Rain Protection

[bmac]

Well, The first storm of the season has hit Northern California. It took me over an hour to go 11 miles on the freeway last night.. further proof that Californians can't drive in anything but the sunshine.

I am going out on a shoot tomorrow as long as it is not totally raining. I am planning on wraping my 4X5 in a thick garbage sack for protection, and only sticking the lens out of a small opening in the bottom. Sort of like Hefty Bag focus cloth!

Does anyone else have any ideas?

Brian

 

[paul owen]

The idea of a garbage bag is good - but I'd be inclined to simply wrap the camera inside and then whip it off when the rain stops. The whole thing will act like a huge sail otherwise!

 

[jasonhirata]

An Umbrella

I just use a big golf umbrella, attatched to a bogen Flex Arm mounted on a Super Clamp. It just clamps to my tripod. Of course this doesnt work in harsh wind, but other than that it works surprisingly well.

i have also been currious about rain covers, i've never talked to anyone who has actually purchased one.

 

[noseoil]

Cheap plastic shower cap with the elastic band attached will work. Depends on how much rain there is. Works great here in Tucson, but not so sure about the rains you guys are having up there. Might be better to use a Rubber Ducky. tim

 

[schambuk]

Slow but sure I use a tarp in bad weather - protects against wind and rain. Quick assembly only adds a few minutes to setting up time.

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/Cat/122775?Ref=

Steve Chambers

 

[photobum]

Here on the east coast you deal with more rain than "Sunny California". A few years back I sewed up a rain cover that works from a small 4x5 to a 8x10.

I had some waterproof nylon camoflague material. I cut it long and wide enough to wrap around my 8x10 dorff with some extension. Velcro was sewed on to close it tight from 8x10 down to 4x5. With some folds here and there it works great. By the camera back velcro is on both sides of the cover so I can attach a waterproof camo darkcloth too. It all wraps tight to the camera so I get no sail effect. The waterproof nylon is stiff enough to fold over as a lens hood and protect the camera front.

I some times use the camo darkcloth as a background for nature close-ups.

Yeah, in a pinch motel shower caps work for small 4x5's or large M/F.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

It can rain/drizzle here for several weeks at a time in the fall and winter. What I use is a small-ish rain poncho over the camera with the lens hiding inside, but seeing through the hole made at the ponchos neck (the stiffened material at the neck provides protection for the lens by overhanging it) just make sure the poncho has snaps at the neck that make a small enough hole. I also take a small tarp to lay on the wet ground for my pack and camera bag to rest on, which is large enough to fold over the whole works to protect them from the wet from above.

Murray

 

[John Kasaian]

A black shower curtain is useful for many things photographic. Among them you'll be able to use it as a combination camera raincoat/focusing cloth.

 

[Richard Boutwell]

Harrison and Harrison, the same people that make the film changing tents, make water proof camera covers large enough to cover an extended 12x20. They also make a smaller version for 8x10 (and smaller formats) but is still big enough to go over the dark-cloth with you under it.

Paula Chamlee and I used them many times in Iceland a few years ago, and developed a system that allowed her to really work in the rain and wind (or the spray of a waterfall). Clip the front of the rain cover to the top and sides of the lens shade and clip the cover together below the front of the tripod. You can still get your hand under the cover for the movements and reach the controls for the lens.

If you want to go the garbage bag route I would suggest getting the heavy 3 or 4 mil contractors bag and cut in in half.

 

[Bruce Watson]

Harrison and Harrison, the same people that make the film changing tents, make water proof camera covers large enough to cover an extended 12x20. They also make a smaller version for 8x10 (and smaller formats) but is still big enough to go over the dark-cloth with you under it.

I can't find this rain cover. Have you got a link to share?

 

[Richard Boutwell]

Sorry, they go under Camera Essentials.

http://www.cameraessentials.com/cameraraincovers.asp

and

http://www.cameraessentials.com/cameracovers.asp

 

[DBP]

They also make a smaller version for 8x10 (and smaller formats)

I think this is the only place where smaller formats start at 5x7.

 

[Amund]

I use this Harrison dark cloth. The few times I`ve been surprised by rain or snow I`ve used it as the attatched image shows, works great.

 

[raucousimages]

I found a cheap beach umbrella and keep it in the truck.