Waterproof Covers

Balfey1972

Guys, i am looking for some help and advice please, given the current wonderful sunny weather we are having!!!!! :mad:

Can anyone steer me in the right direction for a waterproof cover to go over my camera. It's a 400d and lens is a 70 to 300.

Thanks for any help in advance,
Derek.

Paulw

Kata make decent camera rain covers.

Also, Aquatech.

Balfey1972

Thanks Paul,
Much appreciated.

City-Exile

I think the Aquatech would be overkill for the kit you have.
They're bloody expensive!

Balfey1972

For sure they are. Slowly building up the kit and upgrading as i go.
I think the Kata is a good starting option.

qwertz

Did you consider making your own (showercap)?

opti76

cut the sleeve off an old rain jacket.. an elastic band to keep it tight around the lense and bobs your aunties husband.

Ricky91t

Iv been looking into one for my camera can't actually get one though beause my (90-300) turns round when it focuses just have to save harder for my 70-200 f/4

City-Exile

opti76 wrote: »

cut the sleeve off an old rain jacket.. an elastic band to keep it tight around the lense and bobs your aunties husband.

Any particular type of rain jacket, opti?

Ricky91t

City-Exile wrote: »

Any particular type of rain jacket, opti?

The press photographer i was working with was using his wifes rain jacket it had the string in the hood which he'd tie round his 300mm lens hood

OnLooker

Aquatech ain't badly priced if you know anyone hitting B&H.

City-Exile

Aquatech are great, but not everyone can justify the additional expense.
The Aquatech gear is cut for specific lens sizes, so you may need more than one, depending on your kit.

Borderfox

I used a fishing umbrella last weekend in between the very heavy showers but the last weekend I was out at a Triathlon and got soaked and had the 70-200 f2.8IS on the 1d and no problems apart from water drops in the viewfinder making it hard to see out

melekalikimaka

i'm shootig a outdoor gig this weekend anyone links to homemade ones i could lash together?

Balfey1972

Well good to see we got a few different views. I think we should get a few photos in of the homemade ones !!.

Going to rumage through the wardrobe and see if there's an old rain jacket there. gve that a try for starters. The disposable rainsleeves seem ok too.

Borderfox

Black plastic sack and a rubber band

Ricky91t

Borderfox wrote: »

Black plastic sack and a rubber band

Cheapest option posted so far
i like it

Borderfox

1: Buy black plastic sacks
2: Obtain large elastic band
3: Cut plastic sack to size
4: Secure with elastic band/or two

Copyright Blue Peter MMVIII

Ricky91t

Borderfox wrote: »

1: Buy black plastic sacks
2: Obtain large elastic band
3: Cut plastic sack to size
4: Secure with elastic band/or two

Copyright Blue Peter MMVIII

To add to that remove eyepiece place plastic bag around cut hold and add eye piece back on!

Where would we be with out bluepeter :rolleyes:

soccerc

Aldi/Lidl, not sure which, do a large thick microfibre cloth.

Works well, is super absorbent and dries out quickly too

Borderfox

I have tried the microfibre towels and they last about 20 minutes in heavy rain and about and hour in light rain.

AllMyOwnTeeth

This is slightly off topic - I see lots of sports photogs out and about - mostly using Canon or Nikon Pro bodies with big glass. All the components are weather sealed yet a number of them use Aquatech covers. I've asked a couple why and they looked at me as if I was stupid and said they were protecting their gear. Protecting it from what? I've used Canon and Nikon gear in all sorts of weather for the past few years with no covers and I've never had any problems. I let my gear air dry and always use a lens hood.

What am I missing?

Paulw

Wet glass can be stained. The lenses also have electronic components that can be ruined. As well as that, some lenses move, so it is possible to get water inside the elements.

With the price of lenses, I prefer to be safe. Better to use protection, just in case, rather than take the risk and have to replace your lens.

AllMyOwnTeeth

The type of lense I'm talking about though are all weather sealed. The 70-200mm f2.8 for instance in both Canon and Nikon incarnations is weather sealed. Likewise with their 300, 400, 500mm glass. Staining on the front could be an issue (I always have a micro fibre cloth with me if I find water getting on the front) but how does an Aquatech cover defend against that?

City-Exile

I can't find anything on the Canon website, or in the documentation which came with my 300mm f/2.8, that suggests it's designed for the level of soaking it is likely to get on the side of a football pitch, in driving wind & rain.

The Aquatech protects the body & lens.
Best money I've spent on accessories!

Borderfox

In terms of rain, I dont really worry too much about it on the camera or the relevant lens. The only thing is rain getting onto the front element and getting in the viewfinder and being physically unable to see throught the viewfinder or lens. At the triathlon I was shooting at this was a huge problem coming near the end of the event and the microfibre towel was very handy at cleaning the water off.

Paulw

The lens may be weather sealed. The only weather sealed body (Canon) is the 1D series. All others can be vulnerable to weather damage, including the 40D.

I prefer to be cautious, and have both body and lens protected from rain, dust, etc.

OnLooker

I would rather have peace of mind and not take any chances especially if you have spent €2/3k on gear.

The aquatech is only a fraction of the cost. I always think whats the point in spending loads of gear but being scabby on things that protect your expensive gear.

AllMyOwnTeeth

I'm a tad cynical about these products - selling fridges to eskimos comes to mind. Has anybody had any problems with pro gear and the weather (without these covers). Like Borderfox the only issues I've ever encountered remain even with a cover on - water on the front element and viewfinder.

I understand what you're saying City-Exile - the manufacturers are all very quiet on just how weather proof their gear is.

Just so I'm clear - I'm talking about either a 1D Canon or a D2/D3 Nikon body with either a 70-200 f2.8 or a 300mm f2.8. I've used both bodies in very heavy weather over the last few years and I've never had the slightest problem with them.

Paulw

Yes, I have had a problem, with the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens, which is weather sealed.

It wasn't rain, but actually dust/dirt that got somehow inside the lens and jammed the USM motor. I had to have the lens serviced and motor cleaned.

The lenses are listed as weather sealed, not weather proof.

soccerc

I use Nikon D3 with the 2.8 300mm for most of my sports work.

Both are weathersealed, to what extent I've never be fully able to ascertain.

I've got aquatech covers but find them bothersome to use and as pointed out they don't protect against condensation. My other problemis I wear glasses so even more steaming up.

In London for the Ireland V Colombia game the rain was atrocious and I didn't have the covers with me, and instead used the microfibre towel, and it performed perfectly.

I always carry packets of dessicant for the short term aid while the equipment is being carried home and then allow both body and lens air dry.

Needless to say someone will say I am wrong but it works for me and there is no damage to any of my bodies or lenses through moisture. (had them checked recently).

AllMyOwnTeeth

scabby? ouch! I see these covers more as a pain in the behind - they make the camera handle like a sofa, they are a pest to get on and off properly and you have to store them somewhere when you're not using them. If you run multiple camera bodies (which I do) then you have double/triple that.

I expect my pro gear to be able to withstand rain and being knocked about the place. Am I wrong to have this expectation?

Paulw

What you expect and what you actually get can differ.

I have two bodies, multiple lenses, and at this stage I'm used to putting on the covers. If I expect rain, I put the covers on at the start of the event. The Aquatech are easy enough to open and move off to the side if it's not raining.

The top pro bodies are water sealed, but the lower end models are not. So, you are taking a risk. It's a matter of balancing the possible risk of damaged gear against the cost/hassle of a cover.

I would prefer to spend €100 on a rain cover, and not have to spend €3k on buying a new camera body.

OnLooker

Didn't mean it in a bad way, it would just not rather take the risk.

Balfey1972

I agree, for the sake of a few quid, i think with the cost of the equipment it is well worth to invest in protecting it. Personally Spending maybe 3k on a lens and a further 5% on a rain cover makes sense.

Anyways, thanks again for all the comments guys.

whyulittle

My Aquatech paid for itself this evening. Was shooting a match and the rain was absolutely pouring down. So much so that one of the teams changed kit at HT.

soccerc

whyulittle wrote: »

So much so that one of the teams changed kit at HT.

..and I'll bet it was Brighton. That's normal over the water and at international level to change kit at the break

whyulittle

Nope, t'was us actually. Black kit in the first half, white in the second.

It was unbelievable rain that fell.

soccerc

whyulittle wrote: »

Nope, t'was us actually. Black kit in the first half, white in the second.

It was unbelievable rain that fell.

LOL, did someone engage the club to trial out some new washing detergent on whites?


How dod you get on with the other thing? All go ok?

whyulittle

Pretty good thanks, have sent you a PM.

Oh yes, and my Vertex stood up to the rain as well. Top bag.