TAKING TOPSIDE CAMERA GEAR onto the beach or onto small dive-boats has always been problematic for me. Sensitive imaging tools donât take kindly to knocks or saltwater spray, and are definitely averse to total immersion when out of an underwater housing.
In the past I’ve used bubble-wrap and polythene Ziploc bags in a vain attempt to protect my expensive equipment, but have mostly erred on the side of caution and left it in my hotel room or at home.
Sports-bag maker Overboard has a padded camera case and a range of waterproof bags that could make this dilemma a thing of the past.
The Design
The camera-bag system comprises a zipped, padded bag with hook-and-loop mounted padded dividers. The bag is made with a water-resistant Nylon outer layer and padded internal walls, base and lid to protect gear from knocks and bumps. Four small and one large divider are supplied to tailor the internal space and create individual compartments.
A large mesh zip-pocket positioned under the lid and a webbing carry-handle complete the package. The 36 x 36 x 13cm-deep bag weighs 420g and is compatible with the maker’s range of 30-litre waterproof bags.
For the test I partnered the camera accessory bag with Overboard’s 30-litre Dry Tube. Rated to “Class 3-IP66”, this delivers, and I quote: “waterproof capabilities so tight it floats or can withstand quick immersion. The product could be permeated by water in any of the following applications: prolonged submersion, submersion deeper than 1m or high water pressure applications”.
The Dry Tube is built from 600-denier Nylon-coated PVC tarpaulin with high-frequency welded seams. It has a top carry-handle and is supplied with a removable adjustable shoulder-strap and an alloy karabiner clip. It weighs 660g and is 42cm high with a 29cm diameter.
In Use
I’ve been using this set-up for a few months now and found it to be extremely versatile. The big advantages have been the lightness of the two bags, the shock-protection provided by the zipped bag and the fact that when combined with the Dry Tube the package is fully waterproof.
I’ve been able to take a spare camera and lens combo plus alternative ports and lenses with me on full-day excursions in the knowledge that my gear is as safe as can be expected in the camera-hostile marine environment.
The camera-accessory bag ate my DSLR rigs and lenses, plus an alternative underwater dome-port, spare battery-packs and ancillaries with room to spare. Getting the padded bag in and out of the Dry Tube was easy, and once the top had been rolled up and clipped off, the contents felt secure.
The Dry Tube has other uses – it can be filled with ice to keep post-dive beverages cold, or with fresh water to provide a personal rinse-tank for mask, regulators, camera housings and strobes. It can then be emptied and turned inside-out to air dry.
The tarpaulin material is also sand and grit-proof for beach entries, and wipes clean with a damp cloth after use.
Conclusion
There isn’t much more to say about such a simple pair of bags but in combination they provided exactly what I needed. The padded bag also proved useful tucked inside my travel dive holdall with a set of regulators, mask and dive-computer securely nestled inside, adding extra protection from baggage-handlers, while the Dry Tube was handy for keeping wet dive-kit and dry clothes apart.
SPECS
Camera Accessory bag
PRICES: £30
DIMENSIONS: 36 x 36 x 13cm
WEIGHT: 420g
COLOURS: Black/red
DIVER GUIDE 8/10
Dry Tube
PRICES: £27.49
CAPACITY: 30 litres
DIMENSIONS: 42cm x 29cm diameter
WEIGHT: 660g
COLOURS: White, black, blue, red, yellow
RATING: 100% waterproof to Class 3-IP66
CONTACT: www.over-board.co.uk
DIVER GUIDE 8/10
Appeared in DIVER February 2017
