cameras to use in the rain/snow

seanbonner said:
I think Leica's being touted as the standard go-to war journalist camera for so many years says a lot about what they were designed for and what they can put up with environment wise.
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Yes but ...

1) these were all mechanical Leicas

2) they were not 50 / 60 but maybe 5 or 10 years in service at that time (less wear / lubricants not dried)

3) they were in many cases not paid for from the photographer`s pocket money but the agency / newspaper the photographer was working for.

I have used my M Leicas on many occasions under harsh conditions (covered in snow in blizzards, temperatures well below zero degrees, in heavy rain). but always made sure to get them dry (dry-cabinet / silica gel) as soon as possible after using them in bad weather.
 
a couple tips if you're going to use a RF in the rain or snow:
-use a lens hood if you can; it helps to keep the rain/snow out
-try to keep the RF/VF windows clear; water on these will blur the viewfinder.
 
A leica will be fine, but I'd watch out for the meter. I fell into a lake with a Leica CL and the only thing that broke was the meter. I know someone who dropped their M8 into the water and after a few days of letting it dry, it still worked 100%.
 
Good tips above. I have used all my 35mm cameras in inclement weather. I always tried to have them in a case, under my coat, under an umbrella, etc. If they got wet, I tried to dry them as soon as possible. They all still work; Yashica TL Super (meter's wonky), Fujica ST 901, Contax 167. That isn't a promise any of them will stop suddenly, but so far, with a little care, they are still working well. The Yashica and Fuji I have had for nearly 40 years, with lots of film through them.

I think most cameras, used with care and dried as often and as soon as possible, should do well.
 
The Nikons III and amphibious 35mm f2.5 was used plenty during the Vietnam war for it's all weather capabilities.
It's cheap and good quality but you mostly need to use it like a Leica Standard: no rangefinder, no lightmeter.
If the lack of lightmeter is a problem take the model IV or V. Peel off the orange covering 🙂
 
I've had two cameras affected by getting wet. The XA2 flew out of my pocket as I went tumbling down a ski slope. I removed battery and dried it out, and it continued to work for several years. My EOS 620 was never the same after a wet weekend in Wales, the shutter release became unreliable.
 
Canon EOS,35-80

Canon EOS,35-80

when the weather is bad. I use it in the rain,dust,at the beach, I know, its not an RF camera, but I wouldn't want to subject my Leica to ghastly weather
 
The thing that kills cameras is sea water. Rain and snow are not a problem on a film camera, provided one is minimally careful. Even digital Ms, though more fragile, are regularly used without problem in the rain but a tropical downpour without protection may mess up the sensor or electronics.
The new M will be splash-waterproof.
What is more damaging is internal condensation. The backpack example above is a good one. A backpack at temperatures around the freezing point in wet conditions is a perfect condensation chamber. Keeping a camera in there for a number of hours may damage mechanics and destroy electronic components, the latter especially if the battery is in the camera.
 
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