Are EOS 1D MK II cameras rain-proof?

Seals do breakdown and do need to be maintained/replaced. I'm not surprised 1D's gets ruined from rain. There are many user errors that would be the cause of it. Eg. Changing battery/CF card/lens...

it also depends what lens they had on the camera.

best idea if youre stuck in rain and HAVE to get the shot: put it in P and do not press buttons or spin dials. Just let it be and shoot what you have to and get it out.

I've used my mkIIn in heavy rain with no problems. Just use an umbrella or a trash bag (dead serious). You can use one of those storm jackets, but for $5 and duct tape, you can protect your camera and lens for quite a while.

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.

Ive logged over 250 SCUBA dives and can tell you neoprene 100% is not waterproof at all. The product you are thinking of is the Lens Coat.

Olympus E3

I read an article in pop photo recently concerning the Super Bowl. They noted that during a recent one, when it rained heavily, they lost 2 - 1dmkii's ( I guess out of hundreds) and both were due to water falling into the camrea during CF card changes.

packpe89 wrote in post #5419153
I read an article in pop photo recently concerning the Super Bowl. They noted that during a recent one, when it rained heavily, they lost 2 - 1dmkii's ( I guess out of hundreds) and both were due to water falling into the camrea during CF card changes.

that sounds reasonable. no sense in a weather sealed card slot if you open it

as for mkii surviving water, fairly easily... friend of mine left his in the sink to clean it off after it was covered in mud... thing's built like a tank

First off, Canon doesn't make a "rain-proof" camera, whatever that means. They do, however, make weather-resistant cameras. Quite a bit of difference there.

Also, someone earlier mentioned that it depends on what lens you have attached: Absolutely. And, even using a weather-resistant (resistant, not proof) lens you must also use a filter to aid in the resistance.

I have shot all my cameras in rain. None of them in heavy rain. Whether I use a 1D or any other model, I always protect it against the elements as if it's not weather-resistant.

They're "weathersealed" which typically means dust and light rain resistant. If you plan to be out in a downpour for a while, a lens/camera "raincoat" is still a good idea... By no means are they waterPROOF.

You can use the controls - but do NOT open the CF door, battery compartment, etc. This will compromise the sealing.

But I've been in some serious rainstorms with my 1D2N and 24-70mm f/2.8L or 70-200mm f/2.8L IS a bunch of times and the gear didn't even notice... But other people sure did!

Agree with all the above. I used to always use the plastic trash bag or large ziplock bag, and still carry one in my bag.

I now use a regular over the lens and over the camera "raincoat", but you, as others have mentioned, do not open ANY compartment on the body.

Someone mentioned the lens...absolutely yes...manufacturers advise to use a UV filter and make sure it is snug as water can get into the lens through the framing around the front glass.

Somewhere in one of POTN threads, I saw where one of the members epoxyed the lens to the body to make a permanent seal...LOL

Photography Krazee wrote in post #5419561
Agree with all the above. I used to always use the plastic trash bag or large ziplock bag, and still carry one in my bag.

I now use a regular over the lens and over the camera "raincoat", but you, as others have mentioned, do not open ANY compartment on the body.

Someone mentioned the lens...absolutely yes...manufacturers advise to use a UV filter and make sure it is snug as water can get into the lens through the framing around the front glass...

With my older gear (A-1 w/FD) I used to always carry a clear Ziploc bag (with a round hole and a rubber band) in the camera bag for just such occasions...

Yes, Canon weathersealed lenses usually mention in the instructions to use a UV filter. That's why I put Heliopans on all my weathersealed lenses (the zooms and the 50L). A hood goes a long way in keeping rain off the filter/front element also.

1D & 17-40 users - a tip to keep your front element dry would be to use a longer hood. The hood on my 24-105 fits fine without any vignetting and does a much better job than the original. Makes life easier not having to carry multiple hoods around as well...

As for shooting in the rain, I live in London so my 1Ds see quite a bit of rain. I've never really given up because of the weather, but I imagine that the camera would outlast me. Dan Lorth makes a very good point in stating that fiddling with the dials as little as possible would probably help, as you're not messing with the seals that way. That said I've never had a problem but it's worth being cautious...

And yes, filter your lens and use the hood simply for the sake of your shots & having to constantly clean your front element.

TeeTee wrote in post #5421950
1D & 17-40 users - a tip to keep your front element dry would be to use a longer hood. The hood on my 24-105 fits fine without any vignetting and does a much better job than the original. Makes life easier not having to carry multiple hoods around as well...

As for shooting in the rain, I live in London so my 1Ds see quite a bit of rain. I've never really given up because of the weather, but I imagine that the camera would outlast me. Dan Lorth makes a very good point in stating that fiddling with the dials as little as possible would probably help, as you're not messing with the seals that way. That said I've never had a problem but it's worth being cautious...

And yes, filter your lens and use the hood simply for the sake of your shots & having to constantly clean your front element.

I know the 17-40 hood is designed for full frame so 1.6 crop users can use that 24-105 hood. Have you tested the widest apertures with widest focal length on the 1.3x with that hood?

tkoutdoor wrote in post #5422290
I know the 17-40 hood is designed for full frame so 1.6 crop users can use that 24-105 hood. Have you tested the widest apertures with widest focal length on the 1.3x with that hood?

No issues at all with the hood, it's a nice unexpected perk.