So you have got your hardened Polypropolene camera case to protect your kit in transit and your washing machine safe memory cards but the sad truth is that once your camera is out of your bag then it's at the mercy of the elements. A fierce wind can blow the camera out of your hands or knock the tripod over and that could be the end of it, or you could knock it into a cliff-face and shatter the LCD screen. Thankfully SLR users have some help on hand with the appropriately named “Camera Armor” from Made Products Inc in America.
Camera Armor comprises of four parts to protect your SLR. The most obvious is “Body Armor” which is a silicon-rubber skin to absorb both shocks and everyday knocks. They are custom designed for each SLR for full access to controls and have flaps to protect the hot shoe and battery cover. The skin (and grip especially) is made out elastomeric plastic so that it's just that little bit harder to lose your grip on it. The LCD is protected by its own polycarbonate shield (the “LCD shield”) to stop cracks and scratches, and is crystal clear so you can see the LCD almost perfectly.
Your lenses are also protected by the camera armour with “Lens Armor” (do you see the theme here?). This takes the form of a stretchy elastomeric lens hood which can fit lenses up to 85mm diameter and is reversible so it can double up as a protective lens hood or stay out of the way if needed. The lens cap, usually the first thing to go missing, is also catered for with the “Lens Cap Leash” which attaches to the cap and the lens armor. Unfortunately there is no protective skin for the rest of the lens barrel due to the sheer amount of shapes and sizes they come in, but these may come soon.
Camera Armor is a new product and is only available for a couple of cameras at the moment. Kits can be bought for the Canon EOS 30D and Nikon D70s in both black and smoke (an orangey colour) and retail at £49.95. KATA UK is the UK stockists (sales@uk.kata-bags.com) and while stocks last the Camera Armor can be picked up for £39.95. Kits for the Nikon D80 and D200 and the Canon EOS 5D and 400D will follow soon.
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