Why not just a big sheet of plastic with a hole for the rain?

[Peacefield]

I shoot weddings and need to get some rain protection; something better than an assistant holding an umbrella over me while he gets soaked. I've looked at a few products up and down the price spectrum, but none of them seem quite perfect. One of the issues is that, on a dark rainy day, I anticipate needing to use flash. Most rain jackets don't accomodate a flash, and for the few that look like they have room to do it, it would change the position of the hole for the view finder.

So I'm asking myself one of those stupidly obvious questions, why don't I just get a large sheet of plastic, cut a hole to snug around the lens hood with tape or a rubber band, and drape the plastic over me and the camera? Now I can use flash shooting through the plastic, there's no issue around the location of the eye piece or getting to the controls, and though I may look a little goofy, I'm now dry, too.

I don't hear this approach discussed which usually means I've not thought about something important. But it does seem like both a good and cheap solution, no?

[Jim G]

I've often used a <$2 poncho for a raincover. Far cheaper than most of the offerings, though I do have both a Storm Jacket and Kata raincover. The Storm Jacket is about as effective as a poncho, waste of money :p

[RandyMN]

I use a rain jacket for my camera but never really thought about using one over a flash unit.

My first thought would be that even though some light may make it through the plastic, there will be a large amount that also gets bounced back at the lens.

[tdodd]

http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~man~Optech~productID~8322~categoryi d~247.html

[RandyMN]

http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~man~Optech~productID~8322~categoryi d~247.html
Better not over heat your flash head with that thing over it...

[Wilt]

Disposable plastic poncho sold in many stores will keep your head drier than a hole in a plastic tarp

[spkerer]

So I'm asking myself one of those stupidly obvious questions, why don't I just get a large sheet of plastic, cut a hole to snug around the lens hood with tape or a rubber band, and drape the plastic over me and the camera? Now I can use flash shooting through the plastic, there's no issue around the location of the eye piece or getting to the controls, and though I may look a little goofy, I'm now dry, too.

I use StormJackets and they work well for how I shoot. My main concern with a poncho, or big sheet of plastic, or any waterproof membrane that contains both the camera and myself together is the amount of moisture that builds up.

[ed rader]

Disposable plastic poncho sold in many stores will keep your head drier than a hole in a plastic tarp


you could wrap your head in saran wrap :D.

ed rader

[wlescall]

you could wrap your head in saran wrap :D.

ed rader

or aluminum foil ... sorry that was for protection from the aliens. :oops:

[Wilt]

or aluminum foil ... sorry that was for protection from the aliens. :oops:

Better than plastic poncho because it keeps the hot sun off you, too!