Anyone ever take their equipment into a sandstorm?

Wail

Wail

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Wail
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Might sound a bit silly, but I am going off to my country soon where sandstorms are all too frequent.

I am not planning on having any of my expensive stuff exposed to this kind of trauma, but may consider something "lesser" ...

Would like to hear any thoughts and ideas on this.
 
I was in Kuwait earlier this year
there was a sandstorm while I was there
it wasn't the "high-wind abrasive" sort
more like the old (and I do mean old) London smog
very very low visibility and the sand was so fine which is why it stays suspended for so long
lasted two days
and then gone

didn't fancy taking the camera out in it
but as long as you don't start changing lenses you should be ok
UV filter?
 
Put a filter on to protect the front element.
Do not change lenses in the open.

Take a fine brush with you and clean around the mount before detaching a lens.
 
I was in a bit of a sand storm in Morroco, plus loads of sand blows around in the SouthWest USA where I do a lot of photography.

I wouldn't choose to go out in in, but never seen anything that a bulb blower won't take care off.
 
I've never been in a sand storm but a person I know was caught in one in North Africa a couple of years ago and it sand blasted the back axle, suspension and wheels of his Range Rover down to the bare metal and sand was absolutly everywhere in all the places you wouldn't think it could get.

So.....

unless you have pro gear that is up to the job or cheap gear that you don't mind wrecking I think I'd give it a miss.
 
mmcp42 said:
....

very very low visibility and the sand was so fine which is why it stays suspended for so long
lasted two days
and then gone
.....

....UV filter?
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That's my main worry, the sand particles are so tiny that they may find their way into the camera and lens body.

Yes, of course a protective filter would be used.



PsiFox said:
....

Take a fine brush with you and clean around the mount before detaching a lens.
Click to expand...

Very good idea. Will help to brush off the sand from the front of the lens and all over the body.


puddleduck said:
I was in a bit of a sand storm in Morroco, plus loads of sand blows around in the SouthWest USA where I do a lot of photography.

I wouldn't choose to go out in in, but never seen anything that a bulb blower won't take care off.
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I believe taking shots in such storms may be interesting :shrug:; and since they are all too frequent, I thought I'd give it a try.

Would love to know how well the kit lens on a D40, or D60 would stand-up to such extreme conditions. I am not too sure how would the rails on the lens take the build-up of sand in there. Would that cause it to jam?
 
How's about trying a waterproof housing. That would work I would think.
 
Also.....

What is there to see in a sand storm I wonder. I'm looking forward to seeing your piccs 'cos than we'll know. :-)
 
Badger UK said:
Also.....

What is there to see in a sand storm I wonder. I'm looking forward to seeing your piccs 'cos than we'll know. :-)
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er - sand?!?:shrug:
 
Badger UK said:
I've never been in a sand storm but a person I know was caught in one in North Africa a couple of years ago and it sand blasted the back axle, suspension and wheels of his Range Rover down to the bare metal and sand was absolutly everywhere in all the places you wouldn't think it could get.

....
Click to expand...

:lol::lol::lol:

I once had to drive from the capital of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) all the way to the West coast city of Jeddah (close to 1,000 km drive) in a very bad sandstorm.

When I arrived, the front and mirrors of my Saab were all blasted-down. The windshield was as if it had a white plastertape plastered all over it.

But them Saabs are built like tanks.


Badger UK said:
....
So.....

unless you have pro gear that is up to the job or cheap gear that you don't mind wrecking I think I'd give it a miss.
Click to expand...

I don't want to take pro. gear into anything like that. I can't afford to risk the damage; but I don't mind taking something like the D40, which I can buy 2nd hand (off my kid). Should the worst happens, I could try to repair it myself :p
 
Wail said:
I am not too sure how would the rails on the lens take the build-up of sand in there. Would that cause it to jam?
Click to expand...

I suspect you have much more danger of getting sand down the lens barrel etc, especially if you have a zoom lens with an extending barrel than damage to the glass.
 
Badger UK said:
Also.....

What is there to see in a sand storm I wonder. I'm looking forward to seeing your piccs 'cos than we'll know. :-)
Click to expand...


Have a look here. This is what gave me the idea on sandstorms.
 
Wail said:
Have a look here. This is what gave me the idea on sandstorms.
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Bloody hell; if you can get a shot like those it's worth wrecking your camera. I'd risk my 40D anyway. Well maybe the 350D. Hahahaha Good luck.
 
Badger UK said:
So you need your macro tubes then?
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:lol::lol:


puddleduck said:
I suspect you have much more danger of getting sand down the lens barrel etc, especially if you have a zoom lens with an extending barrel than damage to the glass.
Click to expand...

That is my prime concern :shake:


As such, how much of a "sand-risk" would this kit be exposed to?

D60 with 50mm AF (of course, it would be used in manual focus mode), with a protective filter?
 
No one agree with my idea of a water proof housing? :-(
 
We get that sort of storms a lot, every year. I can "plan" to be in the right place, as one hits. Not too sure if I want to be caught outside though :nono::cuckoo:

That sand gets into every orifice of the body, and if not too careful can cause sever lung problems.
 
thing with sand is you only need a couple of little particles at the right point in the camera or lens and that's it .... expensive repair job !
 
Badger UK said:
No one agree with my idea of a water proof housing? :-(
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Sorry, I missed that post.

I thought of that idea, but when I investigated the whole idea of underwater housing (for their intended use) I found that the sealing are not too friendly towards sand.

Hence, the housing, while is outstanding for salt & water, are not too well suited for sand. So, sand & wind must be a big no no.

Of course, I am happy to be corrected on this.
 
Jayst84 said:
Gaffer tape? I know a lot of journo/doco types use 5Ds in some pretty severe parts of the world. They swear by the rough n ready approach.
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Do you, by any chance, have a picture of what this ends-up looking it? I can't seem to picture how I'd wrap tape around my camera & lens :thinking:
 
Wail said:
Do you, by any chance, have a picture of what this ends-up looking it? I can't seem to picture how I'd wrap tape around my camera & lens :thinking:
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Gaffer tape's for wimps :lol:

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If it was me I'd get the cheapest DSLR I could so that if the worst came to the worst I could throw it in the bin without any great worry....
 
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Not quite a sandstorm, but Le Touquet beach enduro a couple of weeks ago. The D700 got a good coating and couldn't take it in the end. Review button got sand wedged in and stuck down (too much chimping I guess). Was a repair job in the end, I couldn't get the button to pop back out. I found out the hard way, so you don't have to ;)
 
Thanks, that's exactly why I don't want to take my D700 out in such circumstances. A D40 may be a better option for me.
 
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