: Wow those are some amazing wildlife pics. What camera are you
: using? Also what deck back is on that green kayak? Looks like my
: Seal Line but bigger.

Malcolm,
I have tried a few deck bags for camera gear. The one you could see in the picture is a Seattle Sports – It fastens securely to the deck, is a good size for camera gear, the fabric is durable. On the cons side it just zips closed and the zipper is not water proof, the top bungee ripped loose the second time I used it, a small tab that shelters where the zippers join came off the first month.

Aleutian Bag- It fastens securely to the deck, seals very good with the zip lock design but you really need to pay attention, it is awkward if you get the camera out very often. The bottom is the same size as the top so it is hard to secure it well and still pull camera gear out of it (when you tighten it to the deck it compresses the entire bag), and the envelope design catches the wind rally bad. It is tough.

Pacific Outdoors bag- Secures poorly relying on Velcro straps that go around deck bungees (I have modified mine with good straps that connect like the other bags), dry bag closure system that connects on the sides is bomb proof, size is very good for camera gear, the top is longer than the bottom material so strapping it down good does not compress the bag, and it is very durable. I like everything about this bag except how it attaches to the deck and I tell them that every year at the outdoor retailer show.

On this trip I tried a GAIA for the first time. It is a simple no frills bag that fastens well, to the deck, it is a little bit high but fits camera gear well and it deflects wind well considering the height. It uses a dry bag closure system but the material is not thick and it takes some effort to keep both sides aligned when you roll it.

Now for the camera gear.

I am shooting a Canon 7D now, a recent switch from the 40D. In my opinion it is a great prosumer camera. I like the video capability and can hard wait to try it out on flat water.
Lenses
24-105 L F4 I just replaced my old 28-135 lens with this one. It is a great lens, much sharper than the 28-135 and better all around image quality but the 28-135 is still a great lens for the money

70-200 L F4 Much sharper and lighter than the 2.8 sibling. I can’t say a bad thing about this lens.

400 L F5.6 No image stabilization but it is light and sharp and a good value in big glass. With ISO 400 it is very easy to hand hold. Most of the wildlife was taken on this lens and the 70-200

500 L 3.5 Great lens that stayed in the car as conditions were a little rough and I forgot the dry bag I keep it in.

10-22 Great creative lens but I wasn’t in a creative mood so it stayed in the car.