Shooting in the rain.

[George Ebersole]

There's a nearby creek, and it's been raining recently. I'd like to get down to the shore and shoot some close shots of the water surface. But, with rain, mud and rushing water, I'm thinking that's not good for a camera. I'll be using a DSLR.

 

Any reccomendations? Can I just throw some plastic around it, or do I have to buy one of those professional bags?

 

thanks for any reply

[Aapo Lettinen]

it kind of depends, splashes can be difficult and plastic wraps may restrict shooting quite a lot... but you will get great shots for sure so it'll be worth it anyway :lol:

 

it is very good idea to use a filter on the lens though, any filter or clear glass which can be cleaned every time it gets water on it will do.

You can use lens cleaning fluid (rosco etc.) to ease wiping the water off, I tend to have a blower bulb with me all the time in these situations and just blowing the droplets to the sides to clear the filter.

 

if you don't have a pro rain cover for the camera you can use plastic or watertight fabric and, if it's not too windy, attach it to the camera with the same kind of clamps used for attaching gels to lights

 

[Robin R Probyn]

I guess there are two schools of thought here.. the pegs and plastic bags .. why spend the money.. or the ..how much did you DSLR cost.. and you would risk it to save $25-50.. for a purpose built, fully water proof cover designed for your camera..

 

Bit of a no brainer in my humble opinion ..

[George Ebersole]

Thanks. Yeah, I don't want to get it wet, but I was wondering if buying a pro-bag was just spending a lot of money on something that could be replaced by a cheap roll of Glad wrap or something.

 

Thanks again.

[Robin R Probyn]

Yes but the next time its raining you can use the same ,admittedly over priced,rain cover.. I think its a dis economy to save a relatively small amount .. on a very useful item.. to protect an expensive item.. you can even claim it off your tax.. they are also handy for dusty /sandy locations..

[George Ebersole]

Point taken. Thanks for that. A $50 dollar bag is less expensive than a $2000 camera.

[Robin R Probyn]

Dont want to be preachy.. and the decision is of course yours .. just my own opinion ..

[Aapo Lettinen]

of course it is better to buy the dedicated camera cover if you have possibility to do that and you'll need it very often. I thought that the options were a self-made cover + possibility to get great shots today, or drive to a shop to purchase a factory made cover + miss today's shots because of the time loss.

 

rain covers are no splash bags however and don't protect from waves so if you are just trying to protect the camera from rain and small amounts of flying seawater, the self made cover may work just as well

[Robin R Probyn]

ah! right thats a good point.. was it a case of wanting to get the shots right away..? in which case yes .. a tough bin liner bag and some gaffer tape will do it.. sorry I didn't see that way.. and agreed probably good to buy an actual water tight splash bag if your getting right down by the water level..

 

Sorry Aapo.. I wasn't meaning to diss your post..

[Michael LaVoie]

The problem with rain bags built for cameras is they aren't usually sized to account for the rods, mattebox etc. So I usually end up using a clear plastic trash bag which is in some ways easier as you can see every part of the camera through it. But I wish there were more bags and rain jackets that were built with a "mattebox and accessories" in mind.

Edited December 13, 2016 by Michael LaVoie

[Robin R Probyn]

The problem with rain bags built for cameras is they aren't usually sized to account for the rods, mattebox etc. So I usually end up using a clear plastic trash bag which is in some ways easier as you can see every part of the camera through it. But I wish there were more bags and rain jackets that were built with a "mattebox and accessories" in mind.

 

 

Im surprised no one has made any rain covers for DSLR,s set up for shooting video.. Portabrace ?..

[Michael LaVoie]

This is the rain cover for the FS7 It's a Portabrace but you can see that it stops at the end of a rather short zoom lens. It's not meant to be put over a rig like this:

I haven't found any rain jackets or bags that will let you quickly protect or carry a rig like this.

[Aapo Lettinen]

ah! right thats a good point.. was it a case of wanting to get the shots right away..? in which case yes .. a tough bin liner bag and some gaffer tape will do it.. sorry I didn't see that way.. and agreed probably good to buy an actual water tight splash bag if your getting right down by the water level..

 

Sorry Aapo.. I wasn't meaning to diss your post..

 

No worries I just understood the question differently and replied based on that ^_^

 

I tend to keep some plastic bags and watertight cloth +clamps in the camera bag all the time so it is easy to make a temporary rain cover out of them if it suddenly starts to rain. I have attached velcro to the sides of the cloth and mattebox so that it is easy to attach it quickly to the mattebox and the rest can be handled with clamps. Not necessarily super practical in all situations but very quick to use and so small that you can transport all the materials in your pocket :lol:

 

 

 

 

I am also using this with more expensive cameras like FS7 when needed

[Robin R Probyn]

This is the rain cover for the FS7 It's a Portabrace but you can see that it stops at the end of a rather short zoom lens. It's not meant to be put over a rig like this:

I haven't found any rain jackets or bags that will let you quickly protect or carry a rig like this.

 

 

Yes I was referring to the OP who said he would be shooting with a DSLR.. but I agree re covers for Fs7/F5.. I bought a purpose designed rain cover for my F5.. and it was way too small.. luckily I still had a very expensive portabrace rain cover I had for my PMW500.. this works great for the F5 with CN7 zoom and mattbox.. EVF a bit tight.. but F5 designed one is un un useable with a zoom lens..

[George Ebersole]

Interesting. I wonder if I should get a camo one. Since I moved to the forested coast region I've seen more dear and coyotes than ever before, and I'm wondering if maybe capturing some wildlife images might be worth doing.

[George Ebersole]

Dude at Mike's camera called it a "rain sleeve".

[George Ebersole]

Bought it none too soon, only now the creek is is like the Mississippi during a flash flood, all brown and rushing down stream, carrying logs and other flotsam and jetsam. Too much water, and it's all brown and muddy.