How waterproof is a DSLR

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April 2008
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The question is pretty much as per the title. Obviously if you drop in in the sea you're *****, and at the other end of the scale, if you sneeze on it you're only likely to need to clean the lens.

So at what point do you say "ok, this is getting a little damp, best stop before the camera gets damaged"?

The reason I ask is that I was so busy taking pics earlier today, I didn't notice how damp both myself and the camera were. I dried it off with a microfibre, and hopefully all is ok.

So I'm really wondering how much water can they handle? A light shower? NEVER take it out in the rain? What?
 
Some have weather sealing (eg around battery/memory card compartments), and you can get weather sealed lenses. That's probably good for a drizzle, but apparently the pro cameras can be put through most things and come back for more...

If I was going to take photos for any length of time in the rain I'd put a plastic bag over and tape it around the lens.
 
I've had my 5d out in torrential rain and unprotected for up to an hour. I hadn't done it intentionally, I was out with the camera rain came on quite quickly and I had no way to protect the camera. It was very wet but there were no ill effects afterwards. It gave me confidence to brave the rain with the camera, something I hadn't done up until that point. I still wouldn't want it too wet.... but i don't have to run for cover at the first sign of rain.
 
In an inflatable emergency, a Nikon Pro camera can be used as an anchor (so the manual says - allegedly)

Set to repeated 10 sec timer, it'll record the whole event!



On a more serious note - any camera will probably withstand more than you care to try and 'Pro' cameras manage quite a bit more - i.e. at my Wedding yesterday it seriously pee'd it down and I was more worried about water on the lens affecting the image than the camera that took the image

DD
 
Unless your camera is weather sealed, assume its not a good idea to get it wet. You can buy rain wear for cameras, from the Storm Jacket range £40.00 or there abouts, or the pacamac style Optec rainsleves ( £4,50 for 2). There are others as well. Just search a few online retailers
 
Chappers said:
Unless your camera is weather sealed, assume its not a good idea to get it wet. You can buy rain wear for cameras, from the Storm Jacket range £40.00 or there abouts, or the pacamac style Optec rainsleves ( £4,50 for 2). There are others as well. Just search a few online retailers
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Or pinch one of your kids waterproof tops & chop of a sleeve!!!:nuts::nuts:
(Hows that for good old Blue peter style?)

Spence
 
DiddyDave said:
at my Wedding yesterday it seriously pee'd it down and I was more worried about water on the lens affecting the image than the camera that took the image
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Lens hoods - they stop sun and rain :thumbs:
 
At the slightest hint or drop of rain my 40D is packed off straight to bed :D.
 
Depends on the make and model. I put my Oly E-3 with lens under the shower / tap to wash the crap off it before now (and i buried it in the snow once at an indoor ski slope to keep it out of harms way while i went for a few runs down the slope :) )
 


PS: I have no idea whether this is a genuine or fake shot....!!!!
 
I cover my 30D with a microfibre cloth when it's raining lightly but put it away in a down pour. Weather sealing is the main reason I'll save up to get a 1D.


PS
A 1D is a way down a long list of things I'm saving for :lol:
 
I guess a bit of rain should be no problem then... lol
 
Most electronics survive water if they're turned off at the time. My husband put his mobile through the washing machine, we stoped the cycle and pulled the battery out and left it to dry out in a warm place for 2 weeks and it was fine. I did the same with a compact and an ipod. So if my dslr got wet (which i try not to do, as a matter of course), I would turn it off and let it dry throughly before I tried to turn it on again.
Fortunatly the 400d is too big to accidently put in the washing machine!
 
Most electronics can survive a lot, my blackberry has been down the loo twice and after each I stripped it, dried it and it was fine. However if corrosion occurs thats when you have problems. Once tracks start to degrade its pretty much certain failure will occur, maybe not today, or tomorrow, but sooner or later. If I am out with the 40D and rain comes, a plastic bag goes over the camera with the lens poking through.
 
I was wondering if blackberry might have a double meaning? :lol:
 
Pretty sure my D200 is happier in a downpour than I am. Personally, I wouldn't want to test the waterproofness of it in anger although if it did go fizzle, it would be an excuse to get a D700...
 
1st time I was drunk.... second time my blackberry was just in my back pocket, I stood in front of toilet, undid jeans, dropped them to floor and heard the splosh.... good thing I didnt continue and sit down!
 
I suppose its fair to say the camera bodies are reasonably water tight but what about the lenses? Are the joints of the rotating parts sealed in any way?
 
A Chamois is a popular choice. When it starts to rain, whip it out and drape over the camera. :D
 
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