Protecting your camera from water. Quick and Dirty tips?

Just wondering if anyone had any tips for keeping your camera dry during wet situations without shelling out $1k+ for a waterproof housing. I have a Canon 40D + 28-135mm kit lens.

Of particular interest are any suggestions for shooting pictures while snowboarding. The though of using saran wrap crossed my mind, but figured there might be some heat issues.

Thanks in advanced.

generic plastic bags aren't $1K, and they tend to work.

I should've added, that I want to be able to shoot with the camera while it's protected.

Cheapest option:

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I shot all day in torrential rain at Donnington earlier this year with nothing more than a large folded camping towel over the camera and 100-400 lens.

It was arranged as a thick "pad" and needed to be carefully placed to slightly overhang the lens hood without blocking the lens, and the same at the viewfinder. But with occasional breaks to wring it out it worked as a no cost "on the spot" solution. The beauty of it was the water just vanished, it did not drip or run off into my eyes.

http://www.stormjacket​.com/

I've used everything large food storage bag and bread wrappers with a hole for the lens to stick out of, bath towels folded over the camera and lens, my jacket they all work. I do now use a StormJacket that seems to work very well. It's just a matter of getting something you and shoot with and keep the water out.

Jack

For occasional use I always carry some Optech Rainsleeves. They come in a 2-pack for less than $10 US. They are basically a plastic bag designed to go over the camera and lens, with access to all the controls. I've used them at Niagra Falls with water soaking myself, never had a problem.

I carry a few large zip-lock freezer bags and a 1/4 roll of hockey tape. When the rain is about to start get a bag out, cut a short line down part the seam in the bottom (half the diameter of the lens), and then stretch the plastic around the lens shade. Tape the stretched plastic to the lens shade. Then cut two small holes for the neck strap to pass through and tape around the points where the strap passes through the plastic. This quick set up lets you shoot with the bag completely covering the camera or still allows you to open or close the back "zipper" to see through the viewfinder clearly, press buttons, and review images. It does not however allow you to easily switch lenses (but you can by removing the tape around the lens shade, rolling the bag back, switching lenses and then reapplying the tape to the new lens/lens shade, but watch you don't get water drops inside the camera).

I use this set up in rainy conditions and have only ever had one problem. I shoot with two 5D's at once and two different lenses. Once while working in a downpour for hours I failed to close the zipper on the back of one camera while it was hanging by my side and I was shooting with the second camera. The rain was falling heavily onto the back of the camera and soaked in around the buttons and made the camera act erratically/malfunctio​n. I left it over night with two fans running close by, all doors, flaps, etc open, and I said a prayer of faith. In the morning it was back to its good old self, as if nothing had ever happened. So in downpours, make sure you close the zipper to complete the "weather sealing".

Also, using a lens shade is essential in the rain to protect the front element from getting covered in rain drops. The deeper the shade the better. It also helps to have extra UV filters handy to switch out and in as rain does accumulate on the lens (UV filter) and you don't have time to clean it until later.

That's how I do it.

Kata E-702

I used one of these covers during a July fishingtrip to Alaska and it rained every day. The cover worked just great.

http://www.kata-bags.com …sp?p_Id=229&Ver​sion=Photo

RPCrowe wrote in post #6403260
I used one of these covers during a July fishingtrip to Alaska and it rained every day. The cover worked just great.

http://www.kata-bags.com …sp?p_Id=229&Ver​sion=Photo

That looks awesome!

I've used ziplocs when I've had small lenses on. I would think bread bags would do good for teles. If you're worried about style paint it white.

Hm.. why not just use the arm sleeve of a jacket that you no longer wear? If the lens is long enough, no need to cut the arms off, drape the jacket over you to keep you dry as well.

Great tips guys! On my way to buy a loaf of wonderbread.

After you try all the rest - use the best (IMHO) Aquatech

I just happen to have one for sale - see my signature