To make a poncho for my camera

[sf]

I live in Seattle now. Permanently. That means, if I want to keep up the photography . . . or, really, to maintain my sanity and sense of life . . . . I need to somehow find a way of taking pictures on rainy days. My only camera is an RF645, so I need to somehow create a poncho that will allow the lens and the VF to look through.

Now, to do this :

1. Find a durable, waterproof, lightweight material that can be cut and will not stretch easily or tear. Difficult.

2. Cut holes for lens and VF. That means 58mm hole for lens and a rectangular hole for the VF. Will have to find a way to fasten the poncho to the camera around the VF.

3. Will attach the poncho to the lens by attaching the poncho to a filter and then the filter to the lens.

Is there a better way? I consider the possibility of using some huge hood that will block the rain from getting on the lens - something very barn door style - like maybe from some little flash or hotlight unit.

 

[danielnorton]

housing

housing

They make what is called a "surf housing" (I believe) kinda like an underwater housing, but made just to keep splashes etc from the camera, they kinda look like a big zip lock bag, with an area for the lens to go into..

you can basically dunk the camera in water an it'll be fine..

maybe five years ago I was on a shoot and a guy used one for his nikon, he was under a water-slide and shooting people splashing past him, seemed to no be too difficult to work with and definitely protected the camera.


sorry I don't have any direct links, but I think s bit of searching should turn something up fairly quickly

 

[traveller]

Take a look here Ewa-Marine

A company near my hometown, selling worldwide

John

 

[captainslack]

Sounds like a Nikonos might be in your future.

 

[nwcanonman]

I just carry a small plastic trash bag in my pocket for those "inclement" moments.
I pull the bag off, compose/focus and shoot, then pop the bag back on. I've lived here 20 years niow (lincluding shooting in the Hoh rainforest), haven't killed any of my cameras yet from water damage ~ ; - )

 

[Tin]

A shower cap makes a good emergency rain coat for the camera. Unless you have a very big camera, the elastic band of theshower cap should be able to hold the cap around the camera. This trick is especially handy when you are on the road. Just remember to bring along the shower cap provided by the hotel before you go out.

 

[Poptart]

I have an underwater house made by ikelite. They're cheaper than the ewas.

 

[sf]

When I was in England + France, I just took off my beanie when things got moist and threw it over the camera. I could even take it off, focus and meter-lock the shot, then put the hat on the camera just with the lens pocking out, and it would be safe from the water - except for what would get on the filter. But, actually, for the most part, the beanie did well.

But I still intend to produce something that will allow me to use my RF645. I could buy a cruddy little SLR for rainy day photography - but that would just be essentially shelving my favorite camera for much of the year here in Seattle. Not cool.

 

[sf]

I have an underwater house made by ikelite. They're cheaper than the ewas.

Are there any housings . . . .dumb question perhaps . . . .for rangefinders? I would think not, given the highly differing sizes, distances, proportions of the VFs and lenses. I will just make one.

 

[ray_g]

A large ziplock bag would be the easiest way, with the rear of the body toward the opening, so your hand(s) can go inside to manipulate the camera. As you mentioned, I would cut a hole for the lens, get a 58mm filter, and attach a 58mm plastic or collapsible rubber hood. I would then seal the hole with a rubber band around the hood.

The VF is trickier. This would be easier with an SLR, due to the TTL viewing. Maybe you should try it with a one, preferably AF (so you don't have to reach in to focus or to advance the film). Either a cheap SLR (for obvious reasons) or a used pro body with good weather seals.

An inexpensive "weatherproof" Stylus epic may be a good idea.

 

[Poptart]

Are there any housings . . . .dumb question perhaps . . . .for rangefinders? I would think not, given the highly differing sizes, distances, proportions of the VFs and lenses. I will just make one.

The one I have is made specifically for disposable cameras, oddly . . . it has a lever for the two brands, w and w/o flash.

 

[ray_g]

Okay, first of all, I am not trying to be funny here. It will not hold up to torrential rain, but it should do ok with mild drizzles, which most often than not, will be the type of weather you will probably be shooting in.

http://www.promopeddler.com/Promotional_Products/Detail.php?item=U19&asi=50700&cat=Golf Accessories

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Okay, first of all, I am not trying to be funny here

The girl on the left was trying to contain her amusement as well.

Now I have an item for those lousy Christmas (err...Nondominational Holiday) gifts I need to so kindly return 😉 Thanks!

 

[ray_g]

The girl on the left was trying to contain her amusement as well.

Now I have an item for those lousy Christmas (err...Nondominational Holiday) gifts I need to so kindly return 😉 Thanks!

There you go... would work equally well with the snow in Minne-so-ta. 😉

 

[dostacos]

Are there any housings . . . .dumb question perhaps . . . .for rangefinders? I would think not, given the highly differing sizes, distances, proportions of the VFs and lenses. I will just make one.

here is my canonet QL17 GIII in a Ikelite case....

 

[dostacos]

http://www.stormjacket.com/

saw this advertised in Shutterbug this morning, looks like just what you want