Protecting your equipment out in the inevitable....

[James Thomas 1975]

OK so I'm not quite sure if I have the right section for this...but it's asked with motorsport in mind.

What I would like to know is while you're out at events and you get caught in light or often very heavy rain,what do you use for protecting the equipment you're currently using?

As my favourite pastime (but unfortunately least to be shot) is following motorsport and I've always wondered how you regular shooters go about it?

Many thanks in advance.

[GSH]

Storm Jackets for me. Well, for the camera anyway :D

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/search/Default.aspx?q=storm%20jacket

[BrendanMcF]

It is inevitable that when you are shooting motorsport, you are going to get caught in the wind and rain occasionally, especially in the UK. When I was active, the camera gear was largely mechanical so the impact of wet weather wasn't as potentially destructive.

Keeping the lens(s) clear of water was a constant battle (they have to be exposed) and having a dry Selvyt cloth handy was the best option. Other than that, I used to wear a loose-fitting Barbour jacket which allowed me to keep the cameras under cover when not in use.

[Grand Dad]

While living in San Diego, California does not often require rain gear, I have used and can recommend the Op/Tech Rainsleeves. They are extremely easy to carry and do the job well. They have kept my 40D and 100 - 400 lens dry in nasty weather both here and in the Northwest. Will they survive hurricane force winds and rain, I don't know. But they have done well in the wet weather that I was willing to stand in for the day.

The price can't be beat at about $5.00 USD for a two pack and I consider them disposable. I always keep a pack or two and a disposable rain poncho in my backpack for the wet times you know will come. This is very cheap insurance to ensure that I can still get the shot when the weather doesn't cooperate. Give them a try.

http://optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=73&PRODUCT_SUB_ID=&CATEGORY_ID=30

Larry

[suecassidy]

it is precisely BECAUSE we here in SoCal rarely have to worry about rain, when it does happen and we have to shoot anyway, we have no idea how to protect our gear. Or drive on the freeway....or.... thanks for the tip, Grand Dad. sue

[FiveRings]

Plastic bag and a rubber band.

[Jim M]

Fortunately for me, when the rains come at a drag race, the racing stops. However, nature photography has gotten me rained on plenty. It's just about guaranteed in the Amazon. I keep a poncho in my photo vest and/or camera bag. When it rains, I put it on to cover myself and the gear. When I shoot, I just whip the camera out from under the poncho and fire away. I don't put anything special over the camera and I've yet to kill one. However, I don't often shoot in torrential downpours. My poncho preference is for clear plastic ones so I can see all that stuff dangling from my neck, but I don't like the super light weight ones that tear on anything they touch. My wife uses an umbrella.

[Jim G]

A Kata raincover. I used both Storm Jackets and the Kata covers and liked the latter better.

Having said that, I used to use plastic bags taped over the camera body and left the lens out in the downpour to fend for itself. Four years on and nothing terrible has happened to said lens...

[KennyG]

Cheap but good rain covers can be made from the legs of an old pair of waterproof trousers. A good quality military spec poncho that will cover you and backpack is worth keeping with you in the UK at all times.

[328somewhere]

Weather sealed Body plus sealed lens equal no problems here.

[dontcallmeash]

i fashioned a cover out of a one gallon ziploc freezer bag.

[James Thomas 1975]

Weather sealed Body plus sealed lens equal no problems here.

Yes I'm still working on that method unfortunately!:D

[neilwood32]

Cheap but good rain covers can be made from the legs of an old pair of waterproof trousers. A good quality military spec poncho that will cover you and backpack is worth keeping with you in the UK at all times.

Now that is an idea worth thinking about for me - I have a couple of old pairs sitting about. Guess I just need to do some stitching!

[chris954]

Plastic bag and a rubber band.


ditto,79p for 40 food bags from Asda

[philwillmedia]

Plastic bag and a rubber band.

Same here