Bringing a DSLR Snowboarding

[Joe Butch]

I'm going snowboarding for the first time and not going to be doing anything crazy just easy green runs but wanted to bring my dslr camera to stop and take some photos.

Do you think my camera would be safe enough in my dslr camera backpack? it's padded etc but still makes me feel uneasy.

What would you do in my situation?

Also, I read something about keeping the camera in a zip lock when going outdoors or back indoors. Should I do this?

Snowboarding the first time, you'll on your face and back a lot. It doesn't take much to catch an edge and get slammed into the snowpack...ESPECIALLY on flatter areas like green trails. If you take your DSLR in a backpack, you'll end up landing on it a lot.

If you really want to take a camera, bring a small P&S and put in a pocket in the inner lining of the coat (most snowboard jackets have one).

I've been snowboarding 20 or so times, and even now I would never bring my DSLR. However, if I was skiing, I might throw it in a backpack because you're much more likely to land on your side than your back.

[Bluenoser]

The question is, do YOU think it'll be safe enough?

Do you trust your skills enough not to wipe-out and land on it?

If not, then don't.

[steaminhaggis]

I have been snowboarding regularly for about 10 years now and I would definately not bring my SLR along for the ride. I have, however, put some thought into doing this over the years and came up with the plan of using a Pelican Case to protect the camera carried in a a backpack..... from the negative point of view, if you land on that you will probably do some damage to your spine., but your camera will probably survive

I just go with my point and shoot.

[sk66]

IME, with sport/outdoor activities, you are either there to participate, or you are there to take pictures...you can't do both.

Even when Rock Climbing or Kayaking. One must give way to the other at all times. (i.e. I might climb to a position to take pics, but I'm not taking pics while climbing) This generally leads to large compromises...what gear can you take and still participate (very little) or how much participation are you going to sacrifice (quite a lot).

I have an Olympus 1030SW for this kind of stuff where I really just want to participate and still maybe take a few snapshots/images.

[castman]

I would not bring it if this is your first time! You have to think about what you are doing going down the hill. Not thinking about your camera. If you try to stop yourself from landing on your back you will most like lee brake somthing like your wrist. I work in an Ortho Dept and one of the most comon broken bones form snowboarding is your wrist.

[douglas]

Don't even think about taking you dSLR, you will probably land up hurting yourself and damaging the camera. If you are a beginner, just concentrate on learning the sport.

[Joe Butch]

After falling down the first two days. I realized that I never fell on my stomach. On the third day I brought my DSLR camera on the slope with the backpack on my stomach.

It was definitely a success no harm from the camera and I got some cool shots. So this option could work for someone else considering this.

[OsmosisStudios]

Snowboarders tend to fall backwards: skiiers tend to fall forwards.

I ski, so I can use a backpack with little issue. Snowboarders should look at a front-mount pack of some kind.

[curelightwounds]

Don't. It's asking for trouble. Skiing/snowboarding is one of those activities where you're not just at the mercy of gravity, but you're at the mercy of other skiers/snowboarders. Even if you trust your own skill, can you trust everyone else on the mountain?

I see things like this a lot, especially in San Francisco, people with expensive DSLRs with expensive lenses on who think it's cool to keep their strap long and loose, who think it's a good idea to leave their camera out of a bag and dangling behind them without a lens cap. Walking around without a lens cap is bad enough. It makes me wince. Every time I see that I have half a mind to tell them, "a camera is not an accessory; put your hands on it or it's going to get broken."

I've seen things happen where people who don't cover up or hold on to their camera clip their lenses on street signs or bump into other pedestrians. There was one time a guy with his camera loose and slung on one shoulder had it nearly pulled off when a bike messenger grazed him. He started cursing the messenger but I blame him; he should have been more careful.

A camera isn't just expensive and delicate, it's precious. It's your friend. Maybe I'm stretching this a bit, but if you wouldn't treat a child that way, don't do it to your camera.