Rain Cover help for my 20D

[bootm]

I'm looking to buy a rain cover and want some opinions on some experiences. I've read the other posts and even tried the plastic baggy trick, but want a little more protection for my camera, a 20D.

I want to take it out in the rain even with heavy downpours, to the beach and in the snow. I won't be underwater or anything like that so I don't want a hard case. I just want to make sure it won't get wet from rain or sand from the beach. I'll also mosty be holding the camera as opposed to putting it on a tripod, so I want to be able to have the strap on as well so if I have a fit of clumsiness I don't drop it on the ground.

I have been looking at the EWA-Marine Hurricane Rain Cape - this is a link of what it is http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=17346&is=REG
The thing I like about this is that it screws on to the end of the lens for a seal rather than a strap to tighten. It appears it would keep the water out when it is zipped. My only concerns are about using a strap since then I'll have to use the buttons rather than the zipper, which might let water in. I wish they had a second layer of the plastic where you could put the camera in and zip it up and then attach your strap to the outside of that portion of the cover and button the second layer toward the back. My other concern is how a lens hood will fit.

The other one I was looking at was the Aquatech - http://www.calumetphoto.com/ctl?PAGE=Controller&ac.ui.pn=cat.CatItemDetail&ac.item.itemNo=AQ0100&ac.cat.CatTreeSearch.detail=y&type=SPDSEARCH
This one I don't think will fit my needs as much since it seems to be a more tripod based type cover and not for really moving around a lot carrying the camera.

[eosster]

Shower cap works, cheap and disposable.

[ScottE]

The EWA Marine rain cover will only handle lenses with up to 72mm filter sizes. Most of my Canon lenses have 77mm filters to that would be useless.

I have used my D60 and 20D outside in quite a bit of wet, snowy and dusty weather with no problems. The cameras will not melt if they get a bit of moisture on them. Usually I just make a cover from a plastic garbage bag.

Scott

[Titus213]

I was out last week in the rain with my 300D. I used my ball cap with the cap sizing strap snapped around the camera straps. The hat hung down over the camera nicely and moved out of the way easily for shooting. They do seem to take a bit of water and weather without trouble though. Just dry them off when you can.

[bootm]

There is a EWA-Marine that will hold your 77mm, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=326421&is=REG.

As far as a baseball cap and garbage bag to cover, I have improvised myself and I spend most of the time worrying about if my camera is getting wet or not. I'm also talking about being in these conditions for long durations, such as in the rain or snow for several hours. I want something so that I can focus on the actual picture taking and not have to worry about the equipment. While those improvisations work when you want to go out for that occasional time when it snows or rains, the more I'm out in this, which I will be, the more chances for something to go wrong.

[ScottE]

That EWA Marine looks like it would keep the camera dry, but how would you put a lens hood on? When it is raining or snowing one of the most important things to do is keep the front lens element dry. If you don't have a lens hood on you are going to get streaks of moisture on the lens as soon as you level the camera.

I carry a few plastic garbage bags and elastic bands in my camera bag. I just fasten the camera bag so it drapes over the lens and camera and hold it in place with an elastic band around the lens hood or just behind the lens hood. It isn't exactly improvised since I plan in advance to do this. The important thing is that it works and is adaptable for everything from a long telephoto to a short wide angle lens. When you are not shooting you can point the camera downward and fold the plastic over the camera so that it keeps everything dry. When you shoot you hold the left hand under the bag on the lens and push the bag up so that you can put your eye on the eye piece and your right hand around the right side of the camera. The right thumb is a useful tool for holding the plastic in place.

I have often thought of making a little cape for the camera and lens out of light waterproof coated nylon with a velcro strap on the the front to hold it around the lens. That should give adequate protection for most situations and be light and compact enough to carry in a pocket of the camera bag. If it rains harder than that I should learn to be smart enough to come in out of the rain.

Scott

[MDJAK]

How about this one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=316856&is=REG

[S230]

If you can't find anything, do what I've done.. :)

[bootm]

S230 - That was funny. At least nothing would get wet.... I looked at the one you are referring to MDJAK and I thought about it, but there are several openings that can allow water. I looks like it would do fine in most cases, the other just looked a little more secure. The lens hood issue was one of my concerns too. I wasn't sure about the lens hood and wether it would fit or not. I need to call and find out if it will fit on the end. That was one of my original concerns too.

[S230]

Honestly, I wasn't too sure where my mind was... Maybe I was drinking a little too much.. hehe.. :)

[dphotomania]

If you can't find anything, do what I've done.. :)

Thats exactly what I was thinking, but I though of using a rubber band and cut a hole for the lense so it can focus. I guess great mind think a like!! :p

[S230]

Not sure if any of you can remember the movie Naked Gun... :) The ultimate protection!... hehe.. :)

[rokclimbertx]

found something that might be of interest... good for short lenses only unfortuntately...

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2864&deptid=1202

[shoot123]

You might try one of these:

http://abetterphotoguide.bizhosting.com/camera_rain_covers.html

I've got the 15" version. Works great!

.

[richpix]

S230 - That was funny. At least nothing would get wet.... I looked at the one you are referring to MDJAK and I thought about it, but there are several openings that can allow water. I looks like it would do fine in most cases, the other just looked a little more secure. The lens hood issue was one of my concerns too. I wasn't sure about the lens hood and wether it would fit or not. I need to call and find out if it will fit on the end. That was one of my original concerns too.

Check out the manufacturer's website. You might need to order the lens extension for bigger glass: Kata Bags (http://www.kata-bags.com/category.asp?id=61&perentId=4&ProdLine=4)

[S230]

Well, I could always tie the knot on the bag that I'm in but prefer not to. I would have a hard time breathing... :)