How do you secure and protect your camera?
Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:03 am
Curious as to how everyone secures their camera when diving. Please include considerations for all activities from before entering the water through getting out of the water.
What prompted this topic is a recent failure of my "system" where a Trident coil lanyard tying the camera to my BCD broke during a dive. The plastic coil sheared right at the crimp (where the plastic coil connects to the nylon strap), and an inspection of my backup lanyard showed some significant cracking at the same spot that could have easily sheared completely as well. Luckily I had a solid grip on the camera, and it was one of the first dives where I actually employed a backup lanyard. This occurrence confirmed something that has always been in the back of my mind--that these lanyards are largely inadequate. I've never completely trusted the lanyards, but there have been times where I've let the camera dangle so I can use both of my hands.
So, I'm off to look for a better system to secure my camera. What do you guys use/do? I'm thinking of tying some nylon 6 (perlon) cord in to form a chain, similar to a climbing PAS anchor (or maybe even just buying a couple of PAS anchors, though they're a bit bulky). That way the loops can be secured together to reduce clutter or extended for range/flexibility when needed. The other consideration is I need something that is relatively easy to manipulate when wearing dry gloves with thick liners.
My current system/practices (camera + strobes weighs ~30lbs and is slightly negative):
2 coil lanyards tied to camera housing, one on each arm
Locking carabiners attaching lanyards to BCD, one on each shoulder strap
Keep lens covers on while entering water
Put lens cover back on at end of safety stop
If receiving from someone on boat, ask person to hold on until I have firm grip on camera, then clip and lock carabiners
If transferring to someone on a boat, transfer camera with both hands. Maintain a lanyard loosely wrapped around my hand until the boat person has a secure hold.
One other practice I've started to employ is setting my camera housing upside down after a dive, such that the sync cord bulk heads and buttons point downward. That seems to reduce salt accumulation and especially reduces corrosion/leakage at the sync cord bulk heads.
What prompted this topic is a recent failure of my "system" where a Trident coil lanyard tying the camera to my BCD broke during a dive. The plastic coil sheared right at the crimp (where the plastic coil connects to the nylon strap), and an inspection of my backup lanyard showed some significant cracking at the same spot that could have easily sheared completely as well. Luckily I had a solid grip on the camera, and it was one of the first dives where I actually employed a backup lanyard. This occurrence confirmed something that has always been in the back of my mind--that these lanyards are largely inadequate. I've never completely trusted the lanyards, but there have been times where I've let the camera dangle so I can use both of my hands.
So, I'm off to look for a better system to secure my camera. What do you guys use/do? I'm thinking of tying some nylon 6 (perlon) cord in to form a chain, similar to a climbing PAS anchor (or maybe even just buying a couple of PAS anchors, though they're a bit bulky). That way the loops can be secured together to reduce clutter or extended for range/flexibility when needed. The other consideration is I need something that is relatively easy to manipulate when wearing dry gloves with thick liners.
My current system/practices (camera + strobes weighs ~30lbs and is slightly negative):
2 coil lanyards tied to camera housing, one on each arm
Locking carabiners attaching lanyards to BCD, one on each shoulder strap
Keep lens covers on while entering water
Put lens cover back on at end of safety stop
If receiving from someone on boat, ask person to hold on until I have firm grip on camera, then clip and lock carabiners
If transferring to someone on a boat, transfer camera with both hands. Maintain a lanyard loosely wrapped around my hand until the boat person has a secure hold.
One other practice I've started to employ is setting my camera housing upside down after a dive, such that the sync cord bulk heads and buttons point downward. That seems to reduce salt accumulation and especially reduces corrosion/leakage at the sync cord bulk heads.