Water/rain proof hood at DVinfo.net

John Jencks · November 17th, 2006, 11:00 AM

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

Robert Lane · November 17th, 2006, 11:56 AM

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.

Matt Davis · November 17th, 2006, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Jencks

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).

Dean Sensui · November 17th, 2006, 10:25 PM

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.

Robert Lane · November 18th, 2006, 12:29 PM

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.

John Jencks · November 18th, 2006, 03:05 PM

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

Cole McDonald · November 18th, 2006, 06:04 PM

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.

John Jencks · November 19th, 2006, 02:15 PM

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.

November 17th, 2006, 11:00 AM	#1
John Jencks Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 43	Water/rain proof hood 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 __________________ If any one knows a good on-line ordering facility for dunces caps; I'll take 20.

November 17th, 2006, 10:25 PM	#4
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	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. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

November 18th, 2006, 03:05 PM	#6
John Jencks Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 43	Thanks for al of that, you are as ever, invaluable. John __________________ If any one knows a good on-line ordering facility for dunces caps; I'll take 20.

November 18th, 2006, 06:04 PM	#7
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,675	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. __________________ Web Youtube Facebook

November 19th, 2006, 02:15 PM	#8
John Jencks Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 43	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. __________________ If any one knows a good on-line ordering facility for dunces caps; I'll take 20.

November 17th, 2006, 11:56 AM	#2
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,825 Images: 15	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.

November 18th, 2006, 12:29 PM	#5
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,825 Images: 15	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.