weatherproofing gear

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ukphd

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Nancy
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Hello (again!)

I've never really bothered with any sort of weather protection for my camera when I've been using it in the past (I use it in tropical forests in Indonesia). Normally I just carry a few plastic bags and if it rains I put the camera away inside the bags.

However, I've been looking at "storm jackets" - www.stormjacket.com and wondered if perhaps I should invest in something like that.

So I was just wondering if people have used them, or something similar and how good they really are. Is there a better alternative? Are they actually waterproof?

I'm using a canon 450d (soon to be 550d) and a canon L series 100 - 400mm lens most of the time (18 - 55mm the rest of the time).

cheers
Nancy :)
 
They look good but expensive. I use the OpTech rainsleeve covers which are just like slightly thicker plastic bags (and may not last forever because of that) but they are only about £3 each. The problem with any cover is that it can impede access to camera controls so I only really use mine in very sandy, sea salt areas.
 
grumpybadger said:
They look good but expensive. I use the OpTech rainsleeve covers which are just like slightly thicker plastic bags (and may not last forever because of that) but they are only about £3 each. The problem with any cover is that it can impede access to camera controls so I only really use mine in very sandy, sea salt areas.
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Ah ok - yes they certainly did seem expensive.

Just had a quick look at the OpTech ones - would they be large enough for a 100 - 400mm L series lens?

Also - this is a stupid question, but is the front of the lens actually waterproof? Clearly these covers leave that bit open so you can actually take a photo but I just wondered how careful you have to be?
:)
 
Yes, they are fine with 100-400 lens.

The front on a 100-400 isn't waterproof but with a hood over the front, there will be very limited chance of much water getting in. Just make sure you don't point it upwards too much in very heavy rain.

I've never used kit in the rainforest but everywhere else I've used it I've had no trouble with rain.
 
This is the one I use, works great, and it has a pull out hood to cover MUCH bigger lenses than I have (even with the 300mm f/4 AF-S or 70-200 f/2.8 VR attached, it's got a good few inches over the end).

As far as making the front of the lens waterproof, it doesn't encase the front lens element, that would kind of defeat the purpose of buying nice sharp expensive glass. :)

Just use an elastic band to help secure it around the lens hood, and you're good to go.
 
grumpybadger said:
Yes, they are fine with 100-400 lens.

The front on a 100-400 isn't waterproof but with a hood over the front, there will be very limited chance of much water getting in. Just make sure you don't point it upwards too much in very heavy rain.

I've never used kit in the rainforest but everywhere else I've used it I've had no trouble with rain.
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Thanks. Have to confess I never use the lens hood as I'm trekking in the forest conducting research (so it's not just a photography trip) so I have lots of gear. I have a lowepro waist bag (the off trail 2 bag) so I will pop the camera back in there when I need to do other things, and it won't fit with the lens hood on and I have to move fast (I'm recording monkey behaviour so no time to fiddle around taking off hoods - just have to dump camera in bag and start writing down stuff). Maybe I'll have to start using it then! :)

Kaouthia said:
This is the one I use, works great, and it has a pull out hood to cover MUCH bigger lenses than I have (even with the 300mm f/4 AF-S or 70-200 f/2.8 VR attached, it's got a good few inches over the end).

As far as making the front of the lens waterproof, it doesn't encase the front lens element, that would kind of defeat the purpose of buying nice sharp expensive glass. :)

Just use an elastic band to help secure it around the lens hood, and you're good to go.
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Thanks. Does this one work ok when you're hand holding the camera. I don't use a tripod/monopod as I'm always on the move. :)
 
Yeah, perfect for hand holding. It has velcro to attach it around the body, and around the inlet for your arm, and a clear pvc back so that you can see your LCD, and a little hole that goes over your viewfinder so you can see it unhindered.

I used mine last year at a few of the less sunny game fairs. :)
 
stormjackets are good, nice quality and the pro versions have velcro holes for tripod mounts.

optech i never got on with, they always fog up when i use them impeding the viewing screen and lcd settings.

or you could opt for the freezer bag aproach..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilgates/3929209993/in/set-72157620865614964/

although its more of a 1 use then ditch method, they always tear when trying to fit for the second time when the holes dont match up anymore.. lol
 
neil_g said:
although its more of a 1 use then ditch method, they always tear when trying to fit for the second time when the holes dont match up anymore.. lol
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lol, I've done that one too trying to shoot while kayaking through swamplands of Florida.
 
I have a Stormjacket and have used it whenever there's been rain around, including whilst in Malaysia during rainstorms.
For what it is, it seems to be bonkers expensive, having said that, it's the only thing I can say against it. Comes in a handy little pack that I strap to my camera and weighs very little. Each end has a drawstring, making it easy to attach around the lens and the body. At the body end, I found a way of only having the eye cup sticking out, thus minimising the amount of water hitting the camera.
It also looks like it's made of good quality materials, so should last for years. In context of material value, it's looks terrible, but it does what it's designed for very well and when you consider the value of what it's trying to protect, doesn't seem quite so stupidly expensive.
 
Thanks everyone.

hmm it's hard to decide.

I'm quite tempted by the storm jacket because of the durability factor.

If I do go for a storm jacket, where's the best place to get it in the UK - most of the places I've found on google are fairly pricey and I'd be a bit worried about ordering from the states as I go away in under 3 weeks so it may not arrive in time.
 
ukphd said:
Thanks everyone.

hmm it's hard to decide.

I'm quite tempted by the storm jacket because of the durability factor.

If I do go for a storm jacket, where's the best place to get it in the UK - most of the places I've found on google are fairly pricey and I'd be a bit worried about ordering from the states as I go away in under 3 weeks so it may not arrive in time.
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warehouse express sell the non-pro ones (without the tripod opening), otherwise my pro one came from the states as an xmas pressie
 
Ah ok - yeah I was going to go for a pro one I think, I figured if I'm going to spend I may as well spend a bit more and get the best I can get....

Will see if I can find a US supplier that will ship fast!
:)
 
B&H has 'em, and they're usually pretty quick.
 
Your best bet is to email them. They're probably the biggest retailer of camera equipment out there and certainly have the reputation to go with it (and if you ever go to New York, you *have* to go visit their store, it's like another world).

Just let them know what body & lenses you'll be using, and they'll be able to suggest the most suitable one for your needs. :)
 
Well I emailed B&H and they suggested I go for the medium Pro stormjacket which is only $47.... but... tax is $50 (!) and then postage to the UK is over $50 (there is one for $46 but it's 10 - 14 days and I go away on 12th June so am a little nervous of that option)... Whichever postage I use it's nearly $150 in total which is too much really and they don't seem to be available in the UK so back to square one I guess! :(

There is an option not to pay tax but I'm not too sure about doing that as it might end up costing more when UPS deliver it and cause more delays...
 
ukphd said:
Well I emailed B&H and they suggested I go for the medium Pro stormjacket which is only $47.... but... tax is $50 (!) and then postage to the UK is over $50 (there is one for $46 but it's 10 - 14 days and I go away on 12th June so am a little nervous of that option)... Whichever postage I use it's nearly $150 in total which is too much really and they don't seem to be available in the UK so back to square one I guess! :(

There is an option not to pay tax but I'm not too sure about doing that as it might end up costing more when UPS deliver it and cause more delays...
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Have a look at:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/search/?q=storm jacket

the medium pro in camo is shown as being in stock.
 
ah ok thanks.
I was going for black which is why I thought it wasn't in stock but I guess rather than not have anything Camo would do :thumbs:

The other option is to go for a standard rather than Pro... not sure if the extra benefits of the Pro are really worth it...
 
ukphd said:
Well I emailed B&H and they suggested I go for the medium Pro stormjacket which is only $47.... but... tax is $50 (!) and then postage to the UK is over $50 (there is one for $46 but it's 10 - 14 days and I go away on 12th June so am a little nervous of that option)... Whichever postage I use it's nearly $150 in total which is too much really and they don't seem to be available in the UK so back to square one I guess! :(

There is an option not to pay tax but I'm not too sure about doing that as it might end up costing more when UPS deliver it and cause more delays...
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order direct off the stormjacket site, i seem to remember they werent extortionate for shipping..

edit - ah WHE must of recently stocked the pro range, they didnt sell them around xmas time.
 
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