I had a regular Reed bag (the one with the plastic ‘window’) fail on me – cost £500 to fix a Sony A1 video camera. Neither of my 2 Reed simple deck bags have been a problem – yet. They’re still under a year old.

You’re quite right about water entry from opening and closing the roll closure, and also from wet hands. I found the pack towel dealt with most of it.

Whats the solution – Ortlieb AND Reed bag perhaps?
S

Interesting, thanks for that information Douglas. The mix of saltwater and a DSLR is very ‘scary’. Getting the most bombproof option is going to be important. Read your first article about the new Cetus as being a superb photography platform. Have to agree, it is one of the most stable sea kayaks I have used.

It is much easier to get your camera out and away for a quick shot using the Ortlieb. Since I rarely change lenses on the water, my spare lens lives in the day hatch.

After 3 trips out I got a dumping wave on the Reed and afterwards there was about 25 cc of salt water inside. Fortunately my Canon 5D and L lens are partially resistant to the entry of water and I was able to dry them off without harm but my mobile phone was trashed.

The Reed bag now lives in my Optio drawer and I bought another Ortlieb. A friend bought a Reed bag at the same time and it also leaks, his mobile also died. My original Ortlieb survived an accidental capsize off South Uist without a drop getting in to my 5D.

I have an Ortlieb Aqua Zoom, but now I prefer to use the Reed Simple deck bag as I can store in it my camera, spare lens (both in their padded cases) plus a piece of pack towel for drying my hand before using them. And of course other odds and ends should I need them.

Incidentally, the Reed simple deck back is preferable to the one with the plastic ‘window’ as the rip-stop plastic in it can crack and allow water to enter.
S

@ Greenlandpaddle – I think FP’s wife and you need to chat about his xmas list!!

Cheers – FP