Are EOS 1D MK II cameras rain-proof?

I just got the latest issue of Transworld Motocross and the magazine claims two of their EOS 1DMKII cameras were ruined by the rain at the Daytona Supercross in March. I thought these cameras were supposed to be weatherproof?

Rudy

They're not 100% weather proof - they've highly weather resistant but they're not unkillable. The local newspaper has lost a few over the years.

They are weather sealed. That means they work in rain, but not hard rain - it all depends on water pressure that hits the camera. I have seen tolerance figures in detail but can't find then right now.

Also, condensation can still get in if you do not take it into account when moving indoors.

I've used my 1D II + 70-200L + 580EX II in light drizzle with no issues. I think that's pretty much the most the sealed stuff is designed to handle.

It's more of a protection against being caught out in inclement weather...giving you enough protection from the time the rain hits until you can get your butt out of it or slip a rain bag over your kit...not to keep shooting all day in it without protection.

Normally yes but a known fault with the MKII was the weather sealing issue, it did not cover all the camera and the eyepiece was vulnerable to water induction.

I sold my pair off immediately and bought the 'N' version ~ Canon decided they could not fix it, it also suffered from a focus issue not unlike the MKIII currently ~ as there are no known batch numbers ~ all are suspect but obviously all are not effected by either problem.

Rudy M. wrote in post #5412605
I just got the latest issue of Transworld Motocross and the magazine claims two of their EOS 1DMKII cameras were ruined by the rain at the Daytona Supercross in March. I thought these cameras were supposed to be weatherproof?

Rudy

GerBee wrote in post #5412868
Normally yes but a known fault with the MKII was the weather sealing issue, it did not cover all the camera and the eyepiece was vulnerable to water induction.

Link please. Credible sources only. Thanks.

Too old for links.

Story was on both Rob Galbraith's old site and Sports Illustrated. Anyone routinely monitoring all five top photo forums will get a pattern of reports, the MKIIn was brought in in a hurry.

You won't see too many reports of the 1DMKIIn dying from the elements ~ or anything else for that matter.

The Canon eye piece has been vulnerable since the T90 [1986] and was the main cause of failures and the reason the camera never took the top sports slot it was designed for.

cdifoto wrote in post #5412882
Link please. Credible sources only. Thanks.

OK, thanks. It was a monsoon-like rain and a mud-fest ride at the Daytona SX this year.

not totally weather resistant but will handle some situation. too much of something is bad.... except for lenses

I used my 1D mkII (with 70-200f4'L') and 20D (with 17-40f4'L') last weekend in very heavy drizzle for 3 hours with no problems what so ever, water was running off both cameras, all I did when I got back to the car was give them a quick rub over with a towel and throw them in the boot.

Alan

GerBee wrote in post #5412931
Too old for links.

Nothing's too old for Google and I found nothing on it that way.

That's why they make neoprene diapers for different bodies... So you can shoot in a downpour and not worry about it.

cdifoto wrote in post #5412858
I've used my 1D II + 70-200L + 580EX II in light drizzle with no issues. I think that's pretty much the most the sealed stuff is designed to handle.

It's more of a protection against being caught out in inclement weather...giving you enough protection from the time the rain hits until you can get your butt out of it or slip a rain bag over your kit...not to keep shooting all day in it without protection.

I already shoot in light drizzle with my 20D (with care and occasional towelling). I'm guessing the 1D Mk2 can handle more than that.

vpnd wrote in post #5413695
That's why they make neoprene diapers for different bodies... So you can shoot in a downpour and not worry about it.

VPND- I've seen the plastic jackets, but not neopreme diapers. Do you have a link or produce name? I'd be most curious to get my hands on one of those.

I use my 40D in some extremly hard conditions and I didn't have any issue (heavy rain but ofc not directly on raid) and extremly low temperatures (up to -20) and he work smooth as baby