Kitted out for Scottish weather
- Thread starter nikonjim
- Start date
These are the ones that I got. If you want to spend some money, you can also find the nice ones that you see sideline photographers using at (American) football games and such.
Amazon.com: OP/TECH USA Rainsleeve - 18-Inch (2-Pack): Camera & Photo
Amazon.com: OP/TECH USA Rainsleeve - 18-Inch (2-Pack): Camera & Photo
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=rain%20protector%20for%20slr%20camera
Here you are, Sam. There are quite a few to choose from. Mine cost about £12, I believe. My daughter ordered it for me, and it arrived within 3 days of ordering. I haven't used it yet, but tried it on the camera, and I was quite impressed. I can't wait to try it out in the wet (which shouldn't be all that long)
Here you are, Sam. There are quite a few to choose from. Mine cost about £12, I believe. My daughter ordered it for me, and it arrived within 3 days of ordering. I haven't used it yet, but tried it on the camera, and I was quite impressed. I can't wait to try it out in the wet (which shouldn't be all that long)
Pulled mine out tonight, (the ones from the amazon link) and here are my thoughts. It's essentially a plastic tube, about 20" long, with a 30 degree bend in it. There are three openings: one at the bottom that your hand goes in, one at the front with a drawstring, and a small hole for the eyepiece. You remove your eyecup, stretch the hole over the viewfinder, and snap the eyecup back into place. The drawstring is an interesting idea. It has a plastic 'cincher' on it to keep it in place.
The only issue I had with it was that the bulk of the string would keep the lens from zooming all the way back out (it would slip between the lens body and the part of the lens that moves and keep it from going the last couple of millimeters in). Unlike the more professional rain covers it doesn't have an opening for both hands, so you have to move the zoom ring through the plastic which prevents a smooth zoom through the whole range. The plastic isn't super thick, but it'll definitely last through multiple uses.
I had no issues fitting it to my D7000 with the 18-105 on there, so it should fit your d5100 without any issue, Pat. It was a little snug getting my hand in there, but once it was in I had enough room to work all the buttons. For $6, it's definitely worth keeping in my bag for a rainy day.
The only issue I had with it was that the bulk of the string would keep the lens from zooming all the way back out (it would slip between the lens body and the part of the lens that moves and keep it from going the last couple of millimeters in). Unlike the more professional rain covers it doesn't have an opening for both hands, so you have to move the zoom ring through the plastic which prevents a smooth zoom through the whole range. The plastic isn't super thick, but it'll definitely last through multiple uses.
I had no issues fitting it to my D7000 with the 18-105 on there, so it should fit your d5100 without any issue, Pat. It was a little snug getting my hand in there, but once it was in I had enough room to work all the buttons. For $6, it's definitely worth keeping in my bag for a rainy day.
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Mike, thanks for the update!!
Pat in NH
Pat in NH
No problem, Pat!
I can't see how the products could be that much different, but the OpTech brand seems to be treated much better in the reviews (Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: OP/TECH USA Rainsleeve - 18-Inch (2-Pack)). Plus it's a little cheaper ($6 for two, vice $13.95 for three) and eligible for Amazon Prime! If I were regularly shooting in the rain, I'd definitely want something more sturdy and lasting, but for "just in case" situations I still think these are perfect.