Keeping Your Camera Dry!
The '2 Minute' Guide
Keeping your camera dry when shooting outdoors isn't always the easiest task in the world! Yes, you can check the weather forecast beforehand, but as I'm sure you'll agree, it's not always reliable.
However, letting your digital gear get wet just isn't an option. Imagine spending hundreds of dollars on a great camera, only to have it ruined a few days later when you get caught in a sudden downpour! Ironically the most dramatic photo opportunities often appear during or just after bad weather, such as sunlight breaking through clouds! So, below we've discussed a few simple but effective precautions you can take to help you in keeping your camera dry outdoors.
Lens Hoods & Filters
It’s impossible to take photographs without leaving the front of your lens uncovered, but it’s important to keep the rain off the lens to avoid poor image quality. Purchasing a UV lens filter will protect your lens while a lens hood will help to shield the front end from falling rain. UV filters are a great idea as they simply screw onto the end of your lens, allow you to wipe the front end often, without the risk of damaging the expensive lens. Best of all they cost very little at all, only a few dollars, also if they do become scratched or damaged you can simply throw them away!
Carry a Lens Cloth
A micro fiber lens cloth can be purchased from cameras shops but chamois leather is very absorbent and ideal for mopping up raindrops on cameras and lens barrels without scratching the lens or filter. Also carry a second cloth to keep your hands dry or wipe away any dirt.
Use An Umbrella
Large golf umbrellas are ideal for keeping you and your camera dry and out of the rain, though you'll need at least one free hand to hold it, so the camera will probably need to be mounted on a tripod. Umbrellas prove useful for shielding your cameras from strong winds and also helps to prevent camera shake. However, it can often be unpractical to carry a large umbrella around depending on your shooting location.
Change Your Lens Under Cover
The only thing worse than rain on your digital camera is rain IN your digital camera! The last thing you want is rain getting on your sensor, so to prevent this always change lenses under cover, either get out of the rain completely, or using some kind of improvised shelter. Just be careful when opening your camera to change lenses outdoors.
BUT REMEMBER...
Your digital camera will totally rely on electronics to function, so rain really is a huge concern. While bad weather can produce great photo opportunities, it’s certainly not worth taking the risk of damaging your camera in the hope of getting lucky in poor weather. If the protective measures above just aren't enough, forget it, head for home!
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