"Waterproofing" camera for Songkran

[trenzterra]

I'm going to Bangkok next month for the Songkran festival. I understand that it involves lots of water and my A6500 won't survive it--not without some sort of protection.

Has anyone shot under such conditions before and what's the best way to get around it without having to spend over $1,000 on a waterproof housing?

Thank you.

 

[dquangt]

I shot Songkran a couple years ago with the a6000. Here's a link to what I did: http://www.instructables.com/id/Camera-Zip-lock/

Only difference is I taped to the lens hood, not a filter. Used it for kayaking Phang Na also. Just bring a few bags and a roll of tape with you

 

[Kharan]

I'm going to Bangkok next month for the Songkran festival. I understand that it involves lots of water and my A6500 won't survive it--not without some sort of protection.

Has anyone shot under such conditions before and what's the best way to get around it without having to spend over $1,000 on a waterproof housing?

Thank you.

There's plenty of alternatives. The cheapest is to get a rain sleeve for the camera and lens, like this one.

A bit more expensive and cumbersome, but also a lot more secure, is an EWA Marine or DiCaPac "ziploc-style" cover. I've used a DiCaPac before, and lost a camera with it through a fault of my own - I forgot to insert the silicon seal behind the lens port. For an activity that involves splashes and rain, for instance, a cover like this is more than enough, and I'd say offers a 99% chance of equipment survival. However, the controls are highly limited like this, and on a camera that is so dependent on the back panel for settings, you'll be reduced to shooting Auto, P or a Scene mode.

And then there are the dive housings. Meikon doesn't make a specific housing for the A6500, apparently, but I'd investigate further if you're interested. I own one of their RX100 models, and couldn't be more satisfied - it's cheap, well-made, and flawless so far (I get to use mine once every couple of months for a year now). A proper dive housing is much more cumbersome and heavy to carry than the other solutions, but is also pretty much guaranteed to protect your equipment in the worst conditions imaginable. Also, most housings give access to almost all the control points on the camera, making it much more pleasant to operate semi-auto or manual modes and adjust settings on the fly. It's the kind of thing I'd carry for a color run, or wherever there was a significant risk of the camera falling into the water. Most plastic housings are positively buoyant (aluminium ones aren't!), so they greatly increase the chances of recovery if the camera falls overboard, for instance.

--
"Chase the light around the world
I want to look at life
In the available light" - Rush, 'Available Light'

 

[Barmaglot_07]

And then there are the dive housings. Meikon doesn't make a specific housing for the A6500, apparently, but I'd investigate further if you're interested.

They absolutely do make a housing for A6500 - in fact, they make two: a cheaper version with a fixed port for 16-50mm lens, and a somewhat more expensive version with interchangeable ports that came out a month ago. It just so happens that since A6500, A6300 and A6000 cameras are very similar externally, these two housings fit all three models.

I'm not certain, however, that either of these would be a good solution for Songkran - they're quite heavy (over a kilogram empty, so with a camera inside you'd be pushing 2kg), and since the controls are built to resist up to 6 kg/cm2 of water pressure, they're quite stiff on land.

A dedicated surf housing such as a Liquid Eye C6500S is probably the best option (just 280g empty weight, and the buttons are built for surface rather than underwater use), but it's a deal more expensive than Meikon. Still, if you're not diving, I think a soft bag such as a Dicapac or Ewa-Marine is a lot less cumbersome.

 

[Kylon]

I shot Songkran a couple years ago with the a6000. Here's a link to what I did: http://www.instructables.com/id/Camera-Zip-lock/

Only difference is I taped to the lens hood, not a filter. Used it for kayaking Phang Na also. Just bring a few bags and a roll of tape with you

Absolutely wonderful idea and how-to instructions. Thank you! Will be making one using this method for an upcoming trip.

 

[TJ61]

I shot Songkran a couple years ago with the a6000. Here's a link to what I did: http://www.instructables.com/id/Camera-Zip-lock/

Only difference is I taped to the lens hood, not a filter. Used it for kayaking Phang Na also. Just bring a few bags and a roll of tape with you

Same here, taped to lens hood. I used a lighter weight plastic bag and cut off the other end. The bag was long enough, and narrow, so it was more like a tube, allowing me to put my hand inside with a lot of overlap. I was preparing for a lot of drizzle and/or rain in Scotland, but happily never got a chance to use it.

 

[dquangt]

I shot Songkran a couple years ago with the a6000. Here's a link to what I did: http://www.instructables.com/id/Camera-Zip-lock/

Only difference is I taped to the lens hood, not a filter. Used it for kayaking Phang Na also. Just bring a few bags and a roll of tape with you

Absolutely wonderful idea and how-to instructions. Thank you! Will be making one using this method for an upcoming trip.

I know from experience that it works, you can still access controls, still see the screen well enough, and it only costs a few dollars unlike the dive housings and other waterproof solutions suggested. Though a rain sleeve could work the risk is the open bottom. Unless you plan to always keep your arm elevated water will run down ypur arm and onto the camera. Also water is coming from EVERY DIRECTION and I would only trust a sealed solution having experienced Songkran myself.

If someone wants to spend money though, Outex makes an interesting product: http://www.outex.com

 

[dquangt]

See my reply above, for Songkran where water is coming from all directions from hoses, water guns, buckets, etc I would really advise a sealed solution.

People with cameras are targeted to get water shot or thrown on them.

 

[TJ61]

See my reply above, for Songkran where water is coming from all directions from hoses, water guns, buckets, etc I would really advise a sealed solution.

People with cameras are targeted to get water shot or thrown on them.

Oh yeah, apologies to the OP - my post got off track, and is NOT meant as my suggestion for your specific need.

 

[Kharan]

And then there are the dive housings. Meikon doesn't make a specific housing for the A6500, apparently, but I'd investigate further if you're interested.

They absolutely do make a housing for A6500 - in fact, they make two: a cheaper version with a fixed port for 16-50mm lens, and a somewhat more expensive version with interchangeable ports that came out a month ago. It just so happens that since A6500, A6300 and A6000 cameras are very similar externally, these two housings fit all three models.

That's interesting, thanks for pointing it out.

I'm not certain, however, that either of these would be a good solution for Songkran - they're quite heavy (over a kilogram empty, so with a camera inside you'd be pushing 2kg), and since the controls are built to resist up to 6 kg/cm2 of water pressure, they're quite stiff on land.

I don't believe they'd be stiffer than those on my housing, and I find them good, actually - there're just no accidental presses with it

A dedicated surf housing such as a Liquid Eye C6500S is probably the best option (just 280g empty weight, and the buttons are built for surface rather than underwater use), but it's a deal more expensive than Meikon. Still, if you're not diving, I think a soft bag such as a Dicapac or Ewa-Marine is a lot less cumbersome.

Ugh, but that's $600, and for that money I'd get an RX100M3 and a cheap housing. I mean, the Liquid Eye is obviously of very high quality, and comparatively quite light, but that kind of money is getting into Ikelite territory, and for a less versatile product.

 

[mirthseeker]

Songkran is the last place I would take an expensive camera into the streets without a commercial waterproof housing. Not only do you have to consider being drenched by the equivalent of fire-hoses, and having buckets of water thrown over you, but there is the humidity to contend with. In my family, cell phones have been rendered inoperative, despite being encased in zip-locked custom designed bags available there. It's rough and tumble, no respect shown for what might be damaged, and anyone with Caucasian features tends to be a target for the locals. I only use my camera in a vehicle, with the windows up. Just my thoughts.

 

[trenzterra]

I shot Songkran a couple years ago with the a6000. Here's a link to what I did: http://www.instructables.com/id/Camera-Zip-lock/

Only difference is I taped to the lens hood, not a filter. Used it for kayaking Phang Na also. Just bring a few bags and a roll of tape with you

Same here, taped to lens hood. I used a lighter weight plastic bag and cut off the other end. The bag was long enough, and narrow, so it was more like a tube, allowing me to put my hand inside with a lot of overlap. I was preparing for a lot of drizzle and/or rain in Scotland, but happily never got a chance to use it.

By taping to the lens hood, does it mean that water can still get in via the front element? Or you have another filter placed atop?

 

[trenzterra]

Songkran is the last place I would take an expensive camera into the streets without a commercial waterproof housing. Not only do you have to consider being drenched by the equivalent of fire-hoses, and having buckets of water thrown over you, but there is the humidity to contend with. In my family, cell phones have been rendered inoperative, despite being encased in zip-locked custom designed bags available there. It's rough and tumble, no respect shown for what might be damaged, and anyone with Caucasian features tends to be a target for the locals. I only use my camera in a vehicle, with the windows up. Just my thoughts.

Ahh. . Never thought condensation could be a killer! My cellphone is ip68 rated so perhaps that might be a better choice...

I'm Asian by the way (from Singapore) so I guess the last part doesn't apply to me

 

[dquangt]

Songkran is the last place I would take an expensive camera into the streets without a commercial waterproof housing. Not only do you have to consider being drenched by the equivalent of fire-hoses, and having buckets of water thrown over you, but there is the humidity to contend with. In my family, cell phones have been rendered inoperative, despite being encased in zip-locked custom designed bags available there. It's rough and tumble, no respect shown for what might be damaged, and anyone with Caucasian features tends to be a target for the locals. I only use my camera in a vehicle, with the windows up. Just my thoughts.

Ahh. . Never thought condensation could be a killer! My cellphone is ip68 rated so perhaps that might be a better choice...

I'm Asian by the way (from Singapore) so I guess the last part doesn't apply to me

I forgot to mention that in my solution above I put a couple new silica packets in the ziplock each day of shooting.

 

[dquangt]

I shot Songkran a couple years ago with the a6000. Here's a link to what I did: http://www.instructables.com/id/Camera-Zip-lock/

Only difference is I taped to the lens hood, not a filter. Used it for kayaking Phang Na also. Just bring a few bags and a roll of tape with you

Same here, taped to lens hood. I used a lighter weight plastic bag and cut off the other end. The bag was long enough, and narrow, so it was more like a tube, allowing me to put my hand inside with a lot of overlap. I was preparing for a lot of drizzle and/or rain in Scotland, but happily never got a chance to use it.

By taping to the lens hood, does it mean that water can still get in via the front element? Or you have another filter placed atop?

I used a clear filter so when cleaning the water I was wiping the filter and not the element all the time.

 

[trenzterra]

I shot Songkran a couple years ago with the a6000. Here's a link to what I did: http://www.instructables.com/id/Camera-Zip-lock/

Only difference is I taped to the lens hood, not a filter. Used it for kayaking Phang Na also. Just bring a few bags and a roll of tape with you

Same here, taped to lens hood. I used a lighter weight plastic bag and cut off the other end. The bag was long enough, and narrow, so it was more like a tube, allowing me to put my hand inside with a lot of overlap. I was preparing for a lot of drizzle and/or rain in Scotland, but happily never got a chance to use it.

By taping to the lens hood, does it mean that water can still get in via the front element? Or you have another filter placed atop?

I used a clear filter so when cleaning the water I was wiping the filter and not the element all the time.

Thanks! From experience, is there the possibility of water ingress through the front filter? E.g. between the gaps from the filter housing and the filter glass?

 

[Kharan]

I used a clear filter so when cleaning the water I was wiping the filter and not the element all the time.

Thanks! From experience, is there the possibility of water ingress through the front filter? E.g. between the gaps from the filter housing and the filter glass?

Absolutely! If people will direct water with pressure at you (i.e. hoses or bucketfuls of water), there's an important risk of ingress from the threads or the makeup rings that usually hold said threads in place. For rain and spray a filter would be fine, however.

So, with that in mind, I'd definitely go with a housing. It's much cheaper to spend $200 and protect a camera and lens that cost over $1300, in my opinion.

 

[Kharan]

Songkran is the last place I would take an expensive camera into the streets without a commercial waterproof housing. Not only do you have to consider being drenched by the equivalent of fire-hoses, and having buckets of water thrown over you, but there is the humidity to contend with. In my family, cell phones have been rendered inoperative, despite being encased in zip-locked custom designed bags available there. It's rough and tumble, no respect shown for what might be damaged, and anyone with Caucasian features tends to be a target for the locals. I only use my camera in a vehicle, with the windows up. Just my thoughts.

Interesting, I had no idea about Songkran until I opened this thread. Considering what you said, a proper dive housing looks like a necessity.

 

[TJ61]

I used a clear filter so when cleaning the water I was wiping the filter and not the element all the time.

Thanks! From experience, is there the possibility of water ingress through the front filter? E.g. between the gaps from the filter housing and the filter glass?

Absolutely! If people will direct water with pressure at you (i.e. hoses or bucketfuls of water), there's an important risk of ingress from the threads or the makeup rings that usually hold said threads in place. For rain and spray a filter would be fine, however.

I’m curious what kind of IQ is anyone expecting through a water-drenched front element OR filter? Why would anyone use a “good” camera?

 

[mirthseeker]

Songkran is the last place I would take an expensive camera into the streets without a commercial waterproof housing. Not only do you have to consider being drenched by the equivalent of fire-hoses, and having buckets of water thrown over you, but there is the humidity to contend with. In my family, cell phones have been rendered inoperative, despite being encased in zip-locked custom designed bags available there. It's rough and tumble, no respect shown for what might be damaged, and anyone with Caucasian features tends to be a target for the locals. I only use my camera in a vehicle, with the windows up. Just my thoughts.

Interesting, I had no idea about Songkran until I opened this thread. Considering what you said, a proper dive housing looks like a necessity.

--
"Chase the light around the world
I want to look at life
In the available light" - Rush, 'Available Light'

Do a search for Songkran in Google Images. Then consider what the effect of a blast of water from a pick-up truck with tank and powerful pump would do to a plastic-covered camera. Yes, it gets that extreme, particularly in the "tourist" areas. Even the fire brigades get involved in hosing people down. But they are static, not like the moving pick-ups with tanks and buckets of water, pumps and hoses. They could be any where.