Water tightness of 5D MarkII

<p>Hi everyone. I have a question about the water tightness of the 5D MarkII. I read that on one of the artic photo shoots a lot of the MarkII's failed due to water seeping into the camera in a light rain. I did some research on it and saw that most(all?) of those cameras had the vertical grip attached which is not rated to be water/dust resistant. Does anyone have any practical experience or knowledge of how the camera does with the body w/o the vertical grip and with one of the better sealed L lenses with the rubber gasket on the mount and a filter to seal the front? I use the 17-40, 24-105, and 70-200 L lenses that have the seals. I am going back to Europe in March and it will be cold(42F day, 29F night) and probably snowy/rainy during that time. I am not thinking of full on downpour but steady light rain will probably be the norm. Thanks to everyone who responds!<br>

David</p>

<p>I have used my 5D in heavy downpour numerous times, and I would assume the 5Dm2 would manage a little better in that regard.</p>

<p><img src="http://kennethchou.ca/1223.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="532" /></p>

<p>Why not just get a plastic cover for it? That's what I use for my camera and it works fine.</p>

<p>I have used my 5D2 more or less the same way I used my 5D - I don't worry about moisture in mist and sprinkles. In real rain I take steps to protect the camera (and lens!) including working under an umbrella if possible, placing something (a hat?) over the camera if I use a tripod, and wiping the camera off with a towel when it gets too wet.</p>

<p>I shot for 2 1/2 days in solid rain in Yosemite last fall, and I photographed a rainy stage of the Tour of California with the 5D2.</p>

<p>My verdict? The 5D2 is less water-resistant than the 1-Series bodies, but it is usable in wet conditions if you are careful.</p>

<p>Dan</p>

<p>I don't know about the grip because I have never been shooting in the rain. I do know however, that the rubber gasket on 'L' lenses only works IF the body has an equivalent gasket on its lens mount. AKAIK the only bodies with such gasket are the 1D series bodies.</p>

<p>In other words, the rubber gasket on the lens does NOTHING to keep dust or moisture out unless the body has one as well.</p>

<p>I think the rain cover for it is a good idea, but it's good to know that a little rain is still ok for the bare camera and lens, thanks everyone!<br>

David</p>

 

<p>Personally I'll put a cover on mine if it looks like it will rain more than just a sprinkle, but mostly thats because most of my lenses are not weather sealed. For your trip I'd suggest finding a good cover that you can work with, a camera bag that is weather proof, and follow the instructions of letting the camera warm up to room temp before you use it. Just to be safe, I'd think you more than likely won't use a cover, but its nice to have it in case you need it.</p>

<p>I think the reports of failures on the arctic trip may be a little over stated. I'm a little suspicious of those reports, as their previous trip had the same failure rate for the xD model that was new at that time. Seems like they like to point out Canon issues but over look other makers issues. There were some failures, but most seemed to come from the same batch of serial numbers and some may have involved the new grip. I feel for the people that had issues, and think they should bring it up on the web as maybe Canon will provide more weather sealing in more models. I'd be upset as well. I'm just a little suspicious of the sites reporting of the issues as maybe a little bias, not of the people that had the issues.</p>

<p>I do believe that it is a step up from the last generation, but that it is not as good as the xD line and that the Nikons may have better sealing as well.</p>

 

<p>A cover is cheaper than sending your lens/body in for repair, or replacement. I keep one of these (see link) in my camera bag at all time, just incase the weather changes. Cheap protection for your expensive gear.<br>

http://fotosharp.com/camera_rain_covers.html<br>

When I have to shoot in serious down pours I use one of Kata's rain covers, because they stay in place more securely and allow better access to the body.</p>

<p>Always travel with a pack of <a href="http://www.jackthehat.co.uk/optech-rainsleeve-p-25.html">these</a> and you'll never have to worry. For the price, it's crazy not to have some.</p>

<p>I have used mine most of the winter for shooting Ski racing and have had no problems with the cold - it has been used down to about -25C (below this I use a film 1 series or even the old "new F1" - the F1 works at -40C with no problem). In terms of Rain I have had mine out in heavy rain a number of times without incident - I try to shelter it from the rain, wipe it regularly and do not leave it out for prolonged periods (i.e I take it out shoot then wipe and put away). I live in the Canadian Rockies so the camera goes through a lot of extreme weather and appears to be fine. My main fear is actually condensation so when I use it in the cold I let it acclimatize slowly before bringing it into a warm damp atmosphere. I do not use the vertical grip and have read the same article. When I read the article I suspected that there were also some user issues. In terms of the lenses you should have no problems ( I used to have the 17-40, now replaced by 16-35 II and also use the 24-70 and 70-200).</p>

<p>Philip wrote:</p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>In terms of Rain I have had mine out in heavy rain a number of times without incident - I try to shelter it from the rain, wipe it regularly and do not leave it out for prolonged periods (i.e I take it out shoot then wipe and put away). I live in the Canadian Rockies so the camera goes through a lot of extreme weather and appears to be fine. My main fear is actually condensation so when I use it in the cold I let it acclimatize slowly before bringing it into a warm damp atmosphere.</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>+1 - that's pretty much my experience/viewpoint, too.</p>

<p>My 5D with battery grip has been with me caught out in a rainstorm a couple of times. I was frantic trying to shield it while I popped the tripod plate off, and it got wet, but I blotted it dry with towels in the car, and it continues to work with no problems... more than 2 years later.</p>

<p>The 5D is really water tight: If you got water inside it will never get out .....</p>

<p>Situations like this is exactly why I keep my old Canon 30D. I plan on having my 5D Mark II for many many years so I would not take that kind of risk with it unless I was making a lot of money from the photos taken in that situation. Otherwise, why not use a cheap film camera less expensive Digital. If you must shoot with the 5D I think it is only practical to cover it with some type of protective plastic at best.</p>