A warning to all airsoft photographers

[Thunderfury]

Just about everyone and their Grandma has tried their hand at airsoft photography at some point and there is a common fear that everyone who takes a camera into a game zone fears, camera lenses being smashed by BBs.
Many people opt for putting an inexspensive UV filter infront of their lens to take the hits of those stray BBs but does it really protect your gear? I made this video to show that these filters do very little to slow down a BB , i would certainly not trust it to protect my £500 lens. Maybe by stacking 2 or 3 of them would be enough to protect your glass but the degredation of image qulaity would most likely outweigh the benefits.

[StargateP90]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

UV filters will do nothing. 300fps will shatter 3 stacked. I tested it.

Easy solution is to cut a peice 1.5mm of polycarbonte the exact diameter of the glass in a UV filter, remove the glass and fit the polycarbonate.

Tested it with a .22 from an air rifle. It dented a little but thats it.

On my phone, my spelling will suck.

[jonny lovegrove]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

perspex time

[bob86]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

perspex time

i wouldnt use perspex, bit too prone to shatter, you'd want a polycarbonte like makralon or lexan

[speedbird_666]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

There are some opticians that specialise in tactical eyewear that make optically perfect (or as close as) sacrificial lenses from E166 1f ( i think ) rated polycarbonate.

Popular with Surefire light and NVG users as well. Apparently.

[Viper Scout]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

Polycarb or makralon definitely thew way to go. These materials absorb impact energy to a degree rather than be totally rigid allowing shocks waves to do what they do best, shatter rigid plastics.

[Taff]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

LOL. it reminds me of a mate who went to a skirmish day with his newly bought Canon 5D MK11, also attached was his new lens, an L series 24-105mm, he hadn't brought a cheaper lens as I advised him, together with some added lens protection, but off he went with the camera, within the first ten minutes the lens got a direct hit on the glass, didn't shatter, but cracked, which really is the same thing in this situation, scratch one £750.00 lens off the collection....
I still remember him standing by the car afterwards, and his expression while starring at his newly damaged lens.
Polycarbonate is the way to go, but it's not cheap, as to the UV lens option, yes, but you might think about more than one on the lens if possible. Even to replace standard kit lenses for DSLR's isn't cheap.

[Vex]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

Why would anyone actually think that a UV lens would stop a bb in the first place? I would of thought anyone taking an expensive camera would get a ballistic lens

[StargateP90]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

Polycarb not cheap? Its dirt cheap. Buy a sheet of 2mm a4 size off ebay for £4.50. You only really need say 62mm diameter.

On my phone, my spelling will suck.

[Viper Scout]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

Its just not the lens, I'd be protecting the whole camera.
Just what you want, bb damage to the casing of your beloved camera.

[Thunderfury]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

You know those thick rain covers sports photographs use? I use one of them and it does a great job. Mpb sells the newer kit lenses for like £40! Not the best in the world but its surprisingly sharp.

[bobfish]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

UV filters are quite hardy though, drunk girl bit my uv filter and cracked it!!

I have contemplated airsoft photography for a long while, but I can't be sure I'll get money from it so it's not worth risking my kit over it.
I even thought about using a cheap 50mm 1.8 but I wouldn't want to risk the shot going straight through onto the mirror!

Though I'd be interested to know, do any of you togs sell your photos at game days?

- - - Updated - - -

also all of you should search for 'camera armour' it's a silicone case that hugs your camera body... it saved my old camera infinite times.

I can see it being extremely useful for airsoft photography.
though canon users ... anything with a magnesium body should survive though it would suck to have a button smashed.

[helpimonfire]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

My Canon 350D has taken a few shots to the body but never left a mark. The lens took one shot too and it just left a smear on the front element.

That was the last time I went out and took photos without wearing a hi-vis jacket. Never been hit while photographing and hi-vis'd up.

[Thunderfury]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

Though I'd be interested to know, do any of you togs sell your photos at game days?

Almost never. I know of very very few who get paid for it. It would be interesting to take a printer and laptop and maybe do on site prints for people though.

[StargateP90]

Re: A warning to all airsoft photographers

Canon cameras are tougher than youd think. I was a photojouranlist for a while. Mines caught been burnt, dropped, hit, hit with bbs, hit walls and dropped. Still works perfectly.

On my phone, my spelling will suck.