POLL: 6d weather sealing experiences & warning

[AcutancePhotography]

I have considered the Pentax K-3 someday for more reliable weather sealed protection.

There is a lot that I like about the Pentax K3. Their actual weather sealing is impressive. Some of the YouTube vidoes showing people abusing their K5/3s and they survive nicely are impressive.

If Pentax were to come out with a FF camera, IBIS, actual weather sealing and a few good FF lenses.......I would be really pissed as I already purchased my new FF system. ;D

I still wonder if a K3 would not have been a better choice. That is a sweet camera.

 

[e17paul]

I have considered the Pentax K-3 someday for more reliable weather sealed protection.

There is a lot that I like about the Pentax K3. Their actual weather sealing is impressive. Some of the YouTube vidoes showing people abusing their K5/3s and they survive nicely are impressive.

If Pentax were to come out with a FF camera, IBIS, actual weather sealing and a few good FF lenses.......I would be really pissed as I already purchased my new FF system. ;D

I still wonder if a K3 would not have been a better choice. That is a sweet camera.

+1

If I had not decided to go full frame, Pentax would have been my choice (K-5 IIs at time of purchase). I'm liking my father's K-30, and Pentax have a wide range of APS-C primes unmatched by Canon. Their weather sealed lenses also start at a much lower price, similar to Canon's price for non-weathersealed STM lenses. As the underdog in a world where Canikon is the default answer, they try harder.

I think that you are safe on Pentax not offering a FF camera - the 645Z is their bigger and better answer to that. I chose Canon full frame because it was the right balance between optics and usability/portability for me.

 

[Andrew Davies Photography]

Dont have a 6D but both my 5d2s and my 5d3 have been through storms and rain frequently and been throughly soaked and never failed , i have had sand in a 24-105 other than that no issues with lenses either. The only part of the cameras i have seen a problem with has been a light misting on the inside of the top lcd display during massive temparature changes.

www.andrew-davies.com

 

[ditty]

I shot an entire day in varying weather from extremely humid to periods of moderate rain with the 24-105 attached an no rain protection. I had to towel the water off the camera numerous times. The 6D performed as expected the entire time.

 

[tomscott]

No experience with 6D

But soaked my old 40D many many times which I would say has the same WS as the 6D. Only problem I had was the shutter button stopped working as some bumf managed to get between the contacts. Put some Contact cleaner down the battery slot sorted it.

Soaked 5DMKIII a few times too, no issues so far.

 

[Stephen Melvin]

Remember the torture test Kai over at DigitalREV put a 7D through? That is one seriously tough camera! The Mk III seems to be equally robust. I doubt the 6D is, though. For the most part, cameras seem to be tougher than you'd think.

 

[randym77]

Never had a 6D, but my 5D Mark II doesn't seem to like rain much.

I had it out all day in the rain. With a rain cover, but it was so wet that day I guess the rain cover wasn't enough.
The shutter went wonky. I would just touch it and it would shoot off in burst mode forever. Until I turned the camera off.

I took it home and gently blow-dried it. It was fine the next morning. I was worried there would be permanent damage done, but it's been a couple of years now and the camera's been fine. Knock on wood.

 

[bereninga]

Hi folks.
There is a water and object ingress standard at least in Europe, IP XX, where the first number stands for objects and the second for water, I think it was something like IP 00 means you can get an industry standard finger in there, and water that runs in runs out and IP 67 means that dust has to be below so many microns and you can pressure wash the item and water won't get in.. This is just from memory so feel free to correct me!
Anyway back to the point if it doesn't say IP XX on the label it isn't weather or water resistant!

Cheers Graham.

Agree. That is the standard most commonly used in America as well as internationally. Most of my flashlights are IPX7 ;D Camera manufacturers simply choose to not use them.

IPX Standard Code Meanings

IPX-0 No special protection
IPX-1 Protected against falling water Equivalent to 3-5mm rainfall per minute for a duration of 10 minutes.
IPX-2 Protected against falling water when tilted up to 15 degrees – Same as IPX-1 but unit is tested in 4 fixed positions – tilted 15 degrees in each direction from normal operating position.
IPX-3 Protected against spraying water – Water spraying up to 60 degrees from vertical at 10 liters/min at a pressure of 80-100kN/m2 for 5 min.
IPX-4 Protected against splashing water – Same as IPX-3 but water is sprayed at all angles.
IPX-5 Protected against water jets – Water projected at all angles through a 6.3mm nozzle flow rate of 12.5 liters/min at a pressure of 30kN/m2 for 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters.
IPX-6 Protected against heavy seas – Water projected at all angles through a 12.5mm nozzle at a flow rate of 100 liters/min at a 100kN/m2pressure for 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters.
IPX-7 Protected against water immersion – Immersion for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter.
IPX-8 Protected against water submersion – Equipment suitable for continual submersion in water under conditions as specified by manufacturer.

Camera manufacturers should adopt some set of standards for weather sealing ratings or specs. I'm surprised there's none yet. What's the point of claiming something w/ no verification or support?

 

[AcutancePhotography]

Camera manufacturers should adopt some set of standards for weather sealing ratings or specs. I'm surprised there's none yet. What's the point of claiming something w/ no verification or support?

Because they can make claims and not have to back them up. I think it would be a long time before Canikon would ever subject their cameras/lenses to a truly independent weather proofing standard test like this.

Also if a camera manufactuer does state that their camera/lens is IPX-4 I assume there would be a liability issue. But then how can the customer prove that they used their camera at or below the IPX-4 level and the camera manufacturer claims that the customer exceed the IPX -4 rating.

The only people who would be happy would be the lawyers. :-\

 

[unfocused]

The only people who would be happy would be the lawyers. :-\

Hit the nail on the head. Personally, I'm not anxious for some class-action lawsuit when some idiot dunks his camera. Lawyers will get $300 million and consumers will get a $10 coupon off their next lens purchase.

 

[chrysoberyl]

My experience: 100 L macro, very light rain, brushing against wet foliage. The shots started looking funky - too dark, blurred. I stuck it in a Ziploc with rice and the next day it was fine.

 

[CurtL5]

Not a 6D but have some experience with Canon and moisture...

My 5DmIII was in Maui last year and reacted very poorly to the wet conditions. Moisture built up quite a bit in the viewfinder and the LCD on top. Took EVERYTHING off, out and apart and let the car AC blow directly onto and into it for 30-45 mins while driving and the moisture seemed to go away.

As soon as it was buttoned back up, the back button and the top wheel ceased to function. Other buttons seemed to reprogram themselves and in general, the camera was a mess. CPS took it and diagnosed a problem in a control board and fixed it but the days of allowing it to get into that environment are done!

 

[e17paul]

Hi folks.
There is a water and object ingress standard at least in Europe, IP XX, where the first number stands for objects and the second for water, I think it was something like IP 00 means you can get an industry standard finger in there, and water that runs in runs out and IP 67 means that dust has to be below so many microns and you can pressure wash the item and water won't get in.. This is just from memory so feel free to correct me!
Anyway back to the point if it doesn't say IP XX on the label it isn't weather or water resistant!

Cheers Graham.

Agree. That is the standard most commonly used in America as well as internationally. Most of my flashlights are IPX7 ;D Camera manufacturers simply choose to not use them.

IPX Standard Code Meanings

IPX-0 No special protection
IPX-1 Protected against falling water Equivalent to 3-5mm rainfall per minute for a duration of 10 minutes.
IPX-2 Protected against falling water when tilted up to 15 degrees – Same as IPX-1 but unit is tested in 4 fixed positions – tilted 15 degrees in each direction from normal operating position.
IPX-3 Protected against spraying water – Water spraying up to 60 degrees from vertical at 10 liters/min at a pressure of 80-100kN/m2 for 5 min.
IPX-4 Protected against splashing water – Same as IPX-3 but water is sprayed at all angles.
IPX-5 Protected against water jets – Water projected at all angles through a 6.3mm nozzle flow rate of 12.5 liters/min at a pressure of 30kN/m2 for 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters.
IPX-6 Protected against heavy seas – Water projected at all angles through a 12.5mm nozzle at a flow rate of 100 liters/min at a 100kN/m2pressure for 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters.
IPX-7 Protected against water immersion – Immersion for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter.
IPX-8 Protected against water submersion – Equipment suitable for continual submersion in water under conditions as specified by manufacturer.

I would much rather see IP and 2 numerals, not IPX and 1 numeral. The X signifies lack of a rating for dust ingress, and we need that too in some environments. IP 65 and upwards are the standards that camera and lens manufacturers should strive for.

 

[Sporgon]

Pentax advertise their camera covered in rain water - the great adventurer's camera - or something like that. You get stupid videos of some army guy covering a K7 and K5 in sand, then washing it off with a hose pipe. Or a YouTube video of someone holding a K7 + 50-135 under a shower.

I had a K7 for a short time ( the worst sensor in any camera - ever ) but I did use it in the rain and it was OK. However you do hear reports of weather sealed Pentax dslrs failing after getting wet. Seems like the sealing is not guaranteed hence no IP rating, so you take your chances with your particular camera.

Canon specifically do not advertise their dslrs covered in water. ( maybe there once was a 1D advert like that). I am very wary of getting them wet. The weather sealing on the 5DII served me well when I dropped the camera in sand and the grains into the buttons and dials, but over time as they dried they just fell out; the seals had stopped them penetrating the body.

Water though is another thing altogether, it's ability to find its way past sealing - not just in cameras- is uncanny. I would avoid getting any camera wet. It is, after all, an electrically powered computer.

(This advice doesn't apply to a Pentax K7 - it has such a low value who cares ?)

 

[mackguyver]

Marsu, sorry to hear about the camera and I hope they repair it for free or at least for a reasonable fee. I have never used a 6D, but have had a 5DII + 24-70 f/2.8 (mk I) out in a tropical storm and a hurricane with rain cover that quickly filled with water (during the hurricane) and it survived both, but was a little funny with button presses for a day or two. I got stuck in a heavy downpour with a 60D + 70-200 f/4 IS as well for about 30 minutes while I jogged back to my car and it was just fine. I shut it off and yanked the battery as soon as it started raining, though. After that experience, I upgraded my camera bags to the "AW" series from Lowepro and those covers work extremely well.

I have a book from Ralph Clevenger and he recommends trash compactor bags and that's what I carry in all of my bags. I don't know if they sell them in Europe as I don't remember seeing a trash compactor during my years living there. They are 2.5 mils thick which is very heavy duty, but they fold up very small and are reusable and I mainly use them as ground cover to sit in the mud, but they also serve as backup waterproof gear covers. I'm sure you can probably find something similar in Germany.

 

[shawnc]

I've had my 6D with Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 in light to moderate rain a few times with no trouble. This was in Colorado where even after rain the humidity drops really quickly so things dry out fast. One concern I've had is having it or my 60D hanging upside down from a Black Rapids strap in the rain. I wonder if some of the "sealing" is more like shingles only protecting from rain coming from the camera's top, but not from other directions, particularly with regard to the flash on the 60D.

 

[Botts]

I have a friend who shoots Pentax, I forget which body, but it's not the newest. He takes it out in steady rain for hours without covering it. Once he got a little water in the top display and was concerned. He let it dry overnight and had no problems since. If Pentax can do that in a prosumer crop body, then Canon ought to be able to without a lot of R&D money. Please canon, charge me the additional $50 for comparable weather sealing!

I'd raise that $50 to 10% of the bodies cost if Canon would guarantee IPX-6 or IP66. Similarly with lenses. Not having to worry is well worth the peace of mind 10% buys for me.

 

[dgatwood]

I have a friend who shoots Pentax, I forget which body, but it's not the newest. He takes it out in steady rain for hours without covering it. Once he got a little water in the top display and was concerned. He let it dry overnight and had no problems since. If Pentax can do that in a prosumer crop body, then Canon ought to be able to without a lot of R&D money. Please canon, charge me the additional $50 for comparable weather sealing!

I'd raise that $50 to 10% of the bodies cost if Canon would guarantee IPX-6 or IP66. Similarly with lenses. Not having to worry is well worth the peace of mind 10% buys for me.

You can achieve IPX-7 on electronics just by adding a spray coating. The fact that Canon doesn't do so tells me that they want their devices to fail when they get wet, so that they can make more money from repairs or replacements.

Personally, I think that Canon should guarantee IPX-8 without raising the price at all. If I could buy a $5 watch from Wal-Mart that was waterproof to 250 feet thirty years ago, there's really no excuse for a multi-thousand-dollar camera to not be waterproof today.

Ditto for cell phones.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi dgatwood.
I think the electronics are the easy bit, but a tide line in the lens might show up if the water gets in the lens. Similarly water in the viewfinder or shutter box would be a problem, high speed burst might splash it around a bit!
They need to start at the outside with gaskets and seals to stop the water entering the body / lens in the first place. This is, as stated before far more difficult to achieve, and ongoing maintenance is critical, underwater housing springs to mind! I realise that we are not looking to make them submersible, it was just an example of the ongoing maintenance that might be required to maintain a guarantee of water resistance.
Please also bear in mind that your $5 watch has no user interchangeable parts that make a seal and maintaining the seal guarantee requires battery replacement by an authorised service agent costing $4 so you bin it and buy another!

Also if you want a long story ask me about the coated car alarm board!

Cheers Graham.

I have a friend who shoots Pentax, I forget which body, but it's not the newest. He takes it out in steady rain for hours without covering it. Once he got a little water in the top display and was concerned. He let it dry overnight and had no problems since. If Pentax can do that in a prosumer crop body, then Canon ought to be able to without a lot of R&D money. Please canon, charge me the additional $50 for comparable weather sealing!

I'd raise that $50 to 10% of the bodies cost if Canon would guarantee IPX-6 or IP66. Similarly with lenses. Not having to worry is well worth the peace of mind 10% buys for me.

You can achieve IPX-7 on electronics just by adding a spray coating. The fact that Canon doesn't do so tells me that they want their devices to fail when they get wet, so that they can make more money from repairs or replacements.

Personally, I think that Canon should guarantee IPX-8 without raising the price at all. If I could buy a $5 watch from Wal-Mart that was waterproof to 250 feet thirty years ago, there's really no excuse for a multi-thousand-dollar camera to not be waterproof today.

Ditto for cell phones.

 

[xps]

I was suffering from the same electronic problem, after I took some shots in the tropical greenhouse in the botanical gardens in munich. I dried the cam and put it in to my backpack, with some small drying bags (small bags often added to prevent moisture). Condensating water (outside -10°C) corroded the electronic inside.
The back dial wheel, the info button, the menu button, and the right upper buttons did not work anymore.

It was not easy to convince the Canon Service partner that this issue is under guarantee. They just did it, because there were no water drops inside.
The technican there told me, that the 6Ds back is weakly water seald. In their experience just the 7D, 5D,1D are sufficently water sealed.
The funny thing is, that my old 60D never had any problem when I annually stayed inside the tropical greenhouse for hours.

Maybe, the Maerz GmbH in Berlin is quite as fair as the Service Center where I sent my Cam.