p.1 #1 · RF Non-L's - So what is NOT weather sealed?
I'm starting to get a few non-L RF lenses for travel but cannot find anything specific about the lack of weather sealing. What are people's experiences?
Is it like 3 drops of rain and you start getting errors or is it like yeah technically but light rain has never been an issue or whatever thunder storms are cool (ok probably hyperbole)?
p.1 #2 · RF Non-L's - So what is NOT weather sealed?
They don’t have any rubber seals in the barrel and the seal at the mount, light drops should not be a problem but even so if drops fall on the ring joints it can penetrate through who knows what can be affected
p.1 #3 · RF Non-L's - So what is NOT weather sealed?
I've been caught in tropical downpours while shooting and my non-L lenses were fine. Well, I was soaked to the skin and I ran for cover. I wouldn't shoot for extended periods in heavy rain without protection but I've endured light rain and waterfall mist for extended periods with non-L lenses without problems. I simply wiped off the front element and dabbed off water from the barrel every 5 minutes or so.
p.1 #4 · RF Non-L's - So what is NOT weather sealed?
Discussing 4WD a friend once said it probably doesn't' get you much farther but relieves the pucker factor. So it is with weather sealing. If you work constantly in the rain forest you probably need it. For most of us, if your careful, you probably won't.
p.1 #8 · RF Non-L's - So what is NOT weather sealed?
Grab a couple of Ruggard or similar rain covers. They are small and light and easy to carry. There are cheaper clear plastic disposable ones to. I've shot in steady rain with those with no issues. Good piece of mind, even if your body and lens are weather sealed.
p.1 #10 · RF Non-L's - So what is NOT weather sealed?
pyramidzor wrote:
Hijacking this post to ask specifically about sand and dust, which I find to be a more pressing concern than rain most of the time.
How do the non-L lenses fare for trips to the beach or national parks where there may be occasional bursts of blown-up sand or dust?
I've shot on or near Pacific beaches for most of my life. I live a block away and when surf is up, there's plenty of salt spray and trade winds stirring up sand. I've not had any problems but I take some basic precautions:
1. No lens changes on the beach.
2. Keep camera in bag and pull only to shoot.
3. Wear a clear filter when surf is up and remove afterwards to rinse in tap water.
4. Pad down gear with a damp micro fiber cloth afterwards.
5. Avoid excessive zooming in salt spray.
6. When using a tripod, cover camera/lens while waiting for good light, a wave set, etc.
With all that said, L lenses are not really sealed—merely weather resistant—and dust can and will get in, same as non-L lenses.
