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  1. #1
    Member JoshD's Avatar
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    How fragile is my camera?

    Canon Xsi Rebel..


    We have been getting a lot of rain around here lately but I am itching to get out and really use this thing. Obviously I wouldn't stand out in the pouring rain and take pictures, but how fragile is it to sprinkles? Or moist conditions?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Member gracie_r's Avatar
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    Okay, I don't recommend this - but I left my Rebel outside overnight ( :nonod: )and it sprinkled and it was fine...
    Feel free to edit and repost my photos as part of your critique.

  3. #3
    Member JoshD's Avatar
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    Quote Originally Posted by gracie_r
    Okay, I don't recommend this - but I left my Rebel outside overnight ( :nonod: )and it sprinkled and it was fine...
    Thanks, I'll try that!


    ;)

  4. #4
    Sleep is optional Sebastian's Avatar
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    My 20Ds have been rained on, slammed into bricks, dropped and rained on (yes, again). One had a Coke opened on it. No major issues, one of the pop-up flashes doesn't pop up anymore, but I found that out on accident.
    -Seb

    My website

    (Please don't edit and repost my images without my permission. Thank you)

    How to tell the most experienced shooter in a group? They have the least amount of toys on them.

  5. #5
    drg
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    la recherche de trolls drg's Avatar
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    Your lens is probably more susceptible to moisture damage if it is not an 'L' lens than the body. As long as you don't submerse the camera, or run a stream of water over it for extended periods, light rain and damp won't do much to it. I have had a a lens or two get strange when they got damp but with one recent exception as soon as they dried out everything was fine.

    Just don't open the battery or flash card compartment without some sort of cover or protection. A big Ziplock works well. Periodically wipe the camera off with a soft dry cloth (kept in pocket obviously) if you are in the damp for an extended period and you see drops on the camera.

    I continue to be amazed at just how much abuse DSLR's will take. Like Sebastian I've dropped them and banged them and other than one or two minor scrapes and cosmetic issues I haven't noticed problems. I did destroy one DSLR but that was a major deal and I had stitches and glue to put the skin on my knuckles and back of my hand back together.

    Photo John having lived in the City can tell you his experience with Rebels and the weather!

    Happy shooting!
    CDPrice 'drg'
    Biography and Contributor's Page


    Please do not edit and repost any of my photographs.






  6. #6
    Ex-Modster Old Timer's Avatar
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    Grew up with the Nikon F and F2. I drove nails with them in the pouring rain. I wouldn't try that with new digitals but most of them are not nearly as fragile as we think.
    Don't forget about the Gallery. Are your photos there??


    Nikon Samurai #13

    "A photographer is known by what he shows not by what he throws. The best photographers have the biggest trash cans." Quote from Nikon School sometime in the early 1970's.

  7. #7
    Princess of the OT adina's Avatar
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    I shot the 20d in rain more times than I can count. Just keep the lens on, the cards in, and you should be good.
    I sleep, but I don't rest.

  8. #8
    Senior Member JamesV's Avatar
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    I have to agree, it's a lot tougher then you think but you still have to be careful of moisture. Just this year I dropped my XTi out of the backpack the left it with two or three marks, turned it on and took a few pictures and everything works. Also this year in New York we took a boat tour and got a friendly splash from a passing boat and it kept on shooting.

    James

  9. #9
    Senior Member retroactiv's Avatar
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    I've had my D2Xs out in the pouring rain and have had no problems with it, but with that said I still treat it like the princess that it is and use rain gear when it is really bad.
    Chris Johnson
    Nikon Samurai # 30 chrisjohnsonpic.com
    Nikon D2Xs, Nikon D50, SB-800, AF Nikkor 80-200 D ED f2.8, AF Nikkor 50 D f1.8, AF Nikkor 18-55 G ED f5.6

  10. #10
    Kentucky Wildlife
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    From what I understand, condensation from cold weather is a bigger threat than direct moisture. There doesn't seem to be much problem when you take the camera into the cold, but when you take it back into the heat. This can cause moisture to condense on the inside of the lens (fogging it) and on the inside of the camera (shorting the electrical circuits). Both can be devastating, so they advise that you warm it gradually.

  11. #11
    Newest Nikon Samurai zrfraser's Avatar
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    If I'm going from cold to warm, I just keep it in my camera bag for a few hours, letting it warm that way.
    Hell, there are no rules here-- we're trying to accomplish something.
    Thomas A. Edison

    Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
    Thomas A. Edison

  12. #12
    Drive by shooter susaan's Avatar
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Kruger
    From what I understand, condensation from cold weather is a bigger threat than direct moisture. There doesn't seem to be much problem when you take the camera into the cold, but when you take it back into the heat. This can cause moisture to condense on the inside of the lens (fogging it) and on the inside of the camera (shorting the electrical circuits). Both can be devastating, so they advise that you warm it gradually.
    Yes,spot on.VERY important-.it can give rise to fungus growth from that moisture,too...
    -and not just in my part of Asia.

    " Got Soul, but I'm Not a Soldier "
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  13. #13
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    Hey Josh, thanks for asking this question. We’ve had rain, ice and now snow every few days here so I’ve been thinking a lot about how tough my camera is.

    Thank you to everyone that took the time to post an answer.

    Cheers,
    Carl

  14. #14
    They call me P-Wac JETA's Avatar
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    My old digital rebel has been in some huge downpours numerous times. When it gets really bad and I know I have to stand in the rain for a couple of hours I cover it with a cheap rain cover. I never had a problem.
    It's not blurry. It's bokeh.

    Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
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  15. #15
    Panarus biarmicus Moderator (Sports) SmartWombat's Avatar
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    Re: How fragile is my camera?

    Cheap? I know cheap!
    Black plastic bin bags and lots of electrical tape.
    My 20D (also not waterproofed) and lenses survived better than I did !
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails How fragile is my camera?-pa3p8057.jpg   How fragile is my camera?-pa3p8018.jpg   How fragile is my camera?-pa3p8025.jpg  
    PAul

    Scroll down to the Sports Forum and post your sports pictures !

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