I tried to search some help on the forum but couldn't find anything answering my questions. I would need some help from FMers who are used to shoot under the rain.
I'm on vacation in Mexico and have had some wonderful weather since the begining of the week.
.......until today when I've been caught under the rain for half an hour.
I didn't have anything to protect my camera and decided to continue shooting, thinking my 7D was sealed enought.
When finally arriving home, I discoverd that some of the buttons at the back and on the top do not work properly anymore, particularly the joystick.
Upon my discover, I removed everything I could (battery, battery cover, I opened the flash,.......) to let the camera dry as much as possible but after an hour the joystick still does not properly.
I know that the weather-sealing does not mean completely-waterproof-ready-for-scuba-diving but I thought my 7D would handle a light rain much better.
2 questions :
In the meantime, does anyone know what I could do to help drying the contacts ?
What is the limit of the weather sealing ?
Thanks for your help
I could finally find a hair dryer and carefully blow some hot air onto the buttons as well as into the body from the card opening making sure that every opening where open to help evacuate moisture away.
Everything went fine !!! I now have all the functions of my 7D back.
This little misadventure make me rethink my conception of weather sealing though. For quite som times now, i've been looking at a used 1D iv on the b&s forum but it still a big investment.
whtrbt7 wrote:
Oh, canon has also said that even humidity can get into weather sealed cameras killing off their boards. I had a friend kill his 7D that way.
to heck what canon says try the laws of physics and nature.
Too bad about your 7D. Hopefully, some readers will learn from your experience. Unfortunately, many will probably dismiss it. I use a 1DX, 1DIV and contemporary "weather sealed" L-series lenses. When shooting in the rain, I use Think Tank and AquaTech raincoats.
P.S. Canon warranties and CPS Service fixed-rate repairs cover just about everything except dropped gear and wet gear.
Getting caught in rain in the D.R. screwed up the AF points and hot shoe of my old 50D... moved to 1DIV and have not had a problem since. Bag of rice is solid advice though!!!
It's always a good idea to carry some (zip lock) sealed dry packs with you - plus a larger bag that would fit your camera or other equipment. You can buy these relatively cheap on Amazon. THhey are handy for long(er) term storage too e.g. if you keep your camera in a sealed pelican case - just as a precaution.
I had the same problem but with a 5d MK II and the top lcd add some water in it. the camera was still working even completely wet and some buttons not even working. I left it to dry for a complete night without batteries and the next morning the 5d was working like nothing happened.
I am now shooting with a 5d MKIII and I have been using it In tropical condition (jungle) and In cold -30 celsius and every thing works as it should.
Moral of the story,Trust your gear it will take the beating.
Quick note on the hair dryer assist for anyone who may not be aware, blow dryers can achieve surprisingly high temperatures and easily deform many plastics.
Anytime I'm using one to dry electronics (usually my iPhone with rain drops in the ear speaker slot) I keep my hand near or in the dryer blast to ensure I'm not warming the gear much over 100 - 120 F.
Also, blow dryers are great for speeding up lighting charcoal when grilling
