Weather Proof Lens

[mclapp]

I am expecting to get enough money to buy a Nikon D300 in August or September. Before I invest in such a purchase, I would like to be sure that I can get lenses to match the quality of the camera. I have some rather specific requirements. I like to shoot in bad weather (rain, snow, wind). I do not want to use an underwater housing or even a plastic bag over the camera. I come from an era when this capability was expected of cameras. Also, I am used to medium and larger format cameras. I was looking at a view screen instead of a viewfinder before many of you were born. I am excited about Nikon's new 3" screen.

In a lens, I work mostly with 18-67 mm or 27-100 mm in 35 mm equivalent. I expect little or no vignetting. I am not particular about large apertures but I want sharp or extra sharp results across the photo when the camera is at its sweet spot (f 5.6 or f8 perhaps). i want easily correctable distortion, not wavy distortion like Nikon's 18-200 mm lens gets at some focal lengths. I would like to be able to focus close enough for 1:4 or 1:5 reproduction. I am not concerned about whether I use a zoom or a prime lens. My Budget allows $600 to $900. Can this be done or should I set my camera sites a little lower at the less expensive Canon? How do I tell if a Nikon lens is weather-proof anyway or did they stop making lenses that could withstand a little rain when they started using auto focus motors?

[cyclohexane]

I come from an era when this capability was expected of cameras.

Well, the D300 might not fulfill this expectation. The pop-up flash is an easy point of failure for rain and snow to possibly get into the camera. Light rain is probably fine though.

My D2HS (and my old D2H before it) has held up admirably under light to medium rain, but it is better-sealed on top thanks to the lack of pop-up flash. The rest of the weather seals appear to be the same as the D300, except the card door, but your hand covers that anyways.

How do I tell if a Nikon lens is weather-proof anyway or did they stop making lenses that could withstand a little rain when they started using auto focus motors

Most lenses can take a little rain. Not all are "weatherproof" though.

Look for a gold ring around the front, behind where the hood attaches, and a rubber ring around back of the lens to protect the lens mount from the elements. Many cheaper lenses, such as the 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX ($350) have the rubber ring, and are therefore partially weatherproof (when you zoom in/out you may suck water in though), but they're not completely sealed.

Nikon's pretty stupid about marketing their lenses, as they don't really draw attention to the fact that many of them are partially or (essentially) completely weatherproof. I have weatherproof lenses, but I can't remember seeing any mention of this in their descriptions in catalogs, on Nikon's websites, etc.

My Budget allows $600 to $900. Can this be done or should I set my camera sites a little lower at the less expensive Canon?

You're asking for quite a bit from lenses for this amount of money, from any brand. Except for sharpness across the frame at f/5.6-8, I doubt you'll find something that does all this and covers 27-100mm equivalent for $600-900, from any brand:

I expect little or no vignetting.

I am not particular about large apertures but I want sharp or extra sharp results across the photo when the camera is at its sweet spot (f 5.6 or f8 perhaps).

i want easily correctable distortion

I would like to be able to focus close enough for 1:4 or 1:5 reproduction

[keepright]

So weather sealing is an important issue, you're not wedded to a specific brand, are willing to pay between 600-900 for a standard zoom, but don't want to spend as much as a top-tier Canon or Nikon. Check out the 4/3 section on this forum, or look for reviews of the E-3. You've described it and the 14-54 or 12-60 perfectly.

[mclapp]

Thanks. I have wondered about the sealing of the more expensive Nikon lenses. At least I can see the possibility that I may have to revise my budget and wait a little longer to get the camera.

[mclapp]

I love most of the specs in the Olympus except for the low dynamic range, apparently due to the small 4/3 sensor size. I think that waiting until I can afford the NIkon may be the better route. Thanks for your input.

[cyclohexane]

These are two possibilities for sealed zoom lenses within your 18-67mm range:

Nikon | 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Lens | 2147 | B&H Photo
Nikon | AF-S Zoom Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED Autofocus Lens | 2164

I doubt you'd be interested in the 12-24mm f/4 (distortion) or the 14-24mm f/2.8 (price).

Nikon has very few weather-sealed primes that aren't super telephotos; I think the only ones are the soon-to-be-released 60mm Micro and recently-released 105mm Micro lenses. Most of Nikon's primes were released before 2003, when the first lens featuring the rubber gasket over the rear was released (I believe it was the 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR.).

You can look here for a complete listing of lenses with images; you can see whether the lenses are sealed or not.

[keepright]

Originally Posted by mclapp

I love most of the specs ... waiting until I can afford the NIkon may be the better route. Thanks for your input.

The difference in sensor size between 4/3 and Nikon is about the same as between Nikon and APS-C film. But Nikon and Canon make great cameras and lenses, and if you're willing to buy the premium glass and bodies that are weather sealed I'm sure they will meet your needs. Good luck with your decision.

[mclapp]

Thank you, cyclohexane, for your list of lenses. I had not found that before. I suspect that I will probably wait until I can afford the f 2.8, 17-55 mm lens. I seems to fit the bill. I just don't like putting down plastic so this just means a little more time for me.

[Narsuitus]

“I like to shoot in bad weather (rain, snow, wind). I do not want to use an underwater housing or even a plastic bag over the camera.”

When I need to shoot in weather like you described, I use a Nikonos underwater camera which does not need housing or a plastic bag.

[mclapp]

Not a bad idea, Narsuitus. Unfortunately my budget is limited. I will check into that possibility as a possible future purchase.

[20DNewbie]

Hey mclapp, check out ebay Item number 170194267070.

[mclapp]

Thanks for the "Heads up" about the ebay camera. I really want to get the Nikon D300 first and I won't be able to afford that before Fall. After that I can think about the underwater camera for those days when I can get into some bad weather.

M. Clapp

[drichi]

As noted, you can't really expect the D300 to be waterproof. I have had it out in snow, but I prtected it as much as possible and wiped it down often. Nikon's claim is weather-sealed, not waterproof. Page 377 of the manual states: Keep dry: This product is not waterproof and may malfunction if immersed in water or exposed to high levels of humidity...
I expect some level of water-resistance, but not a high enough level to expose it directly to rain. I have never had a film camera that I expected much weather resistance from, but I am even more cautious with digital. Pentax and Olympus seem to be ahead in this area.