Getting started?

[Lewiis]

So! I'm interested in taking my camera to a few of the events/tournaments I'm going to so I can take a few photos when not playing, but I just wondered what the whole process is, is it a case of just sticking a mask on and staying out of the way? Thought this would probably be the best place to ask!

 

[gambo47]

Showing consideration to the players first and foremost... Don't give someone away by pointing a camera at them.. Wait till they draw attention from players first. Use a long lens so you aren't in the way. Use a good quality filter on the front end to keep the lens free of spray etc.
Get protection for the camera gear and wear high vis gear to make yourself less of a target.

 

[Tom]

Make sure it is fine with the organisers

It can be as simple as you describe, but will vary according to type of venue and what sort of photography

At a tournament I would expect keeping out of the way is the thing (not just the obvious of keeping off the play area but also not being a distraction)

In the woods / scenario then you will get the best by getting right into the action, but need to avoid being in the way, or giving away the person you are photographing

You may be required to / or give consideration to being obviously visible
Wear something bright or hi-vis, but also be distinguishable from marshals
Being visible goes two ways - it points you out as not part of the game, but also attracts people who just fancy shooting you

Consider your camera. What if it is hit? Is it tough enough or are you willing to risk having to replace it / replace a lens
If you have a dslr or bridge camera wrap some hi vis around the lens
It helps with showing that you are pointing a camera, and can sort of protect the moving parts

Lenses are tough, but it is common to use a lens filter so that takes the damage

Be ready to keep cleaning the lens

I don't like putting too much on my camera and have had numerous direct lens hits and had a lot of paint in the flash. I've mostly used a uv filter but sometimes haven't (either because I changed lens and didn't put the filter on, or because the filter has been hit and its quicker to get clean by removing the filter and continuing to shoot)

 

[Pandamonium]

My friend is a keen photographer and started taking live shots of games etc. I made her a bubble wrap cover for her camera but she never used it. Its mainly the paint its self not the impact that breaks your stuff.

Me and some friends were making a 3 minute vid for some uni work and we just wrapped the cameras in towels (DSLR's) which worked.

as tommikka said its better to stay visible and keep of of peoples way. And be prepared to take some accidental hits.

 

[Lewiis]

Lenses are tough, but it is common to use a lens filter so that takes the damage

In regards to this, I've heard of a few instances of a uv filter shattering from impact and proceeding to scratch the hell out of the lens, is this something you've heard of happening, or has happened to yourself?

 

[Tom]

In regards to this, I've heard of a few instances of a uv filter shattering from impact and proceeding to scratch the hell out of the lens, is this something you've heard of happening, or has happened to yourself?

It has not happened to me, and I've not heard of it from anyone that its happened to

But in the photography world there are two schools of thought -
Protect the expensive lens with a cheaper filter
Or why degrade quality of image with uv filter technology designed for film photography that isn't required by digital photography, and lens glass will survive paintball impact

I've certainly had direct impact on both lens and on filter. Neither have broken and I've just had a mess to clean off
My photography isn't good enough for me to notice any uv difference

The worst I have had is to clean up paint from all over the camera, but everything has still worked

 

[Tom]

Use the following as your guide - its only money

If your camera or lens break its not the end of the world, its only money

But what does that money mean to you?
For the majority of people it's the amount of time & work it took to get the money, the sacrifices (lots of overtime away from your family) and what you do without to commit the money (or other things you can do with it)

If you can use a dslr the beauty of the lens is it is replaceable
You can buy a new one, or dslr users collect lenses. Use your old lens, or the standard lens for paintball

If the true value to you is too high then don't risk it
If its a manageable risk then go for it

 

[Lewiis]

Use the following as your guide - its only money

If your camera or lens break its not the end of the world, its only money

But what does that money mean to you?
For the majority of people it's the amount of time & work it took to get the money, the sacrifices (lots of overtime away from your family) and what you do without to commit the money (or other things you can do with it)

If you can use a dslr the beauty of the lens is it is replaceable
You can buy a new one, or dslr users collect lenses. Use your old lens, or the standard lens for paintball

If the true value to you is too high then don't risk it
If its a manageable risk then go for it

Well I'd be using a DSLR and a few lenses gathering dust that I'd just like to use a bit more - my only real worry is my lens being rendered unusable for the rest of the day. I'd have a couple on me but I'd rather not have to leave the arena to give my equipment a clean - if you get what I mean?

 

[Tom]

A uv filter will give you the second chance option
Get a direct hit but still have 'that photo' to capture in the action and you can remove the dirty filter without delay

Keep cleaning cloths handy, and the top tip for micro fibres is 'one wet one, one dry one'
Wet one to clean and dry one to finish

 

[emisnug]

Whilst filming many bits of paintball over the past year, I've taken several direct hits to lenses, bodies, etc. I've only had to disassemble and service the camera twice - both times because I had been mugged in the focus ring.

As far as filming/taking pictures in the woods - the best way I've found to do it is to actually play with a camera. Go in, run, shout, etc - instead of shooting paint, you shoot pictures. It's really good fun, plus it's a great alternative if you're running a tad low on paint - keep playing, but you don't use any paint! See if you can get a really fast AF lens. The GH3 50-200 has probably the fastest autofocus you'll see on an affordable lens/set-up. Plus, it kinda looks like a blunderbuss.

Tourney - be prepared for pain. To get good shots, you'll need to stand fairly close to where the paint is flying. Paintballs, as we all know, aren't exactly renowned for accuracy. You will get hit. Your camera will be at-risk a good 70% of the time. If you're just taking pictures - the best thing I've found (I have yet to test it chompreshensively, but I'm making a video on that soon-ish) is to wrap the camera body in cling-film. Your camera will typically hold up to a few shots to the body. Worst I've ever - and I mean ever - had was where a paintball bounced off the side of the lens and knocked the mount itself (was an MFT mount though.) a tiny bit out of alignment. Clicked it back into place and boom, good to go.

One of the huge Eclipse/Exalt/Whoeveritisnow microfibers with a caribener on it is probably your best investment. I can't count how much footage I've scrapped because of a bit of paint that looked like I'd wiped it off properly, but on closer inspection, found it had smudged it.

Good luck!