Carrying & Protecting your DSLR Camera for Ziplines

The DSLR Camera Guide for Ziplines

Before we get into organizing your kits, you should really ask yourself: What are the element’s you need to consider that will affect your equipment? What kind of weather do you need to be ready for while your gear is out capturing the action?

To create a solid plan for all seasons, take a moment and search your local weather statistics over the last 2-5 years. Looking at these trends will help you be prepared.

1. At Your Base Camp

Have an area designated for uploading photos as well as for storage and routine maintenance of the cameras. Our storage, maintenance/ cleaning and S/D reader for the P.C. are in the same location. Every hour, a camera goes out on tour and the other comes back in. Our area has a place for everything we need in small footprint. It’s well-lit with easy access for photographers to move to and from with their busy timelines.

Regular maintenance and cleaning are important for any piece of equipment. Your camera will be out being used many hours a day. Having a cleaning kit and a schedule for inspection, cleaning and maintenance is key to keeping your gear performing well for many profitable seasons.

Overnight Storage Location Checklist

• Overnight storage location needs to be in a dry and dust free environment (Manager’s office works well)


• Protective cases for camera’s and lenses at location (cameras get stored in its case when not in use)


• Silica Gel packs inside your cases will ensure your equipment gets completely dried out while in storage


• For cleaning and maintenance, a small well-lit table to spread cleaning equipment out on is helpful

Cleaning and Maintenance Kit Checklist

• Cans of compressed Air for clearing dust from lenses and camera housing (have safety glasses available and use)


• Camera lens cleaning cloths, synthetic or paper and Q-tips (Synthetic cloths- keep clean regularly)


• Alcohol-based cleaner for clearing fingerprints and smudges (apply to cloth or Q-tips not to lens or camera)


• A few large zip lock bags and a bag of rice for emergency drying (if equipment gets significantly wet, dump rice in ziplock bag and submerge in dry rice)

2. On your Tours

While on tour your camera needs to be out getting great shots of your guests and their experience. Conditions can quickly change mid-tour. Photographers having a decent quality, 10 L dry bag with them will give them the confidence to keep the equipment safe during inclement weather.

We always use a UV or Skylight lens filter over our lens, they protect your expensive lens and help with cutting out the UV light. Combined with the vigilant use of a lens cap cover tied to the lens itself, gives you the best chance of keeping your equipment operational for a long time.

For the safety of your photographer and the camera always ensure your photographer does not take risks and always shoots from a stable position.

Equipment Checklist

• UV or Skylight Lens Filter is fixed to lens and secure


• Protective lens cap is fixed and secure to lens with cord


• Dry bag for camera is attached and secure to photographer


• Battery is charged


• S/D Card is empty and in camera


• Camera is securely attached to photographer (use Carabiner if needed)

How to Carry and Secure a Camera on Tour

Look closely you can see how the camera is slung around the shoulder, with the strap fully extended. There is an auto-locking carabiner securing the strap to my radio chest harness.