Can I Shoot In the Rain?

I wouldn't rely on the weather sealing to be waterproof.

Canon's warranty does not cover water damage. I suppose if you don't mind paying for a new camera if it is damaged then it doesn't matter. However, most people when they have water damage, are usually pretty upset to find out that it isn't (rightfully so) covered.

J

Just got back from Kenmore Camera. I went in to check out the KATA Elements Cover and the saleseperson steered me towards the disposable OpTechs Rainsleeve. He said it offers better protection because there are no seams; only thing is it needs replacing every few months

At three dollars a piece replacing the covers should be no biggie. Another negative he mentioned about the KATA is that you have to look through a piece of thick plastic to see the viewfinder. The rainsleve has a tiny hole and gets pinched between the camera body and the rubber viewfinder gasket allowing you to use the viewfinder unobstructed.

No Bugster wrote in post #3986494
Hey maybe canon, hoya, or b + w can make a waterproof glass front that doesn't affect IQ...hahahaha!

You answered the question right there. Even the weathersealed Ls require you to use a filter on the front of the lens to seal it.

The only time I ever use a sky filter is when I'm out in rain/dust.

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To venture off topic, it is a wonder how well somethings are sealed and what not or whether it's water at all.

I've went through 2 phones and both were soaked, drenched, one fell in water. Apparently there is some sticker that changes colors if the phone was ever gotten wet therefore voiding warranty. Yeah, neither time did it change. *shrugs* Idk...one kept working for a few days after. I'd think some of these cameras are better made than we give them credit. But then again, we're talking about several hundred if not a couple thousand dollars here of equipment. Why risk without the gear?

No Bugster wrote in post #3987300
Yes I know, but I would think that if water droplets got on the filter, as in, round the ring, that, being water and the ring not havin a rubber gasket, that it would seep into the area between the filter and lens. And if not that, then onto the lens barrel, then in the next crack...so the lens it seems (non L) is not really protected with any of these covers.

And why does the other guy keep posting stormjacket pictures. The rear design of that does not look good at all (and maybe that is why they do not readily show it on their site)... the rain sleeves are much better.

The filters are actually considered sealed by Canon. They prescribe the use of a filter. I don't know what they specify exactly. None of my Ls are sealed.

I have a stormjacket. I like it. If you shoot in driving rain while facing downwind, it would not work well IMO. I have used it in a fine mist and heavy dust. It was fine for both my 24-105 and my 70-200 while shooting offhand.

Maybe tomorrow I can get some time to take a shot of the back of it while on a tripod.

No Bugster wrote in post #3987539
That would be great....thanks!

And that confirms what I was wondering about any of these things. I guess they make underwater housings...so maybe one can make use of it above water! LOL

Now THAT, I would trust in a downpour or anything.

Except those housings are very much more expensive than a rain cover!

I asked the salesman specifically about the need for a filter. He said to just use hood. I don't plan on shooting on really stormy days so I'm going to take his advice.

This is about WEATHER sealing, not WATERPROOFING.

The filter won't make it waterproof, but it will help keep the weather/moisture out (slow it down). Most, if not all, Canon lenses that are weathersealed require the filter to complete it.

This is largely a function of the amount of water in the air, and the pressure it which it comes down.

Mist- a storm jacket is fine for short periods. Best if you use it with a ball cap on so that you can use the visor to help protect the open back of the camera that is very susceptible to water intrusion due to all the controls. I keep a storm jacket in my camera bag as an emergency measure since the pack down so well.

gentle Rain - trash bag is fine but can have the same problem as the storm jacket - the open back. Big problem here is condensation with the and water vapor. The camera is hot, with all the moisture in the air, it gets pretty steamy inside - nice to have a breathable material.

Solid water shots or long or hard rain- you need something that is more complete. Aquatech or Kata.

Look at it this way - how much is your camera gear worth? The warranty doesn't cover water damage. Now - if you want to shoot in the rain/wet, it is worth getting serious about the protection.

J

DDan wrote in post #3987455
The filters are actually considered sealed by Canon. They prescribe the use of a filter. I don't know what they specify exactly. None of my Ls are sealed.

Your 24-105L most definitely is sealed...

I just used a plastic bag left over from groceries from Target with some rubber bands on my 20D / 70-200 2.8 IS without problems if anyone is curious.

I shot a couple of soccer games this past Saturday in the rain. I was using a 20D and a sigma 70-200mm. Used a poly bad with a corner cut out of it. Pulled it tightly over the front of the lens and used the hood to secure it, then followed with a strip of packing tape to cover the seam. Worked great. A few drops got on top the body when I would have to open the bag to get my hands in, but nothing big.

I asked myself, "Should I bedoing this?" ...then it came to me. I'm a photographer, my job is to the get the shots. No one else had a camera that day. ...and then I had another ephinany... It's only a camera! Yeah... It costs money and it would suck for it to break, but it's not the end of the world... That day I got my son's first goal on film... totally worth the risk.

John

Now THAT is awesome!

jfretless wrote in post #4013478
I shot a couple of soccer games this past Saturday in the rain. I was using a 20D and a sigma 70-200mm. Used a poly bad with a corner cut out of it. Pulled it tightly over the front of the lens and used the hood to secure it, then followed with a strip of packing tape to cover the seam. Worked great. A few drops got on top the body when I would have to open the bag to get my hands in, but nothing big.

I asked myself, "Should I bedoing this?" ...then it came to me. I'm a photographer, my job is to the get the shots. No one else had a camera that day. ...and then I had another ephinany... It's only a camera! Yeah... It costs money and it would suck for it to break, but it's not the end of the world... That day I got my son's first goal on film... totally worth the risk.

John

jfretless wrote in post #4013478
That day I got my son's first goal on film...

Not with a 20D you didn't

Bill

jfretless wrote in post #4013478
I asked myself, "Should I bedoing this?" ...then it came to me. I'm a photographer, my job is to the get the shots. No one else had a camera that day. ...and then I had another ephinany... It's only a camera! Yeah... It costs money and it would suck for it to break, but it's not the end of the world... That day I got my son's first goal on film... totally worth the risk.

John

Have same struggle all the time.
The first goal. That is priceless