The Front Row View (entertainment insurance blog)

What to Know About Rain Photography: Protecting Your Camera in Rain

Written by Grant Patten | Mar 9, 2020 1:48:23 PM

Source: Shutterstock Royalty-free stock photo ID: 1095459860

NOTE: This article is specifically about protecting your gear from rain and is not applicable to underwater photography. Underwater photography poses different kinds of risks and requires additional underwriting information to insure. If you do any photography underwater (or at the surface of water), contact us to discuss your insurance coverage options.

How to protect a camera and lens from rain?

Insurance claims do occasionally arise from cameras being damaged by rain, so let’s review some best practices to prevent rain-related damage to your photography gear. Professional cameras are expensive, and you don’t want to risk ruining yours in a single photoshoot.

Use a camera rain cover / rain sleeve; these are generally inexpensive. Some well-known brands are Zacro and Movo [Amazon Affiliate Links]. You can find waterproof camera cases, lens hoods and custom rain covers. The Think Tank Photo Emergency Rain Cover [Amazon Link] is another product with mostly positive reviews on Amazon.

How to weather seal a camera?

Weather sealing a camera refers to having rubber gaskets in the seams to keep water from the camera’s internals. But if the lens doesn't have weather sealing also, water can still enter into the camera through the lens mount. Therefore, make sure to keep the lens mount dry.

Many cameras are already weather sealed, but don’t assume that your camera is necessarily sealed just because it’s a new model. Be sure to check with the camera manufacturer to verify.

If your camera isn’t weather sealed and you still want to risk shooting in the rain, consider getting a camera condom – yes, that’s a thing! A camera condom (or skin camera protector) is a rubbery skin for point-and-shoot cameras, similar to the cases that have been protecting iPods and iPhones for years. Well-known brands selling these include Bindpo and Polaroid. [Amazon Affiliate Links]

But, ideally, if you're really into shooting in rainy conditions, get a sealed camera body and lenses.

Backpack rain covers / waterproof backpack covers & waterproof backpacks / waterproof camera bags & camera cases

If you’re out in the rain with your photography gear in your backpack or camera bag – but that backpack or bag isn’t waterproofed or properly covered – you could damage your gear, so consider a backpack rain cover, waterproof backpack or waterproof camera bag.

A well-known backpack rain cover brand is Sugoidan. [Amazon Affiliate Links]

Some well-known waterproof backpack brands include NEEWER and Tarion. [Amazon Affiliate Links]

In terms of camera bags: the Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag [Amazon Affiliate Link] has a waterproof galaxy foam bottom liner and was recommended by notable product review website Wirecutter. The waterproof Tenba Cooper 13 Slim [Amazon Affiliate Link] was also recommended by Wirecutter.

For added protection, consider wrapping your photography gear in padded equipment wraps before placing it inside any backpack. Some brands in this space are Ruggard and kilofly. [Amazon Affiliate Links]

Keep a microfiber cloth in your bag/backpack to wipe down your photography gear, if necessary. Some of these cloths are designed specifically for cleaning lenses, such as the Carson Stuff-It Super-Soft Microfiber Lens Cloth and the MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth [Amazon Affiliate Links].

Some Rain Pictures / Rain Images / Rain Photos / Water Drop Images

Water drop.

Source: Shutterstock Royalty-free stock photo ID: 402271438

 

Rain drops falling from a black umbrella concept for bad weather, winter or protection.

Source: Shutterstock Royalty-free stock photo ID: 323261750

 

Funny pug dog wearing orange raincoat in raining day.

Source: Shutterstock Royalty-free stock photo ID: 660076444

 

Drops Of Rain On Blue Glass Background. Street Bokeh Lights Out Of Focus. Autumn Abstract Backdrop.

Source: Shutterstock Royalty-free stock photo ID: 211412020

Get Photography Insurance | Camera Insurance | Photography Equipment

Front Row’s photography insurance policy is a good option for insuring your photo gear. Many Canadian photographers have come to recognize Front Row as the industry’s best coverage – and rely upon us to protect their valuable camera gear. You can get a quote, purchase a policy, or read more about the coverages available here: https://photographer.frontrowinsurance.com/

NOTE: This article is specifically about protecting your gear from rain and is not applicable to underwater photography. Underwater photography poses different kinds of risks and requires additional underwriting information to insure. If you do any photography underwater (or at the surface of water), contact us to discuss your insurance coverage options.

Refer a Friend to Front Row

Based on customer demand, we’ve setup our referral marketing program and if you refer a friend to Front Row, you could win a $15 Amazon eGift Card OR be entered into a random draw to win a $99 Amazon eGift Card! (depending on your province)

 

Related Posts:

FREE EBOOK! PHOTOGRAPHY INSURANCE 101: PROTECT YOUR CAMERA GEAR

PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT INSURANCE: YOU MAY NOT BE COVERED BY HOMEOWNERS

I’M JUST STARTING OUT IN MY PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS; DO I NEED INSURANCE?

4 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS INSURANCE

THEFT FROM VEHICLE: PHOTOGRAPHY INSURANCE EXPLAINED

PHOTOGRAPHERS & VIDEOGRAPHERS: SAVE MONEY ON YOUR CAMERA INSURANCE

HOW TO REDUCE THE COST TO INSURE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CAMERA LENS(ES)

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT RAIN PHOTOGRAPHY: PROTECTING YOUR CAMERA IN RAIN

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY BEST PRACTICES / IN-WATER PHOTOGRAPHY

PROTECT YOUR CAMERA GEAR FROM OVERHEATING

PROTECT YOUR CAMERA AT THE BEACH / PROTECT YOUR CAMERA FROM SAND

ORGANIZING YOUR CAMERA GEAR / KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

INSURANCE FOR PHOTOS BOOTHS | PHOTO BOOTH INSURANCE FROM FRONT ROW

HOW DO I ADD AN ADDITIONAL INSURED TO MY POLICY?

5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MAKING A PHOTOGRAPHY INSURANCE CLAIM

FRONT ROW: OFFERING ONLINE CAMERA INSURANCE POLICIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

DISCLAIMER: Informational statements regarding insurance coverage are for general description purposes only. These statements do not amend, modify or supplement any insurance policy. Consult the actual policy or your broker for details regarding terms, conditions, coverage, exclusions, products, services and programs which may be available to you. Your eligibility for particular products and services is subject to the final determination of underwriting qualifications and acceptance by the insurance underwriting company providing such products or services. This website does not make any representations that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss, or type of claim or loss, under any policy. Whether coverage exists or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any policy depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss and all applicable policy wording.

Amazon Associates Disclosure: Front Row Insurance is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This post may contain affiliate links. There is no additional cost to you.

Citations: