p.1 #1 · E-mont lenses and bodies for torrential rain?
There are some situations in which moisture and water droplets just cannot be omitted. Shooting near a high waterfall comes to mind, shooting on a cajak, tropic jungles or just plain rain.
Of course there are always measures to mitigate exposure to rain. Many (bags and covers) are a hassle. Thus my question, are there bodies / lenses with better or best protection?
In practice: Which lenses or lens series of the e-mount ecosystem have proven themselves as more water resistant?
Are there bodies that are more or less susceptible to water droplets falling on them?
I’m aware of some manufacturer claims (often vague), I’m thus most interested in practical experience. Successful applications as well as encountered equipment failures.
Water repellant front lenses appear to be helpful in reducing artefacts elicited by rain drops sitting there. I am not aware of any systematic list, which lensses have this feature, thus any mentioning of this feature is also helpful.
p.1 #3 · E-mont lenses and bodies for torrential rain?
FWIW, I always carry a couple of the shower caps you get in hotels for wet conditions. They cover body and lens. For worse weather, I also have a couple of black plastic sacks in my rucksack.
p.1 #4 · E-mont lenses and bodies for torrential rain?
Underwater photographers know it's not if you ever get water ingress, it's when.
Water is kept out by o-rings or similar rubber seals. For failure, simply add a tiny bit of any material, sand, grit etc
If any stats were available listing which lenses have suffered water ingress, luck is probably the most significant variable.
p.1 #5 · E-mont lenses and bodies for torrential rain?
You may want to have a camera system that has an official IP53 rating - dust and splash resistant. The second digit “3” means protection against water sprayed at any angle up to 60° from vertical for at least a short period.
To the best of my knowledge only the micro-four-thirds cameras OM-1 II, OM-5 II, and OM-3 have this rating. I have a vague recollection that I might have seen a Leica that was IP53 rated, but I don't remember exactly.
Basically, if this protection is critical, you may want to add an OM camera system. I use OM-1 II along with the Sony A1, and I like both in their different ways.
p.1 #6 · E-mont lenses and bodies for torrential rain?
Never had any trouble in light rain and snow with lenses that were designated as weather sealed. In pouring rain, I use a rain cover. Externally focusing or zooming lenses are the most prone to water infiltration. My 100-400 and 70-200 f4 macro have gotten wet without any issues. I avoid zooming if there's water sitting on the barrel and wipe any droplets from the exposed barrel before collapsing the lens. Internal zooms like the 70-200 GM and 200-600 G have had no trouble with rain and snow.
Sigma Art and Sports lenses are all built like tanks. No problems with any of those I've used in the wet.
Glass coatings don't help if you have droplets covering the front element. Use a hood.
