Rain covers

PatrickK

PatrickK

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Hi all,

After struggling along with the ultra-professional bin bag and elastic bands set-up for the past season I'm looking to buy a proper rain cover, and the two brands I've heard a lot about are Think Tank and AquaTech.

At the end of the day a rain cover is a rain cover, they pretty much do the same thing, but still I was just curious which one people here have gone for and maybe any recomendations between these two:

http://www.aquatech.net/ss600-navy.php

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/hydrophobia-300-600-v2.aspx

Any tips would be appreciated, it's to cover a 400mm
 
I've used these in the past... http://optechusa.com/rainsleeve.html The only thing I really think is a drawback with them is that string coming off the front. It doesn't get in the way when you're stretching the bag to cover a long lens like the 300, but anything smaller and it can be awkward, you certainly can keep it out the way, but its not ideal.
 
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I use the Think Tank one...Its the Mk1 version but it was fantastic at the Cas v Wigan game this weekend...I got wet but the 400mm and MKIV were perfectly dry... It comes with the extension piece to accommodate the 600mm too.

Only down side is that you have to also purchase the correct eye piece for your body... I think they are another £29-30 on top
 
I've used both ThinkTank (for 70-200 2.8) and AquaTech (for 300 2.8) and I have to say that I much prefer AquaTech's rain covers although I believe they are more expensive.

But as you have already said, they are rain covers so most will do the job as good as each other.
 
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I've got a couple of These

Waterproof, good quality, look OK and are very cheap :thumbs:


(I think they're made my a TPF members wife :))

//edit// just noticed Kipax had already mentioned them :bang:
 
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I needed another cover, perfect timing for the topic

Will pickup one of those Camo ones, cheers guys
 
I bought a couple of packs of the Op-Tech 2 for a fiver jobbies at Focus a couple of years ago and they still haven't been opened. I keep forgetting them and they always happen to be in the bag I don't take with me.

I spent 3 and a half hours in the pouring rain on Sunday, photographing dressage and using a towel to wipe the camera & lens between competitors! :bonk:
 
fabs said:
I bought a couple of packs of the Op-Tech 2 for a fiver jobbies at Focus a couple of years ago and they still haven't been opened. I keep forgetting them and they always happen to be in the bag I don't take with me.

I spent 3 and a half hours in the pouring rain on Sunday, photographing dressage and using a towel to wipe the camera & lens between competitors! :bonk:
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Put them in your camera bag now.... go on!....do it now!... tell us when you have done it.... and dont post again until they are in your bag... silly boy.
 
KIPAX said:
Put them in your camera bag now.... go on!....do it now!... tell us when you have done it.... and dont post again until they are in your bag... silly boy.
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:lol: I daren't move them! They're in the wheeled case and I'm hoping that'll be the next one I use.................and it'll be sunny! :help:
 
I use Storm Jackets which have worked pretty well for me so far.
 
Another vote for the Camomac.
The standard size fits perfectly over my 500d and Sigma 120-400.

Paul
 
I got one free when I got my 300mm and just looked for it, it seems to be one of the double layer jobbies from this place with the advantage timber pattern.
http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/retail/acatalog/Camera___Lens_Covers.html

Is it any good? well it keeps the camera dry in the wet stuff which is what its all about. but there are cheaper options out there. I do feel a bit of a prat with the camo cover on sat at the side of a cricket pitch.
 
Little John said:
I got one free when I got my 300mm and just looked for it, it seems to be one of the double layer jobbies from this place with the advantage timber pattern.
http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/retail/acatalog/Camera___Lens_Covers.html

Is it any good? well it keeps the camera dry in the wet stuff which is what its all about. but there are cheaper options out there. I do feel a bit of a prat with the camo cover on sat at the side of a cricket pitch.
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Do they play cricket when it's that wet?
 
Aperture87 said:
I've used these in the past... http://optechusa.com/rainsleeve.html The only thing I really think is a drawback with them is that string coming off the front. It doesn't get in the way when you're stretching the bag to cover a long lens like the 300, but anything smaller and it can be awkward, you certainly can keep it out the way, but its not ideal.
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I have these, too. Only used one so far, re-use it as needed. I use an elastic band to keep the front end neat on the lens hood. Only used it a couple of times in 'real' wet (once at the Jan 1st match, it was wet and blinkin cold too). Seemed to work fine. Better than getting the camera wet. Advantage is they are cheap. Works for me. And small/light enough to keep in the camera bag at ALL times!
 
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mrgubby said:
I've got a couple of These

Waterproof, good quality, look OK and are very cheap :thumbs:


(I think they're made my a TPF members wife :))

//edit// just noticed Kipax had already mentioned them :bang:
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I got one of those for light showers where I didn't want to pfaff about with the aqua tech. OK but not ideal. Cheap, though.
 
duncolm said:
Do they play cricket when it's that wet?
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Yeah, I thought it was a good weather sport as well.

249295_10150198565148387_673418386_7149778_8141849_n.jpg


They don't play for long in the rain but if they think it will blow over they will stay out/in which ever one it is. if not then the covers come out, That day was the FA cup final day I saw most of the 1st half and all the 2nd half due to a break in play for rain, they went back out and played in the rain.

but this last weekend, it wasnt raining as bad as in the photo and they never played and decided the result on a bowlout.
 
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i use one of the "wildlife watching"on my 1D MKIII, and so far i have not had any problems.I cut a small hole in it and fit it to the eye piece.
 
Aquasheild = no worries! Awesome! Easy to use, compact for storage, keeps out the heaviest rain. I used mine at Bempton Cliffs in heavy blowing rain as well as Oulton Park during the last BTCC. Hard to believe there could be a better product out there although there may be, I wouldn't know what it is.
 
DucDuc said:
Aquasheild = no worries! Awesome! Easy to use, compact for storage, keeps out the heaviest rain. I used mine at Bempton Cliffs in heavy blowing rain as well as Oulton Park during the last BTCC. Hard to believe there could be a better product out there although there may be, I wouldn't know what it is.
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Do you mean Aqua Tech?
 
Just pressed the buy button on a ThinkTank 300-600. Got soaked last Sunday, and my Storm Jacket just didn't cut it. I'll be able to post a review, as it looks like rain again this weekend!
 
I just posted this in my own thread about the 70-200/2.8 II but thought it may be useful here as well.

70-200/2.8 MK II with hood = 285mm

70-200/2.8 MK II with hood and 2x Extender = 342mm

1D Mk III & 70-200/2.8 MK II with hood and 2x Extender = 364mm

1D Mk III & 70-200/2.8 MK II with hood and 2x Extender = 423mm

1D M III & 300/2.8 NON IS = 505mm

All measurements that include the 1D Mk III go to the back of the eyepiece.

I am looking at these http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies....ns_Covers.html

They are a lot dearer than the camomacs but do look better. So for plain functionality the camomacs look great value - see Kipax's comments about the camomacs.
 
Buy a pair of secondhand gortex waterproof pants from the local army surplus. Cut to size and hand to the wife for the sewing side of things.Job done...........:thumbs:
 
treeman said:
Just pressed the buy button on a ThinkTank 300-600. Got soaked last Sunday, and my Storm Jacket just didn't cut it. I'll be able to post a review, as it looks like rain again this weekend!
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man that think tank is hardcore.. what were you shooting in for the stormjacket not to cut it? ours have always proved well in most conditions.
 
neil_g said:
man that think tank is hardcore.. what were you shooting in for the stormjacket not to cut it? ours have always proved well in most conditions.
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Well I've been using it a lot recently, probably in similar conditions to you, standing in the middle of a field in the pouring rain! But I find the large opening at the camera end just lets in the water when I've not got it up to my eye. If I were shooting on a monopod all day and keeping the camera in a shooting position I guess it would be fine.
I'm hoping the ThinkTank will allow me to put it down quickly and not have to worry about it.
Anyway it's just arrived, so doubtless it will not again for ages :)
 
treeman said:
Well I've been using it a lot recently, probably in similar conditions to you, standing in the middle of a field in the pouring rain! But I find the large opening at the camera end just lets in the water when I've not got it up to my eye. If I were shooting on a monopod all day and keeping the camera in a shooting position I guess it would be fine.
I'm hoping the ThinkTank will allow me to put it down quickly and not have to worry about it.
Anyway it's just arrived, so doubtless it will not again for ages :)
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thats a fair comment, the opening camera end can let water in if youre not careful.

those thinktanks do look impressive.. when's payday.. lol

let us know how you get on with it :thumbs:
 
anyone know what the diff is between v1 and v2 of the thinktank .. just seen brand new 85 quid but clearly states it v1
 
KIPAX said:
anyone know what the diff is between v1 and v2 of the thinktank .. just seen brand new 85 quid but clearly states it v1
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Having just unpacked it, at first glance I reckon its to do with the clear plastic that allows you to view the LCD screen. I saw a review and only negative the reviewer could say about it was that you couldn't see all the LCD properly. On my one (V.2) it looks like they've changed it so its not a problem.

Here's the review http://www.richardpeters.co.uk/blog/2010/06/05/thinktank-photo-hydrophobia-300-600-review-video/
 
Yep having read the instructions (now there's a first!) It's that, plus a separate lens hood, a strap to keep your camera strap out of the way, and tighteners that can work one handed.


neil_g said:
those look really good. not sure about the extra money for the eyecup adapters, id expect them provided at that price.
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Yep I thought that was a bit naughty too.
 
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