Using the M8 in adverse weather

[gutguido]

Hi all. Does anyone here have any experience using the M8 in rain or snow? Not pouring rain or a blizzard of course, but enough so that the camera would get wet?

I'll be going on a trip to Hokkaido in northern Japan soon, and I'm itching to take the M8 along, but I'm also concerned that the camera isn't weather sealed.

If anyone has any experience to share I would be very grateful. Thanks!

 

[tmfabian]

you'll be fine, just use common sense when it comes to wiping it down with a CLEAN dry cloth after it gets wet and let it air out a wee bit.

I shoot mine in rain, sleet, snow, 100% humidity rather frequently and haven't had a single problem, just using plain old common sense that when it gets wet, you let it dry out.

 

[ali_baba]

i have mine tucked under my arm in slight rain, and heavy snow.
like tmfabian just said, wipe it off and let it dry.

works fine.

 

[Artorius]

ShamWow as seen on TV. Great for drying off cameras/lenses.

 

[emraphoto]

i used an m8 daily in some very adverse weather with no issue's whatsoever.

-20... 2 hours and no problem

heavy, heavy snow? no problem

i once got caught in a torrential rain, 30 minutes from my car with only jeans, t shirt and the m8. i figured i had pushed my luck too far that day... no problem

just my experience.

 

[emraphoto]

damn that shamwow idea is a good one though... i mean it's made in germany!

 

[gutguido]

Thanks all for the helpful responses.
Yep, when all else fails, use common sense! 😛

 

[Artorius]

The ShamWow seems to be a joke

The ShamWow seems to be a joke

But let me tell you it really works. I was in Jamaica 2 mo ago and the the rain was really intense, like a monsoon in VN. I wrapped my M in the SW and when I got to my room I wiped it down with a spare SW, I had NO problems. Maybe I should Testify as to it's goodness.(Maybe could make a buck or two)

 

[maddoc]

We have sometimes a little bit of snow here ...

So a cover for your M8 wouldn't be a bad idea. (I think you can get them cheap at Yodobashi or Biccamera here in Sapporo)

Cheers from Sapporo,

Gabor

 

[greyelf]

Maddoc, I like this picture!

 

[proenca]

well I'm based in the UK and while we have the occasional snow , I past few weeks to Boston.. where.. well, they have a "bit" of snow :

Just use common sense ( well.. sense that is, doesnt seem so "common" these days ) and wipe the camera every now and then and get it to dry completly when indoors.

Never the weather made me stop using a camera.. never will 🙂 well within reason, Im NOT scubadiving with a M8 without a housing .. but.. you get the idea 🙂

 

[fefe]

My M8 works under the snow as well 😉. I try to protect the area around the power switch which is apparently where the water might be able to get in. The rest is quite well sealed...

 

[Aerospace]

well I'm based in the UK and while we have the occasional snow , I past few weeks to Boston.. where.. well, they have a "bit" of snow :

Just use common sense ( well.. sense that is, doesnt seem so "common" these days ) and wipe the camera every now and then and get it to dry completly when indoors.

Never the weather made me stop using a camera.. never will 🙂 well within reason, Im NOT scubadiving with a M8 without a housing .. but.. you get the idea 🙂

Great shot !

 

[Ben Z]

I've used my M8 in drizzle and light rain without problems. When I say that I mean, pull it out of my rain jacket, take the shot, put it back quickly. And I make sure my hands are dry before I grab the camera. I've done the same with so-called non-sealed cameras like Canon 20D and D60 before it, and others back in the film days like Nikons and Canons of the non-pro series, and never had one conk out from water intrusion. The only camera I've ever used in a raging downpour (post-hurricane, to be exact) was a Canon Sure-Shot made for snorkeling. Even when I had a Canon 1V and gasketed L 70-200/2.8-IS, I didn't go out in a monsoon-like rain with it.

BTW (and I have to credit John Shaw with this, it's not my original idea) I collect those disposable shower caps they have in hotel rooms, and keep one in my bag. It's a cinch to slip over any camera quickly while carrying it if it starts to rain and you aren't wearing a rain jacket.

 

[_goodtimez]

Just get a plastic bag ready in your pocket for the worse of the worse but don't bother too much it will take it.
Eventually use a towel to dry it out and remove the base cover and battery and card at the end of the day to dry it for good.
Good light to you

 

[Leica0Series]

I had mine out at the inauguration for hours in the cold (it was in the 20sF, I think). It was fine but I had to keep rotating batteries because when it got cold enough it would conk out. I would then trade the cold battery for a warm one from my pocket and be back for more. I was out for hours and had to swap twice, but I didn't really keep track of how long it took for the camera to freeze up.

 

[gutguido]

Hi everyone. Thank you for all your helpful replies. I'm embarrassed to admit that I still chickened out and did _not_ end up using the M8 ... I guess maybe Maddoc's picture scared me a little ...? 😛

I used a D-Lux 4 instead, which kind of worked out anyway for a totally different reason - I was traveling with family, and frequently found myself only having time for quick P&S snaps.

Pictures are here for those who are interested / curious. Happy viewing!

Thank you again to everyone who took the time to respond. It's much appreciated. And to Maddoc, proenca and fefe - very nice pics!

Cheers.

 

[maddoc]

I just had a look at your set at flickr, very nice ! 🙂 ... so how did you like Hokkaido ? It is a little chilly but recently got warmer and lots of snow is molten away ... 🙁

Cheers,

Gabor

 

[aniMal]

The past week it has been snowing a LOT here in Oslo, Norway! It quite cold as well, perfect for skiing and such.

So, last Saturday, I spent 3-4-5 hours skiing, with my M8 under my right arm. I prefer to cool cameras down to the ambient temperature - that way the snow stays as snow and does not turn into water, entering the camera...

Towards the end of the day I saw a motive, in the middle of all the snow & wind. What a pleasure to work with the M8 with my gloves on! Would have been a nightmare with a dSLR...

I did do one mistake, and that was quickly entering the subway without brushing the snow of the M8... Which made the snow melt instantly, turning into snow... I also forgot to bring a plastic bag...

So what happened? Well home I checked, and everything worked fine. Except when I tried to turn it off... So, some small amount of water had entered the on/off switch...

What to do? I took out the battery and left the camera lying upside-down for a while. After that it worked just fine.

So, I trust that it will work just fine in most conditions. As long as I won´t forget it in my bag left at the tram again... Which made me sprint for it, getting 3 heavily stretched muscles in my legs...

Now I will just have to wait a while before going skiing with my M8 again, but I will not hesitate to bring it out into the snow once more!