Photography in wet conditions

[FUDGEY]

Obviously you don't want your camera to get wet so what do you use to protect it? Can you buy covers that go over the body and lens? If it's torrential rain is it not worth taking the risk even with a cover unless ofcourse you are under cover ie in a car or a waterproof hide?

[Lancashire Lad]

I normally have my D80/Sigma180mm macro lens combination on the tripod.

For normal rain protection of the camera out in the wilds, I use a "Trekmates" rucksack raincover, which I bought for about £6.00, from a camping store.

These are intended to be used to stretch over rucksacks, and are made of what seems to be a thinly butyl coated nylon, with an elasticated drawcord around the edge. (They are available in several sizes - I got the smallest one).

It weighs next to nothing and stows in its own attached (tiny) stuffsac.

I find it ideal as it easily fits over the entire camera/lens combo, and can be drawn tightly closed such that I can carry the tripod c/w camera attached over my shoulder without any fear of the gear getting wet.

As an emergency back-up though, I always carry a folded up plastic carrier bag. (Might not look too good, but guaranteed 100% rainproof, and good recycling use of a supermarket bag ).

I generally stop photographing when it's pouring down, so my needs are solely for camera protection, and would be no use for anyone who wanted to continue shooting in the rain.

Regards,
Mike.

[pressld2]

Like Mike, I carry an old supermarket carrier bag for slipping over the camera or lens when the rain starts. Morrisons if I can get them as they are a misty grey with green and yellow writing on - much better than the fluorescent green of M&S or the glaring orange of Sainsbury's!

If I want to carry on shooting in the rain then I use rainsleeves made by OP/TECH USA. These are pretty cheap, about a fiver for a pack of two, and have a drawstring at the front that you can tighten around your lens hood as well as a small hole that you can fit over the viewfinder. You can get your hand up inside the sleve to press the shutter button.

Dave P.

[Stevelphoto]

It depends what you mean. If you want to actually use the camera in the rain, then you'll need a raincover. These are often very expensive, and even then only give complete protection if you are not shooting into the rain (water can still get to the front element). They often mean that you end up handling the camera through plastic too, which is especially tricky when trying to use a viewfinder.
However, optech make a very cheap - almost disposable - raincover; the 'rainsleeve'. I've got a couple and they do keep the worst of the weather off. They're very clever in that you take the eyepiece off of the camera, and slip it on over the rainsleeve. That way, you don't have to put your head under the cover/look through plastic to use the viewfinder as usual, and they're big enough to allow you to put your hands under the cover to operate the controls.

I've used them in snow and light rain - even though they'd probably do the job in heavy rain, I'm not risking that.

Otherwise, a backpack with a raincover in, or just a black bin bag will keep them dry whilst the rain passes. I always keep a black bin bag with me just in case - they are very cheap, and more than large enough to accomodate all my gear.

[pressld2]

Great minds eh, Steve!

Dave P.

[Stevelphoto]

lol, indeed!

[ron1863]

I always carry a binbag as they have so many uses, I use it for protection when lying on the ground to shoot fungi and to cover the camera when it rains. Oh! and it's not to bad for putting stuff into

[FUDGEY]

Great advice guys, much appreciated as always, thanks.