how wet can my lens get....?

[A miller]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

...before it becomes harmful...and then what is the quantum of harm and what parts of the lens are most vulnerable ?

 

I'm thinking of situations ranging from a few drops of rain or snow, to several drizzles, to using it in down-pour.

 

I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I now not to swim with it, so no need to address this

 

Thanks in advance.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[earleygallery]

How long is a piece of string?

 

The lenses aren't weather sealed of course so care should be taken. Wipe the lens dry whenever possible and avoid sudden changes in temperature whick may cause them to fog up.

 

Light rain has never been an issue for me but I'd take precautions in heavy rain.

 

Keep the camera under a coat until you're ready to take a photo, or use a clear bag to cover it (secured to the lens hood with an elastic band). One can also look for a sheltered viewpoint to work from, or have an assistant with a large brolly!

[Bill W]

I would wager to say it is diffucult to know how much is too much. I would think the other way and try to limit exposure to a minimum. They are not really "weather proof" and where they attach to a camera is not either. I have certainly been caught in the rain but I quickly concluded my shooting and packed it in.

[Hannes Lummes]

What is worst that can happen? Am I right that if water gets between lenses, it will takes ages for the moisture to come out and meanwhile fungus developes?

[A miller]

Ah, fungus, now you're talking. I was thinking rust, but now that you mention it fungus is probably more of a concern. Based on the comments thus far, I take it that fences should be built around fungus avoidance. Thanks for the input...

[SJP]

Phrased differently...... who has had major lens repair required due to rain exposure? I cannot recall a single incidence mentioned here, some shutters that self destroyed, some sensors that cracked themselves, cr@pped out due to rain = 0 IIRC. I know for a fact that rain and snow are fine if you take sensible precautions to protect the camera from becoming drenched.

[IWC Doppel]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Just guessing from an engineering point of view

 

You will get some capillary action and water drawn into the small gaps, I doubt very much will get far without some pressure. If the water does travel inside I suspect the worse that will happen is either a little corrosion (oiled brass, I wouldn't worry) but hard water on glass could temporarily mark which may need a strip to clean. The moisture inside will only be a potential problem if it remains damp and doesn't dry out, which I can see no reason why it wouldn't.

 

Fungus is a problem in warm and very humid climates. Dont leave it to dry in your humidor

[250swb]

I think you have to be sensible in the rain, but I have never had water get all the way into a Leica lens despite large drops accumulating on them, and thats going all the way back in time to 'doorstepping' for hours on end as a photojournalist with my trusty M2. The main problem when its raining aren't the raindrops but the temperature and humidity that can cause both the lens and camera internal's to get condensation on them. So if it gets wet try to put the camera in your bag to protect it, don't put your hand over it or put it under your coat, keep it at the ambient temperature. I now also carry one of those modern hi-tech absorbent cloths to dab water off from time to time.

 

Steve

[pgk]

I've had a 100mm usm macro lens immersed so that the front element was submerged in seawater (for several minutes until I could extract it from the underwater housing it was in). Careful removal of ALL traces of moisture using firstly tissues dampened with fresh water followed by dry tissues) and a thorough drying out on top of a radiator for several days has meant that the lens is still fully usable 3 years on. But nothing penetrated into the inside of the lens.

 

If water gets inside a lens then IMHO it really needs to be stripped down and dried. If its freshwater then you will probably be ok, saltwater will probably cause too many problems as salt is deliquescent and absorbs water and causes corrosion later on. Even minute amounts of salt will do this.

 

Basically I reckon that its best to minimise water getting onto a lens rather than deal with the aftermath of water penetration. And as others have said its best to limit exposure - personally, I've used methods ranging from fully waterproof housings to plastic bags and gaffer tape.

[Lax Jought]

Is it too expensive or impractical to make lenses with stainless steel frames?

[pgk]

Is it too expensive or impractical to make lenses with stainless steel frames?

Probably both - and it wouldn't actually help as water ingress causes problems with the glass, lubricants, adhesives, etc., as much as with the metal parts.

[Lax Jought]

Ah well, at the very least it would remove the corrosion problem.

[IWC Doppel]

I suspect the material choices are used with regard to the self lubrication properties of some materials. Not sure on stainless steel but I am thinking about the use of bronze/brass is engines for valve stems. change this material and keep the same lubrication and wear will be quick

[pgk]

Ah well, at the very least it would remove the corrosion problem.

I'm not even sure it would do this either I'm afraid, as some parts would still need to be made from different metals (brass helicoils for focus) so electrolytic corrosion would remain a potential problem.

[Lax Jought]

I will crawl back into my non-engineering-background hole.

[jaapv]

According to Leica the lenses are weather-resistant enough to be used to the same extent as the (weatherproofed) M.

[Lax Jought]

Surely not my 1964 90mm elmarit though?

[jaapv]

I wouldn't know. I guess Leica would refer to the current range of lenses.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Lax Jought]

That is intriguing, that they built these lenses to be sort of weather proof of sorts.

[pgk]

That is intriguing, that they built these lenses to be sort of weather proof of sorts.

The problem with lenses is that they offer lots of places for water to hide, and it can even be sucked into them by capillary action (into the narrow gap between the focus ring and the body of the lens around which it rotates for example). In 'normal' use, where a lens just gets a few drops on it, this is not a problem because it will dry out once returned to a dry environment.

 

But a drenching or even ducking will allow water to remain and potentially enter into areas where it will dry only slowly so an active regime has to be used to thoroughly dry them out if this happens. Genuinely waterproof lenses (such as the Nikonos lenses) rely on proper 'O' ring type seals and are waterproof to a rated pressure of water, and they feature front 'elements' which are retained in place by such seals.

 

Conventional camera lenses described as 'weatherproof' are not really 'sealed' as such, but are water resistant and have features such as rubber skirts around the bayonet flange (Canon L series). Even so they are 'resistant' only and I have seen Canon gear stop working due to water ingress.

 

Its really a matter of common sense. Camera lenses are precision instruments and should be treated with a reasonable degree of care.