Just how weather proof are DSLRs?

I have been reading other peoples post here about weather not being good or the poor chap who had his camera dropped in the sand. Which technically isn't weather related.

Can you take these cameras out in light rain and be OK? When they say they are weather sealed, what exactly does that mean in real terms? Or is it mostly a marketing gimmick?

I don't believe any of my DSLRs (20D, 40D, 5D, 5DII) have been very weather sealed. At least not like the top of the line models. I've had them out in sprinkling rain and falling snow for hours without any trouble. When the rain starts falling harder I put on a rain cover.

Once in cold, winter weather the LCD on the 20D stopped working, but as son as it warmed up again it was okay. I've never had that happen with any DSLR since.

Henry Peach wrote:
Once in cold, winter weather the LCD on the 20D stopped working, but as son as it warmed up again it was okay. I've never had that happen with any DSLR since.

I was out a few times this past winter in -20 c weather. On one occasion I got ice build up on my shutter button and it stopped working momentarily, after turning it off for about 10 minutes and having it nestled under my winter coat i was able to take a few more pix of the ice fishing people. Also the battery life goes faster in very cold weather.

After the ice situation on my shutter button I did not continue to shoot outdoors in below - 20 c. I guess the 10 minute power outage concerned me a bit.

I can't speak for all cameras, only the ones I've had. I had the Nikon D50, D80 and now D7000. I have had all 3 in light rain, pouring down rain and thunderstorms with no protection (yes I know, you all can kill me now). Don't worry, my husband already did it. lol At one point I did get a rain sleeve to make my husband happy. I used it once and in the middle of using it I took it off because it was more in the way, then actually being useful.

All 3 cameras never got wet inside, never got ruin in any way from the rain. Of course I always dry the camera/lens off as soon as I get inside.

Oh and I also had them in snow too.

I have had the buttons on the back of the camera go crazy then stop working all together. The problem was sweat from my hand and high humidity. I managed to suck the moisture out with a vacuum when I got it home.

Camera Umbrella

DestinDave wrote: Camera Umbrella

Yeah, I have one but rarely use it. I have all but submerged my D300, its been in very cold, way too hot, driving rain, sleet, hail and a close call in the Atlantic surf, been on tripod and knocked over, (Twice in five minutes, same klutz ) and has had no problems arise from the abuse. Same with my 24-70 2.8, all short of deep water. I haven't had the guts to expose my D700 to the same, but its basically the same camera body.......

I've cleaned my camera off with a hose.

Everyone in HK has umbrellas anyway. But I've used my camera in a thunderstorm.

effron wrote:

DestinDave wrote: Camera Umbrella

Yeah, I have one but rarely use it. I have all but submerged my D300, its been in very cold, way too hot, driving rain, sleet, hail and a close call in the Atlantic surf, been on tripod and knocked over, (Twice in five minutes, same klutz ) and has had no problems arise from the abuse. Same with my 24-70 2.8, all short of deep water. I haven't had the guts to expose my D700 to the same, but its basically the same camera body.......

You should do a commercial for Nikon

Pettigrew wrote:

effron wrote:

DestinDave wrote: Camera Umbrella

Yeah, I have one but rarely use it. I have all but submerged my D300, its been in very cold, way too hot, driving rain, sleet, hail and a close call in the Atlantic surf, been on tripod and knocked over, (Twice in five minutes, same klutz ) and has had no problems arise from the abuse. Same with my 24-70 2.8, all short of deep water. I haven't had the guts to expose my D700 to the same, but its basically the same camera body.......

You should do a commercial for Nikon

I thought I just did.........

I have a Nikon D3100 and I have taken it out BRIEFLY in the rain and snow, but I have never done it for long periods of time I am just to chicken.

fotozone wrote: I have a Nikon D3100 and I have taken it out BRIEFLY in the rain and snow, but I have never done it for long periods of time I am just to chicken.

It has no weather sealing. I wouldn't let rain hit it.

I like Effron have had my D300 in everything with no problems. I was trying to catch lightning last week and it and my fisheye only got wet with no errors. In the camera lines the upper end cameras are all weather sealed. This also holds true for the lenses. If you are not sure about your camera and lens carry a large ziplock to cover it, cut a hole for the lens.

Joves wrote: I like Effron have had my D300 in everything with no problems. I was trying to catch lightning last week and it and my fisheye only got wet with no errors. In the camera lines the upper end cameras are all weather sealed. This also holds true for the lenses. If you are not sure about your camera and lens carry a large ziplock to cover it, cut a hole for the lens.

The weather sealed lenses need a screw on filter on the front to complete the seal.