Nikon D4 swimming with water

[davetj_uk]

So I was thinking about the weather resistance of DSLR's and came across this article http://petapixel dot.com/2014/05/09/check-happens-6000-nikon-d4-left-exposed-storm/ It would seem that water can get inside where you wouldn't expect it to.. I'm really surprised that the camera survived at all given the amount of water inside.. I'm not knocking the D4 because I think it's an amazing professional tool, but user of all DSLR's would be wise to take note.. People who think that their Nikon's are waterproof in all weather are fooling only themselves.. Remove the dot to go to the website.

 

[Andrew 3]

I've seen that article before. When thinking about weather resistance of DSLR's it's probably safe to assume most people would think about the camera getting wet during normal types of shooting rather than being left out in a storm pointing straight up into the sky.

 

[Cameron Habib]

So I was thinking about the weather resistance of DSLR's and came across this article http://petapixel dot.com/2014/05/09/check-happens-6000-nikon-d4-left-exposed-storm/ It would seem that water can get inside where you wouldn't expect it to.. I'm really surprised that the camera survived at all given the amount of water inside.. I'm not knocking the D4 because I think it's an amazing professional tool, but user of all DSLR's would be wise to take note.. People who think that their Nikon's are waterproof in all weather are fooling only themselves.. Remove the dot to go to the website.

I mean, I don't think anyone should really be surprised that water got in. Unless a camera is rated as waterproof (aka you could go swimming with it) there will almost certainly be a way for water to enter. It makes sense to me that likely what happened was it came in through the lens, which probably isn't built to the same water resistance as the body, and has a front element that acts like a giant water collecting bowl (and again, probably wasn't designed to be used as such). I've used my D3 numerous times in horrible rain and never had water get in, but that said, I've also never left it out for 24 hours pointed at the sky in a humid hot environment.

 

[overniteman]

So I was thinking about the weather resistance of DSLR's and came across this article http://petapixel dot.com/2014/05/09/check-happens-6000-nikon-d4-left-exposed-storm/ It would seem that water can get inside where you wouldn't expect it to.. I'm really surprised that the camera survived at all given the amount of water inside.. I'm not knocking the D4 because I think it's an amazing professional tool, but user of all DSLR's would be wise to take note.. People who think that their Nikon's are waterproof in all weather are fooling only themselves.. Remove the dot to go to the website.

You know, it's funny you should post this today.

I'm in N.J. and was out with my D700 this afternoon and it started to pour. The camera got wet and I was like "Please be weather sealed as advertised".

 

[wasserball]

I never take chances with my D3s. I use a thin plastic bag (found in the vegetable section of the grocery store) to cover the camera and lens. I use tape if I have to. Cheap and effective. Here in Houston where the rain comes unexpectedly, I keep a few bags in the trunk just as I always keep a bottle of deet there as well.

 

[Rich Rosen]

So I was thinking about the weather resistance of DSLR's and came across this article http://petapixel dot.com/2014/05/09/check-happens-6000-nikon-d4-left-exposed-storm/ It would seem that water can get inside where you wouldn't expect it to.. I'm really surprised that the camera survived at all given the amount of water inside.. I'm not knocking the D4 because I think it's an amazing professional tool, but user of all DSLR's would be wise to take note.. People who think that their Nikon's are waterproof in all weather are fooling only themselves.. Remove the dot to go to the website.

Some one else said it... water resistant is not waterproof. A couple of years ago, I purchased a camera rain jacket that fits my camera and telephoto lenses (70-200 2.8, and 120-300 2.8). I have it attached in a case to my monopod. At the slightest hint of moisture or raindrops, out it comes. It cost less than $50 and considering the investment in the camera and lenses ($6900 for one kit), it is well worth the cost of the rain cover.

 

[James809]

The lens mount also has to be sealed. If it isn't, water will get into there and eventually collect in the body if left unattended.

Is there a list of weather-sealed Nikon-compatible lenses anywhere, or some indicator on Nikon lens model numbers to denote weather-sealing?

 

[Anduril]

I never take chances with my D3s. I use a thin plastic bag (found in the vegetable section of the grocery store) to cover the camera and lens. I use tape if I have to. Cheap and effective. Here in Houston where the rain comes unexpectedly, I keep a few bags in the trunk just as I always keep a bottle of deet there as well.

My Lowepro slingbag has a hood built-in. Not too sure how weather-resistant it is?
I also keep a plastic bag somewhere in the pack -- just in case. In a pinch, I also usually pack one of those flimsy plastic poncho's (the $0.50 one-time-use variety). I try to stay mindful that electronics in plastic bags might mean condensation, so it's always a very temporary thing, followed by a good inspection and drying if needed. That said, I try to stay out of the rain.

Ditch the deet.

Google: "Ben's tick and insect repellent wipes".
(The above was a joke - I'm aware Ben's has deet too.)

I'm a sucker for wipes. I absolutely love 'em. (Probably TMI, there??!)
My camera bag is pretty much always stocked with a few Wet Ones (antibacterial hand wipes - BTW, the "Fresh Scent" is fantastic!), a couple packs of Ben's, and maybe a few Nikon lens wipes.

What I like about all these produces it that they are all available in indivually wrapped foil packs, so no worries about leaks in the camera bag. Plus, they pretty much last forever until you open them.

Prior to using Ben's insect repellent, I had been using "Off", which was also available in individual foil packs. Unfortunately, whichever local store I was getting them from stopped carrying them (WalMart?), or they quit making them, so I ended up getting the Ben's equivalent online. Both work well. And cheap insurance for people like me who seem to be perfect "mosquito-magnets".

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www.rei.com

Maybe someone should start a separate thread about the strange "things" people keep in their camera bags. :-D

 

[cm71td]

So I was thinking about the weather resistance of DSLR's and came across this article http://petapixel dot.com/2014/05/09/check-happens-6000-nikon-d4-left-exposed-storm/ It would seem that water can get inside where you wouldn't expect it to.. I'm really surprised that the camera survived at all given the amount of water inside.. I'm not knocking the D4 because I think it's an amazing professional tool, but user of all DSLR's would be wise to take note.. People who think that their Nikon's are waterproof in all weather are fooling only themselves.. Remove the dot to go to the website.

Thanks for posting. The article actually had the opposite effect on me. I'll be more likely to take my camera out into the rain knowing that one sat in a storm for 16 hours and wasn't ruined.

 

[wasserball]

Don't tell anyone. I am a fanatic about keeping dust off everything (I retired from NASA and got used to areas where hardware are kept in class 10,000 clean hepa filtered rooms and where everyone is in smocks and booties). Cameras and lens are kept in lint free outgassed plastic drawers. I take along a 3" paint brush to keep my camera and lens dust free as much as possible. No I don't use it on the glass, but on the clear filter.

Deet works! I get the most concentrated bottles (less expensive per ounce), and dilute it and put it into a small pump spray bottle. I spray it on me and let it soak. I don't rub it because I don't want to pollute the camera with my hand. The skittles in Houston bite through shirts.

 

[rumple]

Cameron Habib wrote: It makes sense to me that likely what happened was it came in through the lens, which probably isn't built to the same water resistance as the body, and has a front element that acts like a giant water collecting bowl

A perfect case for a fotodiox 145mm filter on the wonderpana setup