Sometimes it gets rough out there...

(Photo by JP Carino)

Hi all,

Nikon's D7000, even D90, with the more weather proofed lenses such as the 17-55mm should be fine in mild weather - I'd hate to have it in heavy rain, and doubt that there would be a picture there anyway.

I've ruined many, many cameras and lenses in my time, and I think they will all break down with enough moisture and abuse, but as kyoshinikon poignantly puts it, you're either a collector or a shooter. The balance of care and use comes with earned experience.

BTW, I always carry plenty of Ziplock baggies big enough to put stuff in, just in case - just saying. ;-)

My best,

Mike

I had to leave a camera on a tripod for several hours, taking time-lapse photos, with a strong chance of rain. I used a Kata Elements Cover - now this, I think. It is very good, also very good when used on a boat with lots of spray. My only complaint is that the adjustable opening for the lens was quite stiff and, when I used a short prime lens, it was difficult to keep it clear of the lens.

It's quite bulky to carry around. So I've now bought a couple of Op/Tech rainsleeves to sit in my camera bag. I haven't had a chance to use them yet, but they seem a good idea for emergencies.

So, the Ewe Marine in action...

@msmoto, Thank you for posting the examples. I agree it appears there is little apparent loss from using the Ewa-Marine U-B 100.

msmoto said:
.

I am now testing my Ewa-Marine U-B 100 Underwater Housing.

looks very Good but pricy in the UK over £300
how much control have you got
can you change ISO, shutter, aperture
can you work the 24 -120 zoom
can you see the histogram
can you change the focus setting settings

kyoshinikon said:
I always have called photographers who "baby" their camera equipment camera collectors. I am not afraid to get my camera wet or dirty if it means getting the shot....there are times I do protect my gear tho. When I shoot in heavy rain I will use a plastic "raincoat". With light-mid rain or snow I use no protection but I do bring a towel to occasionally dry the camera.....Case in point, unless you are Kai Wong or working on assignment for Nat Geo or Clark Little I think it is overkill to pamper your tool. It is made to take some weathering with no damage...

My thoughs exactly.

One of the reasons for $3000.00 premium paid, is Nikon's excellent weather sealing. If you are not going to work the workhorse then why pay all that money for it, give it to charity.

I always have called photographers who "baby" their camera equipment camera collectors. I am not afraid to get my camera wet or dirty if it means getting the shot. Other than a (actually 2) 18-70mm lenses I have never had a hiccup due to the shooting conditions (and I use a D90/D7000/D200). there are times I do protect my gear tho. When I shoot in heavy rain I will use a plastic "raincoat". With light-mid rain or snow I use no protection but I do bring a towel to occasionally dry the camera. I also use a pvc bag if I am either shooting under water or if getting thoroughly soaked is a possibility... Many of you have already seen my moto camera photo so you know dust dirt and mud is not something I shield my camera from...

Case in point, unless you are Kai Wong or working on assignment for Nat Geo or Clark Little I think it is overkill to pamper your tool. It is made to take some weathering with no damage...

I don't take it out in the weather :( Fair weather photographer I guess.

I don't shoot anything that is worth ruining my camera for to get the shot...so I just leave it in if I think it is going to be ugly.

That being said I would maybe use a cheap underwater housing or such if I wasn't actually going to be submerging the camera in water. If I was going to have it in the water...well I would probably buy one of the cheap point and shoot waterproof cameras that are out now instead.

The question was raised regarding the degradation of the image through the front glass of the Ewa-Marine U-B 100 Underwater Housing. So, here are the two photos for comparison, one a candid shot of a French Canadian girl reading a book and the enlargement of her forehead.

Not very much loss IMO.

Hi,
Interesting subject... I have this in my camera bag since I got them at an hotel...
disposable_plastic_shower_cap<link removed>

Never experienced them, but will be nice to cover the body and maintaining access to the buttons.

msmoto said:
So, others may have their preference regarding how to protect the equipment when we are shooting in less than ideal conditions. This is the time to share all the great ideas NRF Members have in their heads.

I shot my D300S in pouring autumn rains and nothing ever happened to it. I shot my D7000 last winter for 4 hours in -30 degrees Celsius and nothing happened to it (except for battery drain). Yesterday I was in the rapids with a tripod, the camera just above water level, shooting long exposures, and the camera is still as it was before. My conclusion, therefore, is that Nikons can take a LOT without any extra protection. The only problems I have ever had due to weather is when shooting in high temperatures for long periods of time. If I was worried that the camera might take a dunk, I´d buy a cheap underwater bag for it.

I did recently buy a protective filter for the lens for when in spray at the beach, not something I would normally use.

In Vancouver it rains way too much to not shoot on the odd rainy day. I shot with a D300 in the light rain for 3-4 hours and it was fine, with a non-weather sealed Tokina 12-24mm F4 at that. I also shot in the rain and snow with the D300 + 300mm F4, with no ill effect. I think the Nikon pro bodies are more than able to handle rain and snow. I have only shot with my D700 in the rain once, and again it was just fine.

That being said, I still have a Kata rain cover for when the heavens open up and there is a downpour.

I don't. I'm too much of a pansy to go out when it rains. :D

But seriously, I haven't had any problems with Nikon stuff in somewhat mild conditions.

I've used it in some light snow but certainly cold conditions and some light rain.

I wouldn't trust my zoom to the rain or snow, but I don't think it'd be an issue with the 35mm 1.8 and D40.

If the D40 dies, well, that's a shame but it's also an excuse for me to upgrade. :D

I don't shoot in crazy conditions, so if I were caught in rain I'd probably cut up a garbage bag and wrap it around the lens bayonet area and poke my hands through the larger opening.

However, I always make sure I try and push out any water that accumulates around cracks and crevices, especially around the mode dial.

framer said:
.....I purchased a Think Tank Hydrophobia® ...framer

I also have a Hydrophobia® for seascapes. I only use one of the "sleeves" and tape the second one up . Having two hands inside the bag is bit awkward when scrambling over rocks. If you get one practice using first in a safe dry environment
a proper underwater housing would be better but a lot more expensive

After I got my D3s I purchased a ThinkTank's Hydrophobia® 70-20 before I took a trip to Alaska. I've use it in driving rain w/70+ MPH winds and everything inside stayed dry. For normal downpours it's perfect. My last trip to Alaska my D3s lived in it the whole trip. I've used it with a 17-35, 70-200+1.4 and a 300f4+1.4. They all fit. They make a larger one for 300f2.8 - 600f4's lenses.

framer

@Beso...The noise is simply a function of cropping and very poor shooting conditions. The optical path is through a clear glass plate I believe is quite good as in other cropped images I see very little image degradation. The EWE Marine is a great bag for around the surf, preventing splashes on the camera and if dropped no doubt good to a couple of feet of water. I do not believe I would go to more than a few feet with it.

@OnTheRopes... the link takes one to something which is very much like the LensCoat RainCoat Pro which I use and like. It is easy to put on and interferes in no way. And, when shooting at venues where the action continues in the rain, one must be prepared.

We will see how all this works in a few days if I can get out in the morning before it rains and shoot the sunrise.....

@Beso...The noise is simply a function of cropping and very poor shooting conditions. The optical path is through a clear glass plate I believe is quite good as in other cropped images I see very little image degradation. The EWE Marine is a great bag for around the surf, preventing splashes on the camera and if dropped no doubt good to a couple of feet of water. I do not believe I would go to more than a few feet with it.

@OnTheRopes... the link takes one to something which is very much like the LensCoat RainCoat Pro which I use and like. It is easy to put on and interferes in no way. And, when shooting at venues where the action continues in the rain, one must be prepared.

We will see how all this works in a few days if I can get out pin the morning before it rains and shoot the sunrise.....

I wouldn't think the D800 is any less weatherproof than any of Nikon's other high end cameras. I'm recalling seeing that "x-ray type image" that Nikon displays touting the weatherproof seals and thinking that it looked as well sealed as a D3S and D700. I've been caught in minor rains with my D7000 and never had a problem with it. I always cleaned and dried it ASAP. On one occasion my brother-in-law continued shooting with it in a light rain after I told him to tuck it away. No problems developed after that either.
It's not something I condone but I'm just saying I think the camera is up to a little inclement weather.

When I'm shooting along the coast or doing long exposures at the beach I always keep a large lens cloth in my hind pocket to wipe off any surf spray residue between shots. Gaffer taping a corner of it to the tripod is another idea. That way it's right there. I also keep a large plastic ziplock bag in the side pocket of my camera bag just in case of sudden rain. At the beach sand gets everywhere. A slim paintbrush is excellent to keep in the hind pocket as well for occasional brush-offs.

Well, when I am using the 500 for wildlife and there is a threat of rain then I take this with me http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/retail/acatalog/Camera___Lens_Covers.html
though to be honest I have not had to use it in anger yet.

Any other photography I run away if its raining. I must say though I wish others would follow Pentax. My old K20d and lenses were all waterproof or showerproof at least.

msmoto said:
The question was asked on another thread about how weatherproof a D800 is and I think this deserves a separate thread regarding all Nikon cameras.

I am now testing my Ewa-Marine U-B 100 Underwater Housing. This is IMO such inexpensive insurance when we have a several thousand dollar investment. For example, with the D4, 16-35mm f/4.0 VR, last night in the ocean surf, the camera was dry even though I was soaked to the waist. But, a surprise shower began, and by the time I walked 100 feet to the motorhome, I was soaked all over and the Ewa-Marine was covered with water, camera inside and dry.

Another item which I will use, if the opportunity presents, is the LensCoat RainCoat Pro which will cover the Big Bertha when I attempt, and I mean attempt, a sunrise with 800mm. The salt spray and poor conditions around the ocean, suggest once more, protection of the equipment is always a good practice. And, the front of the lens will be very careful cleaned post shoot, so as to make certain no residue persists. Also, if the wind is in my face, off shore, the shoot will be cancelled, as I see no reason to have the wind blowing all the ocean crud on me and my equipment.

So, others may have their preference regarding how to protect the equipment when we are shooting in less than ideal conditions. This is the time to share all the great ideas NRF Members have in their heads. It just makes sense to me to prevent damage rather than to try and play catch up after the fact.

The Ewa-Marine is an interesting low cost option and I will be curious how it works for you over time. I like the framing of your recent PAD photo on the Outer Banks using the bag but noticed there was considerable noise. I know much is probably due to the 16000 ISO but does the bag contribute noise as well? And, what steps are required to prevent scratching or abrading the bag where it will further degrade optic quality? Thanks in advance for any info.

About 25 years ago one of my high school teachers "drowned" his SLR while snorkeling using one of the Ewa-Marine bags (it was a Canon AE-1 as far as I remember). I don't remember if it was his fault or if the bag was not working as expected. But this left some kind of reluctance towards Ewa-Marine "housings" with me.

But still this might be a good option for stuff like sailing or in rain.

Currently I don't have any solution and I usually don't take pictures in rain, but I was considering one of the OPTech rain sleeves.

Bearing in mind I would prefer to do one of the more mundane things I have to do if it were raining, if I had to go out in the rain I would use a plastic bag with a rubber band around the end to entirely cover any camera of mine. Whether it was a D7000 or a D4 I would not test the weather resistant sealing. Same goes for salt and sand.

Sorry to be a wally.

I use an umbrella.......keeps me and the camera dry :-) Yes I know that's not what you meant Tommie, seriously though, I'm interested to know what other people use if they regularly have to shoot in wet/dusty/sandy conditions. I seem to remember cling film recommended by some members?