Wet weather gear

[Kyle]

Hi all

Let's talk wet weather gear!

I'm about to invest in some expensive equipment, and will be spending a lot more time at the track and am in need of some wet weather gear, for myself and camera/lens...

I've not seen much on the interweb about this stuff...

Anyone got some good recommendations?

<3

[Alex]

Hi Kyle,

Try EWA-Marine. (http://www.ewa-marine.com.au). I wanted to purchase a case for D70 but it would cost me $600 for the lenses I wanted to use. So I went for a cheaper option: http://www.fotosharp.com, costed me about US$27 for an excellent flexible rain cover - good against rain, but not sufficient for heavier water streams. Also can have a look at: http://www.keepitdrycase.com/.

Alex

[Paul]

Kata rain covers have a good reputation, a bit pricey though.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4701

And there's Wildlife Watching Supplies at
http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/
Check out there C40 and C40.5 lens & camera covers

[losfp]

Hi Kyle,

Try EWA-Marine. (http://www.ewa-marine.com.au). I wanted to purchase a case for D70 but it would cost me $600 for the lenses I wanted to use. So I went for a cheaper option: http://www.fotosharp.com, costed me about US$27 for an excellent flexible rain cover - good against rain, but not sufficient for heavier water streams. Also can have a look at: http://www.keepitdrycase.com/.

Alex

Thanks for the link, Alex. We are going to be doing (I hope!!) a lot of outdoor wildlife photography in Alaska later in the year, so I am keen to get something that will give me a bit of protection if there's a bit of rain (if it starts really bucketing down obviously the camera and lenses go straight into a waterproof bag!!!)

[Alex]

Hi Kyle,

Try EWA-Marine. (http://www.ewa-marine.com.au). I wanted to purchase a case for D70 but it would cost me $600 for the lenses I wanted to use. So I went for a cheaper option: http://www.fotosharp.com, costed me about US$27 for an excellent flexible rain cover - good against rain, but not sufficient for heavier water streams. Also can have a look at: http://www.keepitdrycase.com/.

Alex

Thanks for the link, Alex. We are going to be doing (I hope!!) a lot of outdoor wildlife photography in Alaska later in the year, so I am keen to get something that will give me a bit of protection if there's a bit of rain (if it starts really bucketing down obviously the camera and lenses go straight into a waterproof bag!!!)

Welcome, Losfp. As far as light to moderate rain goes, the rain cover from fotosharp is an excellent value for money.

Alex

[michael_]

not sure how it is but i found this recently http://www.procameragear.com/catalog/pr ... cts_id=228

[colin_12]

As for keeping you dry Kyle,
I love the goretex gear that I have. You can get various weight coats depending on how rough you are going to be with them. I have coats, pants, and hiking boots that keep me toasty even on the most inclement days.
There are other options than goretex that are cheaper and some have proven to be pretty good for me also. Mountain Designs, Paddy Pallins, and Katmandu will all have slales pretty soon for mid year.
Regards Colin

[colin_12]

oops wrong button

[Reschsmooth]

For personal dryness (sounds like a particular kind of ad!), I have a goretex jacket from Mountain Designs I bought years ago (something like 10 years?). It is very light, rolls up reasonably tight, is absolutely waterproof, covers your butt in for when you sit down, is pretty wind proof, even though it isn't designed to be, has two large pockets accessible when wearing gloves, has two deep velcro lid pockets on the outside and a smaller chest level pocket protected by another flap for valuables, has a roll-away hood. I spent $350 on it back then, and I seriously reckon you almost enjoy it when it rains just because the jacket is that good. The beauty of it being so light is that on warm wet days, you can get away with just the jacket and a single, light top, but if it is wet and cold, you can just layer up underneath. This is my ski jacket! You can get equally good jackets from Paddy Palins, Kathmandu, etc.

I also have a pair of goretex lined boots (ankle high) which mean you can walk through streams, etc and not get your feet wet (as long as the stream doesn't go above the boot, obviously). Would I buy these again? For the money, possibly not, but the jacket, definately.

So, yeah, I am a fan boy for goretex.

P

[Wocka]

I can’t help with the camera protection, but you could try motor cycle rain protection for yourself.

I have the RJays Tornado suit http://www.rjays.com.au/home/products/textile-tornado-suit.html#, it’s fantastic in the rain (I have used it a lot recently in Sydney commuting to work). Once you seal the neck nothing is coming in, there are easily accessible pockets that you can place lens cap in etc. You won’t mind getting down on one knee in the mud or sitting on your bum in this thing for the angle you want.

My suit can get hot but I have business shirt / motorbike jacket (done up) / rain suit (done up/ sealed) and sitting on a bike that is chucking steam at you when stopped at traffic lights. But I would guess that a t-shirt + jeans and one of these suits and you would be fine.

You could check out your local motor bike shop for individual pants and jackets. I’m sure bike stuff would have to be cheaper than specialists camping/ hiking shops and bike gear is very compact for storage.

Check out these guys http://www.mcas.com.au/ they have a huge range ( well their Sydney City store does).

Cheers

[Raskill]

Kye, what you buying lens wise?

I have Kata gear to keep the camera dry. There is a 'basic' set, which will cover a D2h body and 300mm lens. Then you can buy an additional cover for anything upto a 500mm lens.

If you are looking at buying the bigger lenses and go for the Kata gear, then let me knwo and you can have my larger lens protection. I think it will cover a lens upto the 200-400 VR. I don't need it.

Keeping you dry is as important as your gear. If your soaked, you wont want to stay track side. So, yeas, go for gortex. Anything by Mountain Designs, Paddy Pallins or Katmandu is good. Katmandu has a clearence store at Birkin Head Point, selling the previous seasons designs for much much less.

Good luck!

[michael_]

found this kyle
http://www.stormjacket.com/

Alan i think he is getting the 70-200 and possible 300 2.8

[michael_]

so i got some gear from http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/ the C40.1R and C40.5R, $85 delivered, not to bad, the body cover isnt as big as i thought but will do the job, may get another and stitch them together to make it a little larger

[DaveB]

I used to have Gore-Tex hiking jackets(coats) but they were never big enough to close over me and put a camera (around my neck) under cover also.

So a few years ago I had a jacket custom-made by Maresa Pacific. They do a lot of clothing for emergency services, etc. They customised one of their jacket designs made from "Breathalon" (their own breathable material - not quite the same as Gore-Tex, but good enough for my purposes).
I can wear: LowePro Off-Trail 2 belt-pack at my side (with shoulder strap) and a Domke vest over the top, with a camera around my neck, all covered by the raincoat. I've used it a lot, and still love it (Tasmanian and South Gippsland forests in winter are not dry places, nor are the rear decks of fishing boats on the Southern Ocean).

I spoke to them on the phone, went in to their factory with my gear to get measured up, then a while later went back to pick up the jacket. It ended up costing me a couple of hundred dollars (which when compared with a good hiking jacket is not unreasonable).

They've moved since I dealt with them, but apparently they're now at:
30 Culverlands Street, West Heidelberg, Vic 3081
(03) 9457 4699

[losfp]

I ended up getting a couple of THESE

Should suffice for light sprinkling while we're on holidays hopefully

[iGBH]

If you will be standing around in the rain i would suggest a full length jacket (ie down to top of knees). There are very few gore-tex jackets in this length these days, most are what i would call 3/4 length. Gore-tex is good if you want something breathable if you are being active but if you are just standing around at the track it is probably overkill. A full length Driza-bone or similar would perform just as well at about a quarter of the cost.

I worked for about 5 years in the outdoor industry so have nothing against Gore-tex, I just don't think it is the best for what you require. Of course, if you will be using the jacket elsewhere for other uses as well then maybe it will be more suitable.

I have a goretex jacket from Mountain Designs I bought years ago (something like 10 years?). ..... is pretty wind proof, even though it isn't designed to be.

Anything Gore-tex is 100% windproof, only area where wind will get in is around the zips if not covered or the seams if not seam sealed.