Leica M's in Bad Weather? [Archive]

tssmith

09-26-2007, 17:42

I am a brand new owner of a Leica MP (lucky me!). My first Leica since the M2 that I had when I was (much) younger.

I'll be using the camera--it won't sit on a shelf thinking that it'll appreciate in value. With winter approaching, my question is this: what do M users think about the weather capabilities of these models? Should they be protected from rain and snow, or can they get wet and be dried out. How well-sealed is the body? Perhaps the MP might differ from the M6/M7 in this regard, being minimally electronic.

I'll be using the MP mostly with two lenses: a Zeiss 21mm ZM (with Zeiss viewfinder) and the Summicron 35mm.

Thanks for any comments or experiences.

BillBlackwell

09-26-2007, 18:08

A few water droplets in rainy weather will do them no harm. But in a deluge, I would recommend covering it up. Leica M cameras are not sealed in any way from moisture of any kind (or hold any claim of even being water “resistant”).

peter_n

09-27-2007, 03:17

What Bill said. A light shower or occasional rain or snow and you are OK. But the cameras are not sealed or weatherproof. Wipe off body & lens as soon as you can after precipitation.

Dralowid

09-27-2007, 03:34

I use a M6TTL in small boats around on our coast. I take a polybag with me at all times. UV filter is also a good idea.

I have been known to put a little grease on the body/lens flange to sort of 'seal' it but not sure if this makes much difference.

If the weather is nasty I try and avoid changing lenses in the open.

If the camera gets wet I try and leave it somewhere warm overnight (airing cupboard with the bottom removed and the battery out).

Somehow seems easier to wipe the salt off when dry rather than wet.

At least five years of this treatment and no problem so far though I am on my second UV filter and I have proved that diopter lenses do not float.

Michael

John Elder

09-27-2007, 13:28

I think the camera is tougher than people are giving it credit for. In 1996 I shot my M6 in pouring rain for about 6 hours. I was shooting Day Without Art in philly. There were a bunch of photographers shooting auto focus and other electronic cameras. A friend of mine was also shooting an M6. At the end of the day, the ONLY cameras still functioning were the leica M bodies. My M6 was fine, although at the end of the 6 hour the finder was the slightest bit foggy. No harm to the camera. The only way it could have gotten more wet would have been for me to drop it in a tub of water. The next cla of that M6 was by Dag in 2006.

Ken Ford

09-27-2007, 20:00

I never hesitate to take my M3 or M6 out to play in the snow!

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Cars_of_the_Century.jpg
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Snow_Day.jpg

maddoc

09-27-2007, 20:23

Ken Ford

09-28-2007, 05:53

Thanks! That's the roll that sold me on UC400, but I'm having a heck of a time finding more locally.

I actually prefer the first pic - I enjoy "hand tinting".

thafred

09-28-2007, 06:20

I love taking the M6 out in the Rain! previously I allways took the BessaR with me but after half an hour the FV was clouded and I couldn´t see any more! Never happened with my M6, when I made those pictures it was pouring down and I was soaking wet allready as was the camera but anyways it held up very very well. no humidity in the FV and the film compartment was dry as the desert when I came home.
My advice: take the MP everywhere! how would you suppose to make those sexy brassing marks if you don´t ? ;-)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/247/520627571_2d7c4603d3.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/520545257_0878a65e5d.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1376/590581851_c3e9c20102.jpg

RichardB

09-28-2007, 12:34

Only cameras specifically labeled for 'Underwater' photography will be impervious to moisture. Other cameras will vary in thier ability to withstand moisture. The camera may not fail when intially used in a rainy/snowy environment but down the road it will eventually be affected. Water is very intrusive and corrosive.
I always have a supply of zip lock bags with me to insert my cameras into. My Leica large bag is the new model with a rain proof liner. I never expose any camera to moisture if it can at all be avoided unless the camera is specifically designed for that purpose. -Dick

John Elder

09-28-2007, 13:36

As far as that goes, nothing lasts forever.

pingle

09-28-2007, 13:50

I never take my M out in bad weather. And after seeing what film can do to a pressure plate...

http://www.cameraquest.com/jpg6/M4_Winograd_7.jpg

... I don't put any film in it, either. It's just not worth it.

LazyHammock

09-28-2007, 14:17

I've used my M3 a number of times in the rain - just make sure I dry it off afterwards.
Nick

Gabriel M.A.

09-28-2007, 14:31

Leica M in Bad Weather?
Yes. Indeed.

peter_n

09-28-2007, 14:35

Gabriel M.A.

09-28-2007, 14:36

Ouch. You sure you weren't near Los Alamos, pingle?

Turtle

09-30-2007, 09:17

I find moving the Leica outside terribly awkward in bad weather because gripping the glass display cabinet is rather tricky.

Seriously, I do not hesitate. -15 degs C is no prob either. If it was absolutely torrential I might think twice, but for normal rain, fine. Mines an MP.

gberger

09-30-2007, 21:10

If I have to shoot in the rain or snow, I put the camera into a ZipLock plastic bag with a cut for the front of the lens to peek through. I put a rubber band over the opening to seal the camera and the lens proper from moisture . I can still work the camera through the large plastic bag. Don't like it; however, in a pinch, it works. The problem is to keep the exposed lens surface free of rain or snow. Can't winn 'em all.

varjag

10-01-2007, 00:59

Haven't tried it yet, but wrapping a camera in food film (thin stretching plastic that they sell in rolls at groceries), and pulling through relevant moving parts might help. That said, I live in a town when it rains most of the time, and never had problems so far with unprotected m4.

Michael I.

10-01-2007, 01:07

I have a leica m3 and summaron with goggles,I am hesitant to use it in serious rain cause I am afraid the goggles\finder(?) will fog.I have a canon 7+35/2.8 for that(DIDNT TRY IT YET). I used a nikon fm2n with no problem.

RdEoSg

10-03-2007, 04:22

I just had one day in London on Monday. Naturally it rained the whole day. I didn't hesitate. Finding a dry spot to change film was a challenge but otherwise the most annoying thing for me was that I was constantly wiping the filter with a lens cloth because of all the water drops on it. Seemed like every shot I had to take one, then clean, take one, then clean! Camera worked fine though. I had my Canon 5D with the 16-35L as well and it worked well also. I knew it would work though as I have used it in rain and snow before. I wasn't sure about the Leica but as I was in London an extra day just for photography, I wasn't going to go home empty handed!!!