I've seen a few scattered discussions about the 40D weatherproofing, but nothing definitive that shows exactly what they did.
So thought I'd take a few pictures of mine than arrived today so folks could see what it looks like. Basically black foam weatherstripping - not rubber - and not even 100% coverage on the battery and storage compartment. I talk more about the Canon 40D weatherproofing here ... and I've attached a few images below where I highlight what has foam ... and what does not.
No camera is waterproof ... and heck, I've taken mine all over the place ... but does seem like Canon could have done a bit more in this area.
Interesting. I didn't expect for it to be dust and weather resistant like the 1 series ... but I did expect more based on their press releases. Hopefully what they did add will help keep the dust out. The 30D and 5D seem to be dust magnets even if you don't change lenses that often.
That CF door sealing looks as useful as a New Orleans levee!
Given that every SLR body I've used from Canon with that door design has squeaked when being gripped hard, I have to wonder if that weatherstripping is not designed to seal out moisture/dust, but to make the door feel more solid?
I was hoping for better, and it's a wonder why they even made such a half-assed effort. After just a few hours of use, though, the 40D seems like a hell of a nice camera in every other sense.
My guess is that spies revealed what Sony and Nikon were doing, and this was quickly added to the specs, and manufacturing just added a bit of foam to back it up. Kinda dumb attempt at competing, if you ask me.
It's not so bad, really. Where there is "no weather stripping" above, the top fits into grooves. That should keep weather out pretty nicely.
"Weather resistance" is not a term that means you can take it in the water or let it get hit by a wave on the beach. It really means that a the electronics are protected in an average rain or snow event.
Even with L-lenses and a 1D2, I don't trust the "resistance" in a big storm. If I must shoot, a gallon plastic bag zipped around the lens is cheap insurance.
Cubfan wrote:
It's not so bad, really. Where there is "no weather stripping" above, the top fits into grooves. That should keep weather out pretty nicely.
"Weather resistance" is not a term that means you can take it in the water or let it get hit by a wave on the beach. It really means that a the electronics are protected in an average rain or snow event.
Even with L-lenses and a 1D2, I don't trust the "resistance" in a big storm. If I must shoot, a gallon plastic bag zipped around the lens is cheap insurance.
Good points ... and yes, hopefully people picked up on the grooves in the pictures - I just made it more clear in the wording on my website - thanks!
I'm still a bit disappointed that Canon touted this, but didn't deliver a better solution.
I'm with Cubfan - weatherproofed or not I'd
still take the same basic precautions as he
does, and maybe even more for my own
peace of mind as I'm not into testing my gear
to find it's point of destruction or to compare it
with other so-called weather-proofed cameras.
I still take the Rolex Submariner off before getting
into the shower tho it's been down to 160' on occasion.
It's weather resistant, not dunk-proof! I really wouldn't expect it to be sealed like a navy submarine. All it has to do is withstand weather and dust in a typical environment.
DynoMoHum wrote:
How about a example of the 1D series version of weather sealing on the memory card door and battery compartment... anyone got some photos of those?
Don't have any photos on hand but the sealing is rubber o-ring completely around the compartments.
