Rain Gear Question

[bubbasmom]

We're going to Hawaii in June, and I understand that it rains there. A LOT. So my question is what kind of lens covers do y'all recommend? I have a Nikon D50, plus lenses, and a Kata R102 bag to carry it all in.

Thanks!!
Kim

[venchka]

Ziplock bags. Never leave home without them.

[frameworthy]

Personally, I think I'm a pretty good lens cover. I promise that I'll shield all water of any sort from your lenses to the best of my ability....you just have to take me with you...and feed me...

[Jim Victory]

Storm Jacket makes good rain covers for your lenses and I have found that a clear shower cap works great for your camera. You can usually get one free at most motels and hotels you stay in.

[bubbasmom]

Originally Posted by frameworthy

Personally, I think I'm a pretty good lens cover. I promise that I'll shield all water of any sort from your lenses to the best of my ability....you just have to take me with you...and feed me...

ONLY if you can fit in my carryon;^)

[CaptainTom]

I bought a Storm Jacket three years ago after I did a job in Florida and it rained on us. I keep it in the bag all the time.

I have never had to use it. I figure it is my insurance against rain policy. I highly recommend one.

[bigjon0107]

You could just go for an underwater case, you would be able to put it to good use down there :)

[mdurisseau]

I will second the Storm Jacket stuff...I have three different ones in my backup bag...

[Abel]

i bought a Kata setup last year for our trip to alaska... used it once.

just saw the Think Tank rain cover set up and man it looks so much nicer than the one i have. not sure about the storm jacket one, havent seen it in person but the thinktank one is very well designed.

i think the storm jacket i have seen is more like a long sleeve with the back portion (camera body) open to the elements

the thinktank has a nifty eye piece that you attach to your camera and the rest of the body lens it covered from the rain. really a very nice setup.

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_HydroPhb.php

[L Stegall]

I've used the Storm Jackets in rainy Oregon and other places and they work pretty well. I always keep one in my bag for emergencies. For a really heavy downpour, I'm sure there are other things that might work even better, but they are great for light rain. Also, the zip lock bag suggestion is a good one - for moving your camera and/or lenses from air conditioned rooms to hot/humid locales. I always take those in my bag as well. Plus, I used them while we were bouncing down some really, really dusty roads on Lana'i last year in an open top jeep to keep my gear dust free.

[Howard Barlow]

I bought a couple of Kata's in Seattle for my Alaskan cruise. Rain was forecasted for every day. The guy at the camera store said, "I know these are expensive, but you realize they are perfect rain insurance. You won't see any rain."

It didn't rain a drop.

[bigjon0107]

If you are looking for a cover for big glass, i would second the Think Tank one that Abel mentioned. For starters, you can use it with multiple lenses, saving you from buying multiple covers if you have a few pieces of large glass. Secondly, Think Tank's stuff is second to non in build quality. At least that is why one is in my very near future

[Howard Barlow]

Let me add, I used my Katas in Warsaw last January. The clear plastic/vinyl/whatever remained soft and pliable while shooting at below freezing temps for several hours. Had steady light snow, kept everything clean and dry.

[bubbasmom]

Thanks everyone for your input! There's quite a bit of food for thought here...so off to the internet for me.

[rfortson]

Op/Tech makes a rain sleeve that fits over the camera and lens. There's a drawstring to go around the lens, a tight fit around the viewfinder and the sleeve extends well below the bottom of the camera so that it fits around your arm, maybe up to the elbow. They're pretty cheap, too. Easy to keep a couple in your bag.

In a pinch, the shower caps in your hotel room work, too. I usually keep one or two sprinkled through my other bags just for emergencies.