7D Weather Sealing

[tmorterlaing]

OK, so there seems to be a bit of debate about this. Yes theyre weather sealed, and not even the 1D's claim to be water proof or anything. There was also this (before someone else jumps to it): http://canonfieldreviews.com/7d-1-weather-sealing/
And the diagram here:
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos7d/page4.asp

What I'm trying to do is get to the bottom of how weather proof a 7D really is. Of COURSE im not going to purposefully take it into torrential storms, I wouldn't even do that with a 1D tbh. Also they're supposedly better than the weather resistance of a 5D mk2, which probably bodes well, given the 5D is meant to ruler higher on the 'professional camera' scale.

So just wondering, anyone with first hand experience? And/ or can anyone help me reach a definitive verdict about the sealing of this camera? Please ppl dont just recommend not taking it into the rain like everyone seems to do on the other forums, of COURSE we don't want to get a $£1K camera wet! Neither do we want to get drenched ourselves I imagine! Im talking about how confident we can be if it DOES come down to it in on of those last resort situations :D

[Steve Paxton]

Having owned quite a few Canon DSLR cameras made with magnesium construction, I am pretty familiar with the overall build quality. I consider the build of most of their mid-range to high-end cameras to be superb. The magnesium construction and weather sealing is really what separates the Canon Rebel line of cameras with everything above it. A camera will never be waterproof so the best you can hope for is that it will keep the water out in moderate to heavy rain and snow.

As part of this discussion, I think it's worth talking about how a camera is going to end up getting treated by the end user. If you are using someone else's equipment, then I suppose most people wouldn't object to taking the camera out into extreme environments (much like when you are driving a rental car) with little regard. I have spoken to a few of the local newspaper photographers in my area and looked at their equipment. They check their cameras and lenses out before heading out to cover a story. The equipment looks totally trashed. It makes me cringe!

I would never deliberately bang or drop any of my cameras. I would also never deliberately get them wet. I carry a large, heavy duty zip-lock bag with a hole cut out at the end (for the lens). I always slip this on the camera I am using if it's going to be exposed to moisture for more than a few minutes. (A zip-lock back might sound cheesy, but it works very well and it folds up and stores much better than an expensive, commercial product that does the same thing.)

I have never completely submerged any of my cameras, but they have all been wet in one way or another multiple times. The most common issue that comes up (for me) is when a light rain storm rolls through during an environmental portrait session. I never had any issues with the exterior of my cameras getting moderately wet. Of course, I never change lenses or expose the sensor if I have a wet camera.

I think the bottom line is to remember that a modern day DSLR (whether a low end Canon Rebel or a high end 1D) is filled with sophisticated electronics. Most of the electronics are exposed to the outside world the second you take the lens off. I think you have to treat you cameras carefully - irregardless of whether it's raining or not.

Finally, I have never submerged my 7D or even had it substantially wet, but I will say that the build quality is superb. It's an amazing camera for the price.

[Michael]

I try to treat my gear nicely, but it often gets pretty beat up. My 7D has been dropped on concrete, banged against other cameras, and been caught in the rain without suffering ill effects. I shoot a lot of sports, and have repeatedly shot rainy games with my 7D. I try to use a lens and camera cover when I can (a waterproof black laundry bag from an army/navy store works great if you don't want a zip lock bag), but when its not available, I'm not concerned. I wouldn't submerge it, but I wouldn't worry about anything short of that.

More on the 7D weather sealing: http://canonfieldreviews.com/7d-1-weather-sealing/