what do you do when it rains?

rosselliot

what do you do when you're in seattle or Portland and the 290 days year rain storm comes in and it drizzles constantly to make everything green and beautiful and you want to take pictures...but you have a 30D and it's not weather sealed so you need some protection...what do you do?!

personal experiences? ideas? what are the options even?

- RE

HeldDown

large ziploc bag with elastics works just fine for me in inclement weather.

If it's just drizzling/spitting, my 30D doesn't mind, and neither do I.

Art Scott

HeldDown wrote:

large ziploc bag with elastics works just fine for me in inclement weather.

If it's just drizzling/spitting, my 30D doesn't mind, and neither do I.

I concur with HeldDown..... ziplocks or even the cheaper way I go is a roll of clear or white trash bags for the 2 or 3 gallon waste basket....a bag of really wide rubberbands....the wide ones are also usually thicker also and that makes them easier to get a hold of.......take and cut a hole dead center of the bottom of said plastic bag for your lenses to poke thru and your done............ORRRRR you can buy and EWA bag for a couple of hundred dollars ...... then their are those nifty umbrella hats that will cover your head and the whole camera at the same time.....but then comes the question of your image

JohnnyJr

Storm Jacket!
Before a trip to Ireland last fall I invested in a couple of storm jackets:
http://www.stormjacket.com/

They accomplish the same thing as ziplock bags and rubberbands I guess but a bit more comfortable to work. They breath unlike plastic and also dry quickly so they don't fog-up as much on the inside. Comes with a carry pouch. I keep one in my daily pack along with my camera now. The weather is a less variable here in Chicago but we have plenty of thunderstorms and wet blowing snow. They definitely worked like a charm in Ireland where it also rains daily. I got 2 of them and highly recommend them.

Oh, one other thought: I also got a couple of zing cases:
http://www.tiffen.com/products.html?tablename=zing

Again, may seem like overkill and rather geeky. They are sort of like new-school everready cases. I realize most photogs consider everready cases and uv filters to be geek accessories, but I invested a lot in my equipment! Anyhow, the neoprene cases are also naturally waterproof. Those paired with the storm jackets kept all my gear nice and dry through cycles of rain in for 10 days along the Irish coast.

jww

rosselliot wrote:

what do you do when you're in seattle or Portland and the 290 days year rain storm comes in and it drizzles constantly to make everything green and beautiful and you want to take pictures...but you have a 30D and it's not weather sealed so you need some protection...what do you do?!

personal experiences? ideas? what are the options even?

- RE

I've used trash bags in a pinch as I usually have a few with me regardless the weather as they come in handy. However, if I know it is going to dump or starts off wet from the get go..

I put on my Aqua Tech, my rain wear, and go join the ducks..

I have an Aqua Tech SS 300 that I use with my 70 - 200VR as I like the extra hand hold for controlling the lens as well as the one for the body. The SS 200 is pretty tight fit and requires working the lens by grabbing the material...

ginger_55

I tie a windbreaker around my waist. If it rains, I untie it throw it over the camera and whatever and run for the car. If it drizzles, I decide.........and stay close to shelter.

If it is nice out, but the sun goes down/in, anytime I get chilly, I untie it and wear it. Then if it rains, I carry the camera under the windbreaker next to me and head for the car.

I don't know how everyone else does it, but if I shoot in a good rain, I might as well not have. Nothing is clear as it is "like" shooting through water.

ginger

JohnnyJr

I think being prepared to shoot is the key vs. being able to shoot in a downpour. Or at least having the ability to safely shoot in the rain when necessary...

While in Ireland we were often on treks far from the car or any kind of shelter -- on seacliffs and costal paths. The question there is not IF it will rain but WHEN. It alternated between rain and sun the whole 10 days and I had to be prepared to shoot the whole time. I think the best stuff I got was between rainshowers. Take a look at the skies in these shots and you'll see lots of storm clouds!: http://sisson.smugmug.com/gallery/2199189

I looked at but I simply couldn't afford the Aqua Tech stuff. My rainjacket and boots (which I lived in for a week but could barely afford) cost less than the Aqua Tech. I got 2 Storm Jackets, on for short lenses and one for long. They were about $35 each.

I really researched this a lot before my trip. I was on a tight budget and knew I'd kick myself later if I wasn't prepared for the rain. From that standpoint the Storm Jackets were a great investment and I have no complaints. Having something that works well is worth it because it's one less thing to worry about -- especially when traveling!

Glenn NK

When I was "test driving" three 10/22 lenses a week ago at the local dealer, one of the salespeople showed me a plastic cover with clear plastic windows through which to see the controls, etc. It also had holes through which one's arms would fit, and the front end wrapped around the lens hood. Really quite neat.

I didn't pay too much attention, but next time I'm there, I'll check it our further.

I should have paid more attention because I live just north of Seattle, and we get a "bit" of rain too. Set a record in November.

nikos

The two times that I had to shoot in the rain, I used a clear plastic bag that I opened a hole on the bottom so that the lens peaks through and then attached the hood. I got wet, the camera stayed dry and pictures were fine.

Nikos

Shay Stephens

JohnnyJr wrote:

Before a trip to Ireland last fall I invested in a couple of storm jackets:
http://www.stormjacket.com/

They accomplish the same thing as ziplock bags and rubberbands I guess but a bit more comfortable to work. They breath unlike plastic and also dry quickly so they don't fog-up as much on the inside. Comes with a carry pouch. I keep one in my daily pack along with my camera now. The weather is a less variable here in Chicago but we have plenty of thunderstorms and wet blowing snow. They definitely worked like a charm in Ireland where it also rains daily. I got 2 of them and highly recommend them.

I use the storm jacket too. I keep it my camera bag ready for the unexpected. If I have to use flash outside in the rain, I put a crystal clear plastic bag over the flash.

TylerW

Will the storm jacked do a decent job of keepiong out dust, as well?

Shay Stephens

TylerW wrote:

Will the storm jacked do a decent job of keepiong out dust, as well?

]

If you were in a dust storm, yes, but for everyday "I hope I don't get dust on the sensor" no.

TylerW

Shay Stephens wrote:

]

If you were in a dust storm, yes, but for everyday "I hope I don't get dust on the sensor" no.

That's what I'm talking about - stuff for shooting MX or rally racing. I know that sensor dust always finds a way in - its extra clever.

photo*smurf

nikos wrote:

The two times that I had to shoot in the rain, I used a clear plastic bag that I opened a hole on the bottom so that the lens peaks through and then attached the hood. I got wet, the camera stayed dry and pictures were fine.

Nikos

I tried this the last time I was in San Diego. It wasn't a heavy rain, but more than a drizzle and seemed to be never-ending. Anyway, the camera stayed mostly dry, but the filter kept getting wetted upon, which showed up on the pics.

Phyxius

I go to Rolex, a big outdoor horse event in Kentucky. It rains every year. Last year was the first time I took the SLR though. Some of the other photographers were nice enough to hand me their free plastic shopping bag and we all duct taped them to our lens hoods. One guy actually had camera rain gear though.

ccraft

I agree with the ziplock comment. On a trip to Costa Rica a water taxi tipped over right when we landed my entire camera bag felll into the water. Ziplock saved the day (everything was individually sealed (some twice) and I've never been so grateful.

I also always bring an umbrella, which I can put in my armpit while I'm hand-holding (or using a tripod).

There are also umbrella stands that you can attach to your tripod. I really need to get one (I live in the pacific northwest as well).

binghott

i don't know how this hasn't been mentioned yet, but i use a kata elements cover and i couldn't live without it!

i bought it so i could shoot sports in the rain, and it has been worth every penny of the $50. i recently used it for a snow photoshoot that would not have been possible otherwise. even if i don't use it on a shoot, it's comforting to know that i have it and that i'm always ready for what nature throws at me.

i hope this helps!

btw, it fits perfectly over my 20d + 70-200 f2.8

Shay Stephens

binghott wrote:

i don't know how this hasn't been mentioned yet, but i use a kata elements cover and i couldn't live without it!

That is one sweet cover!!! I didn't even know it existed, thanks for the link.

drdane

Rain Covers
I just posted this in another thread on this forum:

I've used one of these for the past year and have been pretty happy with it. http://abetterphotoguide.bizhosting.com/16_rain_cover_w_velcro_opening_.html

I think it was about $32. The elastic front opening works well on longer cylindrical lens hoods (teles) but not so well on short lens hoods. A short lens will get wet when you shoot in the rain or spray; the inside of the "bag" will then get wet from the lens, so carry a small towel to dry it all off occasionally.

Keeping your camera/lens tucked away in the rain cover will protect it from salt and sand, except when you're shooting!

As mentioned previously, a filter will keep the salt water off your front lens element.

Good Luck!