Photography Thailand Forum

[Jeff Jarvis]

Any tips for shooting Songkran festivities?

I rented a taxi last year, not so good.  Thinking of using the Skytrain Platform for protection ....if I can get to it unsoaked...

[Marc Schultz]

Jeff, I recall a discussion about this last year. Have a look here and maybe this helps:

http://www.photographythailand.com/Forum/index.php?topic=800.0

[epixx]

Just get a weather-sealed camera. Olympus E-3 with the 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 is perfect   

I used my S3 and a Nikkor 80-200 last year. The equipment got wet, but it survived. I had the non-sealed Fuji serviced after the ordeal though. That cost med less than 1,000 baht.

[Jeff Jarvis]

I took a look Marc, thanks.

Looks like a plastic bag is the way people go. Not crazy about that one myself.
I think I've seen some waterproof P&S cameras that could be the best compromise?
Maybe a dive shop could provide some SLR underwater housings for rent?

Anyway, if the Skytrain staff  keeps the water throwers away, I will try to get some shots from above the fray.

[bjorn slis]

I'll be using these this year
http://www.optech-online.co.uk/prdrainsleeve.htm
2 for 290 baht.
But I'll be using them with my old d70 and i'll add some duct tape to be sure

[Gary Dublanko]

Over the years I have used plastic bags and elastic bands on my cameras and lenses on many occasions including sandstorms and kayaking and I've never had a problem. It does make things a bit awkward but if you size the bag properly so that you have plenty of room for operating zoom lenses, it works very well.

[Marc Schultz]

Did you buy them in Thailand Bjorn?

Jeff - There is a camera shop in Panthip Plaza on the 3rd or 4th floor I think that sells a number of waterproof plastic housings for cameras if you want somehting more heavy duty and designed for the task. Of course cost will be more of an issue here.

[bjorn slis]

yep, in Chiang Mai at fotobug if you need some and you can't find them in Bkk just send me an email

[Marc Schultz]

Thanks Bjorn. Not really planning to do any shooting this year over Songkran, but good to know they are available like that. I thought you had moved to Bangkok. Have you recently moved back to CM again?

[bjorn slis]

yes moved back in January, Bkk was too much for an old man like me :-)

[Marc Schultz]

Ah, OK. By the way, I think we are all old by the definition of old of a 5 year old child. I have read some stuff about pollution and air quality though in CM recently from the BKK Post and it sounds like environmentally it is not the best place to live at the moment. Anyway, that's going a bit off the track here about how to protect your camera on Songkran.

[agitlits]

I was in CM for Songkran last year. I came prepared. I bought a proper bag, specifically for my, then, camera (D70). I quickly realised that anything short of scubadiving gear will be insufficient if you are worried about your gear. Songkran celebrations are at full force in CM and I really think bags or any kind of rain cover are not the way to go. I found something that is not quite scuba gear, but is more solid than a plastic bag and completely covers the camera, but even for a modest D70 it was AU$600 at the time!! So what I did (not ideal) is I drove around CM while taking photos. The results are here: http://www.alexgitlits.com/Gallery/Thailand2007/Thailand2007.asp?Page=9
These are of course snaps, but not too bad for being shot through the windsreen of a rental Honda Civic.  My advice is if you are not prepare to lose your gear in the battle then either use an expensive water protective gear or leave the camera at home and enjoy the fun :-)

Hope this helps.

Alex

[kinginexile]

Alex, just looked. The one with the full splash across the frame is a winner.

Sadly (or fortunately!), I will not be able to attend this year, but my experience shooting Songkran the last few years was not too bad. I used my cheapest camera, the 300D,  in case of, went thru the madness in Bang Saen and Pattaya. Pattaya was the worse (is putting ice blocks in the water  to make it more unpleasant something national?), but I must say only on account of a few (not all) drunk farangs who make sure your camera gets  wet the first, even as you ask them not to. By and large, thais will not try to do that.  You can't foresee everything, but holding your camera over your head while not shooting does help. People see it and avoid it (save the drunks farangs).

Bang Saen is a wild scene, worth (worse?) going if your 13th of April pix collection seems uncomplete. Huge traffic though, for cars.  In Chonburi, Songkran is celebrated later. Around 16th in Bang saen, and 19th in Pattaya.  I have enough pix of last year to last me a couple years without going there... Thanks for having a look:

 http://www.pbase.com/kinginexile/songkran__thailand

Herve

[bkkdave]

Herve, I just had a look and the images are great! Thank you!

[Marc Schultz]

Yes, some good stuff on there Herve. I enjoyed them. They truly capture the spirit of the real Songkran.