All weather lenses?

[spongo]

Are the Nikon lenses designed to be all weather lenses?
I was out shooting surfers in quite heavy weather this afternoon on my brand spanking new D90 with a 70-300 Nikkor attached. I had dutifully wrapped my D90 body in a clear plastic bag, saving myself the £100 weather case cost! Most of the lens had been covered by my clever budget stormproofer, all but the end extension tube. However, when I began shooting, it became apparent that the rainfall landing on the end tube when the zoom was fully extended, was being pulled into the body of the lens as I pulled the range shorter. Although I dried the lens fully when I'd finished shooting, it did raise the question;
Although the weatherproofing of the Nikon bodies obviously improves as you move up the series, are the lenses built to the highest common denominator? I.E Are they built to match the D3x?

 

[loplyg]

More expensive lenses don't have external moving parts, thus, are inherently more weatherproof.

 

[scottthehat]

i had an email stating all nikon lenses are weather sealed, some beter than others like the ones with the rubber gasket at the seal.

 

[spongo]

I had noticed that the gasket ring that is present on the Nikon lenses, was not replicated on the 18-200 Tamron that I recently sold. It did make me wonder about the efficiency at the body end, but I wasn't very happy with the lens generally, so got I rid.

One of the subjects which I intend to study is surfing and the best swells are usually accompanied by a bit of foul weather. Although I don't want to knacker my lenses, you've got to be in it to get the shot. :shrug:

My main concern is about getting rainwater on the zoom tube that extends out of body of the lens, or more precisely, whether moisture that is on the tube when at full stretch can be imported into the 'body proper' of the lens when shortening the zoom. Is the lens is designed to cope with this?

 

[lawrie29]

Might be worth investing in some better weather protection. Is there not one which velcro to the lens hood, and then extends/contracts with the lens as you zoom in/out?

 

[spongo]

That sounds ideal if it exists, I won't baulk at spending a few £££ to protect the lens but it would be good to have some input from someone who has either tried and tested a shop bought product or invented a clever diy solution.

 

[scottthehat]

hi jon, what i said, i ot in a message from nikon, i still does not give me 100% confidence,
but i have used my nikon on the wet ith no problems, if it was raining major and i had to take a camera out in it, it would have to be my pentax gear,

 

[Arkady]

I've used all the Pro D-series cameras and a variety of lenses up to the current D3 and Pro-lenses in all manner of bad weather with very few problems.
The only time I did have a problem was using a D2x with 17-35 and 70-200 f/2.8 VR lenses: the rain was so torrential that I could no longer see through the eyepieces of the cameras I was shooting with as they were swamped - no water got behind the eyepeices though...
I also fell into a river carrying two D2x bodies, fitted with 'old' 17-35 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8 (non-VR) lenses.
Both cameras were completely submerged and only the 17-35 got one small drop of water between the elements which dried out over a three-day period. A small drop of water was present on the mirror of the same camera - this would be consistent with that lens not having the additional rubber collar of newer designs. No additional water ingress was noticed and both cameras were back in use within ten minutes.
I also keep UV filters on all my lenses for additional protection.

 

[Trig's]

Jon

Why not have a look at these Rain Covers....

May help you out most being about around the £10-12 mark...

 

[spongo]

These rain covers seem ok, but don't offer much more than a clear polybag and elastics would. I'm wondering that if this is the way to go, is there a proven article that's earneed its spurs in the field?

 

[Trig's]

These rain covers seem ok, but don't offer much more than a clear polybag and elastics would. I'm wondering that if this is the way to go, is there a proven article that's earneed its spurs in the field?

I spose that if you fit a clear polybag & an elastic band properly so that its both water tight & fits to incase the lens & camera body then maybe that is the way to go.... Just make sure that the polybag is of a thickness that wont split easily...

Like the poly Tesco/Asda bags do

 

[Arkady]

I spose that if you fit a clear polybag & an elastic band properly so that its both water tight & fits to incase the lens & camera body then maybe that is the way to go.... Just make sure that the polybag is of a thickness that wont split easily...

Like the poly Tesco/Asda bags do

Good-quality 15l bin-bags do the trick.
And some rubber-bands...

 

[Trig's]

Good-quality 15l bin-bags do the trick.
And some rubber-bands...

Just make sure that your OH doesn't chuck it out on bin day thou

 

[Lensflare]

For doing surf shots, Clark Little does the best I have ever seen...he uses a waterproof housing. Some of his are custom made for long lenses.....ometimes if you want the shot, make do and mend just won't do.

How committed to getting the shot are you?

Google Clark Little and his Hawaiin waves exhibition...I promise you won't be disappointed.