Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida

Just wondering whether the D7100 and accompanying lenses are able to withstand a bit of rain. If it's a downpour, no problem; I won't be out in it. But, if it is a steady moderate rain, is the D7100 resistant to that kind of weather?

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

Depends on what your accompanying lenses are, as to the degree of weatherproofing.
My usual combo, D7100 and the old non VR 2.8 24-70 has always 'seemed' pretty weatherproof. It got quite a drenching a couple of months ago when I left it on a table outside. Went inside for a cuppa and didnt realise the overcast had turned to a heavy drizzle! It got very wetted but dried it off with a tea towel and continued taking pics for the rest of the day. All is still good today.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

The D7100 is weather sealed so it should do OK on light rain. Depends on what lens you have one, it should be weather sealed also.
Personally, I would always try to have some extra protection if possible (plastic bag or specific plastic "raincoat" for the camera)

Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida

Granted on the additional protection.
I use a Sigma 24-70 and 10-20 as well as the Nikkor AF-P 70-300 full-frame mostly. I would guess that the Nikkor is weather sealed. Don't know much about the two Sigma's

CO

See that your lenses have the rubber weather seal at the lens mount. I don't think the Sigma 24-70mm or the Sigma 10-20mm have the weather seal at the mount. The Nikkor AF-P 70-300mm has the rubber seal at the mount.

This is a lens mount weather seal on a Nikon lens.

Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida

Wow CO, you know your stuff. The two Sigma lenses do not have the rubber seal, while all of my Nikkors, with the exception of the 18-55 kit lens, have the rubber seal. Thanks for including the photo...it sure helped.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I have a D7100 and live in Clearwater Fl. I am constantly at the beach and many other locations where the cameras (I also have a Nikon D610 and the wife has a D7000) can get damp or wet. I have never (knock on wood) had issues with any of the 3 in dampness, fog, or light rain. Now snow isn't an issue down here but I had a Nikon D70s and was working at Nikon (Melville, NY) while living just outside of Philly (actually between Philly and Trenton NJ.) I was constantly going (driving the car) between Warminster, PA and NYC. and never had a problem with light rain or dampness on any of the Nikons. Now, I'm not sure about the waterproofing or dampness resistance of the D70s, but the D7000, D7100 and D610 have had no wet/damp weather issues. KEEP IN MIND that I didn't go out of my way to get them wet but I also didn't go out of my way to keep them dry.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

My cameras are weather sealed, but I pretend they aren't. If I'm caught in the rain, I cover them as best I can. Rainsleeves are good if you must shoot in the rain. Ideally, I'll use my Olympus Tough. No company is going to honor the warranty on a weather sealed camera that is damaged by water.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Bunkershot if you have a compelling need to shoot in the rain then please consider obtaining a "Pro" body.
Your D7100 isn't up to this task and will likely not be covered for warranty service if damaged from use in the rain.

Also having a rubber seal (rear rain barrier) on the lens mount doesn't actually constitute an optic that can be used in the rain...
If the lens changes length while focusing/zooming it likely can't not be used in the rain without risk of internal damage...
My AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G VR ED II is fixed length it (internally focuses (IF )) as does my AF-S 200-400mm f/4G ED IF VR
Using either of these in the rain isn't an issue...

I shoot league soccer and my clients expect results regardless of weather conditions thus I constantly have to shoot in pour rain.
The image below was taken in heavy rain with "Pro" grade kit. An AF-S 200-400mm f/4G ED IF VR on a Nikon D3x
Note: the lens hood on the 200-400mm is approximately 5 or so inches deep thus the front element never gets rain on it...

Hope this helps or is at least food for thought...
I wish you well on your journey Bunkershot

Girls League Soccer in heavy rain

(Download)

scsdesphotography Loc: Southeastern Michigan

I recommend that you buy a supply of Optek rain sleeves, cheap and effective.

Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida

When you need an answer to a photography question quickly, just ask the Hogs. You guys are terrific! Thanks for all the tips.
Bunkershot

HardwareGuy

And a wide variety of answers you will get, too. Including one that disses the D7100 as not being "PRO" enough and not "up to the task".

Bipod

A plasic shower cap works in a pinch.

I wouldn't trust the "weather seals" on any camera except one designed for
underwater use. It doesn't take much moisture to cause big problems,
given enough time.

Any camera or lens that has gotten at all damp should immediately be
dried off with a clean cloth and placed in space with low relative humidity
for several hours (at least). If you're in the field, that might have to be in a
heated car or even in a "dry box" -- an air-tight container with several large,
fresh bags of dessicant in it.

I have a cheap, fixed-lens digital camera that I use in rainy or dusty situations.
Bought it at a clearance sale after the previous one I bought at a garage sale
for $5 died. If the new one dies, I'll only be $50 worth of sad.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

Yes, plastic shower cap is a good quick option, and usually available for free at most hotels :)