Rain and the E-M1

Hi, new poster to this forum, but long time reader.

As some background, I have an E-M1 that is a little over a year old, so it is out of warranty. This last week, I was out in a light rain shooting with my E-M1. I thought, "No sweat, this what this camera was designed to do". And, indeed, it performed very well. However when I got home, it would not turn on with the on/off switch! I changed to a fresh battery, same thing. I started just randomly pressing buttons, and after pressing the AF/metering button, it turned on! The picture review button did nothing, but pressing the "OK" button in the middle of the 4-way pad would initiate picture review! The OK button would not perform its designed "OK" function, but only call up the last picture taken.

I suspected some water condensation inside the body, so I removed the battery, warmed the body up with my wife's hair dryer, no change. I then set it aside for a few hours. When I checked a few hours later, all was well and worked perfectly.

This was rather disconcerting, since I thought I had ruined the electronics with moisture. But, it is still working fine. My question is, is this normal? Has anybody else see this behavior? How probable is it that one my seals might be leaking water inside to the camera? I am now nervous about taking my camera out into a rain again, after this unsettling experience. To make it worse, I was in Zion NP, with Bryce NP on deck, and I thought my whole vacation was ruined by not having my trusty sidekick!! Thankfully, it was all good.

Thanks for any and all comments.

Hi, new poster to this forum, but long time reader.

As some background, I have an E-M1 that is a little over a year old, so it is out of warranty. This last week, I was out in a light rain shooting with my E-M1. I thought, "No sweat, this what this camera was designed to do". And, indeed, it performed very well. However when I got home, it would not turn on with the on/off switch! I changed to a fresh battery, same thing. I started just randomly pressing buttons, and after pressing the AF/metering button, it turned on! The picture review button did nothing, but pressing the "OK" button in the middle of the 4-way pad would initiate picture review! The OK button would not perform its designed "OK" function, but only call up the last picture taken.

I suspected some water condensation inside the body, so I removed the battery, warmed the body up with my wife's hair dryer, no change. I then set it aside for a few hours. When I checked a few hours later, all was well and worked perfectly.

This was rather disconcerting, since I thought I had ruined the electronics with moisture. But, it is still working fine. My question is, is this normal? Has anybody else see this behavior? How probable is it that one my seals might be leaking water inside to the camera? I am now nervous about taking my camera out into a rain again, after this unsettling experience. To make it worse, I was in Zion NP, with Bryce NP on deck, and I thought my whole vacation was ruined by not having my trusty sidekick!! Thankfully, it was all good.

Thanks for any and all comments.

I have my E-M1 since Feb last year, worked a couple of times in rain so Camera and lens got pretty wet. No problems at all, which I expect from a waterproof Oly camera. Also there is a youtube review about this theme. The E-M1 is supposed to work flawless in and after rain.
My suggesteion as well is to bring it to an licensed Oly-Service.
all the best
Jan

What lens were you using?  Without a sealed lens the camera will get water inside.  If you were using a sealed lens, then I suspect you have one of the covers loose, such as the jack for the remote on the upper left front or the accessory jack under the hot shoe.

I've used the EM1 and 50-200 or 12-40 with no problems in the rain, although I wouldn't trust it in a downpour!

If you haven't seen this, it's the official word from Oly re: EM 1 splash proofing:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/oima_cckb/E-M1_Weather_Resistance_EN.pdf

It is helpful in that it makes clear what Oly considers is necessary to maintain the integrity necessary for splash proofing.

What is rather ambiguous, however, is the extent of exposure that they deem to be appropriate. On the one hand they talk about use in rain, snow and dust, but they close with the caveat:

"Product damage caused by sand or liquid contamination will void the original warranty and any extended warranties if applicable. In most cases Olympus service will not be able to repair the camera. In these situations, the camera would be deemed beyond reliable repair and returned without servicing"

which would suggest that any camera returned for service that is found to have evidence of water exposure would not only have the warranty voided but would be deemed unrepairable.

There are lengthily threads addressing this issue but little consensus. Short of not submersing the camera/lens or holding it under running water, there is only conflicting guidance from Oly as to what their testing (if any) would delineate as excessive exposure. Even the caution re: running water is conflicted by an oft cited Oly PR video showing the camera held under a waterfall!

I certainly hope that your problem was transient - probably due to moisture that vaporized - but if it acts up again I would not hesitate to and it in for service as I have not seen any reports of cameras turned away from service as unrepairable.

I never trust the "weather sealing" in any of my cameras. I remember from the Nikonos days that the seals had to be maintained. I carry a rainsleeve in all of my camera bags and I use them. They work and they are cheap.

Mine is several years old and doesn't have a name tag on it. I seem to remember that it cost around $20. It is simply a sleeve made of a water resistant material, probably a nylon or polyester. It covers both camera and lens and has a means of tightening the lens end against the lens hood and the back has room to put your hands in to operate the camera.

I have been using Olympus pro grade cameras since E-3. Used E-3, E-5 and now E-M1. For all those cameras that Olympus cameras, I have been using them in extreme conditions and have not yet encountered any trouble.

I have to mention though, in E-M1 once I had condensation in the EVF but didnt experience malfunction. I guess this is because inside the mirrorless camera especially with IBIS, it is quiet warmer than traditional DSLR like E-3 or E-5.

Taken using E-M1 + 12-40mm Pro

I went for shower climbing and brought my E-M1. Carried and used it without hesitation.

Me and my E-5