batteries and chargers, camera rucsac for walks/camera bag for general meanders, cleaning cloth, chamois leather, Optech Rainsleeve (pack of 2) Camera Rain Cover (http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/Product...ctID~8323.html), and put some silica gel in your camera bag/s for drying out if necessary. Not sure how authorities react to such stuff so keep in hold luggage initially.
• Do your research via Google Image Search before going to see what others have taken as photos, to help find out where the good places to visit / best photo locations are. If you can, download any maps of good walks, locations etc.
• Similarly, once there, find a good postcard/book/map shop to give clues and ideas for photo opportunities/locations.
• And if someone on the Forum says they're a jealous geologist, quick, get a few clues for places to see from them!

Strangely for many years I thought that as a child I had seen the flowing lava of Kilauea or somewhere similar, and it is still a very vivid image now - unfortunately my parents told me some twenty years later that we've never been near the place, so I must have been really impressed by some programme on American TV - I obviously suffer from False Memory Syndrome!
Have a fab time

Regards
Chris

[shenstone]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

Hi Tracy

John (Zukio) and Catkins 2nd set of advfice sounds good to me, except the last

I wouldn't be too worried. this is me and my E-30 in the steam at Solfatara (Italian volcano near Naples) and both survived OK. The picture is taken on the good ladies compact as this was before she got her 620. The picture I was taking is the steam vent picture below with the sulphur deposits



The standard protection of filter and not dropping the camera whilst I ran in for the picture was all it had, and it still works, and I'm still here. I couldn't stand the heat for more than about 30 seconds at a time which is too short a time for your camera to really heat up When the stem billowed I put my hand over the lens and gave it a good wipe when I'd finished. I've not had a problem with condensation inside the filter.

Dust is no bigger problem than in general life, but it does tend to be "sharp" dust so I would take extra care when changing lenses not to get any in the camera body. Your idea of a bag that zips is good, but don't get too paranoid unless it's very windy it's not going to be in the air any more than at home. Most of Hawaii is city and farmland and the standard care you wold take will be fine.

I like to get up close and personal to specific aspects such as steam vents where you can get some stunning colours - one word or warning - these places STINK!



Wide angle lenses are of course excellent for whole volcano's and even thn you may need to take a set for a panorama (note to self I never uploaded my Vesuvius Panorama), but don't forget something longer as well you may not be able to get close because it may be too hot or acrid. This is one of a set I took at Vesuvius for an AV presentation - this is the 40-150 on full



Fresh Lava will probably be very black - if you have a lot in your picture you will need to remember set 1/2 - 1 stop MINUS ev as your camera will try and compensate. As usual a bit os trial an error works best to get the setting right especailly for the sunset's your're planing on

Phew...



Regards
Andy

[shenstone]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

BTW I forgott to mention that Solfatara is a campsite. I couldn't persuade the good lady to stay there she's stll getting over camping in the Mid Atlantic ridge in Iceland

Regards
Andy

[Zuiko]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

There we have it, straight from the horses mouth! Thanks, Andy, I'm sure Tracey will find that very useful - I certainly found it interesting and fascinating. Wish I was going!

[Bo_Nydahl]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

This looks like a good resource:

http://www.govisithawaii.com/

Mike

[jonesy]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

Thanks Mike, I'd not seen that site. I'd been to a couple of other "visit Hawaii" sites, but I'm taking a good look round that one too!

Andy, great shots! I hope I can come back with something worthy of posting here.

I have a 9-18, 14-54, 40-150 and 70-300. I was considering going with just the 14-54, but now I think I will have to take all but the 70-300. I'm also going to invest in a set of ND filters for the waterfalls that seem to be plentyful over there.

Thanks for the advice and guidance

[timg]

[jonesy]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

Thanks for that suggestion. Is an E1 bigger/heavier than my 620? I am currently struggling with using it with the 14-54...its on the limit of what my wrist/arm can cope with at the moment... and I seriously doubt I will have been to see a specialist before May. Its a good idea though

[timg]

Re: Any precautions I should take?

Thanks for that suggestion. Is an E1 bigger/heavier than my 620? I am currently struggling with using it with the 14-54...its on the limit of what my wrist/arm can cope with at the moment... and I seriously doubt I will have been to see a specialist before May. Its a good idea though

I have the E1 and E510 and the E1 is larger and heavier (though not to the extent of the E3/E5) and feels far sturdier that the E510.

According to the stats the E620 is 520g without a lens vs the E1 at 660g, so about 150g difference... that may be enough to put you off!