Glad your Sigma escaped to shoot another day, Huw. Reminds me of an occasion a few years ago when I took my Olympus E-M5 (weather sealed) out with a kit lens(decidedly NOT weather sealed). Into a Canadian blizzard in February I went. I tucked the camera into my coat but I had to take it out to shoot and I was hoping for the best. I got lucky and there was no damage done but I bought a rain cover similar to yours to have "just in case"
A wise move. I used to use an E-M5 but had access to the PRO lenses so I always felt reasonably safe. However, my buddies experience with his Canon 5Div has definitely made me question that decision in the future.
Yes a salutary lesson for all! Several years ago I watched a UA-cam video from a landscape photographer (can’t remember his name at the moment) who used a cover made from Gortex by a friend of his. I liked the look. So I bought an old ex-army Gortex jacket from eBay (cost me about £25) then. A small sized one as I didn’t need a bigger one. Using a sewing machine. I made 2 covers. One from a sleeve. Which I sewed a drawstring into around the front. To go over the lens. And a straight square piece with drawstrings across two edges to go over the camera. Large enough which I can get underneath to operate the camera. But like yourself I do not intentionally go out in the pouring rain. But like to have these folded flat in my bag. Just in case. What you bought is practical. Likely do the job. Most people would not want to mess around making a cover(s) . It was just a project I fancied having a go at after having seen that video all those years ago.
Bravo! What a brilliant solution! My wife teaches sewing and I'm sure she could have turned her hand to something like this. Full marks to you for giving it a go and making it work. Clearly I took the lazy (Amazon) route to solve the problem :)
In case your curiosity was wetted. I found the video I mentioned. Perhaps you could persuade your good lady wife to make something similar? ua-cam.com/video/AXhiXDJOLsU/v-deo.htmlsi=OqI1Nbob93HutfaE
Just use your olympus in these conditions. Never had a problem in what kind of weather at all. I even flush it underneath the tap sometimes when it's dirty 😅 but good advice for not goof weather sealed cameras. Grt guido
Didn’t have it with me unfortunately at the time, AND I assumed that the “42 points of weather sealing” would sufficient to keep the rain out. As I mentioned though, the use of the optional EVF, and choosing to use the Contemporary lenses (as opposed to the Art) meant that I had compromised the weather sealing capability. The real eye opener was my buddies 5D MKiv - a camera famed for being sturdy in all weathers - neither of us was expecting that to have an issue! But after 8 years of use the seals had started to weaken. My suggestion based on our experience is that as your OM-1ii ages I’d be a little more careful with running under a tap. I noticed at the photo show the Olympus techs were using IPA and swabs to clean cameras that has been brought in for a free clean.
11:37 When I purchased my Canon EOS R6 I tried to find out how weather sealed it was, but it seems Canon are very cautions to not state the level of sealing, so I have taken the decision to not take my camera out in wet weather, even though I have got a rain cover! I think that camera manufacturers should stop piling unnecessary technology into cameras and concentrate on more important features like weather sealing! P.S I got the joke 🤭
Cheers Roger. The lesson me and Meyrick learned was to be very cautious with what a manufacturer claims and take some precautions anyway. I was extremely lucky that I didn't completely ruin the camera.
Contemporary lenses are NOT weathershield at least not to the extension of art lenses. Also the attachment of the EVF requires to take off the rubber seal so there goes your weather sealing.
Yep, as I found out when I contacted Sigma! I had made a very silly assumption and one that nearly cost me. Fortunately I got away with it, however it taught me a very important lesson!
I think weather sealing is a gimmick that gives you a false sense of security which is probably why most warranties don't cover water damage. I'd always use a bag whatever my setup.
I've had a Canon 5D Classic out in all weathers and it survived no matter what I threw at it. Perhaps I was lucky. Like you though, I'm no longer going to take any chances.
Glad your Sigma escaped to shoot another day, Huw. Reminds me of an occasion a few years ago when I took my Olympus E-M5 (weather sealed) out with a kit lens(decidedly NOT weather sealed). Into a Canadian blizzard in February I went. I tucked the camera into my coat but I had to take it out to shoot and I was hoping for the best. I got lucky and there was no damage done but I bought a rain cover similar to yours to have "just in case"
A wise move. I used to use an E-M5 but had access to the PRO lenses so I always felt reasonably safe. However, my buddies experience with his Canon 5Div has definitely made me question that decision in the future.
For years I have used Stormjacket and Thinktank emergency cover and they work perfect. Never trust wheather resistance from any camera brand.
Yes a salutary lesson for all! Several years ago I watched a UA-cam video from a landscape photographer (can’t remember his name at the moment) who used a cover made from Gortex by a friend of his. I liked the look. So I bought an old ex-army Gortex jacket from eBay (cost me about £25) then. A small sized one as I didn’t need a bigger one. Using a sewing machine. I made 2 covers. One from a sleeve. Which I sewed a drawstring into around the front. To go over the lens. And a straight square piece with drawstrings across two edges to go over the camera. Large enough which I can get underneath to operate the camera. But like yourself I do not intentionally go out in the pouring rain. But like to have these folded flat in my bag. Just in case. What you bought is practical. Likely do the job. Most people would not want to mess around making a cover(s) . It was just a project I fancied having a go at after having seen that video all those years ago.
Bravo! What a brilliant solution! My wife teaches sewing and I'm sure she could have turned her hand to something like this. Full marks to you for giving it a go and making it work. Clearly I took the lazy (Amazon) route to solve the problem :)
In case your curiosity was wetted. I found the video I mentioned. Perhaps you could persuade your good lady wife to make something similar? ua-cam.com/video/AXhiXDJOLsU/v-deo.htmlsi=OqI1Nbob93HutfaE
Just use your olympus in these conditions. Never had a problem in what kind of weather at all. I even flush it underneath the tap sometimes when it's dirty 😅 but good advice for not goof weather sealed cameras. Grt guido
Didn’t have it with me unfortunately at the time, AND I assumed that the “42 points of weather sealing” would sufficient to keep the rain out. As I mentioned though, the use of the optional EVF, and choosing to use the Contemporary lenses (as opposed to the Art) meant that I had compromised the weather sealing capability. The real eye opener was my buddies 5D MKiv - a camera famed for being sturdy in all weathers - neither of us was expecting that to have an issue! But after 8 years of use the seals had started to weaken. My suggestion based on our experience is that as your OM-1ii ages I’d be a little more careful with running under a tap. I noticed at the photo show the Olympus techs were using IPA and swabs to clean cameras that has been brought in for a free clean.
11:37 When I purchased my Canon EOS R6 I tried to find out how weather sealed it was, but it seems Canon are very cautions to not state the level of sealing, so I have taken the decision to not take my camera out in wet weather, even though I have got a rain cover! I think that camera manufacturers should stop piling unnecessary technology into cameras and concentrate on more important features like weather sealing!
P.S I got the joke 🤭
Cheers Roger. The lesson me and Meyrick learned was to be very cautious with what a manufacturer claims and take some precautions anyway. I was extremely lucky that I didn't completely ruin the camera.
Contemporary lenses are NOT weathershield at least not to the extension of art lenses. Also the attachment of the EVF requires to take off the rubber seal so there goes your weather sealing.
Yep, as I found out when I contacted Sigma! I had made a very silly assumption and one that nearly cost me. Fortunately I got away with it, however it taught me a very important lesson!
I think weather sealing is a gimmick that gives you a false sense of security which is probably why most warranties don't cover water damage. I'd always use a bag whatever my setup.
I've had a Canon 5D Classic out in all weathers and it survived no matter what I threw at it. Perhaps I was lucky. Like you though, I'm no longer going to take any chances.
I never trust weather sealed