What are the limits of using the GH2 in weather?

[Sam Mallery]

A friend of mine accidentally killed the LCD on their Nikon D60 over the weekend. They had received a new 50mm lens for x-mas, and they went out in the snow storm to take a couple of shots. Sounds like a bad move, and it was. But, they did have someone there holding an umbrella over them as they shot, they had wrapped the camera in a plastic bag with a big scarf over it as well, and they were outside only for a few minutes during a pretty calm part of the storm.

To me it seems like they took many precautions to protect the camera, but unfortunately it was all in vain.

I'm considering buying a GH2, and it will be my first serious digital camera. What are the limits of using the GH2 in unfriendly conditions? Is mist okay, yet drizzle is death? Can a couple of sharp shooting snowflakes take her down?

 

[kyc]

I took my GH2 out after the snow storm and the wind was blowing but was working fine...

 

[Bane]

That's a lot of snow, to the OP I wouldn't worry about taking it out, mine has been working great on cold weather and living next to the ocean with a lot of moisture. So go out there and use you GH2.

 

[Peter J. DeCrescenzo]

GH1 under an umbrella (only) in the pouring rain for about an hour (excerpt):

GH2 under an umbrella (only) in intermittent rain & sleet for about an hour (excerpt):

GH1 in a plastic bag (only) in intermittent snow flurries (this is a digital still, not video):



YMMV, but with reasonable precautions in my limited experience GH1 & GH2 cameras seem to be fairly dependable.

However, the GH1 & GH2 are _NOT_ designed or advertised to be water resistant or rain resistant. So I strongly recommend being very careful to not allow the camera or lens to get even slightly wet. It may also be a good idea to take reasonable precautions in situations where the camera moves between extreme temp & humidity environments very quickly.

I carry a dry cloth with me so I can wipe moisture off the camera & lens if any gets on it, but internal condensation is a whole other topic. (Storing the cam with "fresh" silica gel packs, or with a cloth bag filled with dry rice grains, can be helpful.) Again, YMMV!

 

[SimonC]

Haven't taken my GH2 out in anything that cold/hot yet but my GH1 was fine in the cold Canadian winter. Only thing was the LCD would get "ghosting" but didn't show up on the footage.