I recently bought an elan 7e and so far have had great success with it. I have been reluctant, however, to use it in adverse weather conditions such as rain or snow. Since these are often the times when the best photos are taken I would like to start taking it out in the field during storms or other "extreme" conditions. I would love hear some suggestions on how you protect your equipment. The more creative the better. Also, just how much abuse CAN an elan 7e take?

-- newbie (mshadow818@msn.com), March 21, 2002

Answers

I have used my Elan in rain, heat, and dust and have never had any problem. I hold a small towel over the camera in the rain, to protect when I am not shooting (I also hold it inside a raincoat). When it is in the camera bag in the rain, I keep it inside a separate plastic bag, just to be safe (same with lenses).

Heat and dust haven't been a problem. Cleaning things off with a q- tip seems to work fine.

Though I am very careful, I am more more interested in taking the pictures than preserving the camera. If something happens to it, I'll just get another one. Canon didn't design its equipment to sit on your shelf at home. So even though I wouldn't dunk my Elan under water, I still wouldn't hesitate to use it during the worst conditions.

-- Preston Merchant (merchant@speakeasy.org), March 21, 2002.

Well, I'm not sure what you mean by creative. I presume that sticking your camera inside a padded blimp or waterproof plastic shell for diving isn't particularly creative.

I've done a fair bit of shooting in windy dusty deserts with my original Elan and 10s, and this is what I've done. I've bought a roll of black gaffer tape - the ludicrously expensive black fabric tape used by movie crews, not regular duct tape. Gaffer tape is costly but it doesn't leave as much sticky residue as cheap duct tape.

I then proceed to swaddle the whole camera in tape. Every crack is covered, which makes changing lenses and film a bit of a pain in the arse - I usually have to peel off long strips of tape when somewhere sheltered from the wind. I use regular plastic cling film for sandwiches over the controls and top deck LCD, all taped down with gaffer tape.

The result is a rather ugly and unwieldy mess, but it's basically worked. It's kept out a lot of dust and I've used my gear in fairly nasty white-out dust storms.

Now, rain and snow are rather different conditions, of course. Water is a real problem and your midrange camera does not have the extensive weathersealing of a camera like the EOS 3 or 1V. I don't know how far I'd be willing to push my midrange camera in rainy conditions.

One traditional trick, however, is to stick the camera inside one or two transparent plastic bags. Secure the bag around the end of the lens with an elastic or whatnot. Since the bag is clear and flexible you should be able to operate most of the controls, though turning the command dial will be a bit of a pain. This, along with a rain cape and someone standing over you with an umbrella, should be fine in light rain but I wouldn't trust this to a heavy downpour.

Hope that helps.

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), March 21, 2002.

Of course there is another answer - for really hostile conditions use a weatherproof compact. The Canon Sure Shot A-1 looks like a toy but has a great lens (32mm) and is genuinely waterproof - & will we even work under water. At about 100 pounds in UK ($140)its great value. OK its not your all purpose, wonder SLR with interchangeable lens etc etc - but it will take photos in those conditions that you wouldn't dare bring out your Elan or whatever. One warning - you might find its pictures are as good as those from your Elan and have to start questioning how much you really need to spend on a camera.

-- Derek Linney (dlinney@aol.com), March 22, 2002.

My solution has been the big 1 gallon (or larger) ziplock bags and some electricians tape.

This only really works well if you've a lens with a non-rotating front element and a lens hood.

Cut a hole in the bottom of the bag, poke the lens through, attach the hood, then tape the bag to the outside of the hood.

For a light sprinkle you can probably leave the bag open. For heavy rain just zip it up, the controls are still usable.

You can even poke a second hole and tape a quick-release plate for your tripod in there.

With any case watch for condensation build up when moving from hot to cold areas.

-- Marcus (Citizensmith@lanset.com), March 25, 2002.