Weather proofing - what are the limits?

commanderspike

commanderspike

Carbonite Member
The 7D is supposed to have really good weather sealing.

Does that mean you can take it out in monsoon rain and it will work fine? What about the seal between the camera and lens, is that weather proof too even if water was running down in ripples over the front of the camera?

Or does weather proof just mean you can get a few drops of water over the buttons and it'll be fine?

How does the 5D and 7D differ in this respect. Should you be careful of even a few drops of rain on the 5D? I would find out for myself... but, well, I don't have insurance for 'water damage'. :bath:
 
What the common sense tells you?
Is it ok to take a 1600$ sensible equipment in the rain or is it more reasonable to avoid extreme situations despite it's reputation.

I mean, it could be ok for me to take it on a rainy day and brake for you on similar situation.
 
Based on my extensive reading of the first few pages of the 7D manual, I'd be comfortable shooting in the very first drops of rain from a passing shower. Too much more than that and it's a risk I wouldn't take.

The manual says the camera is (obviously) "not waterproof," and also says to "wipe off any drops of water."

You be the judge.
 
Thanks for that, it is pretty much the info I was looking for, although if anyone has ever got stuck in a severe shower with their 7D or 5D and survived to tell the tale then I'd like to hear those accounts as well. The more I hear of what other people say the more I can judge for myself the next time the heavens open.
 
Okay, here you go…

If you watch my Costa Rica video, you'll see at around 00:15 the boat hits a big wave. Nevermind that the river mouth is full of sharks, of course, but I had the GH1 in one hand and the console of the boat in the other. As we came down the back of that wave, the next one came right over our bow, and hit me square in the chest.

Saltwater.

The GH1 got fairly well doused, and I threw up a little in my mouth.

Once we reached the calmer waters, I quickly grabbed a clean rag, wet it with water and wiped down the GH1. I removed the lens. Not a drop of water to be found. I opened the battery and card doors. No water at all. Once everything was cleaned and reassembled, it worked perfectly, and continued to do so for the rest of the shoot.

After that, the camera went in my waterproof boat bag until we reached the ocean.
 
Heartstopping. I'm glad to hear your GH1 survived that.

They should remake Jaws and have the crew clutching 1D Mk IVs on a small boat in rough water.
 
Last weekend I shot in a near monsoon in NYC. I had a plastic bag covering the camera, but with the wind it still got a little wet...but it works perfectly, no problems.
 
I saw a 7D video review where they poured a big bucket of water on the camera and the lens... I assume it survived.

I don't know the limits of the 7D weather sealing, but if you get an L lens they are weather-sealed and have a rubber gasket seal where the lens and body meet to keep water out. Regular Canon lenses don't, and I doubt third-party ones do.
 
L lenses are weather sealed, though some require a UV filter on the front to complete the seal.

Shooting in a moderate rain is very possible with a 1D and L lens...I wouldn't do it with the 7D though.
 
What about dust? Yesterday we shot in a quite dust environment where the ground was just earth. The dust wasn't visibly in the air or anything and you could not actually notice you were breathing it or it on your nose but there was definitely some.
 
In my local camera shop I saw a cheapish (£65) camera diving bag thing, waterproof to 10m. it has a filter at the front to attach to camera. looks great for safe at sea/storm stuff.
 
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