"Bad Weather" Camera

[Krosya]

It's that season when weather is pretty bad pretty often. Sometimes I risk taking my nicer gear out to take photos outside, but other times I just dont want to risk it. Yet I still want to have a camera with me. So here is what I take with me that can resist the elements:

What are your picks for bad weather?

 

[jsrockit]

Anything cheap (right now Olympus XA4)... but I bring all cameras out in all weather... just hide them under my coat.

 

[Matus]

I have yet to find a camera which turns bad weather into good one 😛

Seriously - I rarely want to shoot in a rain, but was considering some kind of weather proof (or even water tight) camera for trips close to water (beaches, rivers). Since you have several maybe you could share your experience with them (IQ, usability, etc ..). It would be much appreciated.

 

[semilog]

Ricoh KR-5 Super with Pentax 50/2 SMC. I've had the body since high school. The meter is still accurate, the lens (picked up a couple of years ago for $15) is great, the finder is more than adequate, and if the camera or lens is damaged... well, I've done everything possible to kill it, BUT IT JUST WON'T DIE. For use on small open boats in salt water, my wife has carried my KR-5, or her Yashica T5, or her Nikonos. All of them have been totally reliable over years of hard service (oceanography field work).

 

[dogberryjr]

I have the Canon WP1 like in your photo and it's not a bad little camera except that it takes it upon itself to decide when a roll is done. Maybe around frame 21, maybe 16 . . .

 

[photogdave]

I have the Canon WP1 like in your photo and it's not a bad little camera except that it takes it upon itself to decide when a roll is done. Maybe around frame 21, maybe 16 . . .

My Stylus Epic does that too but only when I try and load a 36 roll.
So I have my Epic and two Pentax waterproof digitals to choose from. But honestly I've never been afraid to use any of my analog cameras in even the worst weather. All my Nikons and my M6 have seen action in serious downpours, high humidity and freezing cold.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I don't carry a film camera in the rain anymore (used to use a Nikonos IV). I carry a little Pentax Optio W90 digital if I want to take some bad weather snaps.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Best bet in inclement weather IMHO is the Nikonos IV. I have carried mine on the beach, in the water, and on a Hobbie cat and of course inclement weather. Although the prices have dropped it is not inexpensive. I have also used the Minolta Weathermatic Dual 35. The lens is not as good as the Nikonos and you can not use it diving but the price is under $40. For me the Weathermatic is a (film) camera that is good for the beach and pool if you have children and might leave the camera unattended.

 

[filmfan]

I use an Olympus Stylus Epic, Canon F-1 w/ FD 35mm lens, or my Nikon F5 w/ cheapo plastic 50mm lens. The Nikon F5 and plastic 50mm f/1.8 AF-D lens spent the night on a tripod in a hurricane in MA. The tripod was blown over into a puddle and the camera was half underwater when I remembered it in the morning. It was turned on the entire time as well, but nothing happened to it or the cheapest of Nikon plastic lenses. I think people should trust their standard gear more in the rain.

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

I have a nikonos IV for the real rough times out there 😀

 

[SteveM_NJ]

I have the Nikonos IVa with 35mm or 80mm
I am interested in what people like for digital, so will keep reading posts here.
(always informative.)

Keep Smiling.

 

[SamStewart]

i just use my stylus epic or my M2.
i'm not worried about getting the m2 wet, there arent any electronics to worry about. the only issue i encounter is a foggy vf.

 

[presspass]

Usually something small and light - M6 with a 35 Summicron or a 50 of some sort. Slip it under the raincoat when not shooting or in turnout gear pocket. Also carry a couple of the old style cloth diapers - they are designed to be absorbent and really do the job as long as you don't confuse them with ones used for their intended purpose.

 

[jan normandale]

Nikonos III all mechanical for rain work. I shoot the rain.
I'm currently considering one of the Oly Stylus which are "water resistant" to a dunking in less than a foot of water .

 

[unixrevolution]

My Weather-sealed Pentax K10D Digital SLR and its 18-55 WR kit lens are a great combo for bad weather.

For something lighter and smaller, I love my IQZoom 105 WR. Great autofocus 35mm camera, and weather resistant.

 

[noimmunity]

Yashica T5D, for years my all-weather pocketable ultra-light hiking camera, still ready for duty!

During record-breaking typhoon Morakot, I had a Bessa T with me that just wouldn't quit. Several rolls of film got totally soaked, but the T kept on rollin' on!

(I also have a Contax Aria and 50/1.4 planar set up that I don't hesitate to take out to the beach or the mountain, that produces images that destroy the ZM 50/2 planar).

 

[andydg]

While I prefer film, for rain and more I turn to my E1. It's been soaked, caked with mud and never misses a beat.

 

[Rico]

My Canon 1Ds is rainproof, although not the lenses. For dicey weather, I use a Nikon D300 and 17-55/2.8.

 

[newspaperguy]

My wet-weather friends: Konica Genba Kantoku or Tough Job

A rubber coated, rain-proof, auto-focus, auto-exposure

35mm camera with a 35 W/A lens, some call it an bullet proof HEXAR,

plus that proverbial boat anchor, a Nikonos II with the 35mm land-lens.


You can see them here in my gallery:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=138433&ppuser=20714

Someday I'll learn how to post photos correctly?

.

 

[kshapero]

I don't carry a film camera in the rain anymore (used to use a Nikonos IV). I carry a little Pentax Optio W90 digital if I want to take some bad weather snaps.

Good idea but i have an old Nikon FM beater that I always tell myself that if it gets trashed, so what. The problem is it just "keeps on a ticking".