Using a camera in the rain???

TheNissanMan

TheNissanMan

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Ryan
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Looks like the weather is going to be abit rough again tomorrow but as it's the first day I've had off in 7 I want to go and take some photo's but...

Normally my camera doesn't come out unless I know it's going to be dry and the weathers loknig pretty good. Apart from the challenges of having less light how safe (for the equipment) is it to use in reasonble drizzle...

Obvioulsy it's going to get a bit wet but are modern DSLR's upto it or is it as I think it may, be a really bad idea???

Equipment in question: Canon 500D with 70-300mm IS USM

Before the fits of laughter ensue I know electrics and water don't mix but there are photo's on here that have been taken in the wet but I don't know whether they've had extra protection on the camera or more expensive cameras with better waterproofing...

Edit: Sorry should have posted in equipment, apologies...
 
You can get all sorts of waterproof covers that fit them.:):thumbs:
 
They stand up to a bit of wet weather but obviously any electronic equipment has a limit

I used my A200 in fine rain for a bit, kept drying it with a towell a it was fine
 
it'll be alreet

for extended use cut a lens hood shaped whole in the bottom of a sandwich bag and tape it to the hood
 
Thanks peeps, looks like a carrier bag then...

Wonder what looks I'll get with a carrier bag stuck over my head, oh hang on, that might not be the best idea :) :)
 
lol If I need to I use a ziploc bag. Get a large one and bung it over the camera and zip it towards the end of the lens so only the end of the lens is poking out and close the zip.

Cheap and cheerful and available at your local supermarket :)
 
If you are ducking in and out of showers then tucking the camera inside your jacket will be ok.

For prolonged use then use the sandwich/freezer bag option. Buy a small length of elastic you can tie in a loop. Hole in the bag to push the lens through and elastic to keep it all tight. It's a good idea to use a clear plastic bag, as you can see all the buttons on your camera through it!!

It is also worth keeping a couple of carrier bags in you kit bag for you knees/ bum if you are planning on low level shots.
 
When I did the 4am project, it was tipping down with rain (not super heavy, but more than a light shower) the whole time, but my 40D and Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 worked flawlessly. When I got home, I left it in front of the radiator for a couple of hours to dry out after wiping it down.

However, I now have an Optech Rainsleeve for when I go out in the rain, it came in very handy when I was shooting the Varsity university sports event recently.
 
Think the carrier bag/ziplock sounds a good idea, the lens is filtered so may need cleaning but hey ho...

I've got a full waterprrof kit from the days when I used to have a dog although not in the slightest concerned about me (I'm almost fully waterproof :D)

Would leaving the camera in front of a radiator be a good idea ??? I would have thought that if any moisture had got inside the lens/body by drying it quickly you would be more likely to get residue than if it dried naturaly or has it been way to long since I played with science :D :D
 
I usually have a small handtowel in my bag, so if it's only showers, I'll drape the towel over the camera/lens, if it starts to pee down, I go to the pub.
 
Les McLean said:
I usually have a small handtowel in my bag, so if it's only showers, I'll drape the towel over the camera/lens, if it starts to pee down, I go to the pub.
Click to expand...

Pub always sounds superb on a day off, the only downside is driving 1.5 hours back afterwards lol :D

Pub and soft drinks don't mix :D :D :D
 
depends for me, never been out in bad rain. Drizzle/light rain I will use my D60 and kit lens, but I won't use my old 50mm 1.8 at all.

Once I upgrade to the D300s I'll look at a rain cover just to add a bit of extra protection.
 
If it's pee-ing down I take something like my old Fed-3 out instead of the dijical. All clockwork, no meters so not even a minimal battery. Made in russia from girders, so worst that can happen is it rusts a bit :shrug:
 
You don't need to be too protective in the rain - all the advice here is absolutely fine and very practical. When I was taking photographs last weekend of Woking FC, I simply had my camera hanging round my neck and protected it by covering it with my coat in between shots! Even the official photographer had covered his with a couple of plastic bags tied on.

Unless the rain is very heavy, you don't really have anything to worry about.
 
That's where I love my E3 and Zuiko lenses, all rain resistant, I've been out for hours in heavy rain using the gear as normal, only thing to watch for me is water drops on the lens front element, the lens hoods don't always keep the rain off so need to clean it regularly or they show up as smears in the photos.

Paul
 
im not sure i like the optechs to be honest, i tried one recently and its a bit of an art to use i found. its fine as long as you dont want to see the LCD at any point as the one i had streamed up plus it kept sliding back and off of the hood of the 70-200.

nice concept, i think i need to use it a bit more to figure it out?

otherwise, freezer bags FTW :D

 
Throw your camera in the micro,that will dry it out.:lol::D:p
 
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