HOW TO photograph in the rain | Protecting your gear with a rain cover

[@peterbarby9251]

I really enjoy your downbeat style. No shouting, "look at me, look at me!" Just informative, well presented content. And excellent images. Keep up the good work, Simon.

[@SimonWantling]

Thank you Peter. 👍

[@GeoffCooper]

Good stuff Simon :) Yeah, living in Scotland I find the rain covers absolutely essential because if I didn't keep going when it rained I'd never get out! I like the look of that end cover - mine hasn't got that and I might have to try and get one... An incredibly useful thing I've found to use in combination with the covers is re-usable silica gel pads - they're great for pulling any moisture out of kit when it's been out in the rain, because even with the best covers a little water is always going to get in!

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Geoff.

[@ryanackland9330]

I love the lenscoat equipment. I purchased a raincoat from them 2 years ago before I went to Alaska, and I'm glad I did. Saved my equipment multiple time from heavy downpours. I love photographing in the rain more than in the dry times. I hope you have a great time in Scotland, hope we get to see some of you photos which I'm sure will be incredible as always.

[@SimonWantling]

Your right about photographing in the rain, I'm also a fan.

[@richardbedford6166]

Good work and very helpful.

[@TheEastbelfast]

For convenience I carry a large green plastic bin bag with a few rubber bands Works a treat, 500mm f4 mk ii 😎

[@anison1111]

Exactly what i needed - great demo Simon - keep it up, stay safe and god bless

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks very much. All the best.

[@edwardcrawford4180]

Nice demonstration, thanks.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Edward.

[@EssexCountyPhoto]

Nice video, beautiful scenery. I've just found a second-hand Raincoat 2 Pro for my Tamron 150-600mm, it's got the second sleeve on the left, very handy for changing the zoom. Great piece of kit. Keep up the good work.

[@tonyhales-BigT]

I have 2 versions, the full body one like yours and one for just the lens for when I am in a hide and the main body is protected. Awesome bits of kits and neither have ever failed me in three years. Expensive but you get what you pay for in my humble opinion. Great vlog Simon, thanks for sharing.

[@SimonWantling]

Cheers Tony. 👍

[@AndrewJulianPhotography]

Looks really nice! I’ll have to look into getting one

[@mrnice6598]

Fantastic thank you for sharing

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Dave. All the best..

[@stevecolwill9761]

I always enjoy your videos Simon, quality is always better than quantity! I have a similar lens cover on my 600: the All Seasons cover by Wildlife Watching Supplies. It has a fleece lining that keeps my hands warm in the winter 😉

[@thebmxer321]

Another great video. Very informative. These lens covers are always something that I had been curious about I have a basic one. It works but is quite cumbersome 😄 Thanks for sharing 👍

[@SimonWantling]

No problem Chris and thanks for the comment 👍

[@bebala7848]

I also use lenscoat, good choice.

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

Excellent

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Jesse...

[@CamillaI]

Very important to get about in the rain or to avoid being caught out here in the UK. Looks a quality product! I believe Outdoor photography gear ltd do a cheaper one! Worth a look as an alternative maybe

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks for sharing.👍

[@oggg4604]

Just started taking photography more seriously! I have been out every morning recently in south coats uk ! I would love to come to Scotland in 2022 ! Would be amazing to actually go out with a pro :) thanks for you’re videos ! Good luck and keep it up. 💙

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks very much, I really pleased you like them. Not recorded one in a while now but have a few in the pipeline. Thanks again

[@oggg4604]

@@SimonWantling I’ve had a few kingfisher videos and photos in my first week ! Was beautiful 😍 I hope you’re next project is as amazing as the rest ! Appreciate you’re content !

Nice shots. Greetings from Italy :)

[@harrisonhallphotography]

Definitely will invest in one once I get my 500mm f4 prime lens

[@SimonWantling]

Nice one..

[@doriangray8007]

Do you think this would be helpful to protect while putting on teleconverters? Maybe even in dusty conditions like Africa? Thanks for sharing and wonderful info and video.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks a lot. Yes I use it all the time that way. The cover comes way past the end of the lens so it is quite easy to connect an extender.

[@johnmunro5983]

Enjoy your stay in Scotland

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks John. Been back a week unfortunately but have got to go back soon. Such a great place..

[@richardpill8322]

Hi Simon, I think you have the two middle Velcro straps incorrect at 5.30 as they are supposed to go through the plastic pieces first and then fold back on themselves, otherwise you create a cavity where rain can sit. Hope that makes sense? All the best, Rich.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Rich. I'll take a look at that when I get home. Thanks

[@AndyGustavsson]

Great walkthrough, Simon! I do also struggle a bit with finding time to make youtube videos and way too often I set up to record and nothing shows up.. Haha Love seeing you channel grow, close to 5k now!

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Andy. I know what you mean on the vlogs. Wildlife photography is so unpredictable that it can be hard to pull a vlog together. Nobody wants to see someone just sitting there 😃

[@AndyGustavsson]

​@@SimonWantling you could always make an very exciting video to build the suspence through out the video, only to say - "Well, nothing showed up but that´s the life of a wildlife photographer!" :)

[@SimonWantling]

Have a few of those from Scotland 😉 might release one.

[@nasinecs8390]

thx for good video. May I ask you why you have second cover on your lens and camera? Is the first layer not water proof?

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks for the comments. The first layer is just a neoprene cover by lens coat to protect the lens from knocks and bumps, the second layer I used was a proper water proof cover which goes on when it's raining. Thanks

[@KGsPhotography]

Thanks Simon it is another thing on my wish list. One question what is the video head you are using? Cheers Keith

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks. It's the Manfrotto 502 pro fluid video head.

[@KGsPhotography]

@@SimonWantling thanks Simon, just wanted to confirm as I have been looking to purchase one.

[@robinbarnes3050]

Hi Simon. Love your videos, great info and inspiration. The lens cover in this video I presume only works for prime lenses. How would I operate a telephoto?

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Robin. I know they do other versions as I know people that use them on the 100-400mm lens. There are of course other brands which have been mentioned in the comments so lots of options out there.👍

[@shanestewart4905]

The way the velcro straps on the mid part of the lens work surely leave a "pocket" that rain will collect in? Ed: Just read richardpill's comment below. That'll teach me to go off half cocked.

[@jamiebarrera6153]

👍

[@JoaoRodrigues_photo]

hey Simon! As we know, the Canon 600mm f4 and your 1DX are weatherproof. Why dont you rely on that? Thanks :)

[@SimonWantling]

Hey Joao, thanks for the message. Yes, your right the lens and camera body are weather proof or at least weather sealed but I personally wouldn't like it out uncovered in heavy rain. The sake of £100 I'd prefer to not take the risk in damaging a valuable lens which I'd struggle to replace in terms of available funds. Cheers and hope you're ok. 👍

[@hedgehog3900]

"Revealing an unprotected lens......." I bet you wear midge repellent anywhere north of Watford. Joking, a nice review. Thank you.

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

Works for prime lens, not external zoom lens.

[@rogermullins7877]

I have the same cover Simon, along with other Lenscoat products. Having spent a good amount of money on camera/lens gear, It seems silly not to do the best you can to protect it. No doubt you can buy cheaper but considering the risks, is it worth the small savings you may make?

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks, they are quality products and I really like the camouflage patterns but I'm sure they aren't everyone's cup of tea. Money well spent like you say.. all the best.

[@raidingtombs]

I struggle with how to zoom when using a cover. Tips?

[@SimonWantling]

Hi, I don't use these covers in zooms myself. Mine are all in prime lenses so don't have that issue. Maybe they do one specific for zooms

[@Methodical2]

I like Lenscoat products and that looks to be a nice product but not for me; too much work for me to install and remove. It's too bulky and would get in my of shooting. I like my gear to be covered like me when dressing for the cold...small thin layers and not bulky stuff. I know it's "added" protection but I've shot (started raining while shooting) in the rain with the 1D cameras and both the 500 and 600 lens and never had any water issues. Basically, I have no fear of the rain with the professional stuff. If it starts raining while out shooting I just keep chugging along while others run for cover because I know the gear can handle it.👍

[@paulmiller7624]

Are you still taking your videos and photos as I've not seen you on line for ages now I hope you are still OK

[@SimonWantling]

Hi Paul, thanks for your message. Yes I'm just starting to get back out again. Stepped back from it for a while for many reasons, but now back out, planning workshops and capturing images. Working on a couple of vlogs as we speak and traveling soon which I also hope to record. Thanks for equiring.

[@nopriors]

In 2015 I purchased the LensCoat Raincoat Standard . Basically I used it a couple times a year and kept it clean and in a safe with my other gear. Last week my family had our annual beach week and I always covered my D810 -300mm VR to keep wind and salt air off. The tapes and the adhesive on the inside of the cover have completely dried up and crumbled. I spent an hour drying to get all of that crap out of every nook and cranny of my 810 and lens. This thing worked well but now it is a useless piece of crap. This is not a long lasting product. They claim it is made in the USA and if it is they should be ashamed

[@williammcgillivray6017]

You do need to take care of the camera and lens as the is so unpredictable