Got caught in a Thunderstorm with my Leica M-A

[kshapero]

Sunny day turned into a quick thunderstorm. My rig got soaked before I could try to get it under my shirt (Not that that helped much). Of course the M-A has no electronics, so no problem there. Ran back to the car and drove home with the rig on the passenger seat. (Lots of sun by then.) Used a hand towel to soak up any left over moisture. By the next day all seems fine. But who knows what seeped into the camera body. Am I now good to go now? Or am I facing something more sinister?😕

 

[charjohncarter]

I was in Panama' when I used (my first) my Konica C35. It stopped working and I removed the top plate; everything inside was completely cover with mold. Next I bought a Konica Big Mini for my daughter when she went off to UCLA. She invited me to go to a football game. On the bus she said here camera wasn't working. Why she had it with her I don't know but I turned it on, the flash went off and that was it for the Big Mini. Later, she wondered if it could have been the 7-up that she spilled on it.

I hope you have better luck than I.

 

[lonemantis]

Even if the outside is dry, moisture can get trapped inside a complex mechanism like a Leica with nowhere to go. With enough time, it can cause oxidation, lubricant failures, and all kinds of other problems. If it's still recent, putting it in a sealed container with some silica gel for a few days is probably a good idea. (or a dry cabinet, if you have one) Exercising through all the shutter speeds regularly is probably a good idea as well. I had a similar experience with my M3, so definitely be careful!

 

[ktmrider]

I have had my film cameras in rain numerous times without any problems. Granted I have not put them underwater except for the Nikonos.

If you really want to dry it out, put the body into a bag of rice for a few days. The rice acts like a desiccant and will suck out any moisture. It works with iPhones.

 

[raid]

I would mail the camera to a good camera repair person.

 

[raid]

Rain is less destructive than salt water. I once was sprayed by ocean water and my Canon F1N got wet. Things slowly went wrong in the camera. A local camera repair msn cleaned it up. There was salt inside.

 

[Godfrey]

Eh! I've been caught in the rain with my Nikon F or Leica M4-2 several times. Sticking it in a box with a bag of silica gel, or just putting on the windowsill for a couple of sunny days, has dried them out nicely every time.

Not so my computer keyboard, unfortunately. Once a cup of coffee gets under the keys, they're usually dead forever. Ask me how I know this... 🙁

G

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Sorry to learn of your problems; I'll second Raid's suggestion.

It's always a good idea to carry a plastic freezer bag that the camera will fit into just in case... Rain isn't the only problem; there's dust, dirt and Sahara sand blowing about as well.


Regards, David

 

[muser53]

I think you should be fine but if you are truly worried putting it in a bag of rice for a day or so should do the trick. Likewise a bag with
plenty of silica gel should also suffice. Of course you could always call this guy to see what he thinks. 🙂
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[Retro-Grouch]

What I would really like to ask "that guy" is how long his Contarex lasted in the jungle...

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

If it ain't broken, don't fix it. A rice bag will be more than enough.

 

[kshapero]

If it ain't broken, don't fix it. A rice bag will be more than enough.

Yes I will carry the small light bag, which is waterproof with me from now on. (Looks better than aplastic freezer bag.🙂

 

[jsrockit]

I wouldn't stress this...I'm in the if it isn't broke don't fix it camp.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Since camera is sealed to have no light leaks it shouldn't be a problem. The only really open entry point is shutter release button, but I'm not 100% sure if it is hollow all way down.

I go with dog without camera bag during not hot weather. It possible to protect M sized camera with hand placed on the top plate. Not to mention hat 🙂.

 

[emraphoto]

Meh, don’t have a camera bag to my name that doesn’t have plenty of ziplocks and silica gel.

I’ve spent long periods working in 100 percent humidity conditions. Often with spartan amenities and during the rains. I was also shooting point and shoots of the digital variety. Not overly rugged stuff. Ziplocks and silica gel would always keep them functioning perfectly.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Location: South Florida, USA

Since you live here ☝️ we can assume you store your gear in some sort of humidity controlled container right? Stick the M-A in there and it'll be fine ��

 

[nikon_sam]

Eh! I've been caught in the rain with my Nikon F or Leica M4-2 several times. Sticking it in a box with a bag of silica gel, or just putting on the windowsill for a couple of sunny days, has dried them out nicely every time.

Not so my computer keyboard, unfortunately. Once a cup of coffee gets under the keys, they're usually dead forever. Ask me how I know this... 🙁

G

My wife is a CPA and over the years has brought home keyboards and 10 key calculators that have had cups of coffee spilled on them...I've been very successful in getting them working again...not so much the coffee but the sugar that gets everything all sticky...

 

[Richard G]

I've been caught in rain many times. I use the hand over the top plate method. Having the camera under a coat when you can, warm next to the body, or on a sunny car seat is all I'd do. I did once sit the camera on an insulating matt on the open door of a much cooled oven, heated only for this purpose. That Vietnam War photographer will offer some reassurance I suspect.

 

[ZivcoPhoto]

The Vietnam photographer with the Leicas is Horst Faas.

 

[Goodtimes]

I always carry a camera and mostly a rangefinder when I walk and travel.
Even during summertime I carry a small plastic bag folded in one of my pockets.
example: a small trash bag is pretty thin and solid. It would highly protect any camera from even hard rain.

If a camera has taken humidity or rain, I would dry it with a cloth and remove the film and battery then open it as much a possible and leave it a few hours in a dry place.
I have done this for my Leica M6 every day in Djibouti when I was working there during a very humid period in August and the camera never suffered any corrosion or electrical issue.