DSLR rain cover

I'm looking for a cover for my 7D which will fit the body plus 24-105 lens. This would be used whilst the camera is connected to my Black Rapid RS-Sport 2 strap when raining. But it should be easy enough to take off, roll up and put in my pocket when I want to use the camera.

Anyone know if these exist?

OpTech Rain covers.

tvphotog wrote in post #12975422
OpTech Rain covers.

Not quite what I'm looking for. Its more just for when its not in use. Just down by my side.

I use a ->Storm Jacket<-. But never with the strap you mention. It works great and folds up to fit right in my pocket. Most of the time though if I think I will need it I just clip it to my belt loop.

I haven't found a cover that works well when the camera is hanging by a strap. The strap acts as a pathway for water to follow down and to the camera. I guess if you really wanted have the water kept away from it while it was hanging, you could maybe find a cover that you like (I too like the StormJacket) and cut an opening for the strap. You'd then have to tape around that opening. Not exactly easy on and off, though.

I'm interested in hearing other approaches. When it is raining buckets and I typically go down to just carrying one body and I keep that in my hand the whole time so it's not hanging by a water-carrying strap.

Since I've started using the Cotton Carrier system, I'm trying to use my jacket to cover the body or bodies when they're mounted to the CC. I haven't had enough opportunity to use this setup in the rain yet to reach a conclusion about its effectiveness.

I believe with the ThinkTank Hydrophobia you can use a strap. A flash too. http://www.thinktankph​oto.com …s/camera-rain-covers.aspx

emtp563 wrote in post #12978045
I believe with the ThinkTank Hydrophobia you can use a strap. A flash too. http://www.thinktankph​oto.com …s/camera-rain-covers.aspx

There are lots of covers that allow you to use a strap. What I haven't found yet (and what it appears the Hydrophobia doesn't help with) is having a cover that not only allows you to keep a strap attached, but keeps the camera protected when the camera is allowed to hang from the strap.

If you look at the Hydrophobia in the photo, you can see where they appear to have a monopod supporting the camera. That's also where the RS2 strap would attach. The problem comes if you were to let the camera hang loose on the strap in the rain. The camera would hang upside down and the strap will act to carry water down to the camera through the same opening the strap is going through.

I'd love to be wrong about this. I've yet to find a good solution for rain protection that also allows you to have the camera hang loose on a strap.

spkerer wrote in post #12978130
There are lots of covers that allow you to use a strap. What I haven't found yet (and what it appears the Hydrophobia doesn't help with) is having a cover that not only allows you to keep a strap attached, but keeps the camera protected when the camera is allowed to hang from the strap.

If you look at the Hydrophobia in the photo, you can see where they appear to have a monopod supporting the camera. That's also where the RS2 strap would attach. The problem comes if you were to let the camera hang loose on the strap in the rain. The camera would hang upside down and the strap will act to carry water down to the camera through the same opening the strap is going through.

I'd love to be wrong about this. I've yet to find a good solution for rain protection that also allows you to have the camera hang loose on a strap.

Don't you think you're asking a little too much by wanting the camera to HANG UPSIDE DOWN in the rain? No rain cover can do it all. Most Pro's don't use those silly RS2's but DO use monopods. Personally, I used the RS2 a couple of times and trashed it. With my camera hanging from me upside down with a flash attached and getting low-angle shots using another body, the camera hanging from my upside down w/ flash always banged against the ground completely scratching my flash head. Unacceptable.

Back to the point: what you are looking for simply does not exist. To carry it upside down, you would need something that completely surrounds the body and lens that would be waterproof no matter what the camera orientation is. In doing that, there would have to be an opening for the RS2 which could not be water proof. Also, you would need to access the camera controls in the rain while you are shooting. How would you do that THROUGH a rain cover?

The ThinkTank product is about as Pro of a piece of rain gear as you are going to find. You might want to think about biting the bullet and not using that RS2 in the rain. I think most of the rain covers are geared towards actually shooting in the rain, not hanging around upside down.

when I'm out in the rain, i have a rain coat on. i put the strap over my shoulder, put the rain jacket on and cover the camera with the coat. if it's really pouring, i'll put a plastic shopping bag over the body for additional protection when I want to shoot, rip a hole in the bottom of it so I can see thru the viewfinder/work the buttons. I secure the end of it around the lens with a rubber band. I like Safeway bags best, they don't have Walmart printed on them.

emtp563 wrote in post #12978250
Don't you think you're asking a little too much by wanting the camera to HANG UPSIDE DOWN in the rain? No rain cover can do it all. Most Pro's don't use those silly RS2's but DO use monopods. Personally, I used the RS2 a couple of times and trashed it. With my camera hanging from me upside down with a flash attached and getting low-angle shots using another body, the camera hanging from my upside down w/ flash always banged against the ground completely scratching my flash head. Unacceptable.

Back to the point: what you are looking for simply does not exist. To carry it upside down, you would need something that completely surrounds the body and lens that would be waterproof no matter what the camera orientation is. In doing that, there would have to be an opening for the RS2 which could not be water proof. Also, you would need to access the camera controls in the rain while you are shooting. How would you do that THROUGH a rain cover?

The ThinkTank product is about as Pro of a piece of rain gear as you are going to find. You might want to think about biting the bullet and not using that RS2 in the rain. I think most of the rain covers are geared towards actually shooting in the rain, not hanging around upside down.

I dont think you were using the RS2 correctly. They're far from silly.

Also, I dont think I'm asking too much. I just might have to figure out how it can be done and make it myself. Nothings impossible.

With a garbage bag and some duct tape you can do anything, even what you ask. And yes, I do know how to use me RS2. Put your flash on your body while using your RS2 then sit on the ground. I guarantee your flash will rub against the ground.

emtp563 wrote in post #12980544
With a garbage bag and some duct tape you can do anything, even what you ask. And yes, I do know how to use me RS2. Put your flash on your body while using your RS2 then sit on the ground. I guarantee your flash will rub against the ground.

Dont keep the flash attached? Your logic suggests people need to be told to not jump in a fire.

Your example of a garbage bag and duct tape is actually very accurate. Its actually why I asked the question as clearly the solution isnt that complicated and I thought perhaps a company has made a better quality version and mass produce it. I'm pretty sure thats how it works.

fitshaced wrote in post #12980586
I thought perhaps a company has made a better quality version and mass produce it. I'm pretty sure thats how it works.

The way it works is - a company will come up with a solution and mass produce it if they think they can sell it. If ThinkTank were to adapt their product to do what you require, it would make an already fiddly product even more of a PITA to use. That would damage sales. Meanwhile the number of people who would want the product to keep the camera dry while upside down would be extremely small.

So, they don't make it because it won't sell.

Perhaps you should be looking at a fully waterproof enclosure.

hollis_f wrote in post #12983378
the number of people who would want the product to keep the camera dry while upside down would be extremely small.

Well no, thats not how it works. No demand doesnt mean no product. Products often make their own demand.

You probably already know of the famous quote from Henry Ford which was 'If I asked people what they wanted, they'd have said a faster horse'.

How would you know about demand if you do no market research? Apple do zero market research. They're doing alright with these products that noone said they wanted.

Anyway, it might be up to me to make one. Then I'll sell you one

fitshaced wrote in post #12983533
Anyway, it might be up to me to make one. Then I'll sell you one

No you won't. Like I said, the Thinktank product is already far too much hassle to use. Adding a flap to cover the hole at the bottom would make it even more fiddly, so much so that I would never use it.