Waterproof DSLR?
- Thread starter mountainpete
- Start date
jeffryscott
2006 Rally Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
I'm lusting after this camera.
I owned an E-1 and used it daily for work for two years. I absolutely loved it. I only switched to the Canon when work switched. And, actually, just picked up another E-1 for myself - small, light, weather sealed and now, cheap ($500) The Olympus have an image quality that can't be explained, it is just beautiful.
The E-1 falls down a bit at high ISO, something the E-3 has drastically improved upon. But if the E-3 is anything nearly as good, reliable and ergonomically pleasing as the E-1 this will be a winner (and all reports I've been reading, no obsessing on, make me think the E-3 is a worthy successor).
Olympus glass (the high end stuff) is, in my opinion, among the best in the industry as well. (I've used both film and digital cameras from Oly professionally at various times ... along with Nikon, Canon, Leica and Contax so I have a bit to compare it to).
I owned an E-1 and used it daily for work for two years. I absolutely loved it. I only switched to the Canon when work switched. And, actually, just picked up another E-1 for myself - small, light, weather sealed and now, cheap ($500) The Olympus have an image quality that can't be explained, it is just beautiful.
The E-1 falls down a bit at high ISO, something the E-3 has drastically improved upon. But if the E-3 is anything nearly as good, reliable and ergonomically pleasing as the E-1 this will be a winner (and all reports I've been reading, no obsessing on, make me think the E-3 is a worthy successor).
Olympus glass (the high end stuff) is, in my opinion, among the best in the industry as well. (I've used both film and digital cameras from Oly professionally at various times ... along with Nikon, Canon, Leica and Contax so I have a bit to compare it to).
Photog
Explorer
The term "water proof" can NOT be applied to the Olympus E-3 camera. It is usually refered to as weather proof. It can be used in the rain, and it will also keep dust out. The literature says "dust & splash resistant". In Japan, they have a water resistant rating, based on the heaviest recorded rainfall (weather proof), and one for submersion by 1 meter, for 30 minutes (water proof). There are other ratings also. The heaviest recorded rainfall in Japan was several inches per hour. Quite heavy. But; these DSLRs are NOT water proof. It is not a Nikonos. You do not want to take it for a swim.
FYI, for DSLRs:
The Nikon D200, D300, D1, D2, D3 are all weather proof.
The Canon 1D series are also weather proof.
The Pentax K10D is weather proof.
The Olympus E-3 is finallly weather proof.
There are others; but I can't remember right now.
Don't forget about the lens. Most of these are not weather proof. The top of the line lenses form these companies are usually weather proof; but read the specs to make sure which ones are and are not waether proof.
FYI, for DSLRs:
The Nikon D200, D300, D1, D2, D3 are all weather proof.
The Canon 1D series are also weather proof.
The Pentax K10D is weather proof.
The Olympus E-3 is finallly weather proof.
There are others; but I can't remember right now.
Don't forget about the lens. Most of these are not weather proof. The top of the line lenses form these companies are usually weather proof; but read the specs to make sure which ones are and are not waether proof.
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mountainpete
Spamicus Eliminatus
Thanks for the clarification Brian - much appreciated.
I am looking at the D300 right now in combo with the 18 - 200 VR lens. What are your thoughts on the water resistance of it? I like the D80 too, but it appears more fragile.
I'm not looking to snorkel with it, but rather don't want to have to worry about taking pictures in light rain, condensation in a tent, etc. The last expensive SLR I had, a Canon EOS Elan, made me very nervous and I don't want to deal with that if I don't have to.
I am looking at the D300 right now in combo with the 18 - 200 VR lens. What are your thoughts on the water resistance of it? I like the D80 too, but it appears more fragile.
I'm not looking to snorkel with it, but rather don't want to have to worry about taking pictures in light rain, condensation in a tent, etc. The last expensive SLR I had, a Canon EOS Elan, made me very nervous and I don't want to deal with that if I don't have to.
Photog
Explorer
Great camera and lens; but I don't believe the 18-200VR lens is a weather proof lens. It is a good lens. My wife used that lens in Death Valley, never took it off the camera, and had no dust problems all week. The professional lenses don't have the zoom range of that lens. Typically 24-70mm & 70-200mm.
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neliconcept
Spirit Overland
Id rather buy an entire casing to go around my camera then to worry about getting one of those
plus from those water pictures, ive had my 30d in more rain then that. But I want to get a casing for doing underwater snorkeling pictures. one that goes around the body and lens.
plus from those water pictures, ive had my 30d in more rain then that. But I want to get a casing for doing underwater snorkeling pictures. one that goes around the body and lens.
BlueGerbil
C´est le gerbil plus bleu
mountainpete said:
I´ve got a D200 w/ the 18-200VR lens and it has served me well, even on an open boat near the coast of Portugal. I´m planning on getting the D300 and keeping the 18-200VR early next year.