Are all Nikon D500s and 200-500 zooms weather sealed?
Jan 27, 2021 09:53:04 #
I got interested in bird photography a year or so ago and based on the many comments here, decided to upgrade my current Nikon setup to the D500 and a 200-500mm zoom. Have been saving for a while and checking the market, here and on ebay, as well as some dealer websites where I've made previous purchases. My practice has usually been to buy used equipment with a US warranty, and because of the increasing popularity of mirrorless, there appears to be a lot of low-shutter count camera bodies available. Some of the posts I've read here have mentioned the issue of weather-sealing, and I was wondering if some earlier models of this camera and lens don't have it, and how to distinguish them. I'm basically a hobbyist and don't make a practice of shooting in monsoons or blizzards, but I'd hate to get caught once and find fungus growing inside a thousand dollar lens later. Thanks.
Jan 27, 2021 09:56:04 #
Jan 27, 2021 10:07:25 #
Jan 27, 2021 10:54:45 #
All lenses are weatherproof as long as you remember to bring the plastic bag from your last loaf of bread with you.
Jan 27, 2021 10:59:31 #
Retired CPO wrote:
All lenses are weatherproof as long as you remember to bring the plastic bag from your last loaf of bread with you.
A "crumby" idea? Couldn't resist! Think Tank Bags come with a built in rain cover - saved me more than once.
Jan 27, 2021 11:37:27 #
quixdraw wrote:
A "crumby" idea? Couldn't resist! Think Tank Bags come with a built in rain cover - saved me more than once.
The crumbs absorb moisture.
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Jan 27, 2021 14:15:58 #
That zoom, like my Canon 100-400L is about as weatherproof as a zoom can be = sorta/not much because of the zoom ability itself.
For top grade weather sealing it has to be a prime lens.
For top grade weather sealing it has to be a prime lens.
Jan 27, 2021 22:20:08 #
quixdraw wrote:
A "crumby" idea? Couldn't resist! Think Tank Bags come with a built in rain cover - saved me more than once.
Well, I always buy whole grain bread so if the bread is good for me the crumbs have to be good for the lens, right?
Jan 28, 2021 06:22:48 #
Overthehill1 wrote:
I got interested in bird photography a year or so ... (show quote)
Don't rely on a "weather seal" to keep moisture out...it will find its way in anyway. Keep your equipment as dry as possible and protect it with coverings in bad weather or near water, especially salt water spray...a filter is a good idea in this case. The D500 has good seals but that lens not so much. Most larger lens act like pumpers and will asperate air especially from the rear (this is also how dust gets on the sensor even if you leave the lens on all the time). Use many silica gel packs in the bag and when storing.
Jan 28, 2021 06:51:21 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Overthehill1 wrote:
I got interested in bird photography a year or so ... (show quote)
D500 yes, but I would still not take it out in the rain, heavy fog or very light rain OK, but still be very careful.
The Nikon 200-500 is NOT WEATHER SEALED like the camera, but be very aware, WEATHER SEALED is NOT WATER PROOF. Lots of folks make a tragic mistake taking a weather sealed camera out into a heavy rainfall.
I take a plastic Walmart Bag with me, stuff it into my pocket, and if R happens, I put my camera into the plastic bag and go for shelter as fast as possible.
Jan 28, 2021 07:37:29 #
Retired CPO wrote:
Well, I always buy whole grain bread so if the bread is good for me the crumbs have to be good for the lens, right?
Your humor is getting “stale.”
Jan 28, 2021 08:32:01 #
I have 3 D-500s & 2 D-850s with an assortment of lenses. The D-500s are set as remote cameras triggered by MIOPs. Regardless of the weather, I always keep at least 1 bag of Silica-Gel in lens bag & in each bag holding the bodies. When finished and all gear is put away, all bags are left open for at least 24 hours to acclimate to indoor temperature & humidity.
Jan 28, 2021 09:15:36 #
Overthehill1 wrote:
I got interested in bird photography a year or so ... (show quote)
The only 200-500 in production is the Nikon - and it has no sealing - it is clearly a fair weather lens.
The Tamron 150-600 G2 and the Sigma 150-600 Sport have great weather and dust sealing, but neither is good in a driving rain. For that, you'd need a camera that is rated for underwater use. Well constructed lenses - not just primes - can have effective weather and dust sealing. I've used a Nikon 200-400, and have rented a Sigma 300-800 - and can attest to the fact that these lenses have reasonable environmental protection.
Early versions of the D500 are the same as current - as well as the lens - if they get updated they usually change the model number or add a II to the name to distinguish it from the older.
Jan 28, 2021 09:42:16 #
Mainridge wrote:
Your humor is getting “stale.”
Yep. Almost stale enough to grow mold!!
Jan 28, 2021 10:12:59 #
BurghByrd
Loc: Pittsburgh
Overthehill1 wrote:
I got interested in bird photography a year or so ... (show quote)
I cannot speak to the D500 or earlier versions of the Nikon 200-500 zoom but I do have an AF-2 200-500 E f/5.6 zoom and a few Nikon DSLR bodies (D3, D6, D810 & D850). I am confident that the Nikon bodies that I have are reasonably well sealed against incidental exposure to weather. The version of the 200-500 lens that I have is also reasonably weather proofed; there is a rubber seal at the lens mount and also a membrane sealing off the lens interior at that end of the lens. However, the lens body extends to provide the zoom function and I cannot attest to the methods Nikon may have used if any to seal that slip joint. I would not hesitate to use these cameras or this lens in inclement weather provided the exposure to water was not extreme and a wrap to protect the slip joint in the lens body would be wise if used in heavier weather. A light rain is my concept of "not extreme" but would not include full immersion or an all day downpour. You be the judge.
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