Weatherproofing - Heavy duty bin bag?
Discussion
Having given up reffing my son's rugby team this season because 18yr old boys are far too f
king quick for me to keep pace with, I've become the team photographer instead, which I'm altogether much better at! 
The weather forecast for this Sunday is less than wonderful - rainy with 20-30mph winds - so my thought is turning to weatherproofing my kit!
There are various third party options available at varying prices, but I'm wondering whether I actually need anything more than a heavy duty bin bag and some gaffer tape?
I'll be using a Canon R6 with a Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 on a monopod. The lens is a bloody great big monster of a thing, but also has two really significant advantages... Firstly it doesn't expand and contract when zooming in and out, and secondly the lens hood is 110mm deep. I'm therefore thinking I could just tape a heavy duty bin bag round the outside of the lens hood at one end and the camera body at the other, and so long as I leave enough slack to rotate the zoom ring I should be good to go? The weatherproofing on the body is pretty decent anyway, so unless I'm missing something obvious, I'm not sure that spending more on a cover is going to be worth it? From the tip of the hood to the back of the body is about 500mm, so what limited options I can find aren't cheap!
king quick for me to keep pace with, I've become the team photographer instead, which I'm altogether much better at! The weather forecast for this Sunday is less than wonderful - rainy with 20-30mph winds - so my thought is turning to weatherproofing my kit!
There are various third party options available at varying prices, but I'm wondering whether I actually need anything more than a heavy duty bin bag and some gaffer tape?
I'll be using a Canon R6 with a Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 on a monopod. The lens is a bloody great big monster of a thing, but also has two really significant advantages... Firstly it doesn't expand and contract when zooming in and out, and secondly the lens hood is 110mm deep. I'm therefore thinking I could just tape a heavy duty bin bag round the outside of the lens hood at one end and the camera body at the other, and so long as I leave enough slack to rotate the zoom ring I should be good to go? The weatherproofing on the body is pretty decent anyway, so unless I'm missing something obvious, I'm not sure that spending more on a cover is going to be worth it? From the tip of the hood to the back of the body is about 500mm, so what limited options I can find aren't cheap!
It'll be fine. I've done this a lot before. I usually cut a hole for the view finder and use the eyepiece to clamp the bag. I leave wrist bands on my lenses for this purpose, but they won't stretch on my super teles.
Be mindful that your hands will get sweaty and damp under the bag, but that aside it's what a lot of photographers do. I tried a proper waterproof bag thing but threw it away, it was hopeless.
Be mindful that your hands will get sweaty and damp under the bag, but that aside it's what a lot of photographers do. I tried a proper waterproof bag thing but threw it away, it was hopeless.
I videoed my son’s rugby matches for 15 years, in rain (so much rain), in snow, in a force 7, when it’s been freezing (perhaps you could explain why refs allow matches when the ground doesn’t take a stud), in hail, in heavier rain, in snow (I helped sweep the lines?), and in even heavier heavy rain. I have never lost a camera. Mind you, batteries have given up when it’s been really cold so carry lots of spares, and zooms have messed me around when my breath has frozen the control.
I’m a firm supporter of black plastic sheeting over the camera, with the screen sticking out the side, and tied around a ND filter at the front, which I wiped with a Specsavers lens cloth when required. I controlled the camera with my right hand, under the cloth, and held the camera with my left. I would have a waterproof glove on my left hand and a fingerless glove on my right. It looked pathetic, but it’d be pathetic if I cared. I had wrist warmers, cut down socks originally, then proprietary offerings later, and later than I should have.
I also had an umbrella tucked down the front of my coat and resting on my head. I used to wear a ski mask to stop my breath condensing on the camera. Nothing brings back the memories of those matches more than snot running down my mouth and chin. Good times.
I tried to move about as much as I could, to block the view of the other team’s supporters, and to keep warm, or at least mobile. I moved very little and this meant little warmth generated. I always carried a thermos of soup, which I refused to share.
Lots of layers, including socks. Don’t believe the thermal hype. They all freeze.
I had a box for the camera after the match, which also had newly baked silica gel in it at first and then proprietary desiccants as the rain continued. Rice didn’t work for me.
Ask the ref, before the match, if they’d like a couple of images. It shows they are appreciated and, if they have a mare, it’s fun to send lots.
I thoroughly enjoyed doing it, and there were some great highs. Note the location. He scored the team's winning try just two minutes from the end, putting us 9pts ahead, and it knocked the stuffing out of the other side.
I’m a firm supporter of black plastic sheeting over the camera, with the screen sticking out the side, and tied around a ND filter at the front, which I wiped with a Specsavers lens cloth when required. I controlled the camera with my right hand, under the cloth, and held the camera with my left. I would have a waterproof glove on my left hand and a fingerless glove on my right. It looked pathetic, but it’d be pathetic if I cared. I had wrist warmers, cut down socks originally, then proprietary offerings later, and later than I should have.
I also had an umbrella tucked down the front of my coat and resting on my head. I used to wear a ski mask to stop my breath condensing on the camera. Nothing brings back the memories of those matches more than snot running down my mouth and chin. Good times.
I tried to move about as much as I could, to block the view of the other team’s supporters, and to keep warm, or at least mobile. I moved very little and this meant little warmth generated. I always carried a thermos of soup, which I refused to share.
Lots of layers, including socks. Don’t believe the thermal hype. They all freeze.
I had a box for the camera after the match, which also had newly baked silica gel in it at first and then proprietary desiccants as the rain continued. Rice didn’t work for me.
Ask the ref, before the match, if they’d like a couple of images. It shows they are appreciated and, if they have a mare, it’s fun to send lots.
I thoroughly enjoyed doing it, and there were some great highs. Note the location. He scored the team's winning try just two minutes from the end, putting us 9pts ahead, and it knocked the stuffing out of the other side.
Don't get wound up with errors by the ref. We had one memorably tight match where we only just won, with the final kick. Here's a screen grab of the receiving player not offside, with just ten minutes to go. Here's a screen grab.
It happens. What also happens is the weather forecast is often wrong. If they say it won't rain, take your waterproof bag with you.
20% chance of rain after 1700 means 100% of rain before.
It's also a pleasant feeling to know that your props are smiling.
It happens. What also happens is the weather forecast is often wrong. If they say it won't rain, take your waterproof bag with you.
20% chance of rain after 1700 means 100% of rain before.
It's also a pleasant feeling to know that your props are smiling.
A bin bag will get the job done.
Most modern cameras have a decent level of protection against rain. I've been caught in some pretty torrential rain a couple of times with a Nikon D850 and a Sony A7iv which didn't cause any issues. The biggest challenge is preventing rain hitting the lens glass and spoiling shots.
You can also get silicone skins for the Canon which will add to the protection.
Most modern cameras have a decent level of protection against rain. I've been caught in some pretty torrential rain a couple of times with a Nikon D850 and a Sony A7iv which didn't cause any issues. The biggest challenge is preventing rain hitting the lens glass and spoiling shots.
You can also get silicone skins for the Canon which will add to the protection.
You want one of these. No sweaty hands or difficulties zooming. Added bonus of being able to hide from the missus in the garden too.
https://www.birdfood.co.uk/stealth-gear-double-alt...
I know you're thinking you've never seen any professionals use them, but thats just because the Camo is that good.
https://www.birdfood.co.uk/stealth-gear-double-alt...
I know you're thinking you've never seen any professionals use them, but thats just because the Camo is that good.
As has been mentioned, you'll probably be fine with a bin bag taped to the lens hood, although I think a large clear plastic bag would be easier to use as you can see the camera//lens/screen even when covered.
Another option is to use a cheap plastic cover - essentially a clear plastic bag with a draw string to attach to your lens hood, and a downward facing opening for your hand.
I've used one of these in the past when out all day taking kayaking photos in the pouring rain on Dartmoor. I was using it with a Canon R5 and 70-210 f2.8 with no problems. I know the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 is a bigger lens (I have an early model), but the cover looks like it'll fit, and it says for lenses up to 450mm long - the Sigma is 291mm (+ lens hood). At £7 for 2, or £11 for 4, it's a pretty low cost even if you don't get on with it.
The plastic isn't very thick, which is both a good and bad thing. Good as it's not stiff, so moves easily as you move your hand inside. Bad as it's not very resilient, so you're unlikely to get a lot of uses from each one, although putting some tape inside and outside of where you make a hole to attach the monopod might make it last a bit longer.
Another option is to use a cheap plastic cover - essentially a clear plastic bag with a draw string to attach to your lens hood, and a downward facing opening for your hand.
I've used one of these in the past when out all day taking kayaking photos in the pouring rain on Dartmoor. I was using it with a Canon R5 and 70-210 f2.8 with no problems. I know the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 is a bigger lens (I have an early model), but the cover looks like it'll fit, and it says for lenses up to 450mm long - the Sigma is 291mm (+ lens hood). At £7 for 2, or £11 for 4, it's a pretty low cost even if you don't get on with it.
The plastic isn't very thick, which is both a good and bad thing. Good as it's not stiff, so moves easily as you move your hand inside. Bad as it's not very resilient, so you're unlikely to get a lot of uses from each one, although putting some tape inside and outside of where you make a hole to attach the monopod might make it last a bit longer.
bstb3 said:
You want one of these. No sweaty hands or difficulties zooming. Added bonus of being able to hide from the missus in the garden too.
https://www.birdfood.co.uk/stealth-gear-double-alt...
I know you're thinking you've never seen any professionals use them, but thats just because the Camo is that good.
Oh yes, coz I really wouldn't struggle to live that one down in the bar afterwards! https://www.birdfood.co.uk/stealth-gear-double-alt...
I know you're thinking you've never seen any professionals use them, but thats just because the Camo is that good.
Part of my role in work is going out and photographing / filming whenever there are severe storms.
For stills, most cameras are weather sealed and I just use them ‘naked’. Never had an issue, even left a DSLR clamped to some scaffold all day to do a timelapse in horrible weather.
My video camera isn’t weather sealed and I just have a roll of kitchen bin liners in my bag that I put around my camera and cut a hole in for the lens.
Just remember some lens cloths because you’ll be wiping the lens a fair bit.
For stills, most cameras are weather sealed and I just use them ‘naked’. Never had an issue, even left a DSLR clamped to some scaffold all day to do a timelapse in horrible weather.
My video camera isn’t weather sealed and I just have a roll of kitchen bin liners in my bag that I put around my camera and cut a hole in for the lens.
Just remember some lens cloths because you’ll be wiping the lens a fair bit.
C n C said:
As has been mentioned, you'll probably be fine with a bin bag taped to the lens hood, although I think a large clear plastic bag would be easier to use as you can see the camera//lens/screen even when covered.
Another option is to use a cheap plastic cover - essentially a clear plastic bag with a draw string to attach to your lens hood, and a downward facing opening for your hand.
I've used one of these in the past when out all day taking kayaking photos in the pouring rain on Dartmoor. I was using it with a Canon R5 and 70-210 f2.8 with no problems. I know the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 is a bigger lens (I have an early model), but the cover looks like it'll fit, and it says for lenses up to 450mm long - the Sigma is 291mm (+ lens hood). At £7 for 2, or £11 for 4, it's a pretty low cost even if you don't get on with it.
The plastic isn't very thick, which is both a good and bad thing. Good as it's not stiff, so moves easily as you move your hand inside. Bad as it's not very resilient, so you're unlikely to get a lot of uses from each one, although putting some tape inside and outside of where you make a hole to attach the monopod might make it last a bit longer.
It was actually the product you posted that prompted this thread! Another option is to use a cheap plastic cover - essentially a clear plastic bag with a draw string to attach to your lens hood, and a downward facing opening for your hand.
I've used one of these in the past when out all day taking kayaking photos in the pouring rain on Dartmoor. I was using it with a Canon R5 and 70-210 f2.8 with no problems. I know the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 is a bigger lens (I have an early model), but the cover looks like it'll fit, and it says for lenses up to 450mm long - the Sigma is 291mm (+ lens hood). At £7 for 2, or £11 for 4, it's a pretty low cost even if you don't get on with it.
The plastic isn't very thick, which is both a good and bad thing. Good as it's not stiff, so moves easily as you move your hand inside. Bad as it's not very resilient, so you're unlikely to get a lot of uses from each one, although putting some tape inside and outside of where you make a hole to attach the monopod might make it last a bit longer.
If I was using a DSLR it might just about fit, but adding on the EF/RF converter tips it over the maximum length.
Instead of just a lens cloth, carry a nice big chamois too. They absorb an incredible amount of water, as we all know, and that leaves your lens cloths to do what they were designed for.
In light rain I’ve sometimes just left the chamois draped over the camera and lens!
In light rain I’ve sometimes just left the chamois draped over the camera and lens!
Edited by Tony1963 on Saturday 23 November 10:07
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