7D "Weather Sealing" - don't believe the hype.

[MonkeyHanger]

For the second time now i've had a tiny amount of water play havoc with the 7D.

The first incident was on the 2009 Grizedale stages Rally when i didn't spot my camera cover had slipped and let a small anount of rain into the Joystick on the back resulting in random focus point selections...luckily a quick blast with a rocket blower sorted it out.


Today i was out on the Riponian stages rally. I'd (stupidly) left the camera leaning up against a tree on the monopod and didn't think anything about the melting snow up on the branches. After wandering back from chatting to a friend i wiped off a small drop of water near the shutter button and turned the camera on...As soon as i pressed the shutter release it went into continuous rapid-fire and wouldn't stop, even though it was in single shot mode.

Removing the batteries and leaving it for a while made no difference, so i put everything back in the car and enjoyed a day's spectating instead as i'd left my spare 1DMKIIN at home. Schoolboy error etc...


Upon arriving home tonight i've checked the 7D over and it's now working perfectly again!


Keep 'em covered peeps

[RobDickinson]

For some reason the shutter isnt sealed check the diagrams..

I dont think its quite up to use in rain regulaly reliably, for that you need a 1 series realy.

[14-7]

I must say that using mine in heavy rain (with no cover) at a recent rally event seemed to make the locking mechanism for the lens very tight for a week or so. It worried me for a while but it seems to be fine now.

[MonkeyHanger]

RobDickinson said:

For some reason the shutter isnt sealed check the diagrams..

And therein lies the point. Canon made a big deal of the seals on the 7D (equivalent to the EOS1N, whatever that means) yet the most exposed part of the camera isn't sealed.

I use mine in rain regularly but it normally has a Storm Jacket on it. On 2 occasions now the slightest drop of water has caused me problems. Today's issue was caused by 1 drop of water from a tree.

[RobDickinson]

I think they made a deal out of it because people thought the 5D2 had a problem, even though it has about the same sealing (problem was with the battery grip mostly tho I think).

I guess sealed to the old fuilm pro standards is something but its not up to 1D standards or probably half the competition.

[MonkeyHanger]

I think i'll wrap it in Clingfilm, patent the idea and sell it to Canon

Don't get me wrong i think it's a great Camera and it has replaced my MKIIN as my main body, but if Canon are going to shout about it being their best sealed non 1-Series body it shouldn't be knocked out by a drop of water.

Maybe i'll just have to buy a MKiV

[RobDickinson]

MonkeyHanger said:

Maybe i'll just have to buy a MKiV

There nice, unfortunatly dont focus as well in low light as a 1dmkIII...

I think canon are right, it is the best sealed non pro body. Just that sealing isnt all that..

Dont know why the camera makers dont use standard enviroment tests/ratings that are around.

[S47]

I agree with the OP, I don't think the 7D is as well sealed as the earlier 40 & 50D, I've never had any probs withthe XXD series but if the 7D get a sniff of moisture including fog or mist I get problems with the screen replaying the shots taken and also with the shutter button not working.
WTF are canon up to, IMO the 7D is a big dis-appointment in this dept:angry:

[RobDickinson]

Well I've had mine out a fair amount in weather and its not been a problem, but then it does depend a lot on specific conditions.

Light/moderate rain and mist with humidity and out in very low temps with snow at altitude, so far been fine.

[MonkeyHanger]

RobDickinson said:

Dont know why the camera makers dont use standard enviroment tests/ratings that are around.

They probably wouldn't pass. Even the 1 Series is only "sealed" with certain lenses and some of those require a filter to complete the seal.

[RobDickinson]

You could eaisly have a body cap that sealed that bit then test the body.

But yeah I suspect they may not pass well.

[markmullen]

My 1Ds had rain pouring off it on Saturday evening, no ill_ effects. I've had my 1D Mk2 absolutely soaked on Rally GB and again no problems.

They don't make them like they used to