Do I need a sealed camera?

[photomd]

I've got a question and would love to hear y'all's opinions. I shoot vintage motorcycle racing and still use a EOS3. One reason I choose it was the seals. I've been watching the 1D price on eBay come down and I've been tempted, but now Canon may announce the 20D this week. Is it worth the wait? Do I really need a sealed camera? Thanks for any help. 8)

[12345Michael54321]

Do you really need a weather-sealed camera? Well, you tell us.

Have you missed out on many great shots, because to have obtained them would haved required you to have exposed your camera to severe water, sand, mud, etc., which a sealed camera could have safely endured?

If you had a sealed camera, would you willingly subject it to extreme conditions, or would you instead baby it, for fear that hard use might lead to the occasional scratch or ding? (Too many camera owners seem to think that their photographic equipment is made of fine porcelain, and anything which could mar its pristine perfection must be avoided at all costs.)

If you had a sealed camera, would you simply begin obsessing about protecting your lenses from the elements?

Might a 1 gallon, heavy duty freezer bag, combined with a UV filter, a rubber band, and a pair of latex gloves, provide your non-sealed camera equipment with adequate protection, at a total savings of a couple of thousand dollars over the cost of a weather-sealed camera?

I'm not trying to suggest that sealed cameras are a bad idea. But neither I, nor anyone else here, can determine just how valuable one might be to you. Only you can do that.

BTW, there's absolutely no reason to think that the 20D will be sealed any better than the 10D. I mention this, as some people seem to think the 20D will be a $1500 camera, with $9000 worth of improvements. Well, it just isn't so. We won't be seeling a 1.3x crop factor, extensive weather sealing, groundbreaking advances in autofocus and exposure metering technology, blindingly fast write speeds combined with a huge buffer, etc. Ultimately, it's a consumer camera, somewhat improved over the 10D. Not a $1500 1D Mark III.

[Jon]

Is this dirt-track racing rather than on paved routes? Do you wipe a (not so) thin film of dust off your gear every so often during the day? If the answers are in the affirmative, stick with a sealed camera.

[neil_r]

No you don't

N

[Pekka]

If you shoot in environment where the camera is subject to water, dust or excessive temperature changes then you will need a sealed camera. 10D (20D) may work, but it's up to luck how much it tolerates. If it sucks water in the repair may be large and expensive one if main components need replacing. Even with a sealed camera warranty does not actually pay for water damage but the actual possibility of water getting in and level of damage it will do is minimized.

I've learned a lot about sealing lately, my Mark II is in repair for getting one part replaced because slight amount a moisture got in from socket port area, perhaps because of condensation (cold ->heat move). The camera worked still perfectly, this repair is in genre of "preventing future complications" as recommended by repair. But the situation where I shot was most rigorous so I'm very confident to trust it wherever I go with it.

Note that no camera can be sealed to prevent damage when replacing lenses in "wrong" places.

[Pekka]

Oh BTW you'll need also sealed lenses with filter to complete the full sealing.

[photomd]

Thanks y'all. In answer to some questions: yes I do have to clean the camera and lenses after each shoot. I do use L lenses with seals. I've also talked with several photographers that I see at several tracks. One uses a D1 and is starting to have trouble due to dust and moisture....I think I'll stick with a sealed camera. Thanks again. :wink: