East Coast Sea Kayaking Club

Anyone got any tips for keeping the camera lens clear for photos on the water.

I've had photos of good moments on the water ruined by water/smearing on the lens - most recently on the whale watch trip to Hook Head. I'm impressed with, and grateful for, the efforts of others. For instance, the attached photo of Fastnet with Deepblueseakayaking last year, while 'atmospheric'(literally), was not the intended result. I've tried blowing on the lens, using a (damp) handkerchief, rubbing with a finger etc, and all that results is smearing or fogging that won't clear. My camera has no shutter, but I'm told that shutters don't make much difference.

All suggestions welcome.

Lonan

Hi there
have a look here
dizzybigfish.co.uk/rain-x-water-repellent-and-anti-fog-coating-for-cameras/

the gopro users site also has a thread on this issue.
goprouser.freeforums.org/stickie-lens-protection-fogging-t6-20.html

sue

I was told that rubbing the Lens Glass with a freshly cut potato
keeps the water from pooling on the lens causing the blurred effects
Tried it once only so far so can't say for sure if it really works.

This has been a huge issue for me. I think using some of the products listed by Sue might help.
If you are paddling on flat water with no waves, a little fog can be easily wiped with a dry lense cloth.
The problems arise in bumpy conditions when you don't have the stability or time to be wiping and fussing. Also, in bumpy conditions, there is a constant spray of water, so even as you're taking a picture, the lense can get wet.

I was just checking out Justine Curgenvens Blog as she is currently doing the Tierra del Fuego circumnav (the same as Marcus Demuth) www.cackletv.com/justines-blog/
And she has a photo on there with some water blurring and she knows her stuff!!!!

So there is no easy answer, though in your case there is room for some improvement
It is very disheartening when your pictures are lost like that, as so many of mine have.
I have some examples on the home page here, they aren't perfect by any means but with practise they are improving. There are a lot of things to be thinking about in rough water, your balance, usually a moving subject and of course, camera shake.
But I'll keep on clicking away!!!

Good luck!

I think it a great photo Lonan.

I find it very frustrating as well. My only answer is to carry a small cloth in a waterproof baggie in your pfd or hat. It takes time to pull out and clean your lens so if its rough or you are with a fast group it may not work.
I find I am always cropping photos using photoshop (or the gimp) to remove blurred areas. This is not ideal.

D

Many thanks all for suggestions. Another tip was licking the lens! Easily tested.

The idea of lens coatings reminded me of a tip I got from a surfer to cure fogging on swimming goggles - toothpaste. I've been using it for a couple of years successfully. While it's not quite the same, the camera lens problem is of course related.

I've done a bit of experimentation in the lab - aka kitchen sink. It appears to work i.e. the toothpaste doesn't get rid of the water but reduces the surface tension, retaining a smooth film water on the lens which seems to allow a clear photo. I'll try this out next time on the water and let you know.

Lonan