1st time with my camera in Casino Point

[Nay]

Hi,
I know that lots of people do it, so it couldn't be that big of a deal but I wanted some tips on taking my camera to Casino Point. I have a new Oly C5060 with PT 020 housing which I clip to my BC when not using it.
In the past, I've tended to body surf onto the steps which would probably smash the crap out of my camera. So, any tips on exiting the water would be great. I assume that you wait until you get back to the hotel to rinse.
Anything else you want to share would be great.
I can't tell you how long this week is going to be until I get on the boat Friday night.

 

[drbill]

Having made a thousand or more exits on the Casino Point stairs alone, most with my video camera in its housing (and, so far, all successful) I'll make the following suggestions:

1) If the tide is reasonably high and you can get over the rocks just part the last stair, I approach the stairs as usual with my housing held in my right hand trailing behind me. I grab the upright for the handrail at the base of the stairs, and rotate so I land backwards on the last stair... then just walk up to the broad stair backwards before taking my fins off.

2) If the tide is low or there is significant swell or surge that I can't ride in safely, I come in far to the right... and the big rock that is exposed at the right hand side (viewing from the sea). I crawl over the rocks, placing my camera on the rock next to the stairs. You have to be careful of getting wrapped in feather boa kelp (Eisenia) on occasion, but you have far less risk of banging it on the rocks.

3) I never crack my housing at the park unless absolutely necessary (to insert a new tape). Always soak it in warm water at home, and often leave it uncracked the whole weekend if I don't shoot a full hour of tape. Of course with a still camera this would depend on the size of your memory card.

Since you have less than 50 dives, and I assume they are not all in the Dive Park, I'd suggest you go in with full gear but carry a piece equipment about the size of your housing. Practice making exits with that until you feel comfortable taking the camera with you.

Dr. Bill

 

[jlyle]

Entering the water is fairly easy with the camera but getting out can be more of a challenge. One way is to pass it to someone on the bottom step before you try and get out - or, give it to your buddy, get out and let your buddy hand it up to you. It takes a little practice, but you can do it.

Dr. Bill's the expert - walking up the stairs backwards a little way before removing your fins works well when the tide is high.

Buy a softside six-pack cooler to carry your camera/housing. You can use it as a mini-rinse tank in your room and it will provide some protection for your camera. It isn't necessary to rinse it immediately after a dive, but you don't want any salt water to dry on the housing, so just keep it damp in the cooler.

Your batteries will last three+ hours, so you won't need to open the housing until you are back in your room.

Take lots of pictures and share when you get back.

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

Be sure to get a lanyard. A friend of mine lost his camera without one. Fortunatly your camera has a weight on the bottom (I have same setup) so it's negatively bouyant.

It has an extention you unclip while take photos and reclip when heading out of the water/moving around.

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=CRLO3 (something like this)

 

[Nay]

1) If the tide is reasonably high and you can get over the rocks just part the last stair, I approach the stairs as usual with my housing held in my right hand trailing behind me. I grab the upright for the handrail at the base of the stairs, and rotate so I land backwards on the last stair... then just walk up to the broad stair backwards before taking my fins off.

Wow, that sounds way more difficult than it probably is. I would love to see that done. (I'm still very un-coordinated getting in and out of the water in general.)
About 10 of my 50 dives are in the park but there's still a lot to learn. I'll practice different exits without the camera and let you know what works.

I love the idea of the 6pack cooler. I already have three. I planned on housing the camera in the hotel and not cracking it until I get back.

I just have a quick disconnect clip to my BC and when I unclip it, it's lanyarded (is that a word?) to my hand. I'm pretty paranoid about loosing stuff. My parents didn't name me Grace for a reason.

 

[Reeveseye]

The lanyard clip Sean mentioned is an absolute must. I swear by mine, and it's the most important half of my two-part camera attachment system. I keep the camera attached to the cord at all times, and fasten the clip to keep the camera/case next to my body when I'm not actively shooting. I have an additional clip (no lanyard attached) that is fixed onto the strobe arm of my camera housing. There are two D-rings on the front of my B/C, on the left and right straps at the upper chest/shoulder level. The lanyard clip is attached to the right D-ring, and the strobe arm clip is on the left one. When both are securely clipped, it holds the entire camera housing tightly to my upper chest, allowing my hands to remain free for entries, exits, or surface swimming. It's worked for me for over 60-70 dives with that exact setup.

As long as your own B/C has D-rings placed highly enough on the front side, this should work for you as well. Just try not to belly-flop too hard when you hit the stairs, and your camera should be kept out of harm's way.