1750Shooter
Established
OK, so I finally got an M4-P & love it, but I live in the Pacific NW, Rain Central, so how do I protect my Leica & still use it? I've tried baggies, but framing is awkward. Any other ideas? Thamks.
Weather-proffing an M4-P
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icebear
Veteran
How about using the spellcheque funktjen ? Or preview the post and read again before submit?
To the question:
This mechanical camera does not need any weather proofing.
It will work as long as the water is not that high that you can't breathe without a snorkel.
And then it might just be a problem that the film gets soaked.
To the question:
This mechanical camera does not need any weather proofing.
It will work as long as the water is not that high that you can't breathe without a snorkel.
And then it might just be a problem that the film gets soaked.
enero
Killer of Threads
It's great to get an answer to a question about a camera, straight from the actual camera itself!
😉
Harry Lime
Practitioner
You really can't seal it. It is what it is. Obviously the camera is mechanical and can be dried out, but of course you want to avoid getting it soaked. The shutter curtain is rubberised cloth, the lubricants could get damaged and once the water evaporates it may leave minerals behind that could corrode surfaces.
That said I've spent plenty of time in the rain with my M cameras and they are all still working.
In normal to heavy rain the obvious trick is to limit prolonged exposure. Basically scoot and shoot.
Shield the camera with your hands or jacket. I shoot a lot with an umbrella. There is a great picture of Steve McCurry shooting in India during the monsoon season. He's up to his waist in water and using an umbrella to shield his F3 or F4. Basically protect it with your hands, jacket or whatever until you need to reveal it to take the shot. It's not going to melt if it gets a little wet and it's probably not going to take you more than a few moments or even a minute to take the shot. The main entry points for water is around the shutter release, down the threaded cable release and the shutter speed dial.
I carry a heavy handkerchief to cover the camera or dry it off if things get out of hand.
If we're talking gale force rainstorms get a Nikonos or other sealed camera.
That said I've spent plenty of time in the rain with my M cameras and they are all still working.
In normal to heavy rain the obvious trick is to limit prolonged exposure. Basically scoot and shoot.
Shield the camera with your hands or jacket. I shoot a lot with an umbrella. There is a great picture of Steve McCurry shooting in India during the monsoon season. He's up to his waist in water and using an umbrella to shield his F3 or F4. Basically protect it with your hands, jacket or whatever until you need to reveal it to take the shot. It's not going to melt if it gets a little wet and it's probably not going to take you more than a few moments or even a minute to take the shot. The main entry points for water is around the shutter release, down the threaded cable release and the shutter speed dial.
I carry a heavy handkerchief to cover the camera or dry it off if things get out of hand.
If we're talking gale force rainstorms get a Nikonos or other sealed camera.
jwicaksana
Jakarta, Indonesia
I carry a good leather chammy and put it on top of my camera/lens when I have to go out and get the shot in the rain. You wouldn't believe how much water can a good chammy absorb. 😀
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
One typo, an m instead of an n, justifies all that?
This answer is wrong. Leicas are not particularly well sealed. A few shots in a light drizzle are OK. We've all done it. Back inside, a few minutes with a soft cloth prevents any problems from developing. There are other cameras better suited for serious moisture.
icebear
Veteran
1750Shooter
Established
Thanks for the good advice & reminders. This is my 1st truly manual camera & I had forgotten - no batteries or electronics to keep dry. Sorry if I got someone's panties in a wad!
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Yes, just take reasonable care to keep it from getting totally soaked or submerged. Wipe the water off it when you're done using it. They may not be weatherproof, but they are pretty tough and designed to be used, not babied.
This is one of the big advantages of an all mechanical camera. 🙂
G
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Two winters in a row I had to shoot blizzards out in Philadelphia. One was the "Snowmageddon" storm back in 2010. I was shooting with a Leica M8 that year then an M9 the next year and was scared to death about getting them wet. I wrapped them up in cling wrap and left a bit of slack around the end of the lens where I could adjust the aperture. I rubber banded the cellophane around the end of the lens which was covered with a filter.
The problem is that I couldn't change lenses and, in the case of the digital Leica, couldn't change batteries easily which needed to happen often since it was also quite cold out. I got the shots I needed but I could have gotten more.
As for using a film camera in our recent weather up here, I'd say keep it under your coat or under an umbrella (interesting that most folks here don't carry umbrellas but back in Philly, they were everywhere.) You could also resign yourself to shooting a fantastic scale focused 35mm Nikkor on a Nikonos IV-a or V. Both top shelf cameras and pretty much impervious to water or desert sand or whatever you want to subject them to. When I get a few extra bucks, I'm getting a Nikonos, I've always wanted one. Until then, I'm in the same boat which recently has me not shooting a single frame since I got here a week ago.
Phil Forrest
The problem is that I couldn't change lenses and, in the case of the digital Leica, couldn't change batteries easily which needed to happen often since it was also quite cold out. I got the shots I needed but I could have gotten more.
As for using a film camera in our recent weather up here, I'd say keep it under your coat or under an umbrella (interesting that most folks here don't carry umbrellas but back in Philly, they were everywhere.) You could also resign yourself to shooting a fantastic scale focused 35mm Nikkor on a Nikonos IV-a or V. Both top shelf cameras and pretty much impervious to water or desert sand or whatever you want to subject them to. When I get a few extra bucks, I'm getting a Nikonos, I've always wanted one. Until then, I'm in the same boat which recently has me not shooting a single frame since I got here a week ago.
Phil Forrest
Frontman
Well-known
Just keep a towel in your pocket and wipe off the camera frequently. This will reduce the likelihood of water finding its way through the gaps and contaminating anything important.
If you worry too much about your gear, you won't get many photos, perhaps you should get something else to shoot when it rains.
Quite a few cameras had available waterproof cases and such made for them. I have one for the Nikon F3 (which is ironic as I don't own an F3 at the moment)., and it is an interesting piece of gear. Simpler cases consisting of zip-lock type bags were made for less expensive cameras, and can be found cheap.
If you worry too much about your gear, you won't get many photos, perhaps you should get something else to shoot when it rains.
Quite a few cameras had available waterproof cases and such made for them. I have one for the Nikon F3 (which is ironic as I don't own an F3 at the moment)., and it is an interesting piece of gear. Simpler cases consisting of zip-lock type bags were made for less expensive cameras, and can be found cheap.
thegman
Veteran
Some will say a Leica can withstand a bit of rain, and maybe it can, but personally I don't use mine in the rain. If it's raining a lot where you are, I'd consider a camera with weather sealing, perhaps a Pentax LX. Might need it's seals replaced due to age, but of course they are reasonably inexpensive cameras now, so even if it does get ruined, it's less of a loss than the Leica.
Maybe I should have more faith in Leica, but I have more faith in bad luck I'm afraid.
Maybe I should have more faith in Leica, but I have more faith in bad luck I'm afraid.
xxloverxx
Shoot.
Try putting tape over parts which are most vulnerable to water like the film doors, a bit of tape loosely placed over the shutter release, some over the rewind bit, etc.
That said, if you're shooting in the rain a lot, have a look at the Nikonos cameras. It seems like a high-maintenance camera, but you can ignore almost all of that if you're not putting it in water (a pinched o-ring in the rain won't kill your camera —*30m under in sea-water will). Don't get the V —*the design of the Nikonos cameras draws enough attention (especially the lenses); having an orange camera only makes it worse.
That said, if you're shooting in the rain a lot, have a look at the Nikonos cameras. It seems like a high-maintenance camera, but you can ignore almost all of that if you're not putting it in water (a pinched o-ring in the rain won't kill your camera —*30m under in sea-water will). Don't get the V —*the design of the Nikonos cameras draws enough attention (especially the lenses); having an orange camera only makes it worse.
pgk
Well-known
FWIW the Nikonos 35mm f/2.5 appeears to be a direct descendant of the lens used in the '50s on Nikon rangefinders (the original French Calypsophot use a Som Berthiot lens which probably originated from an L39 fit 35mm design). Late copies of this (now cheap) nikonos 35mm lens benefit from better coatings than were available in the 50s. Now if anyone could modify this lens for use on the M4-P that would be halfway to fully waterproofing it😉.
john neal
fallor ergo sum
I always thought that was the point of the M4-P (P = "Press") it was a (slightly) weatherised version of the 4 - e.g. it has a rubber O ring around the shutter release (and possibly other areas) to prevent water ingress? Thus making it more desireable to the paps of the time as it was mor resistant to being out in all weathers.
But then I'm known for getting stuff wrong..... and you wouldn't dunk it in a bucket of water, would you?
But then I'm known for getting stuff wrong..... and you wouldn't dunk it in a bucket of water, would you?
Livesteamer
Well-known
I use a Nikonos III for my bad weather/beach camera. Shutter release and wind is a bit odd but I'm OK with that. It cost me less than $100 and it's black. The 35mm f2.5 is a fine lens. Joe
kshapero
South Florida Man
That is my technique also. But I think it is called a Shammy, no?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Or even in quite heavy rain, if it goes under cover again quick. If it's dry enough to focus it's dry enough to shoot, even if it ain't dry enough to carry without some sort of protection. Even a big, thick leaf will do (guess how I know). A few MINUTES with a soft cloth? Nah. A mop-off with whatever's handy.
I've used Ms for about 36 years, even in India during the monsoon, and really, it's possible to worry too much.
Cheers,
R.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
No, lower case, chammy or chammie or even chamie. Sort for 'chamois leather'. Used to be made from chamois; now a kind of tanning. In any case, completely unnecessary for a slightly damp Leica.
Cheers,
R.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
I thought it was P = Professional.
Leica's always been cagey about this sort of thing and willing to encourage myths...
Cheers,
R.
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