8 replies to this topic

[asque2000]

I was just curious if anyone knew if the new 200-500mm f/5.6 had some sort of weather sealing to protect it from rain? I took it out yesterday (not thinking of it) and it starting to rain. Not a downpour but enough that when I got back in the car and realized that I could potentially ruin my lens, I started to freak a little. Everything still seems to work 24 hours later but I want to be on the cautious side from here on out. Thanks in advance!

[Merco_61]

There is a seal around the mounting bayonet and a rubber seal at the front element. I don't know if there are o-rings in the zoom and focusing rings or not... This is about the same level as the other pro zooms, even if it is far less than the Pentax WR lenses.

[TBonz]

I would suggest getting a "rain coat" for your body / lens if you expect to get caught in the rain...OpTech makes some pretty inexpensive (like 2 for $8) plastic sleeves that will cover your body and I believe up to 18" of lens and a smaller one that I believe does up to 8".  I don't know if the bigger one would be enough for the 200-500...I know it works fine for my 70-200 and I still carry them just in case.  They are meant to be used and tossed, but you can get by with using them several times before they get too torn up if you take care of them.  I bought one of the higher end AquaTech rain sleeves for my 200-400 and it is wonderful.  It goes where my 200-400 goes or it is at least close enough that I can get to it (like I might leave it in my truck).  I have used other brands of the high end as well that did a nice job although I like what I have.  There are various manufacturers for both the cheap and the higher end - just make sure to get one that can handle the size of your gear!

[Ron]

Even if a manufacturer claimed weather resistance, I would still take measures to ensure that my gear stayed as dry as possible. I like TBonz's idea of the OpTech rain sleeves. Better safe than sorry.

 

--Ron

[OTRTexan]

I like my lenscoat rain gear. I have two, one for smaller lenses and one for telephoto

[Merco_61]

I use the Op-tech sleeves as well. They are a cheap insurance and hardly take any room in the bag.

[TBonz]

My only question would be whether the 200-500 is too long or too big a diameter for the large OpTech.  It is certainly worth picking up a 2 pack for the price and testing - worst case use that for your shorter lenses.  If it doesn't fit the 200-500, then I'd spend the $$ to get the fancier setup.  If not, I'd go OpTech or similar as they are much smaller and lighter.  I knew that even if the OpTech fit the 200-400, it would be very difficult to get on and off in a large part because of the diameter of the lens.  With shooting sports in pretty much any type of weather, I knew I had to spend the money so I actually got the rain cover so that it arrived before the 200-400 arrived!  It wasn't going out without available protection and I knew I'd want to get it out ASAP!

[asque2000]

My only question would be whether the 200-500 is too long or too big a diameter for the large OpTech.  It is certainly worth picking up a 2 pack for the price and testing - worst case use that for your shorter lenses.  If it doesn't fit the 200-500, then I'd spend the $$ to get the fancier setup.  If not, I'd go OpTech or similar as they are much smaller and lighter.  I knew that even if the OpTech fit the 200-400, it would be very difficult to get on and off in a large part because of the diameter of the lens.  With shooting sports in pretty much any type of weather, I knew I had to spend the money so I actually got the rain cover so that it arrived before the 200-400 arrived!  It wasn't going out without available protection and I knew I'd want to get it out ASAP!

I bought some optech rain sleeves and they fit the 200-500 just barely. The only problem would be the collar mount is covered but that's perfectly fine. 

[TBonz]

Excellent...and if you want to mount it, push or cut a hole in the bottom where you need it...Obviously haven't tried with the 200-500 but with my 70-200 I can pull the bottom / camera end of the sleeve around enough that it will still cover the body and the mount is free underneath to put on a tripod / monopod...and yes, I can still get my hand up through there to work the controls, but most of that could be done from outside the plastic as well.  The sleeves that are designed better have space for each hand to get under the sleeve where they should and a space for the head / mount to connect, but for the difference in cost, it isn't worth it if the OpTech works and you aren't using it that often!