Weather Proof: Hello Folks, Quick question: (if not too silly). My D500 boasts the body has "full weather proofing", one of the reasons they didn't include a pop up flash, says Nikon.

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Hello Folks,
Quick question: (if not too silly).
My D500 boasts the body has "full weather proofing", one of the reasons they didn't include a pop up flash, says Nikon.
My fear is that the lens and body connection wouldn't be. What about the lens itself?
I'm sure one of you seasoned shooters out there may have an answer from experience.
I know there are sleeves and bags to wrap up your equipment, but for an occasional couple of shots in the rain or snow???
Thanks In Advance.

Curve_in Loc: Virginia

I have a D7000 that seems to have the same weather protection. I've used it in wet environments regularly along with their 17-55 2.8 lens. I cover it with a plastic bag if there is driving rain and I towel it off when done. I'm at 40k plus shots and I don't have any problems.

sandiegosteve Loc: San Diego, CA

I think that really means less dust gets in. In the rain, you want a cover on it still.

Real water proof ratings exist, and I've never seen a camera even get a splash rating without a proper case. Of, by never I mean I've never noticed it and I haven't looked too hard. I have looked at some of the Nikons.

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

I have a weather-sealed Lumix GH3. I have never had any issues with anything getting into it, even in a driving rain. Although, I have also protected the camera in that situation with a cover. I am far more concerned about the effects of very hot sunlight on the internal works of the camera. No amount of weather sealing can protect against heat. In hot sun, I always shade the camera. Again, I've never had a problem.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Take the word "weatherproofing" with a grain of salt. You could use your camera in light mist, fog, or even light rain for a while. But you wouldn't use it in a downpour, or drop it in the ocean, pond, lake or bath tub. Some lenses are higher quality than others. Some so have a seal on the bayonet end of the lens so that it will not let water enter the mirror box. But again, it's not water proof, it's more like water resistant to a certain degree. Some lenses don't have this seal at all.

Mondolinni wrote:

Hello Folks, br Quick question: (if not too silly)... (show quote)

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Mondolinni wrote:

Hello Folks, br Quick question: (if not too silly)... (show quote)

I don't know what terminology Nikon uses, but the D500 is not weatherproof, it is weather sealed. And with any camera, for full weather sealing you also need a weather sealed lens with seals around the gasket at the bayonet mount. I'm sure the D500's sealng is excellent in inclement weather and with dust and dirt, but as I said, it is not weatherproof, so just be reasonable when conditions are poor

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Mondolinni wrote:

Hello Folks, br Quick question: (if not too silly)... (show quote)

You just need a weather proofed lens with it and you should be good to go. As far as how good nikons seal is, I couldn’t tell you, but if it is anything like what Olympus produces, you are good to go. I had to break the ice twice to zoom while out there shooting. Once home, you just put it in the sink and give it a shower to melt the ice.

(Download)

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

On the lenses, keep in mind that any zoom which actually extends and retracts when zooming is sucking air in and out. So you really need to cover that lens in the rain.

Also, when you get home, clean and dry your equipment. If it was damp out and you used one of these zooms or changed a lens, moisture may have gotten inside, so make sure it can dry out.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Since our military is most often in a desert environment today. I saw a video demonstration from a link, provided by a member of this forum, where certain Pentax DSLRs, were among a US Military Troop in the desert. He poured desert sand all over them, and rubbed in the sand with his hands. Then rinsed the sand off with running water from a faucet, all over. And the Pentax cameras operated with no problem. I forgot the Pentax models. I think it began with a letter "K." I was impressed. Interchangeable lenses were attached to the cameras too.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

dsmeltz wrote:

On the lenses, keep in mind that any zoom which actually extends and retracts when zooming is sucking air in and out. So you really need to cover that lens in the rain.

No you do not. You obviously are not using weather sealed equipment. I’m going to guess that both Nikon and canon and Pentax can seal their equipment as good as Olympus.

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

tdekany wrote:

You just need a weather proofed lens with it and you should be good to go. As far as how good nikons seal is, I couldn’t tell you, but if it is anything like what Olympus produces, you are good to go. I had to break the ice twice to zoom while out there shooting. Once home, you just put it in the sink and give it a shower to melt the ice.

Geez! That's impressive!!

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

tdekany wrote:

No you do not. You obviously are not using weather sealed equipment. I’m going to guess that both Nikon and canon and Pentax can seal their equipment as good as Olympus.

I am speaking only about zooms that extend. It is physics. If the lens moves forward and back, air pressure changes. Some amount of air exchange happens. That air includes moisture if in a wet or humid environment. However, if you want to run the risk and not wipe down your equipment and store it in a dry area, you go right ahead.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Mondolinni wrote:

Hello Folks, br Quick question: (if not too silly)... (show quote)

No idea where you heard it was "weather proof", but that certainly did NOT come from Nikon.

Nikons own description:

Laughs in the Face of Danger
As tough as you need it to be
They say that good things come in small packages, and the D500 is no exception. A powerful but smaller sibling of the D5, the D500 features the same durable, rugged build and ergonomics you’ve come to associate with Nikon DSLRs. Built with rugged magnesium alloy and carbon fiber materials, and featuring dust and water-drop resistance you'll have peace of mind even when shooting in extreme environments. The D500 also leverages a 3.2-inch 2,359k-dot tilting RGB LCD touchscreen, making it easy to get the shot even from high or low angles.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Keep in mind they are all weather "sealed" not weather "proof." There is a BIG difference between the two.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

dsmeltz wrote:

I am speaking only about zooms that extend. It is physics. If the lens moves forward and back, air pressure changes. Some amount of air exchange happens. That air includes moisture if in a wet or humid environment. However, if you want to run the risk and not wipe down your equipment and store it in a dry area, you go right ahead.

The lens on my camera at the time I took the photo was the 12-40 2.8 that extends. Rain or snow, it doesn’t matter. Works just fine. While I do kind of dry the camera when I give it a shower, that is the only time I do. Only due to the minerals in our water system, so that there are no water spots later on. If I’m out in the rain I just let it air dry.

So your theory doesn’t apply. Pro bodies are used in much worse conditions than what I put my gear through. How do you think they manage that?

My camera/lens combo is 3 years old. Same success with sand as well.