No matter how weather-sealed your camera and lens are, there comes a point when a few gaskets and O-rings can’t handle what Mother Nature throws their way. For times when the rain or snow is just too much for your camera and its sensitive electronics, it’s best to have a dedicated cover for your gear.
Sure, you can go out and buy a $50 cover, but they’re bulky and rather costly for what’s usually a piece of plastic. There’s a far more simple option that costs almost nothing and weighs less than a lens cap.
What is it? A plastic bag, like the ones you’re given at your local supermarket, and a rubber band.
Today, photographer Benjamin Jaworskyj shows how this simple setup can work as a rain protector for your camera setup when you’re on location.
In the four-minute video, Jaworskyj breaks down this extremely simple hack while shooting in rural Scotland. With a plastic bag in hand — he recommends always carrying a few in your camera bag for a multitude of reasons — Jaworskyj shows how he wraps his Sony mirrorless setup with the bag.
Once he has the bag wrapped around the camera and lens, he secures it in place by wrapping a rubber band directly behind the lens hood. Using his fingers, he rips open the bag at the front of the lens, making sure to not get fingerprints on the front element in the process.
The best part about this setup is that it shouldn’t impact your shooting ability much, especially if you plan on having the camera stationary, such as on a tripod. If you need to access the back of the camera or see through the viewfinder, simply lift up the bag at the back of the camera and change your settings.
If you don’t plan on being stationary and need to look through the viewfinder, Jaworskyj explains how you can use a similar technique to rip a little hole in the plastic bag where the viewfinder eyepiece is.
It’s one of the most simple DIY hacks we’ve come across and by far one of the cheapest. If you’re anything like me, you probably have a pile of plastic bags from your latest grocery store.
You can find more helpful tips from Jaworskyj on his YouTube Channel.
