Question about "weather sealing"

[YuengLinger]

Pulled the trigger, got the new (and wonderful) ef 100-400mm f/5.6 IS II.

Even before owning this lens, I've had a question about weather sealing on zoom lenses that have extending zoom barrels.

I think my 24-70mm II is the same--zoom out, the barrel extends.

So...If mist, rain droplets, pollen and other stuff from trees falls on the extension, and then we retract that barrel, what happens to the moisture and particulate matter?

How can Canon claim that a lens is weather proofed/protected/resistant/friendly (???) if rain droplets get drawn back into the lens during normal use? Now I see that we need to keep a dry towel to wipe the barrel each time we extend it in conditions where something is getting on the barrel.

Any insights much appreciated.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

Note that the term the cameras use is "weather sealing" and not "weather sealed" There is a difference. All a camera manufacture has to do is put in one piece of foam and they can rightfully say they have used weather sealing.

Unfortunately, weather sealing means only what the marketing department feels it means. Most of the cameras/lenses with "weather sealing" have not been subject to industry testing.

 

[candyman]

@YuengLinger I understand your worries.


For that reason I bought the Lenscoat Raincoat to protect my 100-400L II
And using it while taking photos at sandy, salty, moisture areas.

 

[Sporgon]

I believe ( could be wrong here) that these weather sealed lenses that have extending parts use a brush type 'seal' around the barrel that is dense enough to overcome a moderate amount of water droplets, and hold them off the inner barrel as it sweeps back in.

This design of lens is one of the reasons I find people who are horrified at the thought of leaving a lens off their camera body rather amusing. You are pumping air in and out of your bodies all the time with this sort of lens design, and it is certainly not filtered down to the microscopic level of particulates that get on a sensor.

 

[sunnyVan]

I think you have to accept that the inside of the barrel can never be dust free. It will find its way in no matter what you do. What's important is to dry your treasured lenses before you store them away and keep the moisture down by putting desiccant packets in the camera bag. Dust is something we have to live with. Fungus would be very bad.....

When you see rain coming just put on a rain cover or plastic bag. You will find plenty of testimonies that say that their mk3 and their L lenses survive heavy rain without problem. Then you will hear someone rusty complains about a totally different experience. Why risk if you could do something about it? A plastic bag goes a long way. At least that's how my 6d and 16-35 survived a sandstorm.

 

[YuengLinger]

Two-gallon Ziplocs can hold body and lens dryly together!