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HINTS
from Members of
The Mindful Eye Community
Page 3
CAMERAS, OTHER GEAR
AND CLOTHING
COLD WEATHER CLOTHING
April - Gloves for Cold Weather:
I'm so delighted to have found something that finally works for me, I just had to share it: .5mm neoprene gloves from:
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2406&deptid=944
Though only meant for 3-season wear, I went out this morning to shoot for an hour in 11F temps, and -- with hand warmers in my pockets for an occasional boost -- was just fine!
They're thin enough that I can feel even the tiniest buttons on my "little guy". And, they have a textured finish on the fingers and palms which grips the camera wonderfully when I'm hand-holding or changing batteries.
The recommendation came from a kayaker who's going out on Lake Michigan this winter. (He wears a heavier version.) He also said NRS is very good about refunds or exchanges.
Maybe not a "creative" tip, but now I can keep shooting this winter -- yea!
P.S. I've no affiliation with NRS.
Josh (Humanist) - gloves: Cold Canadian winters have forced me to investigate such things too. My current solution is quite cheap so I thought it might be of use to some. A store called Mark's Work Wearhouse (I don't know if it exists outside Canada) sells packs of very thin cotton gloves for almost nothing. I picked up 4 or 5 pairs for the price of a couple coffees. These white gloves are thin enough that I can work all buttons on the camera with ease. They are also tight enough that I can slip my full mittens or gloves on and off overtop of them.
It doesn't involve anything fancy, and probably isn't as good as the gloves linked above, but they are cheap and they've kept me shooting for 2-3 hours in cold Canadian winter nights.
Steve Weeks (Steve Weeks) - Golf Gloves: For cold weather gloves I have found golfing (from my previous hobby) rain gloves work well with the camera controls. Feel is important in both endeavors. Although it is a solution that costs a little more, they are very warm indeed.
FOUND ACCESSORIES
April (AprilS) - String, Plastic Bags: - Repacking my kit into a new bag uncovered a few more lightweight items I carry:
* String, to tie back plants if you're not a purist. (Mentioned here by...?)
* Baggies: tear a hole for the lens, and protect your camera from the rain while continuing to shoot.
* Garbage bag: useful as a tarp, or to pack out trash you come across in the field.
Ganna (Ganna) - Thin Rope to Steady Hand-Held Camera: - This fits easily into camera bag: a piece of string (thin rope) make a loop on one end and put your foot in it. The other end you wrap around the hand holding the camera. When taking the shot, push up against the thin rope and the tension helps to keep camera more steady.
Steve Weeks (Steve Weeks) - Shower Caps: - As an adder to April's suggestion of a baggie for the camera in the rain, try the free shower caps that are in many motel rooms. Just cut a X in the top of the cap for the lens to go through and use the open elastic side for open access to the camera controls.
TJ (tjavery) - Make Your Own L-Bracket: - Here's a pdf file you can dowload with complete instructions for the do-it-yourselfers.
http://www.texbrick.com/photo/notes/lbracket.pdf
MANUFACTURED ACCESSORIES
Jackie (jaxart) - Shootsac, a New Twist in Camera Bags: - I thought some folks might be interested in a lens bag that is really slim and fits comfortably next to you without getting in the way. I recently bought one and find it works well when I know I'll have my camera in hand all the time. This does not hold cameras although it might if you remove your lens.
A nice feature is that you can add designer covers to it so that it doesn't look like a camera bag, fits in at events like weddings, etc.
http://www.shootsac.com
CAMERA & LENS CARE
Beth (caifedubh) - Mold on Lenses: -
I live in Delaware and we get a ton of humidity during the summer (no, thats not correct, we really get it all year long..). you know you're in trouble when the weather people start saying 90/90 around mid June to early july, thats 90+ degree weather and 90%+ humidity. the Jerseyites here know what I'm talking about ...
I don't worry about condensation so much getting out of the car or buildings, I worry about the lens still being wet when I stick it in the camera bag. I keep those silica packets in the bag and if its been really humid for awhile I'll put the lens out on a dry day in the sun. Front of the lens down on aluminum foil, top up, no caps on.
Sunlight kills mold. and fungus.. and bacteria, most viri and missplaced proteins/prions..[these can get into the lens interior and cause mold, etc, to grow on the inner elements]. Put a crap UV filter on the front end (to protect the lens from accidental scratching) place the front of the lens face down on a piece of aluminum, put the mounted end up with no rear cap on. works using the same principles as a magnifying glass and ants.
Flo Deems (tonebytone) - Plastic Bag Protection: - Condensation occurs on your return from a cold to a warm environment. So grab a larger bag - what are called "small kitchen" sized bags, if you have them in Canada, should be just the perfect size to get camera and long lens inside. But don't buy the scented ones. Our lungs don't need all that artificial odor chemicals inside them.
These bags are not self-closing like the zippered bags are. So you need a ball of twine and a knife or scissors, too. I might just double-bag, too.
Also, it's not just the lenses that get condensation on them. Don't change batteries or open the memory card slot, either, until the camera has warmed up. You don't want to get moisture inside where the electrical contacts are.
Tim Gray - About using Ziploc bags: - There's no magic to a zip freezer bag. For the transition from cold to warm, just get a bigger plastic bag (eg kitchen garbage bag)and give it a few good twists.
John Cornicello (jcornice) - Ziploc Bags: - Ziplock does make 2-gallon size bags. Many stores do not stock them, but can get them for you special order. You may also be able to purchase them from the Ziplock web site.
Tom (trt) - Harder Bags: - If you want something more sound than bags, try a Pelican box. Other option is some of the new Lowpro bags that are waterproof, that might work.
Hints pg 1, shooting ~ pg 2, post processing
pg 3, gear ~ pg 4, on locations
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