rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I take an unused garbage bag with me. That is large enough to fit over a 4x5 on a tripod if necessary. I've only had one occasion in which having the bag was worth it. That was while walking around with my F and a 43~86 lens. Kept them nice and dry.
--Bob

jno

Storm Jacket is an inexpensive but good rain cover. Choose one that fits your lens and keep it in your gear bag or pocket.

Overthehill1

Thanks to all for the great information and "crummy" humor. Plastic bags and silica gel packets sound like good (and inexpensive) ways to protect my equipment. Really learning a lot here.

tcthome Loc: NJ

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Please use a "quote reply" tab so we know who gave the curmmy humor and which gave you great information. I hope it was me for the great information.

Overthehill1

Lots of good ones, didn't want to omit anybody.

hjkarten Loc: San Diego, California

Out two days ago when it started to drizzle. Was passing a "Doggy Bag" dispenser. Grabbed a few bags in case the weather became sh***y. A bit snug, but managed to pack in my Canon IS binoculars (10x30). Easily poked holes in doggy bag to allow use of binos in rain. Should also fit around SONY 6500. Not so sure if it would accommodate SONY A7R4. WOuld need a second bag for moderate size lens.
Ruggard makes some good rain protectors that fit around a A7R4 with the 200-600 mm telephoto. Fits over gear mounted on a tripod. Able to focus and trip shutter using SONY Bluetooth wireless shutter remote. Didn't like the wired shutter release as it requires that the side doors on the A7R4 be left open to the elements, and the USB-C connectors was vulnerable to bending.
How do those photographers who shoot from low in the water in marshes protect their cameras? (Not those using underwater enclosures. Underwater enclosures do not easily adapt to big lenses, such as 200-600 telephotos.).

CO

The D500 is weather sealed but you can make it even more so. I purchased the Nikon BS-3 accessory shoe cover. It's made of two pieces. The lower portion is the standard hot shoe cover. The upper portion is rubber and completely covers the hot shoe to keep rain out.

(Download)

Keeps rain out of hot shoe area

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

There are limitations to "weather sealing".

Most cameras will probably survive a light mist although you might want to use a lens hood to minimize mist on the front element (which will lower the contrast of the image)

Most cameras will probably survive light rain (something that would take more than 10 minutes to really soak you). Lenses without weather sealing would be iffy.

Most cameras would have problems with a steady downpour, even a light rain if it lasts a while and you don't protect your system.

No weather sealing will protect your system from immersion in water (or any other liquid). For that you need an underwater system, and pay attention to the maximum depth rating.

I have used my D5/200-500 in light rain without problems but have used protection if the rain gets heavier. Have protection with you.

hjkarten Loc: San Diego, California

One of the best cameras that I ever had for backpacking and ocean kayaking was a film based Pentax WR with a zoom lens. The lens could extend to 90 mm. I occasionally even rolled my kayak with the camera around my neck, and it kept performing beautifully. Still miss it, even though it was limited to the max of 36 shots before having to change film when in kayak. (LOL) Excellent viewfinder made it easy to frame and compose.
I now have an Olympus TG-5. Sturdy, and waterproof, but unsatisfactory for composing because it only has an LCD screen, no viewfinder. Presbyopia means I have to hold it at arm's length, and screen is not very good in bright sunshine. But with care, takes decent photos, even has built in stack focusing. Can be used underwater. Auxiliary telephoto lens gives equivalent of about 170 mm telephoto. Excellent Macro capability built-in. I think it is limited to 12 MP?