Are we too careful with our cameras ?

I think the biggest issue is the electronics in modern cameras :thinking: so most don't want to risk it but there are plenty of photo's out there of modern kit being used and abused in conditions like this :thumbs:
 
We always try to be very careful with our DSLR, not getting it wet, cleaning before we put it away and always ensuring it doesn't move around in the car boot.

However we went to an amazing firework show last year. Just before the show started, the heavens opened, in real biblical proportions!

We wanted to grab some shots of the show, so I held the umbrella, my girlfriend the camera and the scarf/rag to dry it with and off we went. Almost 500 shots in the pouring rain, camera was fine afterwards.

The tripod was full of sand though and the tripod bag? Long gone!
 
I generally abuse mine - buy I have the attitude of "If I brought it, I am going to use it. No matter what ideas the weather is having!"
 
Very careful with mine. I don't like damp weather and neither does the camera so there is little chance of it being used in anything other than fine weather!
 
I used to be very worried about it, but recently I've just been taking it out in all weathers. Worth taking sensible precautions and drying it out properly when you get home, but I think you'd have to have some pretty bad luck to do any damage in light-moderate rain. Biggest problem I have is having to keep my lens/filters free of rain drops so if it's tipping it down I'll probably be covering it up until there's a bit of a break anyway.
 
I'm not obsessive about the camera, but I loathe cold, wet, weather so I try to avoid going out in it if possible. I'm definitely not going to stand around in the rain taking photographs when if I have a choice!
 
simonblue said:
Have a look at the link,do they build them like this anymore
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No, in that they used to be mechanical and now they're largely electronic. He could strip that, clean it and put it back together but a modern camera would short itself out if water got in the circuits while there was still power running through it.

I don't think people are too careful with the camera bodies and the weather as most of them have lots of holes and seams for water to get into and no sealing until you're getting into the high end body and lens combinations. I was talking to someone yesterday at a circuit in the rain that said he'd had a few top level bodies that were supposed to be weather resistant start acting up in medium rain (one started working again after being heated in the car and the other took a long time to dry out) so I wouldn't trust a non-sealed body with no extra protection in anything other than very light rain.
I just stick a rain sleeve on mine and carry on, then I don't really have to worry about it.

Some people do baby them more than necessary in general though - fumbling around with front lens caps when they could be taking pictures, cleaning the front element every time a speck of dust gets on it and so on.
 
DazJW said:
I just stick a rain sleeve on mine and carry on, then I don't really have to worry about it.

Some people do baby them more than necessary in general though - fumbling around with front lens caps when they could be taking pictures, cleaning the front element every time a speck of dust gets on it and so on.
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I just use a clear plastic bag with a hole in the bottom for the lens to poke through and held on with elastic bands for when it's really raining. Light shower and I don't really bother with a cover, just put my hood up :)
 
I've got a couple of Op-Tech rainsleeves for when I get caught out in the rain, but as I dislike the rain as much as the electrical circuitry in my camera then it doesn't get wet very often. I've had 5 Canon bodies so far and only 1 has ever had a problem due to getting wet. A 7D came up with an ERR40, so I took the batteries out of the grip and reinserted them and that was it.
 
I'm careful with a few of my cameras and not with others.

My R-D1 and Hexar get used in light rain/snow but I know these cameras have delicate electronics and because of the age of them repairs would be difficult or uneconomical.

My X100 on the other hand is covered by an accidental damage warranty so I'll take it out in the peeing rain etc.

I have a few SLRs and that I'll happily chuck around/get soaking/muddy etc because they are either bombproof or cheap enough to not worry about.

I occasionally miss the D3/1D I used to have as they could take whatever I threw at them.
 
my x-10 gets chucked around a fair bit, sits in my coat pocket along with keys / coins / whatevers and gets used in all weathers.

My D800 gets treated with kid gloves and has no idea what rain is yet. As soon as i get some insurance for it then it will get a more regular style of useage.
 
My D90 has been out in all weathers and got covered in diesel, but still rocks on.

:)
 
50d has stopped in the rain despite being careful and using a cover....it was raining hard at the time and I think water was being transfered via my hands to the buttons....managed to dry camera out using towel and car heater but took a good (worried) half-hour to do so....

Having said that, I was doing some work for a photographer last week in the rain...he lent me a 7d and 70-200 F2.8L IS lens and told me to get on with it and not worry about getting camera wet....he is not worried about his gear in the rain. Camera / lens worked beautifully for hours in quite heavy rain.
 
I say this qualified - don't try it at home unless the only option is to bin it - but ...

Even non-weatherproof cameras can withstand an awful lot of punishment and still be recovered afterwards. If you ever get your camera drenched to the point that it stops working then take out the battery, the card, remove the lens and leave the whole lot in a warm place, like an airing cupboard, for a couple of days and it should come back to life.

This of course does not apply to salt water immersion. Salt water kills cameras.
 
niv2 said:
50d has stopped in the rain despite being careful and using a cover....it was raining hard at the time and I think water was being transfered via my hands to the buttons
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I wouldn't have thought you could transfer enough water to it for it to stop working entirely. Maybe some buttons playing up but not a full breakdown.
 
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I've used my cameras without protection in rain and snow and not had a problem yet, they're tools, not ornaments.
 
It's something I try to avoid by always carrying a couple of bin bags and elastic bands in my camera bag but it's had a couple of proper soakings and survived (once when taking pictures of/in the sheets of spray being blown from Llyn Idwal by 80mph+ gusts :lol).

The camera is a 30D which I believe isn't weather sealed.
 
I am probably not careful enough with mine, it has suffered a few falls and donks :eek:. I didn't used to worry about taking it out in the rain but after one very rainy session it just suddenly stopped working. Water had got into the SD card slot (I hadn't opened it)! Thankfully when I got home and left it open to dry for a few hours both the card and camera seems no worse for wear from their ordeal but it was a bit disconcerting!
 
While I like my camera to remain in good nick, and I am careful, I also am not concerned about taking my camera to the extremes.

Rain? Yea I make an effort to keep it dry but it's reasonably protected as are most of my lenses.

Gigs, well it took a spray of some sticky alcoholic substance on saturday night and needs a bit of a clean now. But I was still crawling about front stage shooting.

For me it is the photography that counts, the camera is a tool to allow me to achieve that.
 
My cameras were brought to be used, OK I don't abuse my kit, but I do use it. My D700 and 70-200f2.8 is used at various sporting events in all weathers. Plus I use my D70 caving, where it is quite often handled with wet muddy hands, but it all brushes off when dry.
 
Well I had to save for ages to get my camera so I i'd like to think I look after it well. I won't take it out in the rain or risk it.

Killed an Olympus compact in light rain and one of the early kodak compacts when It fell out of my pocket.

My friend also droped his Nikon dslr in the sea last week. It still works but i'm not sure how long for.
 
I treat mine the best I can, I think that If I let standards slip and not really care that's when something really bad would happen - I know that it'd be ok maybe if it was dropped (Obviously not from a building or anything haha) rain water things like that. I just don't want to become too relaxed.

My gear is the most expensive thing I own, the only thing I treat better is my girlfriend.
 
My old 20D has been used in the rain a few times, still works fine.
 
{Makes note of different responses for future forum sales :D }


I was watching the news one day this week and noticed a tog shooting with a Nikon in the pouring rain - I guess it depends on how you view the camera and its cost, if it's a working tool then it's 'disposable', if you are an amateur with limited disposable income then you will take care.
For me, I wouldn't have a problem with light rain, though I would use a plastic bag or similar even with the pro bodies ... really heavy rain and I wouldn't be out there shooting, as much for my benefit as that of the camera and lens!
 
Mine currently has assorted fish slime, mud, rain, saltwater and fish scales on it, plus a bit of fish pooh and snot from my runny nose
 
Cameras can be used in extremes if taken care of & I don't see the point in spending all that £ on a camera that spends most if its time in bubble wrap. I always take care of mine but I try not to let "risks" interfere with going out & using it. Everyone is different tho. Perhaps I've been fortunate enough to have had no damage just yet? ~ touching wood.
 
Bit of a Bump but oh well :)

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Anyone know what camera/lens this is? Looks like a Nikon F and 135mm but i'm not sure...
 
I put on a rain cover and carry on
Some of my best shots have been taken in the rain
As someone has already said they are tools
I do make sure to dry my gear out properly when I get home tho :)
Last week a lady walking her dog thought I was barmy lying on the floor in the rain photographing a dragonfly :)
 
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I treat mine well enough, but my cameras arnt pampered...
No dry boxes or vacuum boxes, they still shoot perfect.
 
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