I’m in Alaska right now photographing in Kenai Fjords and Lake Clark National Parks. As with any trip to Alaska, best to plan for some rain while shooting. And that means rain covers for cameras. After having great success using the ThinkTank emergency rain cover, I decided to get their Hydrophobia rain cover for my 600mm. This is the best rain cover I have used to date. I would have no issues photographing in a downpour for hours using this rain cover…it is beautifully designed and built.
The rain cover slips on similar to other covers. I just slip the front end of my lens through the tube opening at front, and pull the cover over the back end of my camera. Here is where things are a little different. Some rain covers are open ended at the camera end, but the Hydrophobia requires a separate eyepiece so you can stretch the cover over this eyepiece. The seal is tight, so you can look through the eyepiece while shooting but the rest of the camera and lens is fully covered by waterproof material with taped seams. At first I wasn’t sure I wanted to unscrew my D850 eyepiece and attach the ThinkTank version…but it only took a few seconds, and I love how this really allows easy viewing but is fully waterproof. Open ended rain covers like LensCoat work well and are easy to slip on. But if you are really working in rainy conditions, I think the ThinkTank will keep you gear the driest. There is a pouch on the cover for the eyepiece when not in use so you don’t lose it.
The Hydrophobia also has another nice feature. You can roll the cover from the body end to about mid lens when it isn’t raining for easy shooting with the cover on. If the rain starts, just roll the cover back down and over the eyepiece. Very handy! The cover had two hand entry points and a large clear plastic back so you can easily see and adjust controls on your camera.
Rain often gets photographers heading to their cars. But some of my best images were taken during rain storms…you are getting a unique shot. So don’t pack up and leave, just put on your rain cover and keep shooting. You may get an image you really like.