Environmenal sealing on 7D

Hi guys,

Not so much an UW question, but can anyone who's picked one up yet comment on the enviromental sealing on the Canon 7D? I assume that it's nothing compared to the 1D series, but does it look like it could withstand a little rain/humidity/dampness?

Cheers,

Ryan.

According to the Preview on DPR:

In keeping with its XD designation, the 7D shares the same extensively-sealed magnesium construction as the 5D Mark II. Canon again claims the same degree of moisture and dust resilience as the EOS-1N pro-level film SLR from the 1990s.

I bought the 7D because of the same weather sealing as the 5DmarkII. I have not tested it yet myself, and probably will not soon, but here is a local guy, Shane Hurlbut Visuals (no not valley porn...LOL), that wrote about his abuse on the 5Dm2's. Interesting blogs too for those interested in 5D/7D HD video.

http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/08/26/...s-the-elements/

http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2009/09/30/...s-extreme-heat/

I had an interesting experience with the 7D last week: I had just boarded one of the GWS cage diving boats in Kleinbaai, South Africa, and was standing on deck with my 7D hanging behind me on the strap (the 5D was housed and ready to go). As the boat on its trailer was reversed down the slipway, a load of water tipped off the top deck and directly onto my 7D and lens. I didn't even notice it was happening for a few seconds. I reckon about half a litre of water had been tipped on it. First thing I did was taste the water. Luckily it was fresh- must have been rainwater. I gave the camera and lens a quick swab-down with my t-shirt and it's been fine since (touch wood!). Luckily it was the 17-40 which is also weather sealed.

In fact it had a bit of a hammering in general in SA what with wind-blown sand and salt spray and has come through completely unscathed.

I had an interesting experience with the 7D last week: I had just boarded one of the GWS cage diving boats in Kleinbaai, South Africa, and was standing on deck with my 7D hanging behind me on the strap (the 5D was housed and ready to go). As the boat on its trailer was reversed down the slipway, a load of water tipped off the top deck and directly onto my 7D and lens. I didn't even notice it was happening for a few seconds. I reckon about half a litre of water had been tipped on it. First thing I did was taste the water. Luckily it was fresh- must have been rainwater. I gave the camera and lens a quick swab-down with my t-shirt and it's been fine since (touch wood!). Luckily it was the 17-40 which is also weather sealed.

In fact it had a bit of a hammering in general in SA what with wind-blown sand and salt spray and has come through completely unscathed.

I had a slightly more disconcerting experience with my 7D

I took it out in rain last week under the protection of an umbrella. A heavy downpour forced me to carry it under my slightly damp T-shirt for about 30 minutes but the camera never got wet.

In the car I noticed that the LCD screen (menu button and live mode) and AF was not working. I checked and replaced the battery, removed/replaced the card and placed it infront of a fan for a while. No go.

I was gearing myself up to see how Canon would handle this situation. They don't warranty moisture damage but given that the camera never physically had water on and is supposed to have "environmental seals" I thought that I had a pretty good case.

As a last resort I placed the camera in my kitchen oven overnight (turned off). The next morning everything worked and its been a joy to use ever since...but never again in the rain.

Hi Fergus,

Thanks again for your input. I'm in the market for a normal zoom lens in the 17-60 range and I was only thinking IS options and lens speed among different brands. Your story reminded me again how easily all this consideration of IS and lens speed are secondary in our work environment. I know I will be spending twice the money (maybe not with the current rebates), but be able to relax of those unplanned accidents.

I'm still looking forward to your 7D pics with Canon.

Bo

I had an interesting experience with the 7D last week: I had just boarded one of the GWS cage diving boats in Kleinbaai, South Africa, and was standing on deck with my 7D hanging behind me on the strap (the 5D was housed and ready to go). As the boat on its trailer was reversed down the slipway, a load of water tipped off the top deck and directly onto my 7D and lens. I didn't even notice it was happening for a few seconds. I reckon about half a litre of water had been tipped on it. First thing I did was taste the water. Luckily it was fresh- must have been rainwater. I gave the camera and lens a quick swab-down with my t-shirt and it's been fine since (touch wood!). Luckily it was the 17-40 which is also weather sealed.

In fact it had a bit of a hammering in general in SA what with wind-blown sand and salt spray and has come through completely unscathed.

I had a slightly more disconcerting experience with my 7D

I took it out in rain last week under the protection of an umbrella. A heavy downpour forced me to carry it under my slightly damp T-shirt for about 30 minutes but the camera never got wet.

In the car I noticed that the LCD screen (menu button and live mode) and AF was not working. I checked and replaced the battery, removed/replaced the card and placed it infront of a fan for a while. No go.

I was gearing myself up to see how Canon would handle this situation. They don't warranty moisture damage but given that the camera never physically had water on and is supposed to have "environmental seals" I thought that I had a pretty good case.

As a last resort I placed the camera in my kitchen oven overnight (turned off). The next morning everything worked and its been a joy to use ever since...but never again in the rain.

This story seals my decision to get a matching environmentally-sealed lens next.

If this had happened to me I would have removed the power source (batteries) immediately, inspected for any visible moisture presence and it's location to electronic parts, done a general wipe down and put it in a sealed bag with a large silica bag overnight, before trying to re-power it. I would have had nightmares of a family member accidentally making breakfast using the oven...LOL.

Bo

Another awsome report on the weather sealing on the 7D, ofcourse only valid with L lenses. Must be nice to be able to affort to "weather test" like this.

http://canonfieldreviews.com/7d-1-weather-sealing/

Bo

Just a little note sealing and getting your gear wet: In my experience, from shooting a lot "un-housed" on the ocean (regattas and other boating, various water sports, beach it is unusually not possible to tell if you have damaged your gear immediately after taking a "bath". You might be lulled to thinking all is well when the gear works the next day or the next week. You might still have corrosion building and you might not experience problems until a good while later when enough corrosion has had time to be built up.