With winter coming, I’m worried about snow and rain ruining my camera gear. Other than leaving it covered with snow, how can the cold weather affect my camera? Craig, Guri.
All photographers secretly fear the weather. When you’re carrying hundreds or thousands of dollars in equipment, weather can easily cause enormous damage. However, that doesn’t mean photographers need to be overprotective.
Most cameras should be able to handle some weather conditions. It is relatively safe to use your camera in the snow or light rain, for example. Too much snow on the camera could cause a problem. If the snow melts from the heat of your hands, that water could run into the camera body or lenses, damaging your gear.
These days, cameras are quite hardy; even lower end cameras have solid fittings and mounts which are relatively weather resistant. Higher end gear is usually made with metal chassis and rubber seals to further protect the camera. Olympus is probably the best of the bunch as far as weatherproof gear is concerned. They claim that all their lenses and bodies (including the mounting bracket) are weatherproof. So, technically, all dust and water should be kept out of the camera.
For other photographers, a few simple precautions are enough to keep your equipment in good condition.
Obviously, don’t start taking photos in a torrential downpour, or during extremely heavy snow. But that doesn’t mean running for cover at the first sign of rain.
Avoid changing lenses too often. The fewer times you change your lens in the field, the less chance there is of dust, water or other foreign elements getting into your camera.
The most important part of protecting camera gear is a bag. Most bags are fairly weather resistant, but many also incorporate weatherproofing or weather covers to prevent the bag from becoming wet. Lowepro make good bags which have very high weatherproofing standards. Most also have a rain cover built in.
Lastly, try not to move between extreme temperatures too suddenly. Going from an air conditioned room to hot outdoors can result in condensation forming inside the lens or in the camera. Condensation can lead to fungus growth inside your equipment which is expensive and difficult to remove.
The most important thing is to not let the weather get in the way of your photography. Protect your gear and enjoy photographing the weather. Some of your best photos will come as a result of adverse conditions.
Happy shooting.
David Smeaton
