As London has finally started to liveup to its reputation as a city happiest underwater (ie its raining constantly), does anyone have any recomendations for water or at least rainproof hoods/housings.
I see there are a couple of companies that make them for our beloved camera and I have used things made by Porta Brace before that have been dependable, but does anyone have any hands on experience?
Thanks, as all ways.
John

Since I live in an area that is your weather opposite I've never shot my HVX in the rain (rain - that's where water comes down from above, right? - laughs) however I did test drive a Porta-Brace bag for a potentially dusty situation and liked the access panels and general fit around the HVX frame. I've heard Kata makes a good one but my money would be with PB.

does anyone have any recomendations for water or at least rainproof hoods/housings.

This may not be exactly what you want to hear, but there are 3 things that really work in concert with each other (assuming you have a daylight filter screwed in to protect your lens, plus a lenspen to cure smears on it):

- Cling film

- Carrier bags

- Gaffer tape

It's the cling-film that really gets the biscuit. Good for sandy environments too.

Wrapping your beloved in carrier bags and then gaffering it to fit will ensure a snugger fit than commercial offerings (oh thank goodness I didn't actually pay real money for my Z1's cordura showercap).

I had a Petrol cover over my HVX when I was in a downpour. Stayed absolutely dry. Easy to put on, and it allows good access to controls.

You also have a choice of making it into a very snug protective cover or something that's looser yet provides enough protection from the rain.

Ditto on the Petrol; forgot I test drove one of those too, liked it a lot. Between PB and Petrol I'd say it's a toss up - whichever fits your needs, or budget, better.

Thanks for al of that,
you are as ever, invaluable.
John

I use hefty bags and gaffer's tape alot...covers lots of liquids...including fake blood on my last shoot. Spraying right at the camera to get a cool POV shot (UV filter on lens to protect.

Yes, that's the other reason that I want to get one. A DoP that I often work was involved in a shot where fake blood was sprayed right at my camera, WITHOUT ANY SORT OF PROTECTION. He was lucky that I only found out several days after the shoot, when I had already spent some days shooting with my camera without noticing anything amis.