Nikon gear - how weather-proof is it???

[digitalformula]

Hey all,

This is my first post here so go easy on me.

I shoot with a Nikon D300 and a Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR II. Both these items say things like "Advanced weather sealing and dust protection" etc but I'm wondering ... how advanced IS that protection?

The Canon gear I used to use made it pretty clear that you can't expect truly decent protection until you hit the EOS-1 models and above and I'm wondering if the Nikon gear is the same, i.e. do I have to fork out for the D3 etc before I can expect any sort of decent weather sealing?

I shoot a lot of events and the outdoors being as it is I have to deal with rain from time to time, not to mention dust etc too.

Can anyone comment? How careful do I need to be with gear like this? Beyond the obvious care I take with all my gear, that is. Is the lens-ring on the both the body and lens sealed? Can moisture/rain/dust get in there? The D300 has sealing around the CF door but that's kinda pointless if the body etc isn't up to the same standard.

Thanks!

[JED]

The D300 body is pretty well sealed. I have had mine very dusty and quite wet with no ill effects (that I have yet noticed).

The weak point is typically the lens mount. The 70-200 is a top flight lens so includes the proper rubber seal around the mount. Many lenses do not include that seal and subsequently that becomes the weak point.

I would be happy to test your 70-200 for you if you are unsure

[digitalformula]

The D300 body is pretty well sealed. I have had mine very dusty and quite wet with no ill effects (that I have yet noticed).

The weak point is typically the lens mount. The 70-200 is a top flight lens so includes the proper rubber seal around the mount. Many lenses do not include that seal and subsequently that becomes the weak point.

I would be happy to test your 70-200 for you if you are unsure

Haha tell ya what JED - I'll test the 70-200 for a while and if I don't like the image quality or features of the lens we'll talk again eh? ;-)

Great to hear about the D300 being pretty well-sealed and that you've had no issues so far. I haven't had any either and I've had mine for just on 2 years now.

Sweet!

[wirehunt]

Just had mine out last night playing in the rain, rather heavy rain in fact, left it to drip dry. (In other words "slung it in the ute") Still working today.

[NZRob]

I've had my D200 out on the ocean in a 5 metre tinny for a few days and no ill effects. BUT I didn't change lens'. I am told some lens' (mainly lower end zooms) are dust traps as the zoom action has to suck in air from somewhere.

[welly]

I wouldn't go swimming with it but a bit of rain isn't going to do it any harm.