How much rain or snow is too much? So say I'm out shooting and it light drizzle or snow starts. How long before I have to worry about moisture hurting the camera or lens? How fast do I...

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

So say I'm out shooting and it light drizzle or snow starts. How long before I have to worry about moisture hurting the camera or lens? How fast do I need to get under cover?

I'm asking because it's snowing but not hard and my Canon Rebel t2i wants to go outside for about 15 min. and I have trouble saying no to her.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

You should be okay. Condensation will be your enemy. Let any condensation disappear and you'll be fine.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

When the weather indicates, I always carry an unused plastic garbage bag. They fold up pretty small and flat. So, I can put one in my camera bag or pants pocket. As for your case, yeah, the garbage bag for sure and just keep the camera under your coat and pull it out when you're ready to take a photograph. A scant few drops or snowflakes shouldn't hurt anything but be prepared for the worst.
--Bob

BlueMorel wrote:

So say I'm out shooting and it light drizzle or snow starts. How long before I have to worry about moisture hurting the camera or lens? How fast do I need to get under cover?

I'm asking because it's snowing but not hard and my Canon Rebel t2i wants to go outside for about 15 min. and I have trouble saying no to her.

Vietnam Vet

My cameras and go-to lenses are weather sealed so I don't worry about it and haven't had any problems.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

BlueMorel wrote:

So say I'm out shooting and it light drizzle or snow starts. How long before I have to worry about moisture hurting the camera or lens? How fast do I need to get under cover?

I'm asking because it's snowing but not hard and my Canon Rebel t2i wants to go outside for about 15 min. and I have trouble saying no to her.

I take a backpack and a ziplock bag when out in inclement weather. I try to keep the camera from getting soaked but I don’t worry if it gets a little wet. Sometimes I shoot from under an umbrella. If I get caught in a deluge I put the camera in the zip lock put it in the backpack.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Vietnam Vet wrote:

My cameras and go-to lenses are weather sealed so I don't worry about it and haven't had any problems.

Fantastic.

(But it doesn't answer the OP's question.

)

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

I have a plastic bag in my camera bag. I am not a hardy soul so bad weather isn't usually an issue, and now, whaddyaknow! Just asking brought our infrequent sun out and it stopped snowing! Mainly I wanted to know how sensitive cameras were to light precipitation. Mine, as far as I know, is not extraordinarily weather sealed for drenchings and I am unlikely to go to extra expense to make it so.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

BlueMorel wrote:

So say I'm out shooting and it light drizzle or snow starts. How long before I have to worry about moisture hurting the camera or lens? How fast do I need to get under cover?

I'm asking because it's snowing but not hard and my Canon Rebel t2i wants to go outside for about 15 min. and I have trouble saying no to her.

Not good at all. I would keep a T2i under protection at all times. My recommendation is to get a used E-M5, any mark level, or a used E-M1, any mark level, with a used 12-40 lens. Then you can take that out in any tropical torrential downpour and shoot until either the chip is filled or the battery is dead.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

wdross wrote:

Not good at all. I would keep a T2i under protection at all times. My recommendation is to get a used E-M5, any mark level, or a used E-M1, any mark level, with a used 12-40 lens. Then you can take that out in any tropical torrential downpour and shoot until either the chip is filled or the battery is dead.

Or take any modern Pentax equipment - which is also Weather Resistant - but that is not what the OP asked. With a Canon Rebel, I would want some kind of protection, as several.have suggested.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

BlueMorel wrote:

So say I'm out shooting and it light drizzle or snow starts. How long before I have to worry about moisture hurting the camera or lens? How fast do I need to get under cover?

I'm asking because it's snowing but not hard and my Canon Rebel t2i wants to go outside for about 15 min. and I have trouble saying no to her.

Remember: without weather sealing, any camera is at risk with rain or snow. With proper protection, anyone can take their camera out in inclement weather conditions. But without the protection, all bets are off. It is unlikely that taking your camera out in the snow for 15 minutes, just as it is, will cause it some damage. But Murphy's Law is always around to prove me wrong. That is why I suggested getting a second secondhand camera for these future opportunities. They are designed from the start to be used in these conditions.

Bill_de Loc: US

Your camera is probably not weather sealed. Check out:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rain+cover+for+Canon+Rebel+t2i&i=electronics&ref=nb_sb_noss

--

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Bill_de wrote:

Your camera is probably not weather sealed. Check out:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rain+cover+for+Canon+Rebel+t2i&i=electronics&ref=nb_sb_noss

--

You're most likely correct as my T1i is not weatherproof.

However, even if it was, they'd still try to sell you/me the covers.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

BlueMorel wrote:

So say I'm out shooting and it light drizzle or snow starts. How long before I have to worry about moisture hurting the camera or lens? How fast do I need to get under cover?

I'm asking because it's snowing but not hard and my Canon Rebel t2i wants to go outside for about 15 min. and I have trouble saying no to her.

One more suggestion (cheaper than my other suggestion); a used used Olympus TG series camera. They are not only weatherproof but actual waterproof. When I bought my first interchangeable lens digital system, I waited until I could actual get one that was weatherproof. When the E-M5 came out, I bought. I was not sure how weatherproof the camera really was, but Olympus always advertised it wet with water. I have never regretted that decision and go shooting in the rain (or snow) until I am literally wet down to my socks and underwear. You may find out a used camera for these conditions may be your calling (wet socks and wet underwear are always optional).

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

BlueMorel wrote:

So say I'm out shooting and it light drizzle or snow starts. How long before I have to worry about moisture hurting the camera or lens? How fast do I need to get under cover?

I'm asking because it's snowing but not hard and my Canon Rebel t2i wants to go outside for about 15 min. and I have trouble saying no to her.

A small bag, with a hole cut at the bottom just large enough for the lens hood - taped with blue painter's tape or gaffer's tape, is how I keep my camera and lens dry during inclement weather. Clear is preferable.

If your lenses and camera are pro-quality, they are likely moisture sealed and can go a little while in a light rain or snow. If not, the bag is a great, cheap alternative.

If you want something more than a DIY solution, there are these:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?sts=ma&fct=fct_category%7crain_capes_covers_slickers_3313&N=0&Ntt=protective+camera+from+rain

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=camera%20rain%20cover&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

rmalarz wrote:

When the weather indicates, I always carry an unused plastic garbage bag. They fold up pretty small and flat. So, I can put one in my camera bag or pants pocket. As for your case, yeah, the garbage bag for sure and just keep the camera under your coat and pull it out when you're ready to take a photograph. A scant few drops or snowflakes shouldn't hurt anything but be prepared for the worst.
--Bob

If you pull it out of your coat for very long do not put it back in your coat that is a very warm humid spot and if the camera got cold ,instant condensation and internal fogging