How well sealed (weather sealed) is the Leica T?

[Wail]

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I bought the T for my wife, as soon as it came out, and I have been wondering just how well sealed is it against the environment?

 

Did Leica ever state how well sealed it is, any experiences (in rain, in particular)?

 

Thank you for any inputs ...

[bencoyote]

As far as I know Leica makes no claims about the T being environmentally sealed. This is something that I wish had been made a part of the T's design too and have passed it along to Leica through their tech support for future models.

 

To me the flash seems like a particularly likely area where moisture may easily intrude. If I were going out into light drizzle I might just put a piece of tape over the flash to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion that way.

 

If you look at both currently available lenses they have no gaskets on the lens mount something that I think is necessary for weather sealing.

 

For whatever yet to be determined reason I've gotten more incidents of sensor dust with this camera than any other camera that I've owned. I suspect that it is related to the width of the lens mount on the camera (unusually thin), the lack of a gasket on the lenses, and the way that the 18-56 expands when zooming combined with the fact that the rear element of the lens moves. I think that when zooming in, it draws air into the rear of the lens through the interface between the body and the lens depositing dust on the sensor.

 

So with all of the above, I've decided to hold onto my Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic 12-35, 35-100 for damp (e.g. Muir Woods on a bad day) and dusty (e.g. Burning Man) environments even though I much prefer the T's image quality and UI. I just wish that part of Leica's Das Wesentlisch was the freedom to take a camera everywhere all the time in the way that weather sealing allows.

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[Wail]

Thank you, bencoyote, for the detailed reply

 

Yes, I would agree with you on the fact that it is no where as weather sealed as I would like it to be and the lack of the gasket is the biggest giveaway.

 

As for the sensor dust, not too sure how well it fares as it's purely for my wife to use and she doesn't seem to suffer from that, with the exception of the one instance. I hope it stays like that

[rodluvan]

I bought the T for my wife, as soon as it came out, and I have been wondering just how well sealed is it against the environment?

 

Did Leica ever state how well sealed it is, any experiences (in rain, in particular)?

 

Thank you for any inputs ...

 

don't expect water resistance from a $19K point-and-shoot (sans lens)

 

that would be crazy thinking

[Wail]

rodluvan,

 

Thank you, but I didn't expect water resistance; as a matter of fact, no dSLR is water resistance either!

 

I was asking how "weather sealed", that's a HUGE different proposition.

[rodluvan]

rodluvan,

 

Thank you, but I didn't expect water resistance; as a matter of fact, no dSLR is water resistance either!

 

I was asking how "weather sealed", that's a HUGE different proposition.

 

 

semantics of which I believe you've gotten things mixed up; common usage dictates that weather sealed is the same as water/dust resistant (tantamount to having it out in the rain/snow/wind aka weather) while waterproof colloquially means you can take it swimming or even diving to shallow depth.

 

every dslr I've owned has been water resistant while non of them have been waterproof

[thighslapper]

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water resistant

 

.... err .... I am not aware of a standard scientific definition of this term .... let alone a worldwide consumer product definition...... there is an ISO for watches but that seems to be about it.

 

It is essentially meaningless.

 

Ditto with weather sealing ..... it indicates what has been done ..... but not how effective it is and to what limits.....

 

As far as I can see:

 

nil stated ..... be very careful

weather proofed ...... be quite careful

weather sealed ..... be careful in extreme conditions

water resistant ..... you can be careless but don't blame me if it gets ruined

water proof ..... ditto ...... but again, not under all and every circumstance

Edited January 16, 2015 by thighslapper

[bencoyote]

There is a standard for water and dust sealing IP Code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[rodluvan]

.... err .... I am not aware of a standard scientific definition of this term ...

 

exactly, which is why I don't know why definitions was initially contested when we all know what 'weather sealed' collegially means in this context (no one have claimed to have use a "scientific definition" so that seems to be a strawman).

[Mr10Percent]

OT: Try buying a gents £5k Breitling Navitimer, get caught in a heavy rain shower and then go and discuss the concept and definition with them.

[jaapv]

"common usage" has no meaning at all in discussions like these, the obvious rejoinder being "well, that is not the way I understand it".

Leica tests their products to IP standards, but makes only lesser claims. For instance the S2 is tested to comply with IP7 (immersion to 1 m for 30 min), but is only claimed to be weather resistant.

For the T the user can assume that it will be fine if used in the rain with common-sense precautions, like only taking it out from under the coat to use, but there is no guaranty.

The precision of engineering is an important factor in unsealed cameras.

[jonoslack]

.

nil stated ..... be very careful

weather proofed ...... be quite careful

weather sealed ..... be careful in extreme conditions

water resistant ..... you can be careless but don't blame me if it gets ruined

water proof ..... ditto ...... but again, not under all and every circumstance

 

 

Actually, I think its more relevant by manufacturer - Pentax and Olympus really do seem to mean it when they say it, whereas Sony (with the A7 at least) certainly don't!

 

I've had my E-M1 with 12-40 over my shoulder for 9 hours in pouring rain, with no ill effects, I certainly wouldn't like to test the M(240) to that level though.

 

Also . . . the only time I ever had a problem with an Olympus (E3) Olympus fixed it free of charge . . . . So maybe true weather sealing means that the manufacturer will fix it without charging?

[IkarusJohn]

I don't think I'll be testing my M60 in the rain, somehow. Then again, you never know!

 

We have a saying in Auckland - if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes (Crowded House wrote "4 Seasons in One Day" about Auckland weather).

[jonoslack]

I don't think I'll be testing my M60 in the rain, somehow. Then again, you never know!

 

We have a saying in Auckland - if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes (Crowded House wrote "4 Seasons in One Day" about Auckland weather).

 

OOOH - you have an M60 - I'm jealous!

 

I was listening to Crowded House this morning (funny coincidence). Listening to Recurring Dream always makes everything seem brighter . . . "It's Only Natural" such a song!

[IkarusJohn]

I ordered the M60 through B&H when it was announced, and Stefan Daniel was nice enough to say I could have a threaded shutter release. Then I read here (too much) and the whole collector's thing and negativity put me off. I also hate people recognising my gear (bug eyed, clearly knowing how much it cost). So I canceled the order.

 

I immediately regretted it.

 

The rigour and simplicity of the concept, with the CMOSIS sensor and improved viewfinder really appealed - it got under my skin. Then finding my M9P has the beginnings of corrosion was completely depressing. I idly looked on eBay, and scored an unused, unopened one for a couple of grand less than I paid B&H! Bliss!

 

Only problem is it's sitting on my desk in Auckland 1,500 km away. I only get back next week.

 

Long term, I want to rationalise things. I've asked if I can trade my M9P for an M-A. That will leave me very happy with a couple of film cameras, T, MM and M60. Perfect!

Edited January 20, 2015 by IkarusJohn

[Fi5herman]

It isn't 'sand-proof' either.

 

I dropped it on the sand, very fine sand particles got through the flash slot and also the gap of the main on-off / flash release lever. Now whenever I pop up the flash, it is not that smooth although not totally clogged.

 

There is no way I can get the sand out, so I'm thinking to send it back to the dealer.

[pico]

I bought the T for my wife, as soon as it came out, and I have been wondering just how well sealed is it against the environment?

 

If you are assessing her tendency towards nasty weather, just look at her purse. Is it ruined? I'll bet not.

[Wail]

loooool

 

Good indicator; but she has a tendency to push to extremes even with her fancy purse & handbags!

[pico]

loooool

 

Good indicator; but she has a tendency to push to extremes even with her fancy purse & handbags!

 

That's my kind of woman, too. My lady has a bag for rainy weather. It is large enough to hold my M9. She's a great sport.

.

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Hallo,

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