7D experiences/tips/advice under heavy rain.

[nicolasraddatz]

<p>Hi all, I'd like to share something that happened to me yesterday. I was shooting under very heavy rain, it was quite cold, probably a few degrees above 0º Celsius.<br>

After maybe an hour or two I went inside a car with the camera (i mention this because it may have something to do with what happened later), it was slightly warmer than outside as there were 3 more people inside the car, and a bit humid because of this. Calefactioning/Air conditioning was off. I took some water off the camera with a cloth, and after maybe half an hour I went outside again.<br>

After a couple of minutes, all camera controls stopped working. Only the mode change wheel and the shutter trigger responded properly. As far as I could see, there was no visible condensation on the lens or camera screens. The camera could take photos (the shutter triggered), but it was not possible to change any parameter, and under AV mode the lightmeter didn't seem to respond properly.<br>

I stopped shooting, put the camera back on the bag and as soon as I got home (maybe some 5 hours after the incident) i proceeded to gently dry it with a hair drier. Everything seems to be in proper working order now, but I'm still a bit afraid of taking it out under tough weather again, and I'm pretty sure I'll need to because of work assignments.<br>

I'm wondering what could have caused this. My bet is that taking the camera inside the car was a bad idea (i've shot under rain a couple of time before without any issues).<br>

Have you had similar experiences? What are your tips / advice regarding shooting with a high end EOS body in the outside? I should also mention that i've been using 580EX II flash all along under rain with great success.<br>

Best regards!</p>

[nathangardner]

<blockquote>

<p>I was shooting under very heavy rain</p>

</blockquote>

<p>That probably did it. Just b/c the 7D is weather resistant doesn't mean you can take it into a monsoon and nothing happen.</p>

[PuppyDigs]

<p>The 7D is water resistant, not waterproof. It is able to take light rain, snow and mist without a whimper. Heavy rain is only a notch from tossing it in a shower and bound to cause trouble sooner or later. Use a camera raincoat. Heck I use a small umbrella in emergencies.</p>

<p>I'm guessing the lens mount is likely to leak first as the 7D lacks the o-ring seal of the 1D series.</p>

[nicolasraddatz]

<p>Hi all and thanks for the replies. Nathan, please take a look at the following link <a href="http://canonfieldreviews.com/7d-1-weather-sealing/">http://canonfieldreviews.com/7d-1-weather-sealing/</a>. I'd think shooting in antarctica under snowstorms is definitely worse than rain, and the camera seemed to hold up pretty well. Heck, my own experiences prior to this hiccup were good enough to give me some confidence shooting in bad weather. It's not like I can choose not to shoot. I NEED to, otherwise I'm failing to deliver the pictures. Puppy Face, unfortunately, an umbrella is not an option, as I'm shooting on top of a moving truck shooting horse endurance races.<br>

When I bought the 7D, one of the main features of it that I was attracted to was the supposedly superior weather sealing (even better than 5D as far as I know), so I find it a bit puzzling that I'm not supposed to use it under heavy rain? I mean, it's one of canons flagship cameras and due to its high fps, probably the best for shooting sports...its only natural that sooner or later you'll need to get it wet at some point, don't you think?</p>

[bobatkins]

<p>It's not designed for shooting in heavy rain. I'm pretty sure it doesn't even have the lens mount gasket.</p>

<p>No camera (other than an underwater camera) is designed for shooting in heavy rain. Some are better than others, but with enough rain even a 1 series body will eventually have problems. The 7D does not have the degree of sealing that the 1 series cameras do.</p>

<p>Get a rain hood - or a Nikonos!</p>

<p>"Getting it wet" isn't the same as an hour or two in heavy rain. I'm surprised it lasted that long. It's not waterproof. It's weather resistant. Very different things.</p>

[lauren_macintosh]

<p>Mr.Bob Atkins. I agree with weather resistant is not the same as water proof, But after looking at this site <a rel="nofollow" href="http://canonfieldreviews.com/7d-1-weather-sealing/" target="_blank">http://canonfieldreviews.com/7d-1-weather-sealing/</a>. some one in the Advertisment department needs to rethink their ad for the 7D weather proof camera, could you pass it on to the higher up: Thanks a lot:<br>

Because the Pentax 20D would hold up better than the EOS 7D in my way of thinking!</p>

[lauren_macintosh]

<p>Mr.Atkins. this is a follow up the above message, after going to this site at canon USA , and reviewing the information there, http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_230851_-1 No where does it mention anything about weather proofing on the camera, So one has to wonder where do these folks get such info as to the cameras abilities in foul weather?</p>

[bobatkins]

<p>That's not a Canon website. It's just some guy who happened to have good luck with the camera in tough conditions.</p>

<p>Canon only claim "dust and weather resistance" and talk about "..The camera's nine internal seals enhance weather resistance..".</p>

<p>The EOS 1D MkIV has a total of 76 seals and gaskets including a seal at the lens mount (which the 7D lacks) which is essential to prevent water getting into the camera body (but is only effective when used with a weathersealed lens with a matching flange gasket).</p>

<p>If you choose to believe the 7D is capable of shooting for hours in heavy rain based on one review, then you're probably going to be disappointed. Canon have never claimed it can be used in such conditions. It's better sealed than the EOS Rebels and the EOS 20/30/40/50D series, but it is <em><strong>not</strong></em> sealed to the standards of Canon's 1 series cameras and Canon have never claimed that it is.</p>

[roger_smith4]

<p>I suggest getting a waterproof bag to use for shooting in such conditions. I use one (infrequently) in rain and snow and it protects the camera.<br _mce_bogus="1"></p>

[nathangardner]

<p>to me the 1D III or IV seems like your best option, not the 7D. They are the flagship all out sports/action cameras. They shoot even faster fps than the 7D, have better AF, vertical controls, and are better sealed against bad weather. Even still I would use protection.</p>

[nathangardner]

<p>oh, and if you plan on doing this sort of thing often, and by often I mean once, then I'd highly recommend insuring your gear.</p>

[gbs]

<p> Hi,<br>

Having used electronic powered cameras as a livelihood for 40 + years<br>

I have learned a few basic little things: Shooting in the cold about 40 F and below,<br>

and in moisture of any kind regardless of temperature, I just leave the stuff out and dry.<br>

Dry like under your vehicle, back pack, hat, or tarp - on on a dry surface hopefully wrapped for<br>

wind protection etc. Changes in temp causes immediate condensation on both metal<br>

and glass parts. Your " always ready " camera case might work ...<br>

When changing locations I wrap lenses and bodies in very thin plastic wrap,<br>

and then let the temp adjust slowly in their cases - in the back of a car or train.<br>

Any kind of cover always keeps moisture penetration to a manageable level.<br>

The same rules apply to Desert conditions as well. The Sahara Desert, Death Valley,<br>

Southern Utah etc are wonderful place to take pictures, but keep your cameras<br>

out of the heat - like not on your dashboard while you eat lunch, and wind is a bummer<br>

as well [ granular dust ] .<br>

Common sense prevails here: be creative, have fun.</p>

<p><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=14630">Bob Atkins</a> in the above post also points out a very accurate flaw in modern<br>

camera design.</p>

<p>I use two Cannon 1 Ds Mk 3's with prime lenses in horrible situations, they are napping<br>

quietly in their box.</p>

<p>- hope this is helpful<br>

Greg Sumner</p>

[nicolasraddatz]

<p>Thanks to all for your kind replies. It seems I overestimated the habilities of the camera to hold on tough weather. I'm glad I found out now, and not after the camera stopped shooting at all. Unfortunately a 1D is way over my budget at the moment, so it seems like I'll need a decent rain cover. Most of them look either clumsy or impractical for what I've seen. Any recommendations?</p>

[model mayhem gallery]

<p>You are extremely lucky you have not already damaged your camera. Just because it still works doesn't mean you have not dramatically shorten the life span of your camera. This is exactly why I will never buy a used camera high end digital camera. You never know what it has been through. You may eventually start to get mold, or rust on sensitive electronic connections. I have a friend who shoots for the Oakland Raiders and because they have to shoot in all weather conditions he only shoots with 1D camera's. However, even then when he knows its going to snow or rain he doesn't use his own camera's he rents them. Obviously, shooting for the Raiders he is getting paid enough to still make a profit. I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II, I had to shoot a sailboat race where there was going to be salty ocean water spray and I uses a plastic garbage bag and duct tape. The only thing out of bag was the eye cup. All other components including shutter button where under the plastic. Worked fine the only thing exposed was my 70-200 F2.8L which had a lens filter attached and only the very end of lens was showing.</p>

[danielleetaylor]

<p>I'm curious: did you change lenses or batteries while in the car, or remove either for any reason?</p>

[Greg M]

<p>Easy answer here if you don't want to drop a lot of money on the more expensive, fully-sealed bodies. Optech rain sleeves and you can use any DSLR in the rain, and never change the weather conditions in the middle of shooting or you risk fogging the optics and having to wait several minutes for the outfit to acclimate to the shooting conditions again, but get those rain sleeves....they work...</p>

<p><a href="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Sports/Lone-Star-Park-2010-Images/11793372_9wMGL#922355153_RK55N"><img id="lightBoxImage" src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Sports/Lone-Star-Park-2010-Images/P7030043/922355153_RK55N-XL.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Sports/Lone-Star-Park-2010-Images/11793372_9wMGL#922357295_J4akf"><img id="lightBoxImage" src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Sports/Lone-Star-Park-2010-Images/P7030052/922357295_J4akf-XL.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Sports/Lone-Star-Park-2010-Images/11793372_9wMGL#929434817_gBx6S"><img id="lightBoxImage" src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Sports/Lone-Star-Park-2010-Images/P7090476/929434817_gBx6S-XL.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Sports/Lone-Star-Park-2010-Images/11793372_9wMGL#929435227_k7PdC"><img id="lightBoxImage" src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Sports/Lone-Star-Park-2010-Images/P7090478/929435227_k7PdC-XL.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

[tomwatt]

<p>Definitely go for some kind of waterproofing... bag, case or something.<br>

The thing about winter conditions, as opposed to heavy rain, is the water isn't liquid, and doesn't penetrate into the camera so easily.<br>

I lost a film Minolta to shooting in a rainstorm that way. It just wasn't the same after that, regardless of all the cleaning, drying and such in the aftermath.</p>

[nicolasraddatz]

<p>@ Daniel: No, I didn't change lenses. I had the lens wrapped with a plastic bag and with tape around the body-lens connection.<br>

@Greg: Nice pictures! Are the Optech rain sleeves reusable, or are they the use-it-once-and-forget-about-it types?<br>

Thanks!</p>

[Greg M]

<p>There's no reason why they could not be re-used. I went to Arlington Camera to see if they had 'em in-stock (thankfully, they did) the day of those races because it looked like it could start anytime and the skies opened up not 5 minutes before race 1. They cost $6.95 for a pack of 2. I bought two packs and I have now used two of them because it rained that Saturday and the next Friday night when I went again. I just tossed each of the two I did use because I didn't want to fool with it and it might take 12 months before i used the other two I still have!</p>

<p> </p>

[steve santikarn]

<p>get an underwater housing for your 7D and you can shoot in the rain all day long, just be sure to wipe the water drops from the lens before shooting.</p>