1D Mark IV weathersealing - camera keeps failing in rain ?

Zephyr

Zephyr

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Graeme
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Hi

This has become a nuisance on two occasions now, the last being less than a week ago, i was out waiting for badgers to turn up, i had my canon 1d mark iv out with 300mm f2.8 IS II attached to it, it started raining, but i was in a woodland so while i was getting wet it wasn't like the camera was getting directly battered all the time. However the badgers come out, i can only take about 3 shots and then i get an Error 30, the shutter locks and i can't take any images at all!
I thought canon PRO bodies like the Mark IV wouldn't fail in such a normal operating situation - am i missing something here ?
My Canon 7D i had prior to it i practically drowned in some situations, and it never missed a beat once, so why my mark iv ?
I left it drying out near radiator with the doors open etc for the night, in the morning it still wouldn't work, so i kept it in my camera bag, by lunch time it started to work and i noticed condensation on the back of the 50mm i attached to it to store it - i took this off, changed lenses, fired some shots and then high bursts to try to lubricate the shutter, and now everything's fine .... but this scares me for future situations in even the lightest of rain, anyone got any suggestions or anyone found this happened to them before?

weathersealing my ar$e ...
 
:agree:

Definitely a seal problem, my Mk3 can almost swim:eek:
 
I've never had a 1D body fail on me in the rain and doing sport they have got well wet. You must have a seal leaking.
 
Best drying out method by far!.... Put the camera body in a bag of rice, seal it up and wait a few days 100% success rate! Or buy your camera a raincoat :)
 
Also possibly worth checking that the seal on the back of the lens isn't damaged and the body is just the victim.

Bob
 
Paddysnapper said:
Or buy your camera a raincoat :)
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In a heavy rain these should be better used where possible. However 1-series should take a fair amount of abuse. Probably I'd suggest flogging yours after all of this and get 1DX or 5DIII to replace it.
 
Canon Bob said:
Also possibly worth checking that the seal on the back of the lens isn't damaged and the body is just the victim.

Bob
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It isn't the lens ... has happened twice with different lenses, and this lens cost me 5k which i only bought last week so i know it isn't that.

daugirdas said:
In a heavy rain these should be better used where possible. However 1-series should take a fair amount of abuse. Probably I'd suggest flogging yours after all of this and get 1DX or 5DIII to replace it.
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Why would I flog it? It still works, just needed drying out, maybe Canon can replace the seals for me but no lasting damage should remain surely? 1DX nor 5D3 suit my needs for bird photography as well as a 1d4 does ...
 
Zephyr said:
Why would I flog it? It still works, just needed drying out, maybe Canon can replace the seals for me but no lasting damage should remain surely? 1DX nor 5D3 suit my needs for bird photography as well as a 1d4 does ...
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Why? Electronics + water = corrosion

It may work for a while, but would you want to gamble? I would love to see in what specific way is 1D4 better than either 1DX or 5D3? I presume you tried both and have a very good reason.
 
daugirdas said:
Why? Electronics + water = corrosion

It may work for a while, but would you want to gamble? I would love to see in what specific way is 1D4 better than either 1DX or 5D3? I presume you tried both and have a very good reason.
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It'll be fine, Canon Elstree will sort me out.
Yes I did actually. Doing wildlife I need the reach, even with my 800mm prime, some situations you can NEVER have enough pixels on target. The 5D3 / 1DX doesn't cut it for me in those situations, different if using a hide, you can get close or the subject is large. The Mark IV has suited my needs just fine so far ...
 
I shoot motor sport in pouring rain (sometimes) with a Canon 40D and 100-400 lens (with a hood and "protection" filter). I just use a rain protection cover (Optech) and havn't had any problems beside the filter getting wet from alll the spray and sometimes driving rain when shooting head on to the wind.
 
Have to say after I thought I'd miss the reach that the 1d mkiv offers over the 1dx but I honestly don't notice it at all & everything else on the 1dx is massively better.
I still have my 1d mkiv at the moment but I doubt I'll ever use it again & I only photograph birds.
 
My MkIV was fine in the rain but I always have a rain cover with me. Even if you get the seals changed I would get yourself a rain cover. After all you will never know how heavily it will rain when you're out and to have to pack up or risk permanent damage to the camera for the sake of a few quid seems pointless. Plus will you ever really trust it again in the rain?

Get yourself a lenscoat that does lens and camera or similar? You know it makes sense :)

I'm with the guys recommending a 5D3 or1DX. I've just sold my MkIV for a 1DX to go with my 5D3 and both are better cameras than the MkIV ( good camera though the MK IV is ).

I hardly used my MkIV except now and again for the frame rate. In all other aspects the 5 & 1DX are better. Given that you've got a 800mm I would seriously think about making the change.

But I would still have a rain cover!!
 
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My 1D IV got a good dousing the other week...the LCD screen decided to stop working. The camera still functioned, but i just couldnt review anything there & then or check histograms etc....
Got it nice & dry with everything opened up in a sealed box with a few sachets of silica gel....one & a half days later and all sorted. It does make me wonder about the state of the seals though.
The rice bag trick does work wondsers too though.
 
I've used 1D III, IV and X in heavy rain (sometimes for extended periods), and never encountered any problems when using weathersealed L lenses with any of the bodies.
 
drexyl said:
Have to say after I thought I'd miss the reach that the 1d mkiv offers over the 1dx but I honestly don't notice it at all & everything else on the 1dx is massively better.
I still have my 1d mkiv at the moment but I doubt I'll ever use it again & I only photograph birds.
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Gaz J said:
My MkIV was fine in the rain but I always have a rain cover with me. Even if you get the seals changed I would get yourself a rain cover. After all you will never know how heavily it will rain when you're out and to have to pack up or risk permanent damage to the camera for the sake of a few quid seems pointless. Plus will you ever really trust it again in the rain?

Get yourself a lenscoat that does lens and camera or similar? You know it makes sense :)

I'm with the guys recommending a 5D3 or1DX. I've just sold my MkIV for a 1DX to go with my 5D3 and both are better cameras than the MkIV ( good camera though the MK IV is ).

I hardly used my MkIV except now and again for the frame rate. In all other aspects the 5 & 1DX are better. Given that you've got a 800mm I would seriously think about making the change.

But I would still have a rain cover!!
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It's fine when you're photographing from hides with a known distance lads but if it's wild raptors, or birds at RSPB sites where there is a sanctuary area, as there is here in cornwall at our marazion - we get a lot of rare birds there, and i often chase rarities in cornwall, in which case the longer the FL = better. As much FL is needed as possible, sometimes even an 800 on a 7D is not enough ... so the mark IV is a compromise of the two for me :). I will pick up a 5d3 sooner or later though!

Of course they're better cameras overall, they're a lot newer. Let's not forget a few years back, the mark IV was the top of the range, so is still a fine camera, and is still the last of the pro crops (until the mythical 7D2 comes along anyway ;)).

Thanks for all your helpful replies

Gary Coyle said:
Mental note to oneself "dont buy a used body from daugirdas"
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yes i thought that (found it amusing)
 
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