Protect Your Camera From Rain Using An Old Pair Of Rain Trousers
When it comes to protecting your camera from the elements we already know that a condom will go a great way. However, sometimes a more subtle approach is needed. Especially if all you are seeking is to protect your camera from a bit of rain.
The following guest post about creating a camera rain cover from trousers is made by Matti Hassinen.
It only takes a pair of rain trousers, some Velcro and basic sewing skills to make this rain cover. To entitle this as a recycling effort it would be best to use that old pair of trousers that you no longer wear. If not, Rain trousers can be found very cheaply in the flea market or even on Amazon.
Choose the material of the trousers according to your need for the rain cover. Light nylon based material is ideal for a cover you can keep in the camera bag all the time. Here the cover is made from trousers of heavier and stronger material, which protects the equipment also during longer stay in foul weather.
Yea, well a bit of sewing is involved. If you need some help on that ask a friend or go to the neighborhood shop.
1. Measure the size you need for your camera body and the lens and clip off the other trouser leg.
2. Turn the trousers inside out and close the opening of the clipped leg by sewing.
3. Measure the length you need for the longest lens and clip off the excessive.
4. Measure the length of Velcro needed around the remaining trouser leg. This Velcro "strip" will fasten around the lens and help you avoid "frontal leaks".
5. Sew the Velcro pieces inside the leg.
6. Punch a hole for the tripod plate screw.
7. The rain cover is ready to use.
What are you doing to avoid rain on your precious one? Let us know via the comments.
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Comments
Or, you could just order one
Or, you could just order one here for $24.40
http://bit.ly/aX7yJ0
magyver
i think this is ore for the frugal, or people who access to the meterials but not a store and need to get the shot
I just use a zip-lock bag -
I just use a zip-lock bag - usually the 1 gallon size. I keep the camera in it all the time under wet conditions. When its time to shoot, jut un-zip a corner and pop the lens out.
Additionally, with the zip-lock bag being mostly clear, you can still see your camera controls. - and the price is right!
RE: buying
but buying one defeats the purpose of DIY ;)
i like the idea!
Or You Could...
Or, you could just get an Olympus E3 with Pro grade lenses and not have to worry about getting a drop or two (or even a downpour) on your equipment.
snap-ish
Great idea, I did the same sort of thing with a sleeve. I like the way you have integrated the tripod mount. and yours looks a like it could survive a tidal wave
here is mine
http://www.photoblog.com/jimcoleman/2010/02/10/
Or you could be cheap like me
I just use a Wally-world plastic sack and a rubber band. Ugly, but it works.
I second the Olympus E-3
I know right nzdi? I LOVE my E-3 and have had it SOAKED in rain and snow. I guess a wise purchase decision goes a long way. :)
Cool idea. I've used clear
Cool idea.
I've used clear rain coat sleeves before to cover my camera and lens - great protection if you're standing in the rain or near rolling surf/rocks.
Olympus E-3 forever
Mine happily took pictures unprotected in russian snowstorms, sailing boat and splashy zodiac rides, as well as some kilometers-long waist-level fords in an arabic qanats. Such an underground water duct was fatal for my FL-50R, that I had sunk together with the E-3, Zuiko 12-60 and myself as I stumbled on a submerged step. I had to disassemble it, thoroughly clean the mud from every single piece, replace a thermal fuse, a small smd bjt and the main power IGBT... the body suffered no damage whatsoever though,while the lens manual focus ring, once buttery smooth, got a bit "sandy" :-). I also had to replace the lens hood, that protected the front element from a bad scratch or worse...
I usually carefully wash my equipment with a sponge and fresh water after such trips, and never got any ill effect from that... not even a single dust spec on the sensor or fog on the mirror, viewfinder, or inner lens elements thus far.
2 gal ziplock
this weekend i used a 2 gal ziplock cause it was snowing. i probably wouldn't use it in rain though, until i perfect it. i was in a rush, i put the camera in the bag, left the zip open for my hand, rubber band around the lens hood, then trimmed plastic which covered the front of lens. it slipped back a couple times, i may make this one if i plan on doing that again.
took great shots of my son though!!!!
Or, you could just order one?
Yeah 'cause the 'D' in DIYPhotography is really a 'B' and stands for 'Buy' - *sheesh*
Or you could save all the
Or you could save all the hassle of buying one or making one by purchasing a Pentax DSLR.
Wow, I like the idea but its
Wow, I like the idea but its to much work for me :)
Olympus E-3 FTW
Like others, I shoot with the E-3. Last year at NJ Motorsports Park for the Rolex Grand-Am Event, it was pouring. I was standing there shooting away with my E-3 & 50-200mm while the CaNikon folks were running for fresh sandwich baggies to protect their gear. ;)
Waterproof camera anyone ?
Or how about using a waterproof point and shoot instead ?
I'd rather use a cheap waterproof camera than risk damaging my SLR. The pictures may not be as good, but the peace of mind it offered me is simply priceless.
Here are 10 waterproof cameras under $200 bucks that you can buy as a backup camera during rainy season.
http://www.waterproof-camera.org/revealed-10-digital-waterproof-cameras-...
Brilliant
Zip Lock bag is the most brilliant idea ever...and it's disposable and you can double bag it if the weather turned really nasty.
Great Idea!! and I have one
Great Idea!! and I have one that doesn't fit me anymore.
Soda bottle
I've seen people (race photographers mostly) mount a 3 liter soda bottle on a short piece of wood - camera inside the bottle, facing sideways, with one opening cut for the lens and another for access to the controls. This is limited in practicality, as it only worked because they were using a very short lens, but was a pretty cool rig to see. (I'm not 100% certain what the purpose of the wood was; seems the bottle alone would have sufficed, but it looked like they might have been using it as a way to pivot on the tripod about five inches off from the camera's mount. Maybe to avoid having to deal with wet tripod knobs?)
very clever idea
very clever idea
E3
My Nikon D3 is weather sealed so I am pretty comfortable with it getting wet. E3 maybe better don't know I haven't shot one. Here on the east coast if you shot by the water you need a cover. Get hit by even a little surf water and I don't care how water proof your camera is. Its not just water its water filled with sand and the sand is what will kill you.
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