Shooting in bad weather

[Gogu]

I had a few snowing days last week in my country and since i hadent photographed snow with my new camera (Rebel) until then i really wanted to get some shots of it.
Well...im really paranoid about keeping my brand new camera in perfect working condition(it is my first SLR) and as clean as possible whipping the lens and body more than i get the shots :p (you get the idea)...so i didnt have the courage to go out there and shoot :rolleyes:
So my question is, will you damage your camera if you shoot in such weather (snow,rain, moiture etc.). Who much should i worry about all this? I also have a small point and shoot Olympus which i smashed, clashed banged(could as well be hit by a bullet ;) ) and took photos with no matter what, i just didnt care about it so much...and it still works perfectly!But you really can't treat a SLR(or any prosumer camera) like that...can you?

[Jon]

Well, the current 1D series and many of the L lenses are weather-resistant, with seals and gaskets to keep moisture out.
There are housings (and improvisations) that will protect your camera in messy conditions (thread on here somewhere about using a Zip-Loc bag for this).
With snow, if it's cold enough, you should be able to brush the accumulation off with your gloved hands or a dry cloth before putting the lens back in a (cold) camera bag. If the snow starts melting on your gear, have a towel handy to help blot it up.
Basically, exercise reasonable care; don't take it out in a hurricane or howling blizzard without some kind of protection, but don't pass up good shooting conditions because you're afraid of the weather. CDS drags his gear through the mud and swamps :{)#

[SnJPhoto]

Pelican makes an inexpensive series of camera rain gear ($20-$30) that seems to work well. They arelike a rain poncho you put over the camera, with slots and openings (and covers for the openings) where you need them. You might want to look around and see if someone near you stocks them. Pelican is the same company that makes the plastic cases that are water/sealed.

FYI - Samy's Camera has them in their Santa Ana store, so they may also do mail order on them.

Scott

[Deckyon]

I just bought the following from Adorama:
KAE702 Kata GDC Series E-702 Elements Cover, Rain & Snow Protection for Digital and Film SLR Cameras. $39.95

KAE704 Kata GDC Series E-704 Lens Sleeve Kit, Add on Sleeves Gives Rain & Snow Protection for Digital and Film SLR Cameras with Very Long Lenses. $58.95

They connect together for a complete cover and much less expensive than some of the other solutions out there.

[pierrot]

Take a look here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58237&highlight=dust) ;)

[Jon]

I just bought the following from Adorama:
KAE702 Kata GDC Series E-702 Elements Cover, Rain & Snow Protection for Digital and Film SLR Cameras. $39.95

KAE704 Kata GDC Series E-704 Lens Sleeve Kit, Add on Sleeves Gives Rain & Snow Protection for Digital and Film SLR Cameras with Very Long Lenses. $58.95

They connect together for a complete cover and much less expensive than some of the other solutions out there.

Funny thing that. I just picked up the same kit.

[lmelendez]

Hey Gogu,

I think you should go out there and take pictures of the snow. I have a Digital Rebel and I use it in cold weather all the time. Just watch out for the batteries (they run out faster) and when going inside, make sure you put the camera in a sealed plastic bag (zip-lock) so the condensation doesn't damage it.

The whole idea is to make sure that the camera adjusts to the room temperature before you turn it on again.

Now, raining (or freezing rain)... that's another story. But snow and cold weather should not be a big deal...

Leo.