anyone here raft the grand canyon with their camera?

planning a trip where we hike to phantom ranch, then raft to Whitmore Wash, then helicopter out of the canyon. Just wondering if anyone here has rafted the canyon with their expensive DSLR? If so, what lenses and how did you keep your equipment on the raft (and dry)?

Don't! This class of camera is not weather sealed (you're posting in the EOS 1100D... forum), so you will not be able to take any pictures with it anyway.
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Less is more

Klaus dk said:

Don't! This class of camera is not weather sealed (you're posting in the EOS 1100D... forum), so you will not be able to take any pictures with it anyway.
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Less is more

Click to expand...

Actually, it's also the 300D-550D forum too (and I have the 550D), but still, you're correct, it's not weather sealed. As far as taking pictures, it's recommended you bring a camera because it's a 7 day trip with multiple hiking opportunities into areas of the canyon not many people see. It's not one rapid after the other after the other.

My son and I have talkied about doing this trip. My plan is to buy Pelican waterproof cases for all of my equipment. You would have to have somewhere to leave the cases when you did the hikes, however.
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The first camera bag you buy is always too small

http://www.flickr.com/geofiz

I havent been to the Grand Canyon but I have been on a few other fast moving rivers including the Nahanni in Canada's Northwest Territory.

I took a Canon 5D mk2 with a 70-200 L F4 lens. This lens seemed the best compromise for action shots, wildlife and even distant panoramas as I was in no position to be changing lens in an unstable and sometimes wet raft .

I carried the camera gear in a Lowepro Dryzone backpack that was truly watertight.

I also used the same backpack for hiking as I could also fit in some water and snacks and a wet weather jacket . Only minor problem was that the waterproof zipper on the backpack was a little stiff and took a few more seconds to open when I was in a hurry, but all in all it worked well.

For many people these river trips are once in a lifetime experiences that offer incredible photo ops so I recommend to go with the best gear you can afford.

Do you have P&S you can get an underwater housing for?

When I went on a rafting trip down through the Grand Canyon many years ago, we used waterproof ammo cans to store our valuables while actually on the rafts. These were strapped to the rafts to keep them from falling out while moving, but offered relatively quick access to the camera. I assume this is a guided trip? If so, give them a call to see what they have. They should have some standard setup for storing valuables while on the raft.

twatkin said:

When I went on a rafting trip down through the Grand Canyon many years ago, we used waterproof ammo cans to store our valuables while actually on the rafts. These were strapped to the rafts to keep them from falling out while moving, but offered relatively quick access to the camera. I assume this is a guided trip? If so, give them a call to see what they have. They should have some standard setup for storing valuables while on the raft.

Click to expand...

yes. good advice. I checked and they do have waterproof storage on the raft, so I will definitely be taking my 550d and lenses. Not all my lenses though. So the next question is, will a 15-85 suffice? Also have a 10-22, and a 70-300. I'm thinking the 70-300 won't be that useful in the gorge, but the 10-22 would be extremely useful. Still, if I could get by with just the 15-85, I'd prefer that.

By the way, the company I'm going with is O.A.R.S.

No idea about traveling with photo gear by raft, but here are some photos taken from Whitmore canyon overlooking the takeout where the helecopter will pick you up. It is a 3-frame pano taken with a Canon 5D2 and 16-35L at 16mm. That is equivalent to 10mm with the crop-frame camera. You will certainly want the 10-22 in the canyon!







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Dan