Protecting your Airsoft Combat Camera?

[Crispin]

Hey Gang.
Alright, I already did a quick search related to this but did not find anything as of yet so I seek help and advice.

I am going to be taking my Nikon SLR with me next time I get to a game but I am worried about my lenses. It might be a very rare occurrence but nothing would ruin my day more than a 2 cent bb killing a 500+ dollar lens. So I put this to the Combat photographers out there, do you know of an impact resistant filter that I can use to protect the lens? I currently only have a polarizing filter on.

How do you protect your lenses? Do you even worry about it?
Thanks


Crispin.
Salamander Army.

[GraveTech]

Just get a clear lens protector or UV filter. Depending on the size of the lens it will run you from 10-35 bucks at Henry's. Any BBs will either bounce off of that or crack that instead of cracking your lens.

[MMMiles!]

Originally Posted by Crispin

Hey Gang.
Alright, I already did a quick search related to this but did not find anything as of yet so I seek help and advice.

I am going to be taking my Nikon SLR with me next time I get to a game but I am worried about my lenses. It might be a very rare occurrence but nothing would ruin my day more than a 2 cent bb killing a 500+ dollar lens. So I put this to the Combat photographers out there, do you know of an impact resistant filter that I can use to protect the lens? I currently only have a polarizing filter on.

How do you protect your lenses? Do you even worry about it?
Thanks


Crispin.
Salamander Army.

But a cheap one and test some bb's at it. You're unlikely to take a round at point blank, unless you're playing in full camo and intending to get right in the shit. Even then, 400fps at 10ft is pretty worst case scenario. Anyone know how a UV filter fares against those?

I'm hitting Vistek in a few days anyway, I think I'll give it a try.

[Phalanix]

I have doubts that the filter will fare well against any sort of BBs at any velocity / distance. But I keep mine on all the time, simply because at least the impact energy will be dissipated by the filter and not directly on the front element of my $1500 lens.

Over the years I've been shot at way more as a camera man than a player. So far my PowerShot S50 has taken some hits (with BB dents to the body). Luckily never on the lens. But with my DSLR it's a bit different, the lens is just so much bigger of a target. I had a close call before (someone thought my lens was the scope of a sniper rifle). But the BB missed and hit me in the goggles instead.

Best bet is to act defensively when you're on the field with the camera, be ready to dodge, roll, prone, etc. That is, if you decide to take the camera directly into action and not standing on the sidelines.

I think I'm also lucky in the fact that local players have come to know me as the camera whore. I'm always on the field taking pictures. Make sure other players know you'll be on the field with a camera, that'll definitely work to your advantage.

Edit: You might not want to use your polarizing filter, just go with a basic UV filter, since they cost way less. Or you can custom make a polycarb / mesh lens protector - but that would definitely degrade your picture quality.

[Crispin]

Thanks for the advice. I have had the standard filters protect a lens before from every day things but never from a BB. At 20 bucks each I am a little hesitant to do much testing.
I was hoping that some company out there made a filter with "ballistic" protection, but have not been able to find one.
I have also heard that using a lens hood offers just that much more protection.

[Gryphon]

You're doing something seriously wrong if you're being shot at more as a cameraman than an active player. That, or you're airsofting with a bunch of real arseholes.

You DO wear one of these to distinguish yourself as someone that should NOT be fired upon, right?

[testtube]

I will try and get ahold of my brother and ask him what he sugests, he works for Henry's, comrecial sales section.

[Goldman]

Originally Posted by Gryphon

You're doing something seriously wrong if you're being shot at more as a cameraman than an active player. That, or you're airsofting with a bunch of real arseholes.

You DO wear one of these to distinguish yourself as someone that should NOT be fired upon, right?

Most cameramen wouldn't, especially if your moving with a group of players in the bush.

[MMMiles!]

Sure, I've got one of those for some days, but I wouldn't wear it most of the time, not if you're looking for real action shots, and want to be dug in the trenches with some of the troops.

Originally Posted by Gryphon

You're doing something seriously wrong if you're being shot at more as a cameraman than an active player. That, or you're airsofting with a bunch of real arseholes.

You DO wear one of these to distinguish yourself as someone that should NOT be fired upon, right?

[skewed]

Maybe a distinctive armband or something? *shrug*

[Kuraitenshi]

What about an underwater casing? Durable, but maybe not able to fit all modles of camera. There is also the whole disposable camera approach, they can take good shots and don't break the bank when u get a replacment.

[Phalanix]

Originally Posted by Gryphon

You're doing something seriously wrong if you're being shot at more as a cameraman than an active player. That, or you're airsofting with a bunch of real arseholes.

You DO wear one of these to distinguish yourself as someone that should NOT be fired upon, right?

No, I don't wear that. Unless I'm an actual bystander. But I'm a player also - so I wear my full gear and follow the action.

The reason why I get shot more is because when I take photos, I expose myself more than if I was actively hiding from opposing players. That's why I stated if one was to follow the action, they should act defensively if the firefight becomes heavy.

And yes, some of the players are assholes and they just shoot me for being me. As I've said, most local players know who I am, so they shoot me in the back for fun when I'm taking pictures. (to them, I say, j00 b4st4rds!!!)

I am aware of the risks, however.

All these contribute to why I get shot more as a camera man than as a player.

So, am I doing something seriously wrong? No. :wink:

Edit: And yes, I had tried that bright yellow/orange vest before - trust me, it doesn't help as much as you think. 8)

[Zeonprime]

Originally Posted by Phalanix

No, I don't wear that. Unless I'm an actual bystander. But I'm a player also - so I wear my full gear and follow the action.

The reason why I get shot more is because when I take photos, I expose myself more than if I was actively hiding from opposing players. That's why I stated if one was to follow the action, they should act defensively if the firefight becomes heavy.

And yes, some of the players are assholes and they just shoot me for being me. As I've said, most local players know who I am, so they shoot me in the back for fun when I'm taking pictures. (to them, I say, j00 b4st4rds!!!)

I am aware of the risks, however.

All these contribute to why I get shot more as a camera man than as a player.

So, am I doing something seriously wrong? No. :wink:

Edit: And yes, I had tried that bright yellow/orange vest before - trust me, it doesn't help as much as you think. 8)

you calling me a b4st4rd?!?!?!

but on to the lens protection...how about a peice of Lexan or Plexi? Plexi is cheap enough (Hell I have some spare plexi sitting in my basement) and if you scratch it no biggy just precut a bunch from a $20 sheet (That would give you around 15 peices that would be the right size to cover your lens)

ok my 2 cents

[Crispin]

I was also thinking of Plexi or Lexan, but I was worried about the optical quality. My other option is to use 2 filters to provide better resistance to impact.

I am not to worried about the body of the camera, I can wrap that if needed, but the end of the telephoto lens has me nervous.
Cheers.

[Phalanix]

Yup, I forgot to mention plexi or Lexan. They'll both work, but definitely degrade the visual quality of the photos even more than polycarb. Best bet is probably to use a filter and be careful.