The elements (not Photoshop) - how to protect your gear?

How do you deal with the elements when shooting in poor weather? Are you using rain covers from your camera maker, others? Anyone with experience from LensCoat's RainCoat range or any other product you would recommend - or advice against? Or are you simply using the MacGyver version (a plastic bag and rubber bands)?

 

All my gear (except the 50/1.8) is weather-sealed but that is still not enough to feel safe when it rains a lot and you plan on shooting for a longer period of time in spite of (or rather because of) the poor weather.

The MacGyver solution, absolutely: Strong, large plastic bag, rolled up, secured with a small bungee cord. It takes up almost no space and is cheap to replace when you lose it. Ugly? Well, yeah, but it works...

Have enough sense to come in out of the rain, and a waterproof raincover built into my camera bag for times I get caught out. Otherwise, shoot from shelter.

I HATE getting caught in rain, so I don't go out shooting when the forecast calls for 30% or more chance of rain. On the few times I got caught in a light rain, my Domke bags kept my gear dry.

Available at most Big Box stores are emergency Poncho's for less then $2. Opened, they will cover just about any camera set around your neck & keep your head & upper torso dry. Plastic shopping bags are great & don't forget to "rip" off some veggie bags while shopping. I keep several of these in the kit when facing unsettled weather. Rubber bands or re-usable Velcro bands keep them secured. In Hawaii, surf spray is a constant, & these shopping or veggie bags keep the lens clean. Finally, do you have a small bumber-shoot handy?? Last idea. . if it's SO Bad, stay home & scan your latest work ! Bill

Thanks for your input! Looks like the MacGyver solution won by a popular vote, so I suppose I will keep using plastic bags and rubber bands.

 

I was not asking for carrying solutions (I already have a LowePro AW and a Domke bag), I was asking for covers when shooting. Staying at home or keeping the gear in a bag is thus not helpfull (I know when to call it a day).

 

However, if you do use a rain cover please do share your experience.

There's this crazy invention called an "umbrella". Comes in translucent white for shooting a flash into, or in a multitude of other colours for keeping rain off yourself and your gear. Unfortunately, it seems that you have to play golf to own and use larger versions!

Most of my bags come with a rain cover. Although the YAK zippers are right, they won't withstand a real soaking. I also carry a couple of gallon sized Zip-Loc bags and some heavy rubber bands. They can wrap the entire camera and seal, or leave the objective exposed, sealed with a rubber band or two.

 

The only time I've been caught in a downpour was during a walking tour of Prague. I had an umbrella, but it's awkward to hold it and shoot (or tuck away gear) at the same time. The Zip loc bag and rain cover saved the day. My Nikon was pretty much drip proof. I'm not so sure about my Sony cameras, despite assurances from others on the web.

 

There are commercial rain covers for cameras, with attachments to accommodate even large lenses. They're not cheap, but neither are cameras and lenses. I have one for a video camera, which is completely unprotected from the elements.

I suspect that the failure, years ago, of my Nikkormat EL was somehow related to the nearly full day of shooting in the rain a week before-- to be sure, under an umbrella and plastic.

I'm with William Kahn on this one (large plastic bags), although Sandy's "get out of the rain, you damned fool" solution is the wiser course.