Best Weather Sealed Body?

snegron · Jul 13, 2014

Pioneer said:
Ah, just go buy an LX.

Back in he early 1980's I wanted an LX. They were pricey back then. Today they still seem quite pricy compared to other cameras!

I currently only have one Pentax lens attached to a Super Program body. Buying an LX would mean having to get at least three more lenses!

John_Nikon_F · Jul 13, 2014

As I mentioned on Nikonians, F3HP. Get one of those OP/TECH rainsleeves and use that to help keep water off the camera.

-J

Pioneer · Jul 13, 2014

snegron said:
Back in he early 1980's I wanted an LX. They were pricey back then. Today they still seem quite pricy compared to other cameras!

I currently only have one Pentax lens attached to a Super Program body. Buying an LX would mean having to get at least three more lenses!

If you enjoy good prime lenses then a small foray into the Pentax world is likely worth it. But to be honest, most of the time I hold my hat over the camera when caught in a small drizzle or rainfall. If it gets too serious I head for the car.

When I am out hiking I usually pack a camera with no electronics. It is a lot easier to protect my small light meter from the rain. Folding cameras are great for this. Fold the door shut and the most sensitive component, your shutter, is actually pretty well protected. But that isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Loulou · Jul 14, 2014

I can confirm that the Canon 1V is very well weather sealed. So much so that when mine ended up in the sea after my tripod fell over it kept on working with no problems at all as did my lens.

Poisson Du Jour said:
Canon's EOS 1V would tip my list for the best weather sealing of camera body, but also the most enduring. Sealing breaks down over time from many cycles of exposure to heat, cold, humidity and dryness, and all cameras that are sealed will usually have replacements made at the time of a major service. My EOS1N has been through patently atrocious conditions since 1994 and has never been serviced. It is sealed along the prime control area and back cover. Remember that a camera is only as good as the lens on the front -- this is where the consideration of weather resistance should be and is more important, all things else being equal.

Xmas · Jul 14, 2014

For rain & low humidity

Umberella
uvfilter
Deep lens hood
hand laundered micro cloth

If water capillaries unto film...

shoot one handed in rain best shots of day warrented

For high humidity

Ie cold day with coffee shop breaks
Ziploc
fresh ovened silica gel

internal corrosion

GarageBoy · Jul 14, 2014

However well sealed a weather sealed body was, it won't be now after 20 years of seal deterioration

Paul Howell · Jul 14, 2014

trythis said:
I think they were suggesting the f3p which is a little bit different.

The F3 p or j stood for press or journalist depending on if bought in US or abroad. In addition to being weather sealed the self-timer was removed and it had a built in hot shoe. Nikon also claimed that it was built to higher standards than a standard F3, as far as I know the HP is not weather sealed. I knew a lot of PJs who shot with standard F, F2 and F3, I shot with both the F and F2 as well the F3J, in the rain snow and sleet, dust storms, volcano eruptions and their cameras lived to tell the story.

John_Nikon_F · Jul 14, 2014

^Never have seen an F3J. Only F3P or F3 Limited. I have the P version.

-J

snegron · Jul 14, 2014

John_Nikon_F said:
As I mentioned on Nikonians, F3HP. Get one of those OP/TECH rainsleeves and use that to help keep water off the camera.

-J

Thanks John! I took a look at the rain sleeves on B&H; not a bad idea! What I couldn't figure out from the product photo though is how it wraps around the viewfinder. :confused:

Alex Muir · Jul 14, 2014

snegron said:
Thanks John! I took a look at the rain sleeves on B&H; not a bad idea! What I couldn't figure out from the product photo though is how it wraps around the viewfinder. :confused:

There is a hole in the product for the eyepiece. You remove the screw in eyepiece surround, fit the product, then replace the surround to secure it in place. I have used one on an F3 and it is quite effective.

Alex

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 16, 2014

I have been inside my own F3P and seen in person as well as reviewing the Nikon official repair manual and parts list for both the F3 and F3P/T and the weather sealing for the P/T is mostly done with silicone rather than Neoprene and the weather sealing of my F3P has not deteriorated *at all*. I cannot vouch for the Canon products, but if they used neoprene then in all likelihood they have deteriorated and will not be sealed. I got my F3P in 1993 and it was my daily news camera for ten years as well being used as a regular camera for weddings, I consider mine to be as weatherproof as I'll ever need, but, Your Mileage May Vary.

lxdude · Jul 16, 2014

Pioneer said:
Ah, just go buy an LX.

John_Nikon_F · Jul 16, 2014

RidingWaves said:
I have been inside my own F3P and seen in person as well as reviewing the Nikon official repair manual and parts list for both the F3 and F3P/T and the weather sealing for the P/T is mostly done with silicone rather than Neoprene and the weather sealing of my F3P has not deteriorated *at all*. I cannot vouch for the Canon products, but if they used neoprene then in all likelihood they have deteriorated and will not be sealed. I got my F3P in 1993 and it was my daily news camera for ten years as well being used as a regular camera for weddings, I consider mine to be as weatherproof as I'll ever need, but, Your Mileage May Vary.

Same experience as mine. The body I parted out last year still had good weather sealing pieces. My current body still has good rubber seals even though it is 31 years old as of this month.

-J

blockend · Jul 17, 2014

The Olympus MjuII is weather resistant. Don't go swimming with it but you should be okay for a little rain.

MattKing · Jul 17, 2014

Not weather sealed, but handles water well:

Best Weather Sealed Body?

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