M8 is weather proof?

[framestore]

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I'm soon going down to southern beach nr, eastbourne for beachscape shoot. and I wonder would it be safe to use M8 and Leica asph lens nearby beach and shore?

When I used to shoot with Canon and L lenses, it's weather proof but not sure of leica.

Thanks,

[Jeff S]

Not weather sealed (camera or lens); but this doesn't preclude many from using theirs in wet conditions. Big issue at the beach isn't so much the wet, but the salt in the water and air. Not a friend of electronics. Best to wipe down the gear after use.

 

Jeff

[SJP]

Using a M8 on the beach, in pouring rain etc. is safe enough from my experience. My main concern would be on the beach in dry/windy conditions where sand might get blown into the helicoid/focussing/aperture mechanism. Dampness is good to keep dust out of the air.

 

Still I feel happy enough about using my M8 under such conditions. Just like any other camera (e.g. Nikon FM2, F3 with manual focus Nikkor lenses are no different wrt enviroment).

 

In the very worst case the lens would need a CLA but that is part of the show.

[ho_co]

Just to amplify what the others have said: Don't worry about it.

 

Take care with it, but you needn't baby it. The M isn't "weather-sealed," but a lot of us have used it with little or no problem in rain, and Tina Manley has reported having to retrieve her M8 from a river.

 

Salt and sand will be a bigger problem on the beach than water, but a Leica is for use, not for leaving home for fear of damage.

[Holybasil]

Don't take it onto the beach if it's blowing a gale, or you might find the front of your lens isn't quite what it was when you left the house.

That's what filters are for.

[wstotler]

Ditto to Jeff S., SJP, and ho_co.

 

I'd like to add that I have a soft-release screwed into the shutter release to "close" that hole to water drops. I also carry a small towel to pat down the camera and lens when it gets damp. Filter on the lens, of course. Recommend you keep it away from the sand. Just good general practice. E.g., when I'm at the beach I wear it around my neck. I also keep my bag up and off of the sand--so I don't end up with sand grains working their way into everything later. It's the sand grains that worry me--not spray. Cheers! Will

[ramosa]

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I wouldn't use an M in pouring rain ... Even tho mine is insured.

[HeinzX]

No risk - no fun. But otherwise I can abstain from this sort of fun. Too expensive. On occasions like that I use either my 1 D IV with a sealed lens or even better one of this relatively cheap outdoor cameras. Other possibility would be to use the M 9 with a overcase which exists for some other cameras, if available for the Leica. The lens itself I would never change under such conditions.

 

Regards

Heinz

[jaapv]

Three M8 have been reported on this forum that were fully submerged without ill effects. Over the years only one camera died by moisture- but that was by condensation, not by exposing it to rain.

[don_panko]

I keep my M8 tucked inside of my jacket during bad weather using a loop strap but more important is to avoid changing lenses outdoors which risks adding dust to the sensor. Take along your sensor cleaning kit would be my suggestion.

 

I recently saw a photographer cover his camera and lens with a slit plastic bag. He had the camera on a tripod recording kayak racing at Lake Placid and once set up he couldn't move the camera to shelter. A plastic bag in you pocket would be another good idea, just in case.

[Doc Henry]

Hi Joe,

M8 (or M9) weather proof ?

 

...from + 40 ° C in Vietnam with 90% humidity, to under 10-20°C in the Alps , the M8 and M9 with their lens provide wonderful pictures

I have no worries on that side

see photos here:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/154205-minh-mang-royal-temple.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/136290-arroyos.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/136602-grace-beauty.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/144166-fisherman-lang-co-beach.html

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/nature-wildlife/135981-lotus-blossom.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/138267-road.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/126903-mont-blanc.html

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/127511-paraglider-3000m.html

 

Best

Henry

[framestore]

Thanks for your all comments.

When I went down east sussex nr, Seaford(UK), the weather was miserable.

But had wonderful time there with my M8 with two lenses all day.

I was a bit worrying about moisture or salty winds but no problems even under raining.

[Xmas]

Hi

 

I believe the M8 that was referenced above was a write off from condensation. You can get lots of condensation from a change in relative humidity, taking the camera out of doors or indoors in UK can cause problems, from late fall to late spring, a zip lock bag with a siliga gel insert desirable, you dont need to go to Greenland for condensation, sensible to be cautious.

 

Consumer electronics should be conformally coated with a mastic, but that would not necessarily be 100% protection, and is another production step and costs Euro.

 

It is normal when dismantlng cameras to find 'green copper' some distance from battery compartments.

 

Noel