Camera Labs

I don't know if it's just me being scared stiff of damaging my "L" lenses and my 5D2 but I find myself treating them over cautiously and a bit nervous of getting the slightest bit of moisture on them. I find myself in a situation where I am not at ease for fear of damaging them and therefore I think it affects the pleasure photography gives me. Of course I want to take good care of my equipment but not to the point of being over-fussy.
L lenses and the 5D2 are not cheap but how much damp and dust can these take?

My question to you guys is quite simple.
How weather sealed is an "L" lens and 5D2?

Thanks for all your great advice.

_________________
5DMKII, 7D, 50D, (EF17-40-L-USM) (EF24-105-f4L-IS-USM) ( EF100-f2.8L-IS-USM) ( SIGMA 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye ) (SIGMA 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM)
Holiday Home Rentals

I think a 5D2 is about 80 or 90% weather sealed

a friend of mine's 5D2 was super drenched with an L lens and battery grip attached to it. It was extremely heavy rain and it survived, I think its almost as tough as the 1D series in weather sealing.

_________________
http://www.AnderssonPhoto.com
Cameras: Leica M8, Nikon FE-2, Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, 5D Mark II, 40D
Lenses: Voigtländer Nokton Classic 35mm 1.4, Ultra Wide Heliar 12mm 5.6 ASPH II, Nikkor AI-S 28mm 2.8, Canon 24-70 2.8L, 85mm 1.2L II, 300mm 2.8L IS, TS-E 45mm 2.8, Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro
Canon 1.4x/2X TC II, Canon 580EX II X2, Gitzo + Manfrotto.
Wishlist: Leica Monochrom, Summilux 50 ASPH, Voigtlander 35mm 1.2 ASPH II

Personally, my rule of thumb is, if my underwear is going to get wet, dont take a photo lol.

But in all seriousness, I think I only ever use weather sealing IF im in an accident. I dont treat weather sealing as a "feature" to be used. Its like the Neck strap, I use it JUST IN CASE not because ppl know I have a Canon 7D in big white letters.

Ive dropped my 7D with a 70-200mm 2.8 IS II in a pool and was completely submerged but I had it by the straps so it spent 2 seconds in the water, and I think I turned the pool yellow I was so upset and shocked.

Still works fine, got canon to look at it and the lady smiled and said, "seems to be worth the money" and told me that I convinced her to get a 7D.

BUT I will never look at Light or Heavy rain and go, I got weather sealing, I'll be ok. I dont wanna mess with the "who knows" factor lol

_________________
1) Olympus OM1 [Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8]
2) Pentax MZ-60 [Sigma 28-90 & 100-300]
3) Canon 7D [EF-S 15-85 & 70-200mm f/4 IS]

Leo's Flickr Page

I've used the 7D in continuous rain, unprotected. It just keeps working, almost. After a several hours or so, the rear joystick can start playing up but after drying out it is fine again.

I haven't done the same (yet) with the 5D2. It is definitely less sealed than the 7D, perhaps more around the 50D level.

The 24-105 and 17-40 lenses should be a lot better sealed. I've used the unsealed 100-400L in rain, and moisture eventually does get inside after a while, but again it dries out easily. So personally I'd worry more about the 5D2 body than those lenses.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Same here have used the 7D and 70-300L in fairly heavy continues rain. The only thing that played up was the little joystick, it stopped working. Fortunately I have the C1, C2 and C3 set up, so don`t need to change much.
The only thing that was annoying is that the joystick drives the spot focus point. It`s not a big deal when you want it left in the centre, but I was birdnerding and wanted to move it.
I have since worked out that you can use the rear dial and front top dial to move the focus point.

_________________
Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

I will say honestly I have had my T2i/550D and Sigma 18-125 that nether have any weather sealing at all in light misty rain on a boat and they got a nice coating of water and had no problem. So, if you have a camera that has some weather sealing I wouldn't have a problem in a light rain. Make sure you check your lens, some canon lenses that are weather sealed still require a filter on the end to complete the seal.

_________________
Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS

Get your gear insured and just play, you will have more fun when you are not cradling your equipment.

_________________
Mark Osborne
My life through an iPhone

Aww but claiming insurance sucks if its going to raise your premium and thats with you for life unless theres a loyalty no claim period.

My camera is on Insurance but I still cradle it - I dont like scartches on my camera and Id rather cradle my camera instead of cradle a dead camera. LOL

_________________
1) Olympus OM1 [Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8]
2) Pentax MZ-60 [Sigma 28-90 & 100-300]
3) Canon 7D [EF-S 15-85 & 70-200mm f/4 IS]

Leo's Flickr Page