JayHT Loc: NorthWest Washington

I recently purchased a Canon 1DX Mk ii, a 5DS R and several Canon lenses. My concern is whether or not products such as these are weatherproof beyond a few drops of rain or perhaps some light saltwater spray. For example, I have read that the 1DX Mk ii is capable of withstanding a rainstorm, however, that conservative part of me that does not want to hear that I will have to expend $$$ for repairs due to moisture damage has to ask the question, "How much is true and how much is hype?"

I am certain that many of you have had your gear exposed to rain and other less than ideal situations. So, how did your gear stand up?

Thanks,
JayHT

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Jay, if you get tired of that gear, I'll be glad to tested for you!
For sure, Canon is NOT gonna tell you how much water it will take!!! LoL
I would take the 1Dx into a rainstorm but I would be as careful as possible. Don't forget the lens also will be in the same water.
I shoot sports with my 7dll and 200 1.8 in open rain with the hood on the lens
to keep water of the front glass. BUT, it's the only lens I do that with. The 70-200 2.8 will probable be similar but it has that crappy little petal hood which if probably useless in the rain. I wouldn't try that with any black lens though.
I carry a cotton rag T-shirt to wipe off the camera and lens on occasion. I've never had a problem yet.
The 5Ds is not near as well weather sealed. I take my 5ds into a light sprinkle and keep it covered with a rag and wipe it often.
You can use one of those plastic bag things. I find them a pain so never use them. If it was a deluge, I'd use one.
I'm talking shooting sports, where you need to be constantly moving and no tripod. If I were on a tripod you might as well cover everything since you're mobility is completely gone anyway and you're just standing there getting wet. Might as well stand under a beach umbrella!!! LoL
Either way, you have to find your own limits as Canon' description means nothing and is completely useless as a guide. I haven't lost a camera yet, but maybe knock on wood!!! LoL
Good luck.
SS

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Good question. My thought would be that drizzle/mist may be OK for the IDx if using one of the "weather sealed" L lenses (with a filter on the front), but I don't think I'd be comfortable subjecting any of my gear to salt spray, and I'd be careful with any of the "push-pull" zoom lenses like the 100-400L Mk1. I did find this thread which mentions a couple of 1Dx leaks: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3364294

JayHT Loc: NorthWest Washington

For those photographers who get caught in an unexpected rainfall or otherwise get their equipment "wet" what are your thoughts on the proper methods for drying their equipment rather than paying for repairs.

Thank you.
JayHT

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Try the search box at the top of the page Jay but I read somewhere that packing the soggy equipment in a ziplock full of rice might work.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I'm pretty sure at no point in no document will you find 'water proof' regarding camera equipment, Canon or elsewhere. You might find this post interesting regarding the 7DII with the expectation the 1DXII is resistant on still a higher plane ... http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/11/cracking-open-the-7d-ii/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have "weatherproof" cameras and lenses, but I treat them as if they were not weatherproof. If a camera is advertised as being waterproof to 30', that's one thing, but saying it's "weatherproof" is meaningless. Will a manufacturer repair a camera because it got damaged in "weather"? I doubt it. Get a Rainsleeve if you're going to be out in the rain.

https://smile.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-9001132-Rainsleeve/dp/B000PTFDYO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474890576&sr=8-1&keywords=rainsleeve

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

"Tough" cameras will be "waterproof to 33'" or something like that, but the best a DSLR can do is "weatherproof" - meaningless. It's like clothing being "bulletproof." Some bullets will be able to get through.

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

Canon's words:

"The EOS-1D X Mark II and accessories like the new Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E8A have extensive gasketing for improved dust and water resistance, even at their connection points."

"Resistance", not "proof".

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Trial and error will tell you. But it could get somewhat expensive. "Be prepared." Went to Ireland last fall expecting much rain. My Canon 70D and 18-135 lens definitely not waterproof. So I got a couple of those plastic sleeves made for the purpose. Only had to use them for 2 days of rain. Wonderful experience all told.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I think they sell rain and weather covers for a reason. Why would you want to expose your equipment to a rain storm if you could prevent it?

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

monroephoto

I own the 1Dx Mark II; 1Dx; and 5D Mark III. Although I shoot more than sports, sports photography is the one area that is most likely to put me into a bad weather situation. Given the expense of any one of the camera bodies I use, the additional $200 +\- it takes to purchase a workable rain sleeve (mine is from Think Tank w/ applicable eye piece from B&H), seemed to me to be a good precaution. That said, I have gotten caught in bad weather before and continued to use my 1Dx with the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 and experienced no problems. Nevertheless, check out a number of the rain sleeve gear choices out there. Cheap insurance.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

"the additional $200 +\-" Goodness! Mine ran $10-$20 for multiple sleeves.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Waterproof is the incorrect term and will give you a false sense of security. The 1Dx Mark II, The 7D Mark II and the new 5D Mark IV are the most weather sealed cameras that Canon makes, but they are not "waterproof" by any stretch of the imagination! These bodies are rain and dust resistant only!. They should survive for a moderate amount of time in a light to moderate rain storm but care should still be taken to protect them whenever possible. In a torrential rain storm they may not do as well. Your 5Ds has somewhat less weather sealing. And, none of these bodies are not fully sealed unless you are also using a lens with a rubber seal on the mount to prevent moisture and dust entering the camera at that point, like the Canon 70-200mm L f/2.8 II or some other sealed Canon L lens. And even weather sealed lenses need a front filter to complete the weather sealing. While these bodies with an appropriate lens mounted are much more robust and will survive inclement weather much better than more lightly sealed bodies, prudence and diligence in bad weather is still needed.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

The original post brought up rain as well as salt water spray. I don't worry too much about a light drizzle but would not take my Nikon D800 out in a downpour nor the Leica M9. They might be OK but my attitude is why chance ruining a fine piece of equipment. On the other hand, I live close to the ocean in So. California. On a normal day with little wind I often take my granddaughter to the beach/pier to look around and will take a good camera with me. But if it is windy and salt spray is up across the pier I won't take the camera. I once damaged a Hasselblad by salt spray when a month later I took off the lens and noticed corrosion on the inside. Not good. I ended up selling the camera after fully disclosing the damage. The camera did still work fine but I didn't want to take a chance on it failing. Now if I ever get salt spray on a camera I wipe off the outside with a very slightly damp cloth. I also clean the lens as well. Remember with salt spray the camera can look fine but the corrosive effects of the salt can still be working against you.

Dennis