What Exactly is "Splash Proof?"

[Skeeterbytes]

Your comment about the primes is spot on--I can't fathom why other than the 60 macro they've not taken the extra step of weatherproofing them. (At least the higher end ones.) Hopefully they'll do this routinely in the future, now that they're committed to a line of weatherproof bodies.

I'd be more likely to buy the 75 if I could trust it out in the weather.

Cheers,

Rick

 

[3DrJ]

Is it safe to use the 14-54mm which is "drip proof?" I have the 50-200mm too, but not sure which model. Were they both drip proof?

I can definitely vouch for the 14-54mm. It has more than lived up to the phrase "weather-resistant" in the near 10 years I've owned. I believe the Oly FT 50-200mm is at least as good in weather resistance. If that's wrong, surely someone will comment otherwise.

IMO saying "drip proof" is an underestimate. These lenses are more like "downpour proof". They may not survive a bath, but a shower? Not a problem...

If you don't already have it, you'll need the MMF3, the weather-resistant FT to mFT adapter.

Jules.

 

[3DrJ]

Just wondering what that means. I think they sell underwater housing, so iit must not be completely water proof.

At OlympusAmerica, it says, "Rain or snow, mud or dust – the E-M1 is ready for whatever mother nature can throw at it. Its rugged design expands your field of photography to any place on earth."

The mud is good, since it actually rained mud once.

A term used to imply you can subject a piece of equipment to water yet non-specific enough to entale no responsibility if that product is damaged by water. So get it wet as much as you want, its not covered by warranty.

Over the years, there have been reports that Olympus has repaired under warranty water damage associated with cracked or leaky parts, so it's not a "black and white" issue. I think the deciding point is what constitutes "abuse". Of course, Olympus' idea will prevail, but there's a gray zone, and a user might be able to make a persuasive argument in some cases.

Jules.

 

[Skeeterbytes]

Sounds in the right ballpark. It's quite light, having a plastic barrel. Adds no noticable weight to the rig; more noticable is the added lens length.

Cheers,

Rick

 

[Brad Ross]

Yep, video, is a good, example, of what splash proof means, you can go out in the rain, and not worry

 

[knittinggirl]

Just wondering what that means. I think they sell underwater housing, so iit must not be completely water proof.

At OlympusAmerica, it says, "Rain or snow, mud or dust – the E-M1 is ready for whatever mother nature can throw at it. Its rugged design expands your field of photography to any place on earth."

The mud is good, since it actually rained mud once.

A term used to imply you can subject a piece of equipment to water yet non-specific enough to entale no responsibility if that product is damaged by water. So get it wet as much as you want, its not covered by warranty.

Over the years, there have been reports that Olympus has repaired under warranty water damage associated with cracked or leaky parts, so it's not a "black and white" issue. I think the deciding point is what constitutes "abuse". Of course, Olympus' idea will prevail, but there's a gray zone, and a user might be able to make a persuasive argument in some cases.

Jules.

 

[Hen3ry]

Just wondering what that means. I think they sell underwater housing, so iit must not be completely water proof.

At OlympusAmerica, it says, "Rain or snow, mud or dust – the E-M1 is ready for whatever mother nature can throw at it. Its rugged design expands your field of photography to any place on earth."

The mud is good, since it actually rained mud once.

It is not waterproof. It can take moderate amounts of rain, being frozen, and splashes of mud and be rinsed over with running water. That's only if it has an accompanying weather sealed lens too. The camera isn't completely sealed off from the outside either- many lenses have to breathe, it's just constructed to be resistant.

The two worst things for camera weather sealed or not: sea water, and sand- more so sand.

Didn't know about the salt water & sand. But I'm not in the habit of swimming with my cameras. I assumed it was safe if on a table and someone knocked over their water glass. Which happened w/ my E-620. Being from Texas, I wish it was also heat proof. 104 degrees F doesn't work with 105-110 highs in the summer.

Go for silver or white cameras and lenses and keep it in the shade. That's my prescription for the tropics (although it is well under 100F here -- just feels hotter for people because the humidity is high).

Cheers, geoff

 

[knittinggirl]

Is it safe to use the 14-54mm which is "drip proof?" I have the 50-200mm too, but not sure which model. Were they both drip proof?

I can definitely vouch for the 14-54mm. It has more than lived up to the phrase "weather-resistant" in the near 10 years I've owned. I believe the Oly FT 50-200mm is at least as good in weather resistance. If that's wrong, surely someone will comment otherwise.

IMO saying "drip proof" is an underestimate. These lenses are more like "downpour proof". They may not survive a bath, but a shower? Not a problem...

If you don't already have it, you'll need the MMF3, the weather-resistant FT to mFT adapter.

Jules.

 

[Skeeterbytes]

knittinggirl wrote:.

When queried about the 14-54 mm II he said it wasn't splash proof. I'm confused because it does say it's drip and dust proof on the sale page, but it doesn't list drip and dust proof on their insert that came w/ the lens.

Every 4/3 HG and SHG lens is weatherproof, including the 14-54. He may have been ill-informed, or not presuming the MMF-3 adapter was to be used.

Cheers,

Rick

 

[knittinggirl]

knittinggirl wrote:.

When queried about the 14-54 mm II he said it wasn't splash proof. I'm confused because it does say it's drip and dust proof on the sale page, but it doesn't list drip and dust proof on their insert that came w/ the lens.

Every 4/3 HG and SHG lens is weatherproof, including the 14-54. He may have been ill-informed, or not presuming the MMF-3 adapter was to be used.

Cheers,

Rick

--
"Whiskey is for drinking, digicams are for fighting over."
—Mark Twain

I spoke with tech support regarding this whole splash proof vs drip proof issue. After explaining that OlympusAmerica, BHPhotovideo and Adorama all listed the 14-54v as drip proof, and they would need to change their advertising, he said that drip proof lenses could be rained on, but not dropped in the water. Apparently, splash proof cameras can be dropped in the water if they're removed immediately.

I preferred to see the lens listing at OlympusAmerica grouped into standard, high grade and super high grade, but now they just list them together w/o any distinction. They have the 18-180 right next to the 35-100, so it's pretty confusing.

Here are the list of lenses he gave me. Looks like he's trying to sell us as splash proof (in 4/3s), mostly the $1000 lenses and up. All heavy lenses too.

The 14-54 II is not a Splash proof lens

Micro 4/3 Splash Proof lenses

M. Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8
M.Zuiko ED 60mm f2.8 Macro
M. Zuiko ED 12-50mm f3.5-5.6 EZ

MMF-3 4/3to M.4/3 adapter

4/3 Splash Proof lenses

Zuiko ED 12-60mm f2.8-4 SWD
Zuiko ED 50-200mm f2.8-4 SWD
Zuiko ED 14-35mm f2.0 SWD
Zuiko ED 35-100 f2.0
Zuiko ED 150mm f2.0
Zuiko ED 90-250mm f2.8
Zuiko ED 300 f2.8
EC 14 1.4 tele-converter
EC 20 2.0 tele-converter