Slinging in the rain: We are finally receiving beneficial rain in NH. This had me wondering about the water resistance of today's DLSRs and lenses, specifically regarding rain, not...

ZtaKED Loc: Lakes Region, New Hampshire & NE Florida

We are finally receiving beneficial rain in NH. This had me wondering about the water resistance of today's DLSRs and lenses, specifically regarding rain, not dropping it in a lake or river (I use my GoPro for that...) It's not unusual to experience unexpected pop-up showers while out and about with the expectation that some rainwater will contact the lens and camera before I get coordinated enough to un-sling the camera and get it under cover.

I checked my Canon manual and their best advice is don't drop it in the water and if it gets wet, wipe the drops off the camera and call your authorized Canon service center. Figures.

Searching the UHH library, most posts deal with waterproof this or that and go back to 2010-2015. Things must have changed since then so I'm just asking.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

ZtaKED wrote:

We are finally receiving beneficial rain in NH. Th... (show quote)

Some of the newer FF and APS-C cameras are being made weatherproof. Very few of the older lenses were made weatherproof, but a lot of the newer lenses are now being made weatherproof. From the sounds of it, the only way you can protect your camera gear is to buy a rain jacket for your camera system and carry it along with you when you are out.

The other alternative is to buy the newer technology. I have had weatherproof gear since 2011 and go shooting in the rain anytime I want with no additional rain gear. I was a very hesitant believer at first. But now, wind, snow, salt spray, dust, sand, and rain are normally no concern to me any more. One does have to develop techniques to keep the front element cleaned up and free of everything, but it is rarely a hindrance to shooting.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

ZtaKED wrote:

We are finally receiving beneficial rain in NH. Th... (show quote)

Check this review of a water torture test done on a variety of cameras and lenses.
https://www.imaging-resource.com/articles/2017-weather-testing-nikon-d850-vs-sony-a7riii-canon-5div-olympus-e-m1II
As a side note, I had my 5dIV and 7DII out in the rain last January when I traveled to Antarctica and they were just fine with being wet. I just kept a rag handy to wipe them off occasionally. The biggest problem was water drops on the lens face.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Have you checked the various camera store sites for Camera Rain Covers?? Take a look on Amazon.com under Camera Rain Covers and you will see a myriad of choices.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Regarding the Canon, last I looked, the pro and prosumer models (1D, 5D, 7D) are water “resistant”, BUT it also depends on the lens. Checking the instruction sheet for each lens, you may find that they require a filter to complete the weather sealing. Regardless, I’d never take my 5D4 and lenses in anything other than a light mist (if that), but that’s just me. (Water is the enemy of houses and electronics).

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

pmorin wrote:

Check this review of a water torture test done on a variety of cameras and lenses.
https://www.imaging-resource.com/articles/2017-weather-testing-nikon-d850-vs-sony-a7riii-canon-5div-olympus-e-m1II
As a side note, I had my 5dIV and 7DII out in the rain last January when I traveled to Antarctica and they were just fine with being wet. I just kept a rag handy to wipe them off occasionally. The biggest problem was water drops on the lens face.

My camera is the Olympus E-M1 mkII and it "suffers" from the same rain drops on the front element too. My solution was an absorbent synthetic chamois square, a small micro fiber towel, and a small micro fiber wipe. I have tried cotton and other materials, but it is too hard to wring out enough water from those materials to make them useful in wiping again. The synthetic chamois and micro fiber materials can wring out enough water to still be used again for water removal.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

wdross wrote:

img src="https://static.uglyhedgehog.com/images/s... (show quote)

That does sound like a good idea. I was just using a rocket blower for the glass and an old soft cut up tee shirt for the exteriors which I also use for wrapping the lenses before packing the camera case on long journeys.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Instead of buying a rain jacket, you could save money by making a cover out of a plastic grocery bag or some other plastic bag.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Mac wrote:

Instead of buying a rain jacket, you could save money by making a cover out of a plastic grocery bag or some other plastic bag.

Unless in a hurry, for the cost of Op-tech rainsleeves, I wouldn't bother with grocery or other plastic bags:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469774-REG/OP_TECH_USA_9001132_18_Rainsleeve_Set_of.html

tcthome Loc: NJ

insman1132 wrote:

Have you checked the various camera store sites for Camera Rain Covers?? Take a look on Amazon.com under Camera Rain Covers and you will see a myriad of choices.

That & a good micro fiber cloth or lens cloth should do it.

FalconeFotographx Loc: Michigan

HI, depends on the model of camera. I shoot outside every day. During the months April through October I shoot Equestrian riding competitions, USEA sanctioned events. Shoot Canon 7D mk II's, one with either 70-200 f 2.8 L IS II or 100-400 L IS II, the other with 24-105 f4 II. All of the above are Pro Sealed equipment. While I try not to get soaked, there are the sudden thunder-busters here in Michigan that you get caught in. To stop and put on rain gear may miss a rider which missed $$. Have NEVER had an equipment issue due to getting wet, but do protect between riders as much as possible. ALWAYS pack my ThinkTankPhoto rain covers so if in forecast or looks doubtful will put on before or between rounds. The short of it is, if your body/lens are listed as weather sealed, you are protected pretty well. Just don't go swimming with them!

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

My weatherproof Olympus cameras and lenses have been out in the rain and worked flawlessly on the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls— sort of the acid test for weatherproofing.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Unfortunately, "Weatherproof" is a meaningless term. Sure, it has more sealing than the cheaper cameras, but what is "weather." Not bothered by heat, cold, sun? I treat my weatherproof cameras as if they are cheap cameras when it's raining.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

FalconeFotographx wrote:

HI, depends on the model of camera. I shoot outsid... (show quote)

Cameraman

ZtaKED wrote:

We are finally receiving beneficial rain in NH. Th... (show quote)

Hi:

In California we have been "Singing for the rain". Or should I say praying for the rain.

Cameraman