Weather Resistant Lens

[shaggny]

As a rule, would either prime or internal focus zoom be more weather resistant? I don't plan shooting in the rain, but I live in Panama City, Panama. The rainy season is approaching and the humidity is so thick I have to frame paintings with archival dessicant. If a photo touches glass, it melts. Many paper pieces do the same. Salt and sugar live in the fridge...you get the picture.

I want to get a good zoom for work in the jungle, but short of always using the plastic attached with a hood, not sure of what is the best route to take. And, btw, how do you use a grip or strap with the plastic 'housing'?

Thanks!

[Dante King]

L series are the only lenses protected form the weather, and not all are so check before taking the plunge. Oh welcome to the forums!

[CyberDyneSystems]

The "L" Zooms that are weather sealed look to be just as weather resistant as the primes...

For non weather resistant lenses,. I'm not sure your theory would hold up there either,. they would both have places for water to get in at the foucs ring etc..

[CyberDyneSystems]

I think these are all of the water/dust resistant L lenses;
The zooms do need to have a filter installed for full water seal.

16-35mm 2.8 L USM
17-40mm 4L USM
24-70mm 2.8 L USM
70-200mm 2.8 L IS USM
28-300mm 3.5-5.6L IS USM
300mm 2.8L IS USM
400mm 2.8L IS USM
400mm 4 DO IS USM
500mm 4 L IS USM
600mm 4 L IS USM

[nathanphillips]

the 70 200 IS 2.8 needs a filter to be water sealed??
Didnt know that...thanx!
Would any filter work great for this...or which one would be the best? :confused:

[CyberDyneSystems]

I just use Canon 77mm UV filters for that purpose...

But yes any filter will do the job I guess. You want one that won't hurt the image quality though,.. so the better the glass the less likely it could be a problem.

[Paul A]

I spend a lot of time in Costa Rica and Panama. I just purchased the 100-400 is, should I get an extended warranty? I'm new to the forum, I'm trying to figure out how it works. How do you post a picture? Sorry for all the questions.

[Jon]

I doubt that the "weather seals" will do much against high humidity. They're more like Gore-Tex - they keep the big drops from getting through, but the humidity will get in regardless. Keep them in a dehumidified, or dessicant-stocked, sealed container when not in use.

[Wazza]

Oh, so my 17-40 is weather resistant? Never been sure of that, so I keep it out of the dry. Also I dropped it a week after I had it, just a small drop from an open bag on my lap. The UV filter smashed, and damaged the screw on ring. Don't think I will be able to attach any more filters. :(

[CoolToolGuy]

I doubt that the "weather seals" will do much against high humidity. They're more like Gore-Tex - they keep the big drops from getting through, but the humidity will get in regardless. Keep them in a dehumidified, or dessicant-stocked, sealed container when not in use.

As Jon mentions, weather sealing is more for rain, snow, dust, etc. If the lens expands and contracts it will be susceptible to moisture getting in with the air.

Just a thought, but those with internal focusing (zoom or prime) may have the best chance of surviving humidity, since their length doesn't change.

My 2 cents.

Have Fun,

[Jon]

I don't think that internal focussing or internal zooming will help either - there's going to be air getting pumped around between the moving groups, and some of that's going to be coming from the outside (if only from the mirror chamber). Just stock up on dessicant and a Pelican. ISTR one of our Okinawa reps has posted photos here of his Pelican case with bags of silica gel taped all over it.

[PaulB]

No, the 70-200mm does not NEED a filter fr weatherproofing.
The zooms which do are the 16-35/2.8L and 17-40/4L because the front element moves slightly on zooming and a filter completes the seal - it says so in the Canon manuals.

[Tom W]

I think these are all of the water/dust resistant L lenses;
The zooms do need to have a filter installed for full water seal.


I'm not sure if that's true of all the zooms, but I am sure that the 16-35 and 17-40 need the filter to seal the front end.