5D2 and weatherproofing

After about almost 5 months with the camera and 16,000 clicks into owning it, I've taken mine into a couple wet situations:

1) Heavy heavy mist from waterfalls at Yosemite national park for about an hour or so. Two different water falls and the camera looked like it came out of a shower. Had the 24-70 and 580EX II on it. No damage/failure whatsoever.

2) Beach trip. Got hit by a couple ocean sprays as I photographed near the Atlantic. Got a little less wet than the Yosemite trip. However, I think the salt water was a lot worse for the camera. Lost function of the joystick, forcing me to start using the rear dial to change focus point. Same with the rear dial, it would not let me adjust exposure compensation (it was stuck at +2). Had to start shooting in manual (and was unable to change aperture) to avoid exposure compensation altogether. Next morning both were working as normal.

Guess I got a bit cocky after the first experience, but its good to know it keeps working. Hope the salt water doesn't come back to haunt. The fact that it got in points to the fact that the water sealing isn't that great.

I'll add - I don't know if the 50d and 5d2 share the same weatherproofing, but:

I just took mine through Iceland for two weeks and the camera got completely soaked. All fresh water, however. Took it underneath a waterfall (Seljalandsfoss) and it got drenched, water all over with a sigma 10-20. Camera was fine. Also had it out in the rain in about 7 degrees celsius, also fine. The camera also got soaked righteously at Skogafoss and Vik i Myrdal in a hail/rain storm, I mean water cascading onto and off of the camera, and I had no problems whatsoever.

I am pretty confident in the 50d's waterproofing, but like I said I do not know if it is similar/comparable to that of the 5d2.

Ive been deployed over the last 3 months and Ive gone through some horrendous sandstorms. My 5DII's sensor and viewfinder are still dust free even though the body looks like it just got buried.

You should expect it to die eventually. The salts continue to absorb atmospheric humidity and migrate farther and farther into the camera.

The "weather resistance" of consumer cameras should not be considered as reliable. All they do is get the extreme vulnerability of the electronic cameras a bit closer to the day-to-day reliability of past all-mechanical cameras.

mikekelley wrote in post #8397232
I am pretty confident in the 50d's waterproofing, but like I said I do not know if it is similar/comparable to that of the 5d2.

the 5D2 has more watersealing.

I believe the 50D lacks seals around buttons and seams.

what if i put it in distilled water (i work in a lab and have access to really really pure water)...that should help get the salt out, no?

Hmmm interesting question. I'd probably take it apart and clean it by hand. Maybe use some of that electronic cleaning spray. at your own risk, of course.

I shot in the rainforest last week on the Big Island. Not any problem at all. Took the 5DII on the helicopter with wind and rain blowing as doors were off. Didn't hurt it at all. I did put on a UV filter just in case.

http://ask.metafilter.​com …ital-camera-to-work-again

they suggested flushing with copious amounts of deionized water. i think i'll end up doing this.

i'm definitely not going to take the camera apart, sorry :P

Sfordphoto wrote in post #8397203
2) Beach trip. Got hit by a couple ocean sprays as I photographed near the Atlantic. Got a little less wet than the Yosemite trip. However, I think the salt water was a lot worse for the camera. Lost function of the joystick, forcing me to start using the rear dial to change focus point. Same with the rear dial, it would not let me adjust exposure compensation (it was stuck at +2). Had to start shooting in manual (and was unable to change aperture) to avoid exposure compensation altogether. Next morning both were working as normal.

Guess I got a bit cocky after the first experience, but its good to know it keeps working. Hope the salt water doesn't come back to haunt. The fact that it got in points to the fact that the water sealing isn't that great.

Salt water is the devil! Well, to electronics, vehicles and paint, stranded sailors, and boats anyway.

Stories like this are why I'm always amazed some folks recommend no precautions when going to the beach. Once salt is in there it's tough to get it out without a complete cleaning. And it's already destroyed something. Bummer.

dan

forgot to bring some di H2O home yesterday. Will update you guys when I do.

I think flushing it out with water isn't very sensible - send it into Canon instead.

Sfordphoto wrote in post #8397203
After about almost 5 months with the camera and 16,000 clicks into owning it, I've taken mine into a couple wet situations:

1) Heavy heavy mist from waterfalls at Yosemite national park for about an hour or so. Two different water falls and the camera looked like it came out of a shower. Had the 24-70 and 580EX II on it. No damage/failure whatsoever.

2) Beach trip. Got hit by a couple ocean sprays as I photographed near the Atlantic. Got a little less wet than the Yosemite trip. However, I think the salt water was a lot worse for the camera. Lost function of the joystick, forcing me to start using the rear dial to change focus point. Same with the rear dial, it would not let me adjust exposure compensation (it was stuck at +2). Had to start shooting in manual (and was unable to change aperture) to avoid exposure compensation altogether. Next morning both were working as normal.

Guess I got a bit cocky after the first experience, but its good to know it keeps working. Hope the salt water doesn't come back to haunt. The fact that it got in points to the fact that the water sealing isn't that great.

You need to visit the Ikelite website. Their underwater camera housings are the best thing you can do for your camera when heading into a "hostile" environment. Yeah, their stuff is designed for undewater photography, but I don't think Canon would agree that the weatherproofing of their cameras was designed to sustain complete saturation under a waterfall.

Good luck.

Here is my 30D in an Ikelite housing. Best possible protection from waterfalls and ocean spray. And you have full access to each and every control on the camera.

MarKap77 wrote in post #8404838
You need to visit the Ikelite website. Their underwater camera housings are the best thing you can do for your camera when heading into a "hostile" environment. Yeah, their stuff is designed for undewater photography, but I don't think Canon would agree that the weatherproofing of their cameras was designed to sustain complete saturation under a waterfall.

Good luck.

Here is my 30D in an Ikelite housing. Best possible protection from waterfalls and ocean spray. And you have full access to each and every control on the camera.

So you spend $1,350.00 on an underwater housing to protect a $500.00 camera body from water spray? I would just put a Ziploc bag around it, lol.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

Saint728 wrote in post #8405094
So you spend $1,350.00 on an underwater housing to protect a $500.00 camera body from water spray? I would just put a Ziploc bag around it, lol.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

It looks cool but adding a bit of money one can get a 1dmarkIIn.....:p