Island Hopping/Cave/Beach Photography experience

[Ralph]

Hi all! My family and I will be having a vacation on the beach. Part of our itinerary is to go island hopping and some underground river cave exploration. I would ask for some tips from some people here:





What I got:


Canon 50D


Canon 10-22 + Kenko slim UV filter


Canon 24-70L + Hoya UV filter


Canon 70-300 IS USM + Canon protect filter


Canon 580EXII


Optech USA rain cover


Hoya Slim 77mm CIR POL


Manfrotto 190CXPro3 Tripod + 486 Head





For most of our trip we'll be riding a small boat so water would be everywhere. I decide on using 50D+ 10-22 + 580EXII + Optech rain cover + rubber bands to protect the body from water splashes. The tripod will be housed in a plastic cover to prevent water splashes during transport. Ofcourse I got a protective filter on top of the lens (which I will stack CIR POL during sunny hours, I don't care much about vignetting on 10mm, I'll just not use the widest end with a CIR POL on top). Problem is the salt water splashes on the filter. How do I clean it? Won't rubbing scratch the lens because of salt which are abbrasive?





For the underground river/cave exploration, my problem would be lighting. Yes, I could use my tripod to stay put but remember we're in a boat, so it moves. Any tips to get the best exposure? I don't have pocket wizards nor offshoe cord for the flash, so it stays on the 50D.





On the beach, should I remove my rain cover or should I keep it still on the camera and adjust with regards to lenses?


Any other tips?





Thanks in advance!

[peety3]

Ofcourse I got a protective filter on top of the lens (which I will stack CIR POL during sunny hours, I don't care much about vignetting on 10mm, I'll just not use the widest end with a CIR POL on top).

My tip: don't stack the filters. Remove the UV and install the CPL; when done, remove the CPL and install the UV. Unless you buy filter rings, you'll have a hard time removing the CPL from in front of a UV filter, so swapping them will save you headaches.