Weather resistant, water resistant, whatever

[kshapero]

We are seeing more and more weather resistant, moisture resistant, etc. etc. being marketed out there; Pentax seeming to be the most serious, but many others. Camera bodies, lenses and even Flashes (again Pentax).
I have been shooting photography for over 40 years. I have been in every kind of weather with film based Nikons, Leicas and Voigtlanders (admittedly mostly Nikons). Never stopped me once. (OK sliding down the side of Mt Fuji in the snow took 2 days to dry out my Nikon F3HP).
Now we are in the digital age and I get that electronics can be more mission critical than in the good old film days, but how important is all these weather proof products? Is it all headed this way? Seems so. 😕
Where is this going?

 

[FrankS]

Can't beat the nikonos.

 

[Huss]

Can't beat the nikonos.

I just picked up my second one from Roberts Camera. A green one to go w/ my orange one. Love these cameras. I'm all set for the upcoming mega El Nino..

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I was ready to get one waterproof from Sony, but..

I took my Konica off-road 28 to Montreal because it supposed to rain.
And it didn't.
I also have now no-name $4.99 PS in the case for underwater. Even flash works 🙂 Fun camera to give it to kids if they are going for the swim.

 

[sevo]

Where is this going?

Probably nowhere outside marketing. Even pro DSLRs don't have enough waterproofing to qualify for the basic ISO IP rating of any electric device sold for kitchen use - hidden among the small print for the warranty conditions there always is some "don't expose to moisture or dust" clause...

Each of the big makers always has a waterproof compact or two (at the low end of IQ, but in the mid to top range price wise), in fairly constant numbers for many years, and Nikon added a waterproof CSC some years ago, but there is less growth in the weather resistant camera segment, by choice and quality, than in most other camera segments.

 

[Addy101]

I used my Konica-Minolta Dynax 7D in a downpour without problems - I'm less worried since. A well build, with tight tolerances, camera will withstand some rain. Professional photographers used their (electronic) cameras in all kinds of circumstances without explicit being labelled "weather resistant". The measures the camera makers take these days probably have some influence, but as sevo pointed out, "weather resistant" still isn't close to "water proof".

Anyway, here is a picture I took while standing in the downpour:

KM Dynax 7D | Minolta 24-85/3.5-4.5 | 60mm | f/5.6 | 1/45s | 400iso

 

[skibeerr]

For me it would be very important if I would take photo's when sea kayaking, but then I am always to engrossed in the sport to actually take any so I end up with the beach and camp photo's.
On my latest trip (across the Bass Strait) I took a Minolta autocord, which had some small problems so a total loss would not be a drama, took little images because I was not "in the mode"

To stay closer to the OP's question, yes weatherproof is nice but not necessary. I took several non waterproof cameras in whet conditions and they where fine.

 

[uhoh7]

Weatherproof is a good feature, and most FF DSLRs seem to do it well. Sony is pitiful. Outright lie to call the A7 series weatherproof. M9 is pretty good.

 

[sevo]

Weatherproof is a good feature, and most FF DSLRs seem to do it well. Sony is pitiful. Outright lie to call the A7 series weatherproof. M9 is pretty good.

As far as water damage goes, Sony might have only one single Achilles heel - all I have heard of failing cameras concerned the flash socket. The cameras will immediately stop working when that hidden contact row gets wet, and in some cases (which may have involved dirt or sea water) they even appear to have suffered permanent damage from it. Given that it does still appear to be an issue on the latest models, Sony may have to change either the electrical protocol or the flash shoe - but either would give them a flash compatibility problem...

 

[Contarama]

However...if you have a waterproof bag... 😀

Coincidentally I spilled a full beer last night right next to a D7000 with 35-70 on it drenching the bottom of the camera and the lens. Wiped it all off left it all open to dry. Shot at a wedding today.

 

[burancap]

I like having "a" camera on hand that I do not have to have any worries about whatsoever. After selling my Nikonos V on and looking for a replacement, I ended up with a Nikon AW1. Headed to the beach, pool, water park? Kids want a camera to play with? No problem. It doesn't take a half bad photo to boot!

 

[Huss]

I ended up with a Nikon AW1. Headed to the beach, pool, water park? Kids want a camera to play with? No problem. It doesn't take a half bad photo to boot!

It should, it's a $700 camera!

🙂