The Hiking Camera Conundrum

bartjeej wrote:
Any generation Olympus E-M5 / E-M1 should do for weather sealing (later models have an excessively conservative IPx1 rating, but even the Mk 1 e-m5 was held under a tap by Olympus representatives), although the oldest cameras might be facing drying out of seals by now, so if you can inspect them before buying that'd be best. As for lenses, the Olympus 12-50 powerzoom is cheap as chips and very well sealed due to its internal zoom action. The 14-150 mark II is not internal zooming but ought to be very well sealed regardless. The Olympus Pro lenses are among the best sealed lenses on the market, but more expensive.

Thanks. It seems I could get an E-M5 Mk1 and a 14-150 for not a huge amount more than a used Fujicron, so I shall do some reading. I’ve never really warmed to Olympus cameras, but if the image quality is good enough to tick this particular box then it would probably make the Fujifilm kit decisions a lot simpler…

andrew_stannard wrote:

2. Normal rucksack with a lowepro tactic pouch also slung over my shoulder. This fits the x100v plus the two conversion lenses and also has a rain cover. If it's really hammering it down for an extended period then I put that in my rucksack for extra protection.

https://www.lowepro.com/uk-en/protactic-utility-bag-100-aw-black-lp37181-pww/

In both situations I keep a bag of silica gel and a cloth with the camera - quick wipe down before stowing if it's particularly wet.

I also use a peak design capture clip on my rucksack shoulder strap - if it's dry ( or between showers) the I just keep the x100v clipped onto that.

Hope that helps, Andrew.

That’s useful info. Thanks.

Jeff Biscuits wrote:

Yes, I saw the Niagara Falls thread and in particular the mention of a lack of seal on the battery door, which is a large part of why I’m sceptical of the X100V’s sealing.

As for dry bags, they come in varying degrees of quality. The ones that failed for me were some small and lightweight ones, and this was the first time I’d used them. I’ve got other, more sturdy ones, and they work, but there are few if any dry bags that give good accessibility and good stability for a largIsh body and lens. The Matador Base Layer 2.0 looks interesting, except it has only one attachment point, which isn’t enough. I’ve seen few rainproof alternatives; I have a couple of LowePro AW bands but they’re showerproof at best, no use in driving rain.

I used to use a Pentax K10D but I’m no longer a fan of DSLRs. It seems there’s very little choice in terms of largish-sensor rugged cameras. I have an Olympus Tough which is properly waterproof, but of course the image quality is hardly a match for the X-T2. I’d love Fujifilm to take the XF10 and seal it to IP7 level, with a proper fixed glass element in front of the lens, like the Tough. I’d certainly hand over some cash for that.

You could sell a kidney and get a Leica Q.  I have and very much like the X100V.  I view the WR as a plus but it's not waterproof. Have you considered a Pelican-type case for peace of mind during really nasty weather?

AMorris0 wrote:

OrigamiCactus wrote:

X100V needs front filter to achieve "somewhat weatherproofing", but that's not the whole story. It is lacking rubber seals, especially in the battery door compartment.

There was a guy here that took their x100v to niagra falls and the camera died.

Fuji weatherproofing is not up to Pentax level, well, maybe only the X-H1 is, but the other cameras definitely not. And i own X-T4 and X-Pro3 and i have used them in rain and snow, but in not that kind of weather you are describing, i wouldn't take the camera out of the bag.

So whatever camera you pick, you would need a waterproof holster/bag/pouch for it, to keep it in while not shooting.

Also you talked about how harsh weather penetrated your "waterproof" bag and now your dubious of waterproof bags. Just use a plastic bag, tie a knot on top, boom, now you have a fully waterproof bag that wont let water in. Of course it isn't that simple, but you get the point. if you have a decent plastic bag it is waterproof.

I hope the guy did better than his camera when he went over the falls

Morris

I thought I heard he drowned.