wassa1957
Active member
Could people give me the brands of covers they have found useful for the above combination, please?
z9 + z 100-400 waterproof cover
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I have used a Vortex Media Pro SLR Storm Jacket Camera Cover, Medium for the Z9 and 100-400 lens. B&H sells them.
Waterproof or additional Rain/Damp protection?
Underwater housings are available for the Z9 and many lenses -- but probably not the 100-400.
The Z9 and Z-lenses S-line are weatherproof and do not "need" additional protection.
However I still carry the 2 types of additional protection I have owned for decades -- one by Lenscoat ("Raincoat" which fits quite neatly over a 600mm and has access sleeves to allow one to operate the camera) and the other (and I have many of these) - are by the now defunct Stealth Gear (STEALTH GEAR RC80 RAINCOVER - a Forest Green "wrap" treated with DuPont Teflon)-- both are effectively a rainproof "blanket" that fixes to the front of the lens hood and "drapes" over the rest of the lens and camera etc.. I use this for Dust control on Safari and as an added level of protection against sun and heat, but NONE prevent high humidity or extreme cold fro impacting the camera/lens if there are significant differences i temperature -- I am one who tries to keep my cameras in the same ambient temp as I will be shooting in -- heat or cold -- to reduce the risk of internal fogging.
See https://www.photospecialist.co.uk/stealth-gear?size=48&page=1
Underwater housings are available for the Z9 and many lenses -- but probably not the 100-400.
The Z9 and Z-lenses S-line are weatherproof and do not "need" additional protection.
However I still carry the 2 types of additional protection I have owned for decades -- one by Lenscoat ("Raincoat" which fits quite neatly over a 600mm and has access sleeves to allow one to operate the camera) and the other (and I have many of these) - are by the now defunct Stealth Gear (STEALTH GEAR RC80 RAINCOVER - a Forest Green "wrap" treated with DuPont Teflon)-- both are effectively a rainproof "blanket" that fixes to the front of the lens hood and "drapes" over the rest of the lens and camera etc.. I use this for Dust control on Safari and as an added level of protection against sun and heat, but NONE prevent high humidity or extreme cold fro impacting the camera/lens if there are significant differences i temperature -- I am one who tries to keep my cameras in the same ambient temp as I will be shooting in -- heat or cold -- to reduce the risk of internal fogging.
See https://www.photospecialist.co.uk/stealth-gear?size=48&page=1
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I use the Storm Jacket as well. One is always clipped on my field bag. I used it 10 days ago photographing foxhunting in the rain. Got some great shots. Note that the riders are not allowed to wear any raingear. If you're hunting, you just get wet.
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I've had good luck with LensCoat Rain Coat. I have multiple sizes for various lens combos. The Rain Coat 2 standard would be the best fit for the 100-400.
Midway
Well-known member
If keeping your camera and lens a little drier when shooting in rain, I use Think Tank Rain Covers. I also have some older AquaTech rain covers that work but I prefer the Think Tank material and design. Living in Seattle I have had to shoot both types of football in heavy rain for over 3 hours at a time and the Think Tank rain covers work well. I've had mine awhile and I at one time asked Think Tank if it would be possible to make it a little easier to turn a large lens like a 600mm f4 from landscape to portrait since I like to instantly do that regularly when shooting sports. I haven't looked at their rain covers in many years. I think I'll read up now on the below link.
www.thinktankphoto.com
Hydrophobia® DM 300-600
Seam sealed rain cover protects your camera and a 300mm f/2.8 or up to 800mm f/5.6 lenses, even in a heavy downpour. Protects against rain, snow, dust, sand, and other extreme conditions. Great for sports and wildlife photographers. Separate eyepiece required. Free Shipping!
www.thinktankphoto.com
Good post!If keeping your camera and lens a little drier when shooting in rain, I use Think Tank Rain Covers. I also have some older AquaTech rain covers that work but I prefer the Think Tank material and design. Living in Seattle I have had to shoot both types of football in heavy rain for over 3 hours at a time and the Think Tank rain covers work well. I've had mine awhile and I at one time asked Think Tank if it would be possible to make it a little easier to turn a large lens like a 600mm f4 from landscape to portrait since I like to instantly do that regularly when shooting sports. I haven't looked at their rain covers in many years. I think I'll read up now on the below link.
Hydrophobia® DM 300-600
Seam sealed rain cover protects your camera and a 300mm f/2.8 or up to 800mm f/5.6 lenses, even in a heavy downpour. Protects against rain, snow, dust, sand, and other extreme conditions. Great for sports and wildlife photographers. Separate eyepiece required. Free Shipping!
If you need to photograph outdoor sports in the rain on a potentially regular basis, the Think Tank Hydrophobia is the answer. As reported - it is for shooting in continuous rain for hours. The cover has a special eyepiece that integrates the cover with the camera.
My suggestion is to decide what kind of rain the photographer is able to withstand. In my case, a few minutes of rain is fine, but more than 10-15 minutes probably results in me stopping any photography. Only certain types of photography work in the rain - and you need a camera or technique to be able to focus through rain and still capture the subject.
One easy solution is a small absorbent towel that you can wring out. I use an older version of this one. I simply drape it over the top of the camera and lens, and it absorbs every drop. When it gets wet, just squeeze out the water and continue.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TW7STZY/?tag=backcogaller-20
wassa1957
Active member
Interesting comment about Z9. When I did my Alaska Photo tour I found the eyepiece fogged up and the z100-400 had condensation. Dew point?
crjPO
New member
The Think Tank 6197 is a simplified version of the Hydrophobia and much less expensive and an easy carry. Accomodates the 70-200 and 100-400
Calson
Well-known member
I use lens rain coats from LensCoat and others as well as the thin $6 plastic ones that take far less space in a backpack.
My favorite approach is to use a poncho made for a tall person and use it as a portable tent as I can shoot through the hood opening and still have enough length to protect me from the rain. I can fit a tripod under the poncho when using a heavy telephoto lens. I bought a U.S. Army poncho at a surplus store more than 50 years ago and it still works perfectly. Not the lightest or most packable but the military surplus material has held up very well with a half century of use.
My favorite approach is to use a poncho made for a tall person and use it as a portable tent as I can shoot through the hood opening and still have enough length to protect me from the rain. I can fit a tripod under the poncho when using a heavy telephoto lens. I bought a U.S. Army poncho at a surplus store more than 50 years ago and it still works perfectly. Not the lightest or most packable but the military surplus material has held up very well with a half century of use.
ThinkTank makes a number of different types of rain covers, some quite high tech. I prefer their simple "Emergency Rain Cover" which comes in 3 sizes. Small for lenses no more than 105mm. Medium for lenses up to 200mm. And Large for lenses up to 600mm f4. Very easy to apply and use. They have a hot shoe mount to keep the cover in place. May not be as protective as their more expensive and complex covers, but for me works great when I'm out in a reasonably light or medium rain storm.
wassa1957
Active member
Thanks for the suggestions. This arose due to getting condensation in the lens and eyepiece in Alaska. My fault I didn't upgrade my rain protection. I can't go Hydrophobia ars Z9 are in the process of getting to Australia. Covid delays again. Some great ideas. Interesting about the poncho idea.