How proof is the Kyocera T Proof

[kiss-o-matic]

I have a Kyocera T Slim which I believe is the Yashica T3 or something. I'm very happy w/ the performance for what it is. Going to Burning Man again. Not my first rodeo, however last years weather was really horrible for cameras. I wasn't so careful with my Olympus XA4, and it is no longer with us. I will stay sober enough to remember everything has to go into plastic bags (even inside a backpack) but let's say I'm somewhat sloppy and it's exposed to some dust (this is really fine dust, btw). Can I expect the weather proofing to make a difference at the end of the day?

 

[btgc]

Can I expect the weather proofing to make a difference at the end of the day?

Even if it were WP once, now after decades seals have shrunk and I doubt they do their job as supposed. My splash-proof Olympus had to be taken into repair shop each 5(?) years to replace seals to keep it splash proof.

Some seals could be revived for some time using liquid able to moisten seals while not destroying them. Some say glycerine has worked but I haven't tried it myself so double check this.

I'd go DIY bag route as microscopic sand particles are really nasty to enter places they aren't supposed to be.

 

[nongfuspring]

Just checked ebay sold listing prices on the T4, I can't believe how much they've shot up in price - $150+ is crazy.

I'd probably buy a cheap Olympus like the stylus zoom. In my experience they're virtually indestructible; I've used them in desert conditions a few times, even dropped one in a river without any issues. Lens is definitely not as good but you can get them for around $10 and the build quality is higher, at least from my impression.

 

[JoeV]

Just bring a handful of disposable, preloaded film cameras.

~Joe

 

[k__43]

Shouldn't a Nikonos be sand proof?
35mm at that desert sun & hyperfocal focusing should be easy enough

 

[sevo]

Any decently sealed camera (Nikon F3 or whatever) will do as long as you have enough cans of pressurized air and a changing tent for all film or lens changes - but if you don't have a dustproof option for film changing, it is somewhat pointless to bring a dustproof film camera.

 

[kiss-o-matic]

The conditions are not quite as bad as everyone thinks, and I definitely have a game plan that includes some better gear (Minolta CLE, Fujifilm TX-1). Last year was pretty horrible. The conditions were so bad that I did in fact destroy an Electro 35 CCN, but it was what I used 80% of the time, and I used it in the middle of a lot of dust storms. And by the middle, I mean like 10-20 feet visibility. So, not really surprised.

That being said, I will definitely take better gear, but if the weather doesn't permit, I will just leave it in the bag as usual. I'm just curious how far I can push something that is "weather proof", and it sounds like "not that far" for the T Proof.

 

[oftheherd]

Just bring a handful of disposable, preloaded film cameras.

~Joe

That actually makes a lot of sense imho.

And btgc is correct. I used my Sony 6mp P&S at a beach once where the wind was blowing off the ocean. There is some really microscopic sand on a beach. It took me a couple of hours to get the camera to allow the lens cover to clear itself of some of those and start opening all the way.

 

[Dwig]

Shouldn't a Nikonos be sand proof?
35mm at that desert sun & hyperfocal focusing should be easy enough

Sand proof? Yes, but possibly for only one roll. Once you get sand on it the likelyhood of the O-rings surviving the act of removing the lens and prying out the core (I, II, III) or even just opening the back (IV, ...) drops severely.

 

[kiss-o-matic]

That actually makes a lot of sense imho.

It does but I'm not going to sacrifice quality. As wasteful as it seems, I'm willing to sacrifice a $100-$150 camera to get good shots. To date, only two have been damaged. Both were cheap-ish, and the weather was horrible. Could happen again, but I guess the risk is part of the fun.

 

[k__43]

Sand proof? Yes, but possibly for only one roll. Once you get sand on it the likelyhood of the O-rings surviving the act of removing the lens and prying out the core (I, II, III) or even just opening the back (IV, ...) drops severely.

Well, maybe wash the sand off in a bucket of water before changing film.
Then again I'm Germany, I don't know **** about sandstorms.

 

[sevo]

Well, maybe wash the sand off in a bucket of water before changing film.

Assuming that you can wash and dry it without making a even worse mess of it.
The Nikonos was quite unusually difficult to load, it took me something like half an hour, with a camping table, clean towel, some tools and a bottle of water, in the hardly extreme conditions of a beach bungalow, and with the diving compressor at hand for random amounts of pressurised air. In a sandstorm you'd be better off with a camera simple enough that all film and lens changes can be performed in a changing bag.

 

[kiss-o-matic]

film and lens changes can be performed in a changing bag.

This. FWIW, I don't change lenses out there. I should (but dont' always) wear latex gloves when changing film. Usually my fingers are pretty caked.

 

[btgc]

I used my Sony 6mp P&S at a beach once where the wind was blowing off the ocean.

Camera repairer I know tells beach kills cameras very fast - because of micro sand particles in air. And compact cameras depending on tiny motors to extend lens are most sensitive to it. When weather gets warm and sunny his table used to fill up with compacts after first beach walks. Now with smartphones compact cameras come in less but when they come, cameras are more expensive than they used to be 10 years ago.
I have seen too many people on beach wearing their cameras exposed and carrying them in bags when they could be used without risk.
Not that I'm telling not to take pictures at beach. Precautions and knowledge can help, as often.