[Leica] Re: Non-waterproof Leica

[grduprey at mchsi.com (grduprey@mchsi.com)]

They must have some water/weather seals, as they are used all over the world 
in all climates.  I have used mine in inclimate weather, with rain, snow, at 
beaches, rivers, lakes, deserts with blowing sand and rain etc.  And so far 
nothing as far as problems.  I'm pretty sure the R cameras have weather 
seals, as my R4SP and the R8 seem to resist water very well.  So far my 
M6TTL has resisted water with no problems of any kind.  I try to keep dry, 
but they still get wet and I just wipe dry when I get to a place I can dry 
them.

Gene

-------------- Original message from "B. D. Colen" <bd@bdcolenphoto.com>: 
-------------- 


> Your fascinating post begs the question, of course, of why Leica never got 
> around to providing even the most rudimentary weatherproof seals in its 
> high-end cameras. The Ms were, after all, a standard part of many PJs' 
> kits 
> up until the 80s, if not the 90s, and that means it was a given they would 
> be subjected to the elements from time to time. 
> 
> 
> On 8/26/06 3:21 PM, "Lawrence Zeitlin" wrote: 
> 
> > Without belaboring the issue of Leicas at sea for too long, we must 
> > remember that Leica cameras are not now and never were intended to be 
> > water tolerant. Equipments for use in a marine environment are rated 
> > for the degree of water resistance by a number of agencies. The scale 
> > ranges from 1 to 10 with the lower numbers meaning less water 
> > resistance. An object (marine radio, camera, binocular, etc.) rated 
> > JIS-4/IPX-4 is considered splash resistant but not suitable for 
> > immersion. Objects with a lower raitng can withstand light rain 
> > showers or heavy mist but no direct application of water. Most marine 
> > handheld radios or "waterproof" cameras such as the Pentax Optio 10 
> > are rated JIS-7/IPX-7. This means that they will withstand a 30 
> > minute dunking under one meter of water and still operate. Real 
> > waterproofing starts at JIS/IPX ratings of 8. A device so rated will 
> > function after it has been submerged under 8 feet of water for half 
> > an hour and at lesser depths for an indefinite period. True 
> > underwater equipment like the Nikonos series of cameras will function 
> > normally when submerged at a depth of 160 feet (50 meters). But even 
> > they are not suitable for deep sea diving. 
> > 
> > Trivia: In bygone years, Nikonos cameras were permitted in surgical 
> > operating rooms because they could be sterilized by dunking in a 
> > bucket of bleach. 
> > 
> > Small boats are not the best environment for precision mechanical and 
> > electrical equipment unless suitably sealed for marine use. By a 
> > small boat, I mean anything from a kayak or canoe to a 40 foot 
> > motorsailer. In ordinary use. on anything but extremely sheltered 
> > waters, boats this size get doused with green water from waves and 
> > in windy conditions are covered with spray. Kayaks, canoes, and small 
> > sailboats capsize and are righted by their crews as a part of normal 
> > operation. Bigger boats offer drier conditions and some degree of 
> > shelter from the elements but even cruise liners occasionally get 
> > water on deck. 
> > 
> > I'm not saying that Leicas will fail immediately if they get wet, but 
> > they have little water resistance to speak of. I'm gazing fondly at 
> > my M3 as I write this and I see that water can enter through the 
> > shutter release, the winding lever, the rewind lever, the frame 
> > lever, the lens release button, the speed dial, the back inspection 
> > door, and the base plate. There are no seals on any of these 
> > openings. The innards of the camera are loaded with small steel 
> > parts, springs and bearings that will deteriorate if water enters and 
> > the camera is not immediately dried. Spray, particularly salt spray 
> > should be wiped off immediately. Even high humidity wrecks its havoc, 
> > as anyone who has used a camera in the Asian monsoon season knows. 
> > 
> > If you use your Leica regularly in a marine environment or at the 
> > beach and it functions well forever after, you are lucky. But I still 
> > wouldn't take mine on a canoe trip unless it was packed in a 
> > waterproof bag and I used it only on dry land. There are other 
> > cameras which will do the job on the water. A used Nikonos with an 
> > excellent Nikkor 35 mm F2.8 lens costs only about as much as a Leica 
> > CLA. Why take the risk? 
> > 
> > Larry Z 
> > 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________ 
> > Leica Users Group. 
> > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information 
> 
> 
> 
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