D5300 Ruggedness

[TwistedThrottle]

Just curious as to how gentle I need to be with the D5300.
I am going camping in a few weeks and plan on nice weather, but where we are going, it can get nasty pretty quick.
Do I need to worry about sprinkles or just downpours? Any additional worries? What are some of the ways that you have damaged your DX un-weather proofed camera?

 

[hark]

I don't think it is weather sealed so you might want to consider a rain cover. The Think Tank Photo Emergency Rain Cover comes in small and medium and is very good. There are less expensive alternatives out there though. These run $35 to $40.

When I was out in snow this past winter, my D7200 seems to have gotten a little corrosion in the shutter actuation button. And it's a weather sealed body. Unfortunately I didn't use any rain cover because I didn't think my small one would fit. Turns out it would have just fit the body, lens, and teleconverter if I had tried.

 

[TwistedThrottle]

Thanks @hark -that helps alot! I didn't even consider a rain cover, duh! I have a newish D5300 (NIB 4/19) that I recently upgraded from an old D40x. I also have a new to me D800 that I don't trust to be weather sealed (bought it used and had to repair a surprise body crack). My debate was between the two bodies but now, there appears to be a 3rd and 4th option!

Thanks for the heads up in the snow. As a snowboarder, I am excited to bring a dslr up to the slopes next winter.
I am hoping others will chime in with dangers to watch out for with their cameras in the wild, most of my shots are in a comfy city environment. I am determined to not give the 5300/800 the same fate as the D40x. Although I did get good shots with that camera, sadly it lived most of its life in a camera bag for fear of damage. It still looks brand new, but it pretty much only came out to shoot pics of my kid or for vacations. I don't want to do anything stupid, but I certainly want to have my shooter(s) with me whenever possible. By the sounds of it, getting a rain cover is pretty much necessary if I plan on doing anything outside.

 

[hark]

The other thing you should consider is to keep silica packs inside your camera bag. Those will help absorb excess moisture. If you are outside in humid conditions going inside to air-conditioning, you can put your camera/lens in a sealed plastic bag for a couple hours. Any condensation should form on the outside of the bag. Be sure to read up on it.

 

[TwistedThrottle]

Another superstar suggestion! Who woulda thunk? Are we talking about something special, or should I start saving the ones from new shoes?
Living in the PNW, I dont have to deal with humidity much, but a great practice nonetheless!
Thanks @hark

 

[hark]

Another superstar suggestion! Who woulda thunk? Are we talking about something special, or should I start saving the ones from new shoes?
Living in the PNW, I dont have to deal with humidity much, but a great practice nonetheless!
Thanks @hark

I haven't used any myself, but there are some that change colors when they've absorbed what they can handle. Then somehow they can be recharged (dried out) and reused. At a minimum, at least save the ones that you have. Hopefully others will chime in with suggestions.

 

[nickt]

I use this desiccant:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013L31PQ0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lifetime supply. I recharge in the microwave. It gets really hot, so I use a Pyrex cup. It might be a losing battle in a regular camera case. Mine change color in a few weeks in pelican cases depending on time they stay open. I'm using a small quantity though, half of a small pill bottle with some small holes drilled into it.
Maybe after a damp day, store the camera overnight in a baggie with some of this stuff. Not loose though, I'd still use a jar of some sort to contain the pellets.