Anyone got a recommendation for shooting in the rain with an unsealed rangefinder? Assume "don't be in the rain" isn't an option. I live in the northwest and am going to be outside even if it's crappy, like going hiking when it's crappy, ride a bike in the rain, etc. Plastic rain sleeves for SLRs seem cool. Poke a hole for the viewfinder?
Asking as I got my mamiya 6 quite wet last weekend. It spent this week being dried out with a fan and silica gel packets, but I'd like to not worry about that sort of thing.
A mechanical (non-electronic) rangefinder would probably be less problematic in wet conditions…Leica M2,3,4 for example or even a canon LTM RF like the P would fit the bill, assuming you are shooting film…I worry most about getting the electronics wet leading to a dead camera…
@leolab i like the idea of a reason to get yet more gear
But yes, I’m referring to film rangefinders, typically older/unsealed lenses and bodies. I was hoping for someone recommending something like gallon zip lock bags with a cutout, and pulling the camera in and out of a more water-resistant bag, some other story like that. In the case I was in last weekend, I had my camera in a bag, but even pulling it out to run through 4 frames got it pretty wet.
Dry bag/case for transport and/or downpours. Pelican case or similar are much easier for managing water than soft dry bags, because they're so much faster to get in and out of.
Don't shoot into the wind or out in the open in heavy rain.
Try to shoot from protected locations.
Carry a cloth to wipe off water.
A shower cap provides good protection between shots if you're shooting from a tripod. Also good for carrying a tripod mounted camera over your shoulder.
Umbrella works too for tripod shooting, wind permitting.
