Rain Cover: So I got a brand new Canon R6 and some RF lenses. Yay, me! Headed over to Minnehaha Falls (in Minneapolis) for some "hang these over the fireplace" shots. After setting up...

Jerry Bruzek

So I got a brand new Canon R6 and some RF lenses. Yay, me!
Headed over to Minnehaha Falls (in Minneapolis) for some "hang these over the fireplace" shots.
After setting up the tripod, camera, filter and the perfect composition, it started raining.
Concerned about the lack of weather-seal, I packed it up and scampered back to the car.
Never did get the shot.
Any advice on a rain cover that would have saved the day?

Thanks!

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Jerry Bruzek wrote:

So I got a brand new Canon R6 and some RF lenses. Yay, me!
Headed over to Minnehaha Falls (in Minneapolis) for some "hang these over the fireplace" shots.
After setting up the tripod, camera, filter and the perfect composition, it started raining.
Concerned about the lack of weather-seal, I packed it up and scampered back to the car.
Never did get the shot.
Any advice on a rain cover that would have saved the day?

Thanks!

I use Op/Tech rain sleeves that I purchase from B&H. They're available in a few sizes.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

MadMikeOne wrote:

I use Op/Tech rain sleeves that I purchase from B&H. They're available in a few sizes.

A plastic bag from any ol store with a rubber band around the hole you cut int the bottom to accommodate the lens.
Until you can buy an Optech rainsleeve or a shutterhood, both of which I use.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

BassmanBruce wrote:

A plastic bag from any ol store with a rubber band around the hole you cut int the bottom to accommodate the lens.
Until you can buy an Optech rainsleeve or a shutterhood, both of which I use.

Yup! I've done that, too. Works fine.
An aside - what's a "shutterhood"? Do you mean a lens hood? I was visualizing a teeny tiny umbrella over the shutter 😀. I'm being seriously silly tonight!

Grahame Loc: Fiji

Jerry Bruzek wrote:

So I got a brand new Canon R6 and some RF lenses. Yay, me!
Headed over to Minnehaha Falls (in Minneapolis) for some "hang these over the fireplace" shots.
After setting up the tripod, camera, filter and the perfect composition, it started raining.
Concerned about the lack of weather-seal, I packed it up and scampered back to the car.
Never did get the shot.
Any advice on a rain cover that would have saved the day?

Thanks!

Whilst there are many rain covers on the market I found the ones I purchased made it awkward to adjust settings.

I regularly shoot race events when at times it's absolutely pouring down so made myself a couple of plastic pipe constructions, one that attaches to a monopod and another that attaches to a plastic garden chair with bungee. These are made so that an umbrella handle slots into the plastic pipe at a height that is as close to the camera as possible whilst allowing me to work the camera as normal. They are extremely effective and get a few laughs.

It would be simple to design and make something similar up to attach to a tripod.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

MadMikeOne wrote:

An aside - what's a "shutterhood"? Do you mean a lens hood?

I’ Pretty sure it’s called a shutter hood and it’s basically a slightly more robust rain sleeve.
Unfortunately mine is in Michigan and I am in Florida right now so I can’t verify name. (Well, come to think of it, not all that unfortunate on the Florida part.

)

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I have rain covers from ThinkTank
Scroll down to watch the video on their site.
https://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/emergency-rain-cover-medium?_pos=4&_sid=fccd0fea8&_ss=r

Jerry Bruzek

Grahame wrote:

Whilst there are many rain covers on the market I ... (show quote)

Sounds cool. Can you show us?

Grahame Loc: Fiji

Jerry Bruzek wrote:

Sounds cool. Can you show us?

Here's the monopod one. The one for a plastic garden chair that is attached to a front leg is just a straight length of 1.5" pipe as it has a larger umbrella.

(Download)

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I have a "Storm Jacket" by Vortex that hangs on my tripod for those situations.
Used it several times and it does a great job.

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

I find a small towel folded over the lens and body works just fine in light rain. Two or three folds with a larger towel will get you through a heavy rain for a time. The towel will get heavy as it gets wetter, so a tripod will help if practical.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

BassmanBruce wrote:

I’ Pretty sure it’s called a shutter hood and it’s basically a slightly more robust rain sleeve.
Unfortunately mine is in Michigan and I am in Florida right now so I can’t verify name. (Well, come to think of it, not all that unfortunate on the Florida part.

)

Thanks. I'll google it. Do you know what company makes it? Ironically, we're leaving for a month in Florida latter this week.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

After buying numerous brand name covers for various camera bodies & lenses, as well as using plastic garbage bags for emergencies, I bought some "unknown" 3rd party rain covers on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AH10K8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)..I typically use 5 cameras at a time with various lenses, 3 of the cameras can sit outside for up to 72 hours. I had used the covers for roughly 2 1/2 years and had to recoat them with a water resistant repellent.
One thing I found that really helps in minimizing water around the lens, is to use strips of painters tape, then cover it with a Duct Tape

Jerry Bruzek

Grahame wrote:

Here's the monopod one. The one for a plastic garden chair that is attached to a front leg is just a straight length of 1.5" pipe as it has a larger umbrella.

Awesome! Well done and thanks for sharing!

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Jerry Bruzek wrote:

Never did get the shot.
Any advice on a rain cover that would have saved the day?

Thanks!

It is not a big deal. A good bet would be an OP/TECH Rainsleeve. You can pick it up on line for a few bucks. Buy two and keep them in your bag. Also get a super large ziplock bag. I have two 15” x 30”. Usually for anything bulky. Also ask you local pharmacist to save for you the desiccants in the pill bottles. I throw a handful of these little gems in tool boxes and my camera bag. Moisture doesn’t stand a chance.