Waterproofing the M8...

[DRabbit]

I realized today being out in the cold hard rain that it might be a good idea to have some additional protection for my M8 on days like this. I don't like rain or other adverse weather to keep me from taking photos, but I was a little stressed trying to keep the camera as dry as possible while being pelted with rain at the beach.

What do you all do in conditions like this?

Is there a waterproof/resistent case that someone makes that would help?

I've heard DSLR owners sometimes use plastic bags... I tried that once but couldn't figure out how to keep it from interfering with the rangefinder.

Thoughts and suggestions?

 

[DRabbit]

Thanks... I did check it out... seems there really isn't a good option other than fumbling with a plastic bag, using a dorky umbrella or keeping the cam under your coat until needed and just letting it get wet (which was my choice yesterday). In a steady rain though, it still gets pretty darn wet.

Of course, I could get a Nikonos and would probably enjoy it, but I was hoping for ideas specific to the M8 🙂

 

[sixb]

My very low-tech solution is to wear the camera around my neck and let my scarf drape over it while not in use. I know it sounds silly but it's worked fine so far and dries off the camera when I'm not shooting- sort of. I carry it everyday and everywhere in all conditions... I did the same with my M6 and never had a problem-

Oh yeah, for what it's worth, since they came out i've always used a softrelease... I don't know if it's true but i remember reading about a snowflake or raindrop or water buffalo or something getting into the cable release hole and killing the camera- sounds like a fluke but one less thing to worry about. Not that that's the reason i use the softrelease but...

anyway, i just try to use caution and never let water hold me back from taking a picture

best- ccm

 

[JoeV]

This sounds like a niche-market business waiting to be exploited, most logically by those supplying add-on accessories to the M-series: a service that installs weather-proofing seals in the M8/8.2 cameras. The only problem is that the lenses are not weather proof. Still, someone resourceful should exploit this need.

~Joe

 

[DRabbit]

Thanks everyone...

I'm checking these out:

http://www.popabrella.com/

They may seem a little goofy, but it'll be better than nothing and I can keep it in my car.

 

[Sect]

I recently came across this product that you might be interested in.

cloakbags.com

Not sure about the fit with an M8, but could be worth emailing them.

 

[Bob Ross]

Hi Amy,
I have never found an effective weather protector for a rangefinder or the lenses.
For bad weather now I use an Oly E-1 or E-3 with the weatherproof lenses.
I did the Nikonos thing when I backpacked and still have a Nikonos III. Now, there is a challenging camera to use.
Bob

 

[DRabbit]

Sect.... I don't think the Cloakbag will work with a rangefinder... It seems specifically suited to DSLRs. Plus, once you start unzipping things (like in the video), I'm not sure how much protection it's going to provide?

Bob... Yeah, I think you're right... there doesn't seem to be much in the way of weather protection for rangefinders. I think I'm going to try the umbrella and see how it works out (it's cheap enough). It's something I can keep in my car and it's certainly better than nothing.

It was pouring out again today all day and I still went out, but had to stay in the car mostly. There was a few times I wanted to get out, but I just didn't want to risk it in the drenching rain.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I think that the M8/9 would be the easiest to have a silicone wrapper made for it. Actually, if one of gets brave, we could cast a mold and make latex wrappers for our cameras. This is one of those things that we used to do in high school art class, making masks for the theatre folks.
There are services out there that offer silicone molding/casting for whatever you want. Yeah, the lenses aren't waterproof but if that's what we want, we should be shooting with Nikonos or a dedicated true underwater housing.
When I have a few bucks I'll do this & let you all know about the results.
Phil Forrest

 

[alecgold]

Mhhh, a silicon wrapper either doesn't seal at all the buttons etc or you can't use the M anymore. And what about the lenses??

Aren't there any war photogs or journalist that usedthem
in the rainy season in a tropic country? They could perhaps tell us how the did it andhow well the m8/m9 can handle rain. Or not. Warphotogs and journalist use them as a way of generatng income and often don't have the luxury of keeping inthe car or keeping it in the bag like I tend to do.