EVA1: Rain Cover for EVA1

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Erik Wittbusch

Well-known member
Hi,

as I was filming in really rough conditions lately, I asked myself if there's already experience with Rain Covers for our EVA1.

I have seen one from Camrade:
https://www.camrade.com/products/protection/raincovers/wetsuit-au-eva1#description

and one from Portabrace:
https://www.portabrace.com/rs-aueva1.html#product_tabs_description_tabbed

They seem pretty similar, but the Camrade comes with two differently sized lens protectors, what sounds reasonable.
Has anybody already seen one of those on the camera?

My experience is, that some raincovers are so fiddly to use, that you actualy don't...
 
THX,

but that one is not really usable. It's made for DSLRs, has no microphone outlet and no display area.
It's just a protective cover when it rains.

I think I'm gonna try the Portabrace as it is cheaper here in germany...
 
I often have issues with the rain covers not providing good options for the viewfinder, particularly for the LCD screens. Just having clear plastic covering the LCD normally renders it virtually useless once raindrops start to land all over the plastic.
Furthermore, it seems that most of the time when I'm stuck in the rain I'm in shoulder-mount hand held configuration - typically for 30-60 minutes at a stretch. The old shoulder-mount ENG cameras/covers actually worked pretty well for this. I'm still trying to figure out a good EVA1 shoulder configuration for my setup, so for now I'm sticking with keeping the camera case stocked with a few clear plastic garbage bags, rubber bands as well as zip-lock bags for the LCD.
Would love to hear others' approaches to the rain problem!
 
I'll see if that Portbrace is gonna fit for me.
Already purchased it a moment ago.
Gonna try the cover end of next week.

I'll let you know...
 
Thanks Erik!
Portabrace does sometimes come up with interesting solutions -- their EX1 rain cover had a folding 'tunnel' for the LCD screen that made the lcd viewable in the rain while simultaneously creating a long viewfinder hood for it. Worked great!
 
Sorry I thought you needed something quick. The large one above is quite large and fits over my PXW-Z150 easily. I am not a fan of subjecting my gear to nasty situations and have never found any of the covers including the porta brace one great. I am forced to use them with all the network cameras I use, had them on my 2/3" cameras for a few years too and in my experience they often served as a trap for water due to the way they fit and yet still have openings.
But best of luck and I look forward to hearing your observations.
 
Erik, I've had mixed but mostly positive experiences with Portabrace and Camrade covers. Like Brian points out (if I'm reading him correctly), they aren't necessarily the perfect solution for long long days in heavy rain. But mixed with an umbrella, plastic bag, and common sense, they let me shoot in weather that would otherwise threaten my gear.

Currently, I have a Camrade cover for my C300. Like Brian said, it's a bit fiddly but once I got used to it, it's not so bad. And no puddling in this particular model (so far). Also dealing with fiddly kit is SOP for all of us, right? :)

And I've been on splashy jobs where the camera was in an EVA-Marine underwater bag (I've also used their bags for wireless transmitters). Worked for us:
https://www.ewa-marine.com

Also like Brian (again, I think), I'd like to see Doug Jensen/Vortex or someone made lower-cost and simpler covers that worked for our sorts of video cameras.

Let us know how your PB cover works for you Erik!
 
Hi,

the PortaBrace Raincover was delivered today.

It's not exactly a 5 seconds setup, but I think it's doable in 30s once you figured it out.
It took me 3 min. for the first time though.

Now, that I know how to do it, it's a pretty straightforward process.

I think the design is clever.
You can turn the LCD up or slightly to the back.
There's an opening for the handle on the right, a big transparent one for the whole buttons on the left side from where you can also safely reach the lens to zoom or rack the focus.
One extra cover for the microphone on top plus an opening to reach the top-handle, if desired.
At last there's an extra opening for the battery to be changed easily.

The opening and cover for the lens isn't all that great - here the Camrade suit looks better thought out.
In heavy rain, I'll need some extra cover to protect the front lens. To be fair it's not bad at all, it's just not super clever.

Maybe I'll never use it, but I think it might come in handy as I absolutely like to film in wet conditions where an umbrella is simply not good.
 

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BrianMurphy said:
I used a camarade on my last camera and it was as you say fiddly to put on.. I bought one of Doug Jensen's camera covers and I love it! small to pack around so I hang it off my bag with a caribiner and easy to put on. I must also say I tend not to shoot in the rain...but if caught this is a no brainer.
https://www.vortexmediastore.com/pages/storm-jacket-sizing-and-product-information
Click to expand...

I really don't think the XL version of this would be a bad solution. I see why you'd want a more custom fit for your workflow, but one thing nice about this is what Brian stated - speed, simplicity, no water pockets. You could mount the LCD to the rear of the camera and just sort of lift the cover and pop in for needed functions. My experience with the custom covers has also been fiddly.

But then, I don't shoot in the rain everyday, so my experience is limited, but for the price it might be worth just testing out one of those vortex covers. There are likely solutions (even if a simple hack) for the microphone.
 
I almost purchased one! But if you google around more there are a lot of complaints on both the company and the function of the product (doesn't extend far enough over longer lenses or bigger cameras, acts as a giant windsail, not stable enough, wind blows and the umbrella portion dumps water all over you, etc.)

Probably fine in very light wind with a small GH5 with IBIS.

As ridiculous as I'd look, in Portland people probably wouldn't even look twice ;) I'd just like to see a more robust follow up with an extendable front hood + more rigid and aerodynamic top materials. But conceptually I have no shame... ;)
 
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