How do you do it?

[ssshumack]

Usually when I go to the beach, I just take my husband's P&S camera. This year I am wanting to take my DSLR camera to get good photos. How do I protect my camera from the blowing sand and sea water?

[SusanH1970]

I don't use mine if it's windy at the beach - I wait for calmer conditions. And I keep a UV filter on my lenses when I'm shooting there. I'd rather get sand and sea spray on a filter than my lens itself! Also, a wipe-down with a soft cloth over the body is a must.

[Murtasma]

Get yourself a UV filter. If your really concerned spend a few bucks and get a raincoat for your camera. It's just a cheep plastic bag that is formed to fit just about any DSLR. I don't know who specifically made mine it was in an impulse buy section at a local camera store but it does the job very nicely. You could probably make your own bag using 2 zip lock bags just cut one of the bottoms off and use a lighter to melt the two bags together. Get the type that have that plastic zipper on them. Stick your lens through the opening and use the zipper to tie it down to the lens. This should work in a pinch but you will have better luck with buying a rain coat they only cost a few dollars if that.

[dcclark]

OK, you should not take my advice.

No, really.

Got it?

OK -- so I carry my camera in all KINDS of awful conditions. Rain, snow, beach sand in blowing wind, wading through swamps, wading through rose bushes and thorn apples (OW!). I'm pretty merciless on it. The only things I do to protect it are: have a filter (UV if nothing else) on at all times, keep the lens cap on when I'm not actively shooting, and keep the camra slung around my back or side (to use my body as a shield).

That's it.

It works for me! I have faceplanted into huge snowdrifts, knocked it around on tree branches, fallen into mud puddles... never a glitch.

I repeat: DO NOT TAKE THIS ADVICE!

I'm just saying, it's what I do, and it works very well. Cameras are surprisingly resilient if you cover a few basics, like protecting the objective lens.

[Jim Bryant]

I always carry around one of those car cleaning chamois with me to wipe off the water and a shaving brush to whisk away the dirt and dust.

[spazoid1965]

Don't change lenses while the sand is blowing. If you must change lenses, sit in the car with the doors and windows shut.

[kencaleno]

Get a clear shower cap (Hotels supply them, if you are travelling)