URGENT: Need help with rain protection

I have a motor racing event this weekend, and have got my first ever media pass, and with my 70-200 F4 L arriving in the next couple of days, it is set to be an awesome weekend!!! Unfortunately, the forecast is predicting RAIN . As i'm sure you know both the 450D and 70-200 aren't weather sealed, so what is a cheap, easy way to get around this problem. If it is light showers, will it be OK. I don't have a warranty on any of my gear (as bought 2nd hand), so there is no option to get it fixed for free.

Thanks, and hopefully there are some good solutions!!!

Think Tank has really good rain gear.

Op/Tech Rain Sleeves; seriously. They're cheap, easy to use and effective.

Snydremark wrote in post #15063576
Op/Tech Rain Sleeves; seriously. They're cheap, easy to use and effective.

Okay, thanks for that. How do they work exactly, and also does it have any effect on operating the camera. I will be using it handheld for the whole day so will this rainsleeve still make it possible? Also I am guessing it is alright if lens hoods are exposed to water? Thanks for your help!

... Also bearing in mind I'll be using it with a zoom lens (although the lens doesn't actually move). The main importance is usability and quality of protection.

They're built in sort of a modified 'L' shape, that is open at the bottom. You simply slide the camera/lens in through the bottom, cinch the cord around the base of the lens hood and slide the eye cup opening down over the eyepiece. Your hand is up, inside the plastic, holding the camera body, so all controls are exactly as without using the sleeve.

I use it with my 7D + 100-400 without any problems at all.

Snydremark wrote in post #15063593
They're built in sort of a modified 'L' shape, that is open at the bottom. You simply slide the camera/lens in through the bottom, cinch the cord around the base of the lens hood and slide the eye cup opening down over the eyepiece. Your hand is up, inside the plastic, holding the camera body, so all controls are exactly as without using the sleeve.

I use it with my 7D + 100-400 without any problems at all.

Okay, and there have never been any leaks/problems? Sorry for the bugging - just want to know all the details!!!

Not so far. It's a solid piece of plastic with no seams, except around the eye piece, which is in the back anyway

Thanks for the help so far. I think I will go for the Op/Tech Rain Sleeves, has anyone got any 'reviews'/had any experience with these. Any other products worth looking at, that are relatively cheap. I think this sleeve looks the way to go though.

Turns out to ship the optech sleeve to get it here by the weekend will be $35, so I will be way overpaying. So I have looked on local NZ website (our version of ebay) and have seen these: A) http://www.trademe.co.​nz …her/auction-519066159.htm and this: B) http://www.trademe.co.​nz …her/auction-519129338.htm and this C) http://www.trademe.co.​nz …her/auction-517631307.htm

So now the Questions:
1) What would be the best to go for?
2) What are the differences?
3) Will they last a long time?
4) Are they easy to carry around?
5) Can they be used when handholding a camera, and if so, does it make it more difficult?

Thanks, and hope the post isn't too confusing!!! Just let me know if it is

Op/Tech is distributed in your end of the world by the people below. I suggest you give them a try as a local source.

Michaels
Cnr Lonsdale & Elizabeth Sts
Melbourne 3000
Phone : 9-887-0479 (Auckland)
Fax: (03) 9600 0898
Email: info@michaels.com.au
Web: www.michaels.com.au

i use the opteck rain sleeves and love them, i trust them in many conditions if you dont have a lens hood get one, the opening for the lens has a drawstring and the lens hood will keep the front element dry and give the drawstring something to cinch around.

I use the Op/Tech all the time with 100-400 5.6 and 70-200 2.8. it is a simple lightweight and small accessory that I keep in my bag "just-in-case". I found that the hole for the eyepiece is better if you stretch it around the eyepiece if the camera doesn't have a removable eye-piece.

Turns out to ship the optech sleeve to get it here by the weekend will be $35, so I will be way overpaying. So I have looked on local NZ website (our version of ebay) and have seen these: A) http://www.trademe.co.​nz/electronics...-519066159.htm and this: B) http://www.trademe.co.​nz/electronics...-519129338.htm and this C) http://www.trademe.co.​nz/electronics...-517631307.htm

So now the Questions:
1) What would be the best to go for?
2) What are the differences?
3) Will they last a long time?
4) Are they easy to carry around?
5) Can they be used when handholding a camera, and if so, does it make it more difficult?

Could someone please check out these, I don't need long answers just a brief summary. Thanks for all the help so far, unfortunately, the optech rain sleeve is out of the question, as it is going to take too long to get here, and I need something by this weekend?

Did you try...

Op/Tech is distributed in your end of the world by the people below. I suggest you give them a try as a local source.

Michaels
Cnr Lonsdale & Elizabeth Sts
Melbourne 3000
Phone : 9-887-0479 (Auckland)
Fax: (03) 9600 0898
Email: info@michaels.com.au
Web: www.michaels.com.au