PaddleWise by thread

From: Anne Burton <aburton1_at_maine.rr.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Down East Photos
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 14:00:13 -400
To all paddlewisers:

I've put up a page of (high band-width) photos from my trip 
down east in August -- 11 disposable-camera-quality photos of 
kayaking heaven -- if you want to see down east in Maine 
during an unusually calm and serene August week, here it is!

http://home.maine.rr.com/aeb

Anne Burton
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: SurfBuff <kayaker_at_caribsurf.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Down East Photos
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 14:20:58 -0300
Talking about photos.... there's a great on-line camera at the following URL.  You can actually take a photo using your monitor, bring it up on the screen,,,, and forward it to anyone.  Check it out:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/3072/camera2.html

----------
From: 	Anne Burton[SMTP:aburton1_at_maine.rr.com]
Sent: 	Friday, September 17, 1999 11:00 AM
To: 	PaddleWise
Subject: 	[Paddlewise] Down East Photos

To all paddlewisers:

I've put up a page of (high band-width) photos from my trip 
down east in August -- 11 disposable-camera-quality photos of 
kayaking heaven -- if you want to see down east in Maine 
during an unusually calm and serene August week, here it is!

http://home.maine.rr.com/aeb

Anne Burton
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Steve Jernigan <jernigan_at_chester.uccs.edu>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Down East Photos
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 16:13:01 -0600
At 02:20 PM 09/17/1999 -0300, you wrote:
>Talking about photos.... there's a great on-line camera at the following
URL.  You can actually take a photo using your monitor, bring it up on the
screen,,,, and forward it to anyone.  Check it out:
>
>http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/3072/camera2.html

Wow! That's amazing! How d'ya suppose they got my monitor to feed back my
image like that? I never realized they worked both ways!
'Course ya realize what that means as far as privacy don'tcha? Man, every
time you're on-line big brother could be lookin' in, not to mention that
nasty li'l hacker dude down the street . . .;~O
ByeBye! S.
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: John Fereira <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Down East Photos
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 15:03:33 -0400
At 02:00 PM 9/17/99 -0400, Anne Burton wrote:
>To all paddlewisers:
>
>I've put up a page of (high band-width) photos from my trip 
>down east in August -- 11 disposable-camera-quality photos of 
>kayaking heaven -- if you want to see down east in Maine 
>during an unusually calm and serene August week, here it is!

Nice pictures.   What kind of boat was that red&white kayak 
in the shot about three from the top.   It looks a bit like a Necky
Looksha but it looks too short.  Is that a Malone of Maine paddle
on it?

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: <aburton1_at_maine.rr.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Down East Photos
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 15:41:23 -0400
The boat's a Necky Looksha IV S, probably looking a little 
foreshortened in the photo (16' 6") ....yes, it's a Malone of 
Maine paddle, too --- love it but was unable to use it during 
the trip, as I could not keep up with others if using it.  I 
assumed I couldn't keep up with it because I am fairly new 
to Greenland style paddling, but the guide said he knew 
very few people who could keep up with euro style 
paddlers touring.....or it may just be I don't yet have a 
good Greenland technique...


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Catherine Veraghen <catherin_at_imagebuilder.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Down East Photos
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 12:20:19 -0700
Anne Burton wrote:

> To all paddlewisers:
>
> I've put up a page of (high band-width) photos from my trip
> down east in August -- 11(snip)

Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing:)!

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Bob Volin <bobvolin_at_bestweb.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Down East Photos
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 16:19:30 -0400
>Talking about photos.... there's a great on-line camera at the following
URL.  You can actually take a photo using your monitor, bring it up on the
screen,,,, and forward it to anyone.  Check it out:
>
>http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/3072/camera2.html
>
Wow!  Ain't science grand!  Shoulda shaved closer this morning, I guess....


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Matt Broze <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Down East Photos
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 16:55:50 -0700
Oh No! The Euro/Greenland paddle can of worms has been opened again.
Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com

-----Original Message-----
From: aburton1_at_maine.rr.com <aburton1_at_maine.rr.com>


>The boat's a Necky Looksha IV S, probably looking a little 
>foreshortened in the photo (16' 6") ....yes, it's a Malone of 
>Maine paddle, too --- love it but was unable to use it during 
>the trip, as I could not keep up with others if using it.  I 
>assumed I couldn't keep up with it because I am fairly new 
>to Greenland style paddling, but the guide said he knew 
>very few people who could keep up with euro style 
>paddlers touring.....or it may just be I don't yet have a 
>good Greenland technique...
>


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Greg Stamer <gstamer_at_magicnet.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Down East Photos
Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 11:32:35 -0400
>Oh No! The Euro/Greenland paddle can of worms has been opened again.
>Matt Broze
>http://www.marinerkayaks.com
>

>From: aburton1_at_maine.rr.com <aburton1_at_maine.rr.com>
>>SNIP
>>I assumed I couldn't keep up with it because I am fairly new 
>>to Greenland style paddling, but the guide said he knew 
>>very few people who could keep up with euro style 
>>paddlers touring.....or it may just be I don't yet have a 
>>good Greenland technique...


In all fairness, the original poster is quite correct about not keeping up
with a Greenland paddle. I find that I constantly have to slow down when
using my Greenland paddle in order for those laggards with their Euro
blades to keep up :^)

In all seriousness, it is all in the technique. In my experience poor
technique (the all arms, "plop-it-in-all-pull-it-back" approach) applied to
a Euro blade will often give better forward stroke speeds than with a
Greenland paddle. There are a variety of forward stroke techniques (angling
the blade forward, sliding strokes, etc) that can take some time to learn
with the Greenland paddle. Applying Euro technique to a Greenland stick
(and vice-versa) will be bound to disappoint you. The differences in
technique are nothing mysterious and are easy to do, but they vary enough
from "Euro-teaching" that many folks never learn them or require many years
of trial-and-error experimentation on their own. You may also need to
"unlearn" some habits which can prove very difficult to do. Sure you can
slosh along using any technique that you want but whether you are using a
Greenland stick, a spooned Euro blade, a wing, a canoe paddle or whatever,
you have to expect to invest adequate time to learn the "personality" and
quirks of your chosen tool.

John Heath is coming out with a new video around Christmas that not only
includes above and below water sequences of Maligiaq Padilla (the Greenland
Champion) rolling and bracing but also has footage of Maligiaq
demonstrating and explaining approximately *five* common forward stroke
techniques used in Greenland. Keep and eye tuned to John's webpage at
<http://www.fbtc.net/~jdheath/> for future details. This should be a good
resource and hopefully will end some of the "it-must-be-done-this-way"
dogma that is currently impeding Greenland-style instruction from
self-taught instructors in North America today. I also hope that the focus
for learning proper "Greenland-style" technique will finally be placed upon
the Greenlanders themselves where it belongs.

Greg Stamer


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Jessica Tobiason <jtobiason_at_hbs.edu>
subject: [Paddlewise] Trip Photography: (was Down East Photos)
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 13:42:32 -0400
Hi Paddle Wise-rs!

I'm a newbie coming out of lurk mode for a quick question...

Reading about your trips and seeing all the wonderful pictures is a great 
motivator for me to develop skills which will allow me to paddle in such 
lovely places.

I do wonder, however, what kinds of cameras you use.  Are they 
waterproof?  How do you protect them on trips?  Any other 
photography-related suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
-Jessica


>if you want to see down east in Maine
>during an unusually calm and serene August week, here it is!
>
>http://home.maine.rr.com/aeb
>
>Anne Burton

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: James Lofton <n5yyx_at_etsc.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trip Photography: (was Down East Photos)
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 13:48:52 -0700
> 
> I do wonder, however, what kinds of cameras you use.  Are they
> waterproof?  How do you protect them on trips?  Any other
> photography-related suggestions?

I use the same camera(s) and lens that I use normally on land. I just 
choose what I am taking, depending on what kind of trip I'm going on. At 
the very least, I will carry a little point and shoot camera(yashica 
T-4), and a small tripod called a "ultrapod". On other trips, if taking 
pictures is the main reason for the trip, then I will have a couple of 
SLR bodies, and a full complament of lenses,filters, etc, along with a 
full sized tripod.
A polarizer filter can be useful at times for reducing contrast on the 
water and to remove reflections. I find that it is most useful after I am 
safely on shore tho. Getting too wrapped up in composing a picture can 
case some exciting moments!
I really take no special precausions sp? on water proofing anything. I 
protect against splash/rain, but that's all. Depending on where I was 
paddling/skills, I would change this to a water proof hard case tho! Even 
then I would have one camera that was easily within reach.

I normally paddle inland lakes/rivers and avoid conditions that would 
likely get water in my folding kayaks. I do most of my paddling during 
the fall through early summer months(jet skis leave and the geese 
arrive), and don't dress for emersion, so turning over and getting a 
camera wet, during the winter, is my last concern. :>)

Take something that you don't mind getting out and using. A great camera 
in a waterproof container, buried in the end of your kayak, won't take as 
good a picture as the cheap one that you have handy, and use.

James

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: David Seng <David_at_wainet.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Trip Photography: (was Down East Photos)
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 16:40:30 -0800
  I use a Pentax WR-90.  It's a fairly inexpensive, water-resistant camera
with a 90mm zoom.  That's not nearly enough of a zoom for decent wildlife
photography, but it's a pretty decent, fairly lightweight and durable little
rig.  Mine has survived unscathed several rolls and even some extended
out-of-boat swim sessions in salt water. (Some idiot who knows better forgot
to take the camera out of it's traveling spot stuffed under the pfd).  When
I lived down south and paddled WW it frequently traveled in the bottom of my
Encore with at least a little water sloshing around (one of the unavoidable
features of paddling an OC-1).
  Having said that - I'm not that good of a photographer.  I'm sure that if
you're really into taking good pictures that you'd want something more than
a simple little point and shoot camera.

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jessica Tobiason [mailto:jtobiason_at_hbs.edu]
> Sent: Monday, September 20, 1999 9:43 AM
> To: aburton1_at_maine.rr.com; PaddleWise
> Subject: [Paddlewise] Trip Photography: (was Down East Photos)
> 
> 
> Hi Paddle Wise-rs!
> 
> I'm a newbie coming out of lurk mode for a quick question...
> 
> Reading about your trips and seeing all the wonderful 
> pictures is a great 
> motivator for me to develop skills which will allow me to 
> paddle in such 
> lovely places.
> 
> I do wonder, however, what kinds of cameras you use.  Are they 
> waterproof?  How do you protect them on trips?  Any other 
> photography-related suggestions?
> 
> Thanks in advance!
> -Jessica
> 
> 
> >if you want to see down east in Maine
> >during an unusually calm and serene August week, here it is!
> >
> >http://home.maine.rr.com/aeb
> >
> >Anne Burton
> 
> **************************************************************
> *************
> PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
> Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
> **************************************************************
> *************
> 
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trip Photography
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 18:19:50 -0700
Jessica Tobiason wrote:

> I do wonder, however, what kinds of cameras you use.  Are they
> waterproof?  How do you protect them on trips?  Any other
> photography-related suggestions?

Jessica, I have used both the Minolta Weathermatic and the Pentax WR-90.

I had the same problem with leakage on the Minolta others have mentioned.  The
first event was my fault:  I dropped the camera and broke one of the latch
dogs off, allowing river water inside.  The camera survived that, and was
repaired by Minolta to supposed water-tightness.  About 6 months later, while
it was in the hands of another for a week-long trip, somehow salt water got
inside and the camera fried (the batteries discharged through a
salt-water-shorted circuit).  Impressive meltdown, but did not do much for the
film!  <g>  I was surprised at the leakage, because the Minolta has a (looks
to me, anyway) bombproof seal.  Could be the person I loaned the camera to
dinged it or accidentally popped the back, but I'll never know.  Dead camera. 
Optics were OK, but not outstanding (see below).

My experience with the WR-90 has been better.  Despite what looks like a
cheesy seal, the damn thing has not leaked a drop in three seasons of regular,
heavy use!  Admittedly, it has not been dropped or loaned out, but it just
keeps on workin'!

The other aspect of the WR-90 I like is the zoom.  I use it a lot, and it
makes composition really easy.

I do not understand how Pentax did this, but the zoom lens slides in and out
without wicking water past the O-ring which seals the lens to the body.  Heard
from a Pentax tech rep there is some special surface on the lens/body
interface (and a Goretex membrane across the vent inside the camera) which
makes this possible.  Note:  I have never zoomed the lens OUT when it was
immersed or nastily wet.  I suspect if you did, it might leak.  And, it is not
warranteed for immersion deeper than about a foot, IIRC.

On the down side, a friend who is more particular 6han I am about clarity in
his photos ran a couple rolls of film through a WR-90 and pronounced the
optics to be very average.  I've seen his photos (through Nikons, I think),
and his are significantly sharper and clearer than mine.  OTOH, the Pentax
unit stays under my left knee in the cockpit, and gets out to dance anytime I
want it.  Result:  Rich has a smaller number of really primo photos
(especially scenics from dry land or in camp), but after a trip, he always
comes to me to get "snapshots" of on-the-water stuff.

Good luck finding a WR-90.  I hear the WR-105 is an inferior unit, and the
90's are in short supply.  I'm NOT selling mine!

Oh, yeah, on the water-spots on the lens problem:  I got a small (4 in x 6 in)
piece of chamois I keep in a plastic bag inside a PFD pocket, and it
ELIMINATES water spots on the lens of the camera and on my glasses.  Highly
recommended!

One other thing about the WR-90:  it is dead black, and BARELY floats in salt
water.  I threaded the strap through a day-glo yellow key chain float so I
could find it after a capsize.  A friend who did not have his 90 so equipped
could not find it after a wet exit (mandated by a negative interaction with a
boomer in Barkley Sound).

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: <JSpinner_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trip Photography: (was Down East Photos)
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 22:47:48 EDT
In a message dated 9/20/99 5:38:08 PM, n5yyx_at_etsc.net writes:

<< Take something that you don't mind getting out and using. A great camera 
in a waterproof container, buried in the end of your kayak, won't take as 
good a picture as the cheap one that you have handy, and use. >>

AMEN!
now it lives in the deck bag and I pull stuff out of the bag with the prayer 
that ALL will be will IN the bag. point-and-shoot, waterproof, recyclable.

joan
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: <Bhansen97_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trip Photography: (was Down East Photos)
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 09:34:33 EDT
Jessica - The camera I like the best for kayaking is a Pentax IQ zoom 105. A 
couple of other people have referred to it as "an inferior unit" but my own 
luck with it has been excellent - and those who know me will vouch for the 
fact that I'm a pretty fussy person. 

It's "splashproof"  but it's not submersible. If the weather's bad I keep it 
in a ziplock bag in the front pocket of my PFD. It has acceptable zoom 
capacity and the image quality and color rendition are quite good. It won't 
accept filters, but I carry a polarizing filter with me anyway, and just hold 
it up in front of the lens, if it's needed, when taking pictures once I'm 
*out* of the kayak - something I wouldn't attempt while paddling.

On land I prefer an Olympus IS-2, which is more flexible in several different 
ways....

The waterproof disposbales haven't worked nearly as well for me as they have 
for others. Underwater, I've gotten a few good photos with them. While 
paddling, for whatever reason, I've not gotten acceptable images.

On the other hand, I really like James Lofton's comment that "A great camera 
in a waterproof container, buried in the end of your kayak, won't take as 
good a picture as the cheap one that you have handy, and use." That's good 
advice!

Bill Hansen
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: <dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trip Photography: (was Down East Photos)
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 10:15:55 -0400
|I protect against splash/rain, but that's all. Depending on where I was
|paddling/skills, I would change this to a water proof hard case tho! Even
|then I would have one camera that was easily within reach.

Interesting that this subject just came up.  I've been pondering this problem
myself over the last couple of weeks.

I'm trying to use my kayak to get to places that are difficult to get to from
land, especially with 30-40 pounds of photo gear.  I also want to be able to
take shots from the kayak as I paddle along.  My Looksha IV ain't got alot of
storage space in the cockpit so what to do?

In the past I have taken a large dry bag and used that to protect my photo gear.
Very bulky and no real access when on the water even with the bag in the
cockpit.  Done it.  Taken some pictures but not an ideal solution.

My next idea is some pelican boxes to protect the gear.  I'm afraid I'm going to
have to get three or four to fit the gear in the boat.  I'm going to look at a
box that will hold one camera and one lense to keep in the cockpit.  If I could
fit another camera body and lense in the same box while not filling up the
cockpit so much the better.  I don't think that will happen but at least this
way I'll have protected access to the most likely used gear when on the water.

I was going to look at the boxes this weekend but Floyd Fun prevented this.

Jordan Lake here in the Triangle of North Carolina, USA, has the largest
population of Bald Eagles on the east coast with the exception of Florida.  If I
go to the northern part of the lake I'll usually see three or four eagles.  If I
get back to a part of the lake that is very shallow, thus keeping the power
boats out, I've seen the eagles catching fish and fighting each other over same.
This an the Osprey nest, that keepsgetting lower and lower as the tree decays,
just calls for taking great bird pictures from the kayak.  The problem in doing
so is having the equipment that keeps you far enough away from the birds so as
not disturb them yet still get the photograph.  Which begats the problem of
access to the geer and, in this case, having a stable enough boat to be
confident in letting go of your paddle to operate you camera without "doing a
turtle."  I liked that expression!  8-)

The last part has me worried.  I mentioned to my SO the other week that it sure
would be nice to have a small double so we could paddle together, not like the
subject a post I HAD to make a bit ago!  Course I could use the boat as a photo
platform!  8-)

I don't think she bought into the idea!  8-)

Anyone have ideas on how to stablize the boat while taking pictures?
I've thought of rigging the paddle float..... I'm not going to mention sp...ns
and Sp...nMan!  8-)

Later....
Dan McCarty



***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: James Lofton <n5yyx_at_etsc.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trip Photography: (was Down East Photos)
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 09:27:33 -0700
dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com wrote:
>VARIOUS SNIPS< 
> The last part has me worried.  I mentioned to my SO the other week that it sure
> would be nice to have a small double so we could paddle together, not like the
> subject a post I HAD to make a bit ago!  Course I could use the boat as a photo
> platform!  8-)
> 
> I don't think she bought into the idea!  8-)
> 
> Anyone have ideas on how to stablize the boat while taking pictures?


Sounds to me like you are up to "needing" a new kayak. 
Tell the wife to look at it this way.., if you flip and ruin a camera, it 
will co$t big bucks, not to mention the prize winning shots that were in 
it. You could also compare the price of a new kayak to a new canon 
EOS(water resistant)along with a full set of canon IS(image 
stabilized)lens. :>)

Seriously, have you checked out one of those camera bags by SUNDOG? I 
have never used one, but they look like a good way to carry a camera and 
a short zoom lens outside your spray skirt, altho I must plead ignorant 
to how wet the decks get on most kayaks. When water starts going over my 
folbot it's too rough to take good steady photo's of much, at least for 
me(telephoto shots).

For a camera bag, I use a coleman soft ice chest, either the 6pack or the 
12 pack, depending what camera and lens combo I want real handy. They are 
insulated and designed to keep ice/water in, so work to keep water 
out(from the floor). I keep the rest of my camera gear in it's normal 
bag(tamrac) and have a trash compacter bag handy to wrap around it. When 
I'm in my big folbot(an old super)I have a hard shell ice chest(48qt) 
sitting in the forward seat area, and that's where all my "extra" camera 
gear is carried.
None of this is worth anything if you paddle in differant conditions than 
I do or have something less stable than a folder.

Without sounding too biased toward folding kayaks(I am), just can't 
emagine myself trying to phograph a bunch of cranes, geese, ducks, rising 
out of the morning fog, the light an unearthy gold, and me swinging, 
focusing, bracketing, through maybe a 75-300mm zoom, and all the while 
thinking about my kayak turning "turtle"(did I mention that there was ice 
forming on the water)....not me!!! :>)

You sound to me like photo taking is a big enough passion for you to own 
at least one "platform". One good picture sale should pay for it.

James


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: johncw <johncw_at_narrows.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Stablizing for Photography
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 22:02:40 -0700
Dan;
To stabalize your boat quickly and easily for shooting pictures you could
try a modified "paddlefloat" attachment system on your front deck:  An
eyelet bolted on the left with a piece of line passed through it and a knot
tied in it, a hook bolted close to the cockpit, another eyelet with the line
passing through bolted on the right side, and a jam cleat beyond that.
Simply lay your paddle across the deck, lay the line over it and the hook,
reach forward and pull the line tight and snug it into the jam cleat.  It's
a rock solid attachment and won't move all around like bungies.  Just having
your paddle blade sticking out to dampen any sudden movements is often
enough to make a shot possible.  It isn't neccessary to use the paddlefloat
to greatly increase your stability.

I don't like to use my good camera on the water (I paddle almost exclusively
on salt water) so I keep a Nikonos IV-A with a 28mm lens on the deck and a
80mm lens handy.  It's versitile enough for using on the water for me.  The
camera I carry with me when I'm kayaking and use on land is a Leica R5 with
a 28-70 3.5 lens and a 70-210 3.5 lens.  It gives me enough latitude without
risking damage to my favorite camera.
John Winskill
----- Original Message -----
From: <dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com>
To: <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 1999 7:15 AM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trip Photography: (was Down East Photos)


> |I protect against splash/rain, but that's all. Depending on where I was
> |paddling/skills, I would change this to a water proof hard case tho! Even
> |then I would have one camera that was easily within reach.
>
> Interesting that this subject just came up.  I've been pondering this
problem
> myself over the last couple of weeks.
>
> I'm trying to use my kayak to get to places that are difficult to get to
from
> land, especially with 30-40 pounds of photo gear.  I also want to be able
to
> take shots from the kayak as I paddle along.  My Looksha IV ain't got alot
of
> storage space in the cockpit so what to do?
>
> In the past I have taken a large dry bag and used that to protect my photo
gear.
> Very bulky and no real access when on the water even with the bag in the
> cockpit.  Done it.  Taken some pictures but not an ideal solution.
>
> My next idea is some pelican boxes to protect the gear.  I'm afraid I'm
going to
> have to get three or four to fit the gear in the boat.  I'm going to look
at a
> box that will hold one camera and one lense to keep in the cockpit.  If I
could
> fit another camera body and lense in the same box while not filling up the
> cockpit so much the better.  I don't think that will happen but at least
this
> way I'll have protected access to the most likely used gear when on the
water.
>
> I was going to look at the boxes this weekend but Floyd Fun prevented
this.
>
> Jordan Lake here in the Triangle of North Carolina, USA, has the largest
> population of Bald Eagles on the east coast with the exception of Florida.
If I
> go to the northern part of the lake I'll usually see three or four eagles.
If I
> get back to a part of the lake that is very shallow, thus keeping the
power
> boats out, I've seen the eagles catching fish and fighting each other over
same.
> This an the Osprey nest, that keepsgetting lower and lower as the tree
decays,
> just calls for taking great bird pictures from the kayak.  The problem in
doing
> so is having the equipment that keeps you far enough away from the birds
so as
> not disturb them yet still get the photograph.  Which begats the problem
of
> access to the geer and, in this case, having a stable enough boat to be
> confident in letting go of your paddle to operate you camera without
"doing a
> turtle."  I liked that expression!  8-)
>
> The last part has me worried.  I mentioned to my SO the other week that it
sure
> would be nice to have a small double so we could paddle together, not like
the
> subject a post I HAD to make a bit ago!  Course I could use the boat as a
photo
> platform!  8-)
>
> I don't think she bought into the idea!  8-)
>
> Anyone have ideas on how to stablize the boat while taking pictures?
> I've thought of rigging the paddle float..... I'm not going to mention
sp...ns
> and Sp...nMan!  8-)
>
> Later....
> Dan McCarty
>
>
>
>
***************************************************************************
> PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
> Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
>
***************************************************************************
>

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: <Sidney_Stone_at_amsinc.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stablizing for Photography
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 16:18:58 -0400
While stabilizing the kayak is important, there are a number of other
factors which impact stability.  First, the shutter speed can compensate
for some minor boat movement; the faster the shutter, the less visible
movement in the image (the drawback to fast shutter speeds, is a decrease
in the depth of field [the amount of area in front and behind the primary
subject which will be in focus]).  Second, the speed of film you are using.
Faster films will permit you to use a faster shutter speed and thus reduce
movement.  Today's fast films are very good.  Third, the focal length of
the lens will impact movement.  The longer focal length lenses are
naturally more difficult to use handheld.  Again, a fast shutter speed
becomes almost a given using say a 300mm lens.  Finally, there is your own
ability to hold the camera steady for the duration of the exposure.

Another option, albeit expensive, is to use one the canon lenses with image
stabilization.  I have never used one but the writeups are impressive.  And
they are expensive.

With regard to waterproof camera or housings, I have successfully used an
EIWA flexible housing with my Minolta 7xi and 28-80 zoom lens.  The housing
costs around $190 from large NYC camera stores.  I have used the camera and
housing above and below the water with good success.

Good luck,
sid


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: <dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stablizing for Photography
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 16:39:25 -0400
I was going to take this off line but it could be of interested to others.  Plus
I'm gonna have to try some line art to figure this out.  I'll let our resident
LineArtExpertArtist judge the results...  8-)

|An eyelet bolted on the left with a piece of line passed through it and a |knot
tied in it, a hook bolted close to the cockpit, another eyelet with the |line
passing through bolted on the right side, and a jam cleat beyond that.
|Simply lay your paddle across the deck, lay the line over it and the hook,
|reach forward and pull the line tight and snug it into the jam cleat.  It's
|a rock solid attachment and won't move all around like bungies.  Just having
|your paddle blade sticking out to dampen any sudden movements is often
|enough to make a shot possible.  It isn't neccessary to use the paddlefloat
|to greatly increase your stability.

Grrr....  Forget about the line art!  TOTAL failure!  The kayak "picture" was
looking VERY offensive!  And this is a family forum.  We try to keep it clean,
don't we Sandy?  8-)  By the way Sandy, was that a WHITE feather for your
paddle?  Or Yum Yum Yellow?  LOL!

So the eyelets left and right are the same distance from the cockpit?  With the
same line running from the left eyelet to the right one and then down to the jam
cleat near the cockpit?


                 |<---- paddle blade in the air?
                 |
        /--------+---------------------------
        \    O---+-----------cleat
        /    |   |     ------------------
 <- Bow \    |   |     | C O C K P I T  |
        /    |   |     ------------------
        \    O  hook?
        /--------+---------------------------
                 |
                 |<---- paddle blade in the water?


The hook is pointing up?  And hook is a U shaped hook?  If I have this right,
the cleated line to starboard, how that for sounding nautical, actually holds
the paddle rigid.  The cleat really holds the paddle?

The idea of using my camera gear from the kayak gives me the willeys but its the
only way I'm gonna be able to take the pictures, or attempt to.  I think a
double might be stable enough but I really don't wanna spend the money and I
like the speed of the LookshaIV.  And by stable I mean I'll be able to focus, no
pun intended, on my subject without loosing "balance" and turning turtle.  Plus
the double would have more room for the gear.  But the cost of a fiberglass
double would buy a lot of camera gear!  8-)

Thanks...
Dan




***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
From: Joe Brzoza <joebr_at_burton.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Trip Photography: (was Down East Photos)
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 13:36:04 -0400
Since were on the subject, has any "casual photographers" tried one of those
Aquapac camera cases? They appear to be a bag in which you place a
point-and-shoot camera.  The bag has a clear lens (with a cover) on one side
for the camera to shoot through.

They look like they might do a fair job and are inexpensive.  (I'm not
looking for National Geographic quality photos)

Just curious - thanks.



***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:02 PDT