Weatherproofed D SLR

[pons]

This is a subject that increasingly concerns me,and I realise should have concerned me more when I finally took the plunge and bought a DSLR,in my case a Nikon D70S,which is a good sturdy camera,gives great results,but hates dust ,water and damp and wet weather.

Now baring in mind ,my camera goes everywhere with me,whatever the weather,gets used proffesionally most weeks,and goes abroad in heat and sandy climes,it is a subject I should have thought about more.

Only now am I finding out that unlike my old film cameras,which seemed more tolerant to these conditions described,that these digi cameras ,which are more computers than cameras,baring in mind the size of the menus,and electronic wizardy.

So what Digital SLRS offer weatherproofing and dust protection?

At the moment it seems only real top end stuff ,or maybe the new Fuji S5,or Sigma SD-14 address this problem.

Am I right.

This is why I am thinking of upgrading,both for image quality,and more robustness and tolerance to bad weather conditions.

Should I invest in the weatherproof packs available ?

Any thoughts or advice ,my learned freinds.

Pons

 

[The Monk]

For angling purposes you can buy waterproof covers, as a guide I use the professional Lowepro padded cases and put the camera in a freezer bag inside this. Digital camera don`t like the damp, as a wedding photographer I have a bad habit (no pun) of putting my cameras down on wet grass as I`m setting up shots, , I`ve always done this with film cameras but had problems when I went digital, the digtal batteries don`t like the cold either and will often not work under ectreme cold conditions, hence I usually carry spare batteries in winter in a warm place.

 

[The Monk]

basically mechanical cameras and water will mix to a certain extent, but water and electric will not

 

[Graham Marsden (ACA)]

Couple of these here might be of interest Chris:

Cover


Armour

 

[pons]

That's great lads,really appreciated,never knew such stuff existed !
I have been wrapping the Nikon in that really thick tape !
As for batteries !,know all about that Monk from filming DVDS in winter ,in the cold and wet !,they should put some viagra in them ,for more life (chuckling)
Can feel myself getting closer to that S5 ........
Links added to my favourites.
Anyone want a cheap D70s ?
Pons

 

[The Monk]

Then S5s a good camera with a Nikon built body, the D200 is a much better option at the moment and it has dropped considerable in price, less that ?800 at the moment and a pretty good work horse, I`ve dropped mine on concrete twice now and all i`ve done is smashed the UV filter and this was from 6 foot onto church flags (much to the amusment of the congregation)

 

[The Monk]

I like those links Graham, i`ve not seen thoughs, I`m still using the jessops plastic cover which grips the lense, no good for auto focus, the one in your link looks really good, i`ll get one

 

[Terry Comerford]

Covers are a little bulky for mobile work.
You can get extra waterproofing for nothing at the supermarket vegetable section.
Those little clear polythene bags are spot on, for both lenses and cameras.
You can still see all the controls.

Keep your spare batteries in an inside jacket pocket.

When you buy a new camera always put tape on the edges that get worn the most.
Change the tape regularly.
When you come to trade the camera in, whip the tape off, clean up and hey presto, mint looking second hand camera!

 

[pons]

Ian Chapman showed me that one Terry,but the D70 is hard to tape up properly,but I have had a go.

Monk,
Does the Nikon have the weatherproofing ?
I did read a really interesting comparison yesterday on another site,showing two comparative shots,shots seconds apart between the S5 and D200,and thruthfully the S5 trounced it with its extra dynamic range.
You are right though,the D200 is a mighty fine camera.
Shall hang fire for a bit as no rush,and new cameras coming thick and fast from many.

What's the general opinion on the Sigma cameras,do they really cut it,the SD-14 looks a fine beast with excellent pixelation.

Pons

 

[Morespiders]

I keep my Kodak instamatic in a Sainsburys bag for life,never had any problems
























Ps iIm buying a new bag next year can anyone recomend a good one I like the looks of the new Asda one myself.

 

[The Monk]

Hi Pons yeah the Nikons are suppose to be weather proofed. Sigma are good at making compedatively priced lenses for the amature market and have been doing so for many years, the company`s move into the camar market however is relatively recent, so its a case of reading all the individual model reports. new models do have problems and I never buy a model when they are first launched I much prefer to let everyone else test them first, even Nikon and Canon get it wrong from time to time. digital technology is however moving a a phenominal rate, simliar to computer chips when they first hit the market. I can remember my first computer had an hard drive with just gig on it and i paid about a grand at the time, mega pixels is the computers gig and mega pixs will continue to increase as the years advance. i predict in the next 10 years 50 mega pix will be available on cheap cameras and the Nikon D8 will be boasting double that

 

[pons]

Cheers Monk,and I am sure you are right.

One of the fastest movers and shakers appears to be Samsung,who really are making some serious strides,as do Sony who took over the Minolta technology.

There are increasingly good alternatives to the giants of Nikon and Canon,which is great for us consumers.

The Olympus range gets more impressive,and there 5060 Camedia was my introduction to digi,and apart from slowness,it takes great pictures,including underwater with the waterproof cover fitted,bought specially.

Pons.

 

[The Monk]

yes everyone is now jumping on the Digital band wagon, but you have to bear in mind that Nikon and Canon have experience of the technology and have got it wrong in the early days, before you buy make sure others have p[roperly road tested it first, that means leave it on the market for a while first

 

[pons]

Wise Words ,Monk.
Pons

 

[The Monk]

haha Graham road tested the D200 for me.

Spidey, I`d go for an ASDA bag any time mate, these are designed specifically with anglers in mind