XT-1 vs K-3 weatherproofing

[Dabbler]

I know the K5 (and now the K3) is the gold standard for APS-C weatherproofed cameras. Does anyone have any experience with K3 vs XT1 weatherproofing? I own the XT1 but am reluctant to take it out in anything but a very light drizzle. I thought about getting an AW1 for shooting in the rain but the supplied kit lens doesn't have image stabilization and there are no long weatherproof lenses for it.

Thanks for any input!

 

[Ed B]

I know the K5 (and now the K3) is the gold standard for APS-C weatherproofed cameras. Does anyone have any experience with K3 vs XT1 weatherproofing? I own the XT1 but am reluctant to take it out in anything but a very light drizzle. I thought about getting an AW1 for shooting in the rain but the supplied kit lens doesn't have image stabilization and there are no long weatherproof lenses for it.

Thanks for any input!

--
Michael

Even though the X-T1 has weather sealing I'm not sure it's a good idea to take it (or most cameras) out in pouring down rain.

The seals do make it resistant to moisture but I don't think it should be considered water proof.

Some kind of a cover seems like it would be a good idea and a cover would also help keep water off the lens glass element.

All this is just an opinion because I've never actually owned a weather sealed camera. I'm definitely a fair weather photographer who stays out of the rain as much as possible. None of my snapshots are worth getting wet.

 

[Dabbler]

I agree, not much point shooting in a downpour without a raincover as the lens face would get soaked. But a weatherproof cam should be able to handle rain, I know the Pentax K series can. And of course the D4!

I just wondered if the XT1 was on a par with the K3.
--
Michael

 

[Ed B]

I agree, not much point shooting in a downpour without a raincover as the lens face would get soaked. But a weatherproof cam should be able to handle rain, I know the Pentax K series can. And of course the D4!

I just wondered if the XT1 was on a par with the K3.
--
Michael

I'm sure someone with more knowledge of the X-T1, than me, will eventually answer.

Here is a quote from the Fuji Web site about the X-T1 weather sealing: " When used in conjunction with the XF18-135mm and Vertical Battery Grip VG-XT1, which have the same sealing structure as the camera body, the camera offers a reliable system for your field photography in damp conditions."

Doesn't sound like it has world class weather resistance to me. :-D

I guess the question is, How damp?

 

[leopold]

I`m an EX Pentax K20D shooter and what i liked about my Pentax is that you could shoot in any weather with them! My K20D and DA*50-135mm and DFA100mm Macro WR endured many rainy days as well as cold Canadian winters and wet snowflakes as well as below -30°C temperatures without any problems.

Looking forward to see how the X-T1 will do, might be my next camera !

 

[Ergo607]

Just take it out and shoot. Camera's can have more than you think. In my trip to Iceland in 2008 I had a weather jacket for my then E-30, which is not weather sealed. After one hour of poring rain I just tucked the rain jacket away and decided to shoot without protection, because I didn't like the experience.

This photo was taken in the (short) time it stopped raining.

I know the K5 (and now the K3) is the gold standard for APS-C weatherproofed cameras. Does anyone have any experience with K3 vs XT1 weatherproofing? I own the XT1 but am reluctant to take it out in anything but a very light drizzle. I thought about getting an AW1 for shooting in the rain but the supplied kit lens doesn't have image stabilization and there are no long weatherproof lenses for it.

Thanks for any input!

--
Michael

--
Cheers,
Marc
http://www.digifotofreak.nl

 

[seukel]

Just take it out and shoot. Camera's can have more than you think. In my trip to Iceland in 2008 I had a weather jacket for my then E-30, which is not weather sealed. After one hour of poring rain I just tucked the rain jacket away and decided to shoot without protection, because I didn't like the experience.

Is it still working?

 

[Sal18]

To me, 'damp' does not equal 'wet'.

Sal

 

[Ed B]

To me, 'damp' does not equal 'wet'.

Sal

I have to agree. Doesn't sound like Fuji is making any big promises.

 

[Birddogman]

My TX1 gets pretty hard use afield - rain, snow, mud, etc. I don't expose it to anything I don't need to (like dunking it in a bucket just to see if it will survive), but I do use it frequently in harsh and wet conditions. My stuff is to use, not to worship. No, I can't quantify what that means objectively.

My guess (and this is just a guess) that Fuji is deliberately vague about how much an TX1 can take, because they are concerned that someone will blast it with a fire hose and then complain that it leaked. I also guess (there's that "guess" word again) that it will be fine in any normal rain, snow, fog, humidity, dust, etc - in other words moisture and such that isn't forced under the seals but is just deposited on the surface. So far, my experience bears out those guesses.

 

[leopold]

My TX1 gets pretty hard use afield - rain, snow, mud, etc. I don't expose it to anything I don't need to (like dunking it in a bucket just to see if it will survive), but I do use it frequently in harsh and wet conditions. My stuff is to use, not to worship. No, I can't quantify what that means objectively.

My guess (and this is just a guess) that Fuji is deliberately vague about how much an TX1 can take, because they are concerned that someone will blast it with a fire hose and then complain that it leaked. I also guess (there's that "guess" word again) that it will be fine in any normal rain, snow, fog, humidity, dust, etc - in other words moisture and such that isn't forced under the seals but is just deposited on the surface. So far, my experience bears out those guesses.

Similar to Pentax Weather proofing. Some have washed their Pentax under a shower but never tried it myself.

 

[Ergo607]

Just take it out and shoot. Camera's can have more than you think. In my trip to Iceland in 2008 I had a weather jacket for my then E-30, which is not weather sealed. After one hour of poring rain I just tucked the rain jacket away and decided to shoot without protection, because I didn't like the experience.

Is it still working?

 

[Menneisyys]

Camera's can have more than you think.

Same might stand for the X-E1. Some 2 weeks ago I shot some lightning in timelapse mode (shooting for 30 seconds - it was very dark - each 31 seconds with MF), me going back to my summer cottage and leaving my camera (and the external, cabled intervalometer) on the beach, hoping the rain wouldn't get there (the lightning was far away, as can also be seen in the shots below). Then, I turned out to be wrong:











I've had no problems with my X-E1 / 18-55 afterwards (knocking on wood). Finally, some lightning shots I've taken:

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

Hi all,

As a former K5 owner, and a paddler, I have carried my cameras with me while paddling, where they by definition get wet, if not dunked (well, I dropped one, that expired rather hastily)! I used compacts then, carrying the camera(s) in a cotton pouch (made from a cut off corduroy trouser leg), on a strap round my neck. The fabric seem to have soaked up the water droplets, and no harm ever came to my cameras, which definitely were non-water-resistant. Tested the most used, a Konica, the other day, before discarding it (had to make room for other cameras). Still functional, and one of two batteries in working order! After at least a couple of months out in the rain and salt spray!

Roger, over at LensRentals, use to point out that no camera, nor lens, is truly water-proof, and some users of the AW1 have had problems with keeping the joint between the lenses and camera body 100% water-proof (diligent keeping the seals clean, and lubricated, is the trick, evidently)!

Have a friend living in Thailand, who, while out doing some BIF photography, accidentally slipped, and fell into a salinas (those ponds you use to produce salt, by letting the sea water evaporate), so the camera (a D7100, I think) and his precious 300/4 went underwater, in very, very, salty water. And he himself, of course!

He washed off the worst immediately, and then ASAP went to his camera guru in Bangkok, who did his best.

The lens was salvaged, the camera a total loss.

A lens can take a lot of abuse, a camera less so!

SO what am I'm getting at?!

I'd would opt for a V1, as it is cheap, and use the Nikon 1 lenses that have no moving parts (10, or the 18.5), or one of the really cheap zooms, leave them in unlocked position, and wrap them with some saran wrap, after having chosen a useable zoom position.

A cotton bag, like my trouser's leg, to carry the camera in, would probably be very helpful as well! Just keep it out of direct spray/rain, so that it can do its work!

One of those rain covers you can buy would be a helpful addition, I guess, but would hinder your manipulation of the buttons ;-(!

All the best,

Tord

 

[Chad Hardy]

I know the K5 (and now the K3) is the gold standard for APS-C weatherproofed cameras. Does anyone have any experience with K3 vs XT1 weatherproofing? I own the XT1 but am reluctant to take it out in anything but a very light drizzle. I thought about getting an AW1 for shooting in the rain but the supplied kit lens doesn't have image stabilization and there are no long weatherproof lenses for it.

Thanks for any input!

 

[Dabbler]

Love the idea of Saran wrap, I've seen this before but had forgotten about it! Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Dabbler]

Beautiful lightning shot! I've always wanted to get a device that trips on lightning flashes.

 

[PG Thomas]

I have the K5 with both WR lenses and the XT-1 with their 18-135 WR. Of the two I would trust the K5 (and I guess the K3) in heavy rain. The XT-1 in light showers only.

To start with the K3 has a proper seal around the SD Card door. Whilst the KT-1 has a flimsy affair which has a tendency to pop open. Similarly the two PK kit lenses have rubber seals on the lens mounting flange, whereas there are none on the 18-135.

I have had and used the K5 in really poor conditions with torrential rain http://thomapg.piwigo.com/index?/category/1056-02_30_wet_wet_wet

And up to now the XT-1 in Heavy rain showers
http://thomapg.piwigo.com/index?/category/1120-08_02_quite_damp_today

Given the choice, when you know it's going to be really wet, I would leave the XT-1 at home and take the K5 (K3). Although there's no doubt the images are better from the XT-1.

Pete

PS. After second look - there is a rubber seal on the 18-135 lens mount, it's just hard to see.

But the SD Card door is still a minus point.

 

[Dabbler]

Thanks for the encouragement! I won't be concerned when the misters come on in the Botanical Garden!
--
Michael

 

[juvx]

I know the K5 (and now the K3) is the gold standard for APS-C weatherproofed cameras. Does anyone have any experience with K3 vs XT1 weatherproofing? I own the XT1 but am reluctant to take it out in anything but a very light drizzle. I thought about getting an AW1 for shooting in the rain but the supplied kit lens doesn't have image stabilization and there are no long weatherproof lenses for it.

Thanks for any input!