Quick-n-dirty waterproofing?

[Control Group]

My soon to be father in law has a cabin in northern WI that he's told my fiance and I we can use pretty much at will. This is pretty neat. The only problem is that it's on an island, so all you can do with a car is get close enough to see it across the water.

One of the things we're going to buy this summer is a canoe and a roof rack, so we can get out to the cabin - but my canoeing skills are nonexistent, and I'm seriously concerned that there's a good chance I'll end up in the lake. So I'm looking for ideas on ways to make sure my camera gear survives a dunking.

To be clear, I'm not planning on taking my camera canoeing, just shuttling it from the shore to the island. It doesn't need to be quickly accessible, just protected enough that if the canoe tips and we all go tukus over teakettle into the briny deep, I won't suddenly be out a camera. The two problems are first (obviously) water damage, and second how to make sure the camera, even if bone dry, doesn't sink into the mucky bottom where I may never find it again.

I'm thinking of trying to cobble something together with Ziploc bags and styrofoam peanuts. Or those plastic air pouches Amazon often ships things in. Something like that.

Any ideas? Or should I just take the risk and hope?

[doubledragon]

try a dry sack - REI and other backpacker stores carry them, they keep stuff dry even when submerged in water

[Sathi]

Agreed on the dry bag. Using a supermarket ziplock or something like that is just asking for it. I bought my drybag at EMS for $20. I'v twice flipped my kayak and put the bag with my camera gear into the river. It worked very well at keeping the contents dry. If you leave a little air in the bag it will float.

[SkipD]

A Pelican case would be an even better choice. You can configure them with compartments for each item. The compartment padding provides tremendous protection against a fall, etc. In addition, being virtually airtight, no water is going to get in and you automatically have enough space inside to make it float even when full of camera gear.

[Double Negative]

Lowe Pro makes three waterproof bags that even float... The Dryzone 100, Dryzone 200 and Dryzone Rover.

I have the first one, the Dryzone 100. It holds a good amount of gear and fully loaded it's around 21-25 pounds (1D2N, three L zooms, 580EX, batteries and cleaning gear), bunch of other accessories.

The Dryzone 200 holds even more than the 100. I'm just not sure I'd want that kind of weight as mine is more than heavy enough.

The Dryzone Rover is the smallest of the three in order to have a day pack up above the "fanny pack" part. Good for hiking with a jacket, water and a little food stashed up top. Doesn't hold a lot of gear, but it's a nice, all-around bag.

[superdiver]

I have the dryzone 100 (would get the 200 now, more room needed) and trust me, it IS water tight. I kayak, hike, camp and LIVE in a rainforest...

[nwa2]

Go to a boat chandlers. You will be able to pick up a large screw top container in which you can store anything you do not want wet.

Not sure how big these come.

[Angel_LCD]

I use a See Bag for my G5 :) http://www.seallinegear.com
They are cheap and effective :)

[purelithium]

Waterproof Pelican Cases are the best bet, I think.

[Control Group]

Thanks to everyone for the replies - your contributions may prevent the premature death of an otherwise-healthy XTi!

[EOS MAN1]

I would use double tupperware. Thats stuff us pretty good. Put the camera in a ziploc, then in a tupperware, then in a larger tupperware. Should float and stay really dry.

[JohnJ80]

dry sacks and Aloksak. Do a search. They are terrific.

J.

[bieber]

I would use double tupperware. Thats stuff us pretty good. Put the camera in a ziploc, then in a tupperware, then in a larger tupperware. Should float and stay really dry.

And the cheap, obvious solution award goes to...

I'd probably use at least three layers of tupperware, though. I'm a bit paranoid. And make sure that it's all firmly packed together. In addition, I'd duct tape each layer shut securely. Not quick, but like you said, you just need to get it to the island.

Edit--Also, STORE BATTERIES AND CAMERA SEPARATELY. If, God forbid, it does get wet, having live batteries in when submerged is an electronics death sentence.

[JWright]

Take a canoeing class????