11 replies to this topic

[TBonz]

I put this in with the bags and cases since they're also camera / lens protection, but Admins can feel free to relocate if they feel its in the wrong spot...

 

What does everyone use for covering their equipment WHILE they are shooting.  I'm guessing that some just won't shoot in those conditions, but it isn't just sports and news folks who shoot out in the rain, so I'm hoping to find out what you use and the positives / negatives of the equipment in your point of view.

 

Part of my goal is to see what you think works and what doesn't as I'm going to want to purchase a decent "rain suit" for whatever lens I end up getting. 

 

But, I will start things off with what I've done in the past.  I've gotten caught unprepared for rain like most folks.  I went with a simple clear trash bag with a hole cut out for the lens.  After that I grabbed some Op/Tech rain sleeves and so far I haven't worried about rain any more.  They are very inexpensive (under $10 for a packet of two usually) and while they are made to be disposable, you can reuse them multiple times if you take decent care of them and make sure to let them dry before you throw them back in your bag.  They have an opening at the "front" for your lens to come through and a tie to keep it around your lens.  Then it curves downward to cover your camera.  There is a hole in the back for the viewfinder and you put your right hand up through the opening near the bottom of the camera to operate the controls.  In my opinion, the 70-200 is probably the biggest lens I'd  try and use it with, but I DID use it with a 300 f/2.8 and it will work OK - just a bit too tight for my taste.  I will definitely keep a couple of these in my bag just in case...they're excellent, cheap insurance and don't take up much space in the bag either!

 

Your turn...

[Tony892]

I have just discovered tonight on a comparison sheet that the D7100 has a waterproof body. To be honest, I normally keep my camera in the bag which has a waterproof cover thing or under my jacket and pull it out, take the shot and then stow it away again. Realise this may sound a bit crazy, but does using an umberalla have a major impact on shots?

[Thumper]

My bags are supposed to be water resistant, but I still keep a small trash bag in each bag in case I get caught out in a nasty rain storm. As far as something to keep over the camera while shooting in rainy conditions, I am going to check out those Op/Tech sleeves. My camera body is waterproof, but not all of my lenses are.

[Russ]

ThinkTank Hydrophobia 70-200. Not cheap, but very effective.

[TBonz]

Tony - The cover of a jacket or umbrella isn't really practical when you are shooting sports...the camera (or cameras) are going to be out of the jacket more than they're in and it is hard to handle an umbrella along with a camera on monopod. 

 

Thumper - they're effective for what they are and they're cheap enough that you can't go wrong...

 

Russ - the ThinkTank and AquaTech were the ones I was looking at...might have to give the ThinkTank another look...

 

Thanks to each of you for your input...

[Tony892]

Whilst looking for another item, just came across the following which is cheap and cheerful, but not sure how effective it would be:

http://www.amazon.co...on camera hoods

[Tony892]

Just come across some info on protecting your camera in the rain, hope someone finds it useful: A Cheap Way to Protect Your Camera in the RAIN. | Fro Knows Photo

[TBonz]

Just come across some info on protecting your camera in the rain, hope someone finds it useful: A Cheap Way to Protect Your Camera in the RAIN. | Fro Knows Photo

 

Couldn't listen here at work, but that looks like the Op/Tech covers I mentioned above...Definitely worth having a pack of these in your bag if there is any chance you might be out in the rain...

[Thumper]

Just ordered a few packs of the OpTech Rainsleeves from B&H. 

[Tony892]

Just ordered a few packs of the OpTech Rainsleeves from B&H.

Will be interested how you find them Thumper, please let us know?

[TBonz]

Will be interested how you find them Thumper, please let us know?

 

Tony,

 

They work very well.  I've used them for several years with my 70-200 2.8 and will always have some in my bag.  Used one this year as well with a 300 2.8 and it worked, but it was a bit tight fitting. If you are reasonably careful with them and "hang" them to dry after use, you can probably use them 3-5 times or more before you start to feel like it would need to be replaced.  I don't think you can find a better option for the price assuming the gear you're using will fit.  I believe they make a version with a space so that the flash is also covered, but I've never tried those, so can't speak to how large a flash you could get into the space.  I always used the version that did not have any opening or space for a flash since I knew I wouldn't be using flash.

 

I decided to get one of the higher end rain covers to go with my 200-400 and ended up going with the Aquatech SS-300.  It came in earlier this week and looks pretty nice. I'm going to try it on my gear tonight since I should have some extra time while I'm getting setup. 

[Merco_61]

Another vote for the rainsleeve. On a short prime I secure the part with the drawstring with a small piece of gaffer's tape, but mostly it works, and works well.