FS5: I do not recommend camRade wetSuit Rain Cover for the Sony FS5

J

Jordan Hamelin

New member
Hi everyone,

I just want to share with you guys my experience with the camrade raincover for the Sony FS5.

From what I know, there's only 2 options for rain covers right now : camRade and Porta Brace.


A good friend of mine had a camRade cover for his FS700 and he loved it and recommended me to go with them.


I was extremely disappointed with it. First there's no instructions to explain how to use it and what all the pieces are for. Then I realized that this cover would never keep my camera dry. The whole thing is made with a bunch of velcros that makes tiny holes all around the camera. For sure water will get inside on a rainy day.

The back is really weird, it seems like they took the FS7 model and tried to patch it up for the FS5 because there's about 3 different holes for the view finder.



The biggest thing was that the LCD Monitor is not protected, the back of the screen is exposed to the rain and worst then that, because of the poor design water will accumulate at the bottom of the screen. I don't understand why they did this. (see picture, if you look close enough you can see that the LCD is not covered, when I was looking I sadly didn't realized it because I was assuming there was plastic behind it too)


Oh and you can't use BP-U90 batteries with the cover on.



I am returning my order to b&h and I will order Porta Brace cover. I just want it to let you guys know if some of you were debating on which one to buy.



P.S sorry for my english, it's not my first language.


Camrade :
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1210333-REG/camrade_cam_ws_pxwfs5_wetsuit_for_sony_fs5.html

Portabrace :
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1204473-REG/porta_brace_rs_fs5_rain_slicker_for_sony.html

Screen Shot 2016-03-22 at 11.21.02 AM.jpg




UPDATE :

I emailed Porta-Brace to know if their model will fit the BP-U90 and they answered in 5 minutes that it will. I will update you guys when I receive it.
 
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I have the Storm Jacket Camera Cover as well. Works GREAT. You could buy 5 of these compared to the portabrace option. I'm in Tampa and the sky can open up and down pour in a NY minute.
The Storm Jacket packs up nice and small in its own pouch. It's always in my camera bag and does second duty as a spacer between lenses. GRIN
 
Yes, the medium pro model works nicely. The difference between the pro model and the standard model is that the pro model has a velcro opening along the bottom so you can mount the camera to a tripod or to get your hand inside to reach the grip.
 
Hey Doug, Can you make those storm jackets in a clear material? Currently, I just use clear plastic with crock clips - simple and effective, but a more elegant solution would be nice.
 
Bern Caughey said:
I have a couple of different sized Storm Jacket(s) for my stills cameras & would love one that could handle the FS7!
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+1.

I'm in Liam's camp with a clear bin bag and clothes pegs. I also carry cling film to wrap round the handle grip if it pisses down.

I'd buy a baggy clear tube with drawstrings either end if someone made it.
 
Liam Hall said:
Hey Doug, Can you make those storm jackets in a clear material? Currently, I just use clear plastic with crock clips - simple and effective, but a more elegant solution would be nice.
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Hi Liam, I understand your desire for a clear material and we did create some prototypes a few years ago, but could not come up with a satisfactory way to do it. I was told that the clear plastic gummed up the needles and was quite stiff and awkward to fold up. I'm not going to say it can't be done, but we gave up finding a a cost-effective solution.
 
Doug Jensen said:
Hi Liam, I understand your desire for a clear material and we did create some prototypes a few years ago, but could not come up with a satisfactory way to do it. I was told that the clear plastic gummed up the needles and was quite stiff and awkward to fold up. I'm not going to say it can't be done, but we gave up finding a a cost-effective solution.
Click to expand...

Interesting, the transparent plastic I'm using at the moment is quite stiff. I might farm this problem out to my niece, who is a costume designer. I 'll let you know if she has any success!
 
Hi Doug, one question about the Storm jacket, what if the external micro is mounted?
Can I have decend sound recording with the jacket around it? And is the black medium pro jacket big enought at that moment?

I have a portabrace for my other camera with a specific hole for the lens and a specific hole for the mic. Of course sometime I have rain drops recording, but the sound is generally acceptable.
 
Hi,

No, there is no hole for a shotgun mic or any other protruding accessories. Keep in mind that this is a product that is really designed for SLRs and there are too many sizes, body styles, etc. of video cameras to try and create custom versions for a product that only costs $35. But with that said, it is really easy to cut a X shaped slit right at the precise point where somebody wants it for the microphone, or a mic receiver on the hotshoe, a light on the hotshoe, etc. The rip-stop material will not suddenly run or tear more than whatever cut you have made. So if someone needs reliable water repellency, easy on-off, bungee closures at both ends, and a cover that looks more professional than a plastic bag, the Storm Jacket is a good solution. But obviously it can't meet the needs of everyone. It is what it is. :-)
 
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