Best Weatherproof DSLR ?

[Barney]

Hi all ,
After spending most of yesterday searching the net and making my head hurt , I thought I would ask the forum "which is the best weatherproof DSLR?" [and weatherproof lenses].

Primary use will be travel/fishing/bird photography.

I prefer a 'larger' camera body as I have big hands.

I like the look , price and reviews of the Pentax K3ii and DA 16-50mm F2.8 lens.

What I'm looking for is a quality weatherproof DSLR , with a quality small weatherproof zoom to match [ 18-55 , 18-85 , 16-55 size etc etc] , and a bigger zoom around 100-400mm , 150-500mm or 150-600mm , also preferably weatherproof , for bird photography.

I saw that both the Sigma 150-600 and Tamron 150-600 'sport' lenses are NOT available in Pentax K mount [sad face].
My budget for the bigger zoom lens is $1k-$2k.

I would welcome any other suggestions/recommendations. Any make/brand of camera.

I don't mind paying a little extra to buy in Australia.

Thanks in advance for any advice ,

Barney.

[ameerat42]

Barney. That is weird news that the Σ and Tamron lenses do not come in a Pentax K mount. I checked it for the Σ and it is, sadly, true.

[ricktas]

buy any DSLR and then get an underwater housing for it. It will be as waterproof as they come

[Barney]

Thanks Rick , but I'm not sure if I could get a housing to fit a 150-600 zoom for bird photography :)

Just looking for a good weather resistant DSLR with a good lens range. So far narrowed it down to Pentax , Nikon , and Canon.

Any other thoughts/recommendations are very welcome.

Barney

[ameerat42]

Actually, I did a search using your thread title without "best".
You might want to read this article
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/3864522077/survival-of-the-fittest-weatherproof-splashproof-waterproof-et-al

Also, the Pentax K7 came up in the search.

[Boo53]

Thanks Rick , but I'm not sure if I could get a housing to fit a 150-600 zoom for bird photography :)

Just looking for a good weather resistant DSLR with a good lens range. So far narrowed it down to Pentax , Nikon , and Canon.

Any other thoughts/recommendations are very welcome.

Barney

I use one of my older (Sony A65) bodies with a sigma 120-400 lens in my kayak, all kept in a dry bag until I need it

[ricktas]

If an underwater housing is not going to work, you can also get a rain coat, for your camera and gear. things like this : http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod12868.htm

Just google 'camera rain cover'

[Brian500au]

If you are after a weather proof body (as compared to a waterproof body) you really cannot fault the "1" series bodies from Canon. They are not only weather proof but they are equally bullet proof. I have also heard the 7DII body in the canon range is also weather proof.

Most "L" lenses when coupled to the "1" series bodies are also equally weatherproof (especially in the large telephoto range of lenses).

Bear in mind you will pay for the privilege of using a "1" series body but if you need a body that can be used in almost any conditions then they are worth every cent. if you are in particular need of a birding body then I would look at the 1DIV which can be picked up used at quite an attractive price now. This can be coupled with the 150-600 sigma sports range and you have an excellent weatherproof birding set up.

[swifty]

You could take a look at the newly announced D500. As the new cropped sensor flagship for Nikon, the weather sealing is expected to be quite good but you'll need to wait a bit for user verification when it actually arrives in store. Good news is almost all (if not all) third party lenses will be available in Nikon and Canon mount.

Although not DSLRs, Olympus high end OMD series are well sealed as well as their PRO series lenses. But focus performance may not be up to your requirements.

[Barney]

Thanks Brian and Swifty for the info.

After 'researching' the whole 'weather sealed DSLR' and lenses thing , I have decided to go with a Canon 7D ii and a wide zoom L series lens.

This has increased my budget a bit , [compared to a Pentax K3ii + 16-50/2.8 ] , but it is very difficult to find a big affordable zoom for the Pentax [the Pentax 150-450 is $2700 !!] , and Sigma 120-400 are almost impossible to find now , whereas there are all manner of big zooms for $1k-$2k that fit the Canon.

Neither the Pentax K3ii or Canon 7Dii have a popup flash , so I will get a small/low profile flash for the Canon for 'fill flash' for fishing/general photography.

Thanks again for all the advice,
Barney.

[Kym]

:plogo: K3 ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0nFu3dm-Gc

[Kym]

K7 and K5 in Afghanistan (dust)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo61t5fH6Qw

[olympuse620]

Have seen an olympus left out in the snow overnight then still function

[tduell]

I saw that both the Sigma 150-600 and Tamron 150-600 'sport' lenses are NOT available in Pentax K mount [sad face].
My budget for the bigger zoom lens is $1k-$2k.


I reckon the Pentax would suit you down to the ground, and you can find a new K-mount Sigma 50-500 for $1499 on the dcxpert website, and they are very good to deal with.

Cheers,
Terry