Economical DSLR for high humidity environment?

Eric Edwards wrote:
> Any suggestions for a sub $1000 DSLR that might survive well in rain forest
> conditions?
>
> When I went to Borneo in 2003, I brought a Maxxum 5 (low end film SLR).
> It did not fare well. Major corrosion problems despite never being
> immersed or directly rained on. It's dead now.
>
> I am now headed for the Amazon and making the jump to digital. I'd like
> to get a camera that will hold together and not break the bank. Any
> suggestions? I've noticed that reviews seldom mention weather
> tolerance or even if the camera has any seals.
>
> --
> Photos and travelogues from Africa and Southeast Asia: http://www.exile.org

There are 3 weather sealed cameras without going into pro gear. The
Pentax K10D, Olympus E1, or the Nikon D200. Olympus and Nikon have
weather sealed lenses too, but they will cost as much or more than the
body. You can go with kit lenses, or inexpensive lenses and replace
them when you get back. The Olympus is a nicely build camera but
doesn't have the image quality of the other 2 , 5mp vs 10 mp, but can
be found for $600-$700. The high quality Olympus lenses are very
expensive too (not that Nikon and Pentax aren't).

Tom

tomm42 wrote:
The Olympus is a nicely build camera but
> doesn't have the image quality of the other 2 , 5mp vs 10 mp, but can
> be found for $600-$700. The high quality Olympus lenses are very
> expensive too (not that Nikon and Pentax aren't).
>
> Tom
>

Even at 5mp the image quality of the E-1 is outstanding. There is too
much hype about MPs. Unless you are making 20"X30" prints 5mp is more
than adequate for most needs. If you are a brave soul you might be able
to buy a fully weather-sealed camera, the E-1+14-54 through Cameta or
Henry's on Ebay.

Ron

--
And it really doesn't matter if
I'm wrong I'm right
Where I belong I'm right
Where I belong.

Lennon & McCartney

Eric Edwards wrote:
> Any suggestions for a sub $1000 DSLR that might survive well in rain forest
> conditions?

There is only one that will do the job. Olympus's E-1. It's body can
be had for about
$500-$600 refurbed with a pro sealed 14-54mm lens at around $400 if you
look around.
The Pentax K10D (the only sealed entry camera) is $900 for the body.
Everything else (Nikon D200, etc) is way above your budget.

C J Campbell wrote:
> On Fri, 5 Jan 2007 19:03:18 -0800, Eric Edwards wrote
> (in article <enn3hm$5hg$1@spica.exile.org>):
>
> > Any suggestions for a sub $1000 DSLR that might survive well in rain forest
> > conditions?
> >
> > When I went to Borneo in 2003, I brought a Maxxum 5 (low end film SLR).
> > It did not fare well. Major corrosion problems despite never being
> > immersed or directly rained on. It's dead now.
>
> My Nikon D70 held up very well in the Philippines for 18 months, despite
> terrible mistreatment. I had it out in typhoons, salt spray and blowing sand
> on jetties and boats, and dropped it several times. I even changed lenses
> during typhoons, using only a palm tree and wide-brimmed Tilley hat for
> cover. (Those Tilley hats are really something.) It has a few nicks and
> scratches, but I still use it today. All of this despite the fact that the
> camera is not weather sealed. Neither was the hat, which I also still use.

Canon's Rebel XT didn't fare that well. I've read reports about
humidity playing havoc with it's internals. Nikon must make more
"closed" bodies.

On Sat, 06 Jan 2007 13:39:14 GMT, Freedom55 <@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:
>Have you considered the Olympus E-1? It is a pro camera, admittedly a
>little old by today's DSLR standards (at 5.5mp) but a very capable
>camera nonetheless. It is weather sealed and for under $1000 you could
>probably pick up a weather sealed lens with it (the versatile 14-54
>equivalent to 28-108 on a 35mm). It is quite robust, a joy to use,

How much is the weather sealing compromised if the lens is not weather
sealed? The 15-54 is, unfortunately, much too short for wildlife
photography. I used a 420mm equivalent in Borneo and it was just
adequate.

I'm thinking a Nikon may be my best bet. I'm only going to be in
Amazonia for a few days. I'm highly encouraged that a D70 could survive
wet weather abuse in the Philippines. I have always suspected that the
chief problem with my Maxxum 5 was simply poor construction. The Tamron
auto-focus lenses survive OK.

--
Photos and travelogues from Africa and Southeast Asia: http://www.exile.org

Now this is not Olympus, but Pentax has said they have never seen any camera
body water damage from a non-sealed lens. So I guess this mean while
technically possible it isn't likely. Now what happens to the lens is
another mater.

ljc


"Eric Edwards" <ese002@news9.exile.org> wrote in message
news:env1s9$32t$1@spica.exile.org...
> On Sat, 06 Jan 2007 13:39:14 GMT, Freedom55 <@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:
>>Have you considered the Olympus E-1? It is a pro camera, admittedly a
>>little old by today's DSLR standards (at 5.5mp) but a very capable
>>camera nonetheless. It is weather sealed and for under $1000 you could
>>probably pick up a weather sealed lens with it (the versatile 14-54
>>equivalent to 28-108 on a 35mm). It is quite robust, a joy to use,
>
> How much is the weather sealing compromised if the lens is not weather
> sealed? The 15-54 is, unfortunately, much too short for wildlife
> photography. I used a 420mm equivalent in Borneo and it was just
> adequate.
>
> I'm thinking a Nikon may be my best bet. I'm only going to be in
> Amazonia for a few days. I'm highly encouraged that a D70 could survive
> wet weather abuse in the Philippines. I have always suspected that the
> chief problem with my Maxxum 5 was simply poor construction. The Tamron
> auto-focus lenses survive OK.
>
> --
> Photos and travelogues from Africa and Southeast Asia:
> http://www.exile.org