Posted by Elliott Neep on August 6, 2008 at 11:44 AM
I need to weather proof a Canon 550EX flashgun. Just wondered if anyone has tried this or had any experience of weatherproofing. Are there any ready made solutions out there I may have missed? Are there any waterproof flashguns?
I have tried sealable plastic bags, but they fog up with the heat generated by the batteries and bulb. I am using them wireless so the sensor on the front needs to be clear and unobscured.
Are you mounting them on tripods when working wireless? It's easy to clamp a small umbrella to the tripod as a rain shelter---- provided there's no wind of course.
I regularly "build" covers for our flash when using them on-camera. Pull a ziploc onto the flash, then secure with a rubber band right at the flash head. Use a pocket knife to cut a flap free in front of the light, then fold that up as a hood over the light. You can do the same with a rubber band at the sensors, though in my experience it works best to put the rubber band above sensor, cut your flap, then move the rubber band just below the flap to help hold the bag in place while helping prop up the flap. You could do the same off-camera. It's not elegant, but it works. You can also rig impromptu camera covers with bags and bands.
I've got a supply (actually a box) of these custom rain covers along with a handful of rubber bands stashed in each of our camera bags and rolling cases. We live and work in a wet climate. Though outdoor events move indoors when the rain gets bad, they often procede apace in drizzle. Not an issue for rain conditioned people, but a sincere problem for camera gear.
Posted by Elliott Neep on August 6, 2008 at 12:23 PM
The flashguns are strapped to a tree in tropical or temperate forests - I don't think an umbrella will last very long with the local wildlife I will have a go as you have suggested and add packs of silica gel to help prevent steaming up. The trouble is, the solution needs to last longer than the odd shower. It will be in situ for a week or more. Thanks fo the tip!
It would be interesting to see if, with vents cut over the flash head and the sensor, the silica packs would be necessary.
Interesting challenge, and thanks for stimulating the creative side of my mind.
Posted by Kent Staubus on August 6, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Two weeks ago I stuck an SB-28 plus Skyport trigger in a ziploc plastic bag and dropped it on the bottom of a tide pool. I used it to light the tide pool for some kind of cool shots. For you, consider making a bag out of GoreTex maybe, and making a clear plastic window for the flash. Silica gel packets inside could help. Alternately, place flash in plastic bag, cut a close fitting window out, use waterproof tape to seal it, and place some sort of gutter or water deflector around the protruding flash head.
Kent in SD
Posted by Elliott Neep on August 7, 2008 at 6:44 AM
Cheers for the ideas. I've purchased a sheet of neoprene and going to try and make a cover with plastic windows for controls and sensor. The flash will have a stofen over the end so there is no real concern about getting water in there. Am still looking over the web, but there doesn't appear to be any thing ready-to-go.
Posted by Alan Bryant on August 7, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Elliott something like this would be ideal, but check out the price
Posted by Elliott Neep on August 7, 2008 at 8:57 AM
Hi Alan. Almost perfect... apart from the price! I need 5 or more... looks like I am hitting the drawing board!
Posted by David Bostedo on August 7, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Here's an article on a DIY waterproof housing. In this case, it's pocket wizarded so it didn't need to be clear, but you might be able to do something similar and window it for infrared or master-slave control.
Posted by Kent Staubus on August 7, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Something like that would work, but the problem you would keep running into is the humidity inside the sealed enclosure. If you could fill it with relatively dry air and immediately seal it that might prevent the fogging. One way to do that would be to go into a walk in meat freezer, load the flash/trigger, and seal it with the dry cold air inside. Doubtful there's a freezer like that around though. A walk in cooler might also work. Another thought would be to use hot air from a blow drier.
Kent in SD
Posted by Elliott Neep on August 7, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Hi David. Thanks for that link. I've sent an email to original designer. The specs look really good and easy to build. Kent, if I chuck a couple of silica bags in there, that should soak up and moisture... shouldn't it? Don't really have access to a walk in freezer, although I like your train of thought.
Just had a light-bulb moment. I wonder if something like this would do the job:
It is ready-made, airtight, transparent, and only costs £2! The end cap is frosted so may even act like a diffuser. Will by one and give it a try. I think the clear plastic should present no barrier to the IR trigger as well. Should be easy to strap to a tree too. Thanks for all the input guys!
Posted by Kent Staubus on August 7, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Another thing I've used in the past to put in sealed packets to absorb moisture is grains of rice. I dried them out in an oven at low temp, then stick them into the bag/bottle/whatever I want to keep the insides dry. Rice absorbs a lot of moisture and you can readily see when it's time to change it.
Discussion
11 repliesI have tried sealable plastic bags, but they fog up with the heat generated by the batteries and bulb. I am using them wireless so the sensor on the front needs to be clear and unobscured.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated
I regularly "build" covers for our flash when using them on-camera. Pull a ziploc onto the flash, then secure with a rubber band right at the flash head. Use a pocket knife to cut a flap free in front of the light, then fold that up as a hood over the light. You can do the same with a rubber band at the sensors, though in my experience it works best to put the rubber band above sensor, cut your flap, then move the rubber band just below the flap to help hold the bag in place while helping prop up the flap. You could do the same off-camera. It's not elegant, but it works. You can also rig impromptu camera covers with bags and bands.
I've got a supply (actually a box) of these custom rain covers along with a handful of rubber bands stashed in each of our camera bags and rolling cases. We live and work in a wet climate. Though outdoor events move indoors when the rain gets bad, they often procede apace in drizzle. Not an issue for rain conditioned people, but a sincere problem for camera gear.
It would be interesting to see if, with vents cut over the flash head and the sensor, the silica packs would be necessary.
Interesting challenge, and thanks for stimulating the creative side of my mind.
Kent in SD
http://www.aquatech.com.au/p--76--ds-8cflashhousing--61.aspx
Kent in SD
Just had a light-bulb moment. I wonder if something like this would do the job:
http://www.locknlock.com.au/lock/product/product_detail.php?id=160
It is ready-made, airtight, transparent, and only costs £2! The end cap is frosted so may even act like a diffuser. Will by one and give it a try. I think the clear plastic should present no barrier to the IR trigger as well. Should be easy to strap to a tree too. Thanks for all the input guys!
Kent in SD