[Leica] LEICA: Whether (weather) proof ?

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Alexander Glissan asked:
Subject: [Leica] LEICA: Whether (weather) proof ?


>I wondered if anyone had any stories about Leica M's (M6 would be 
>pertinent) in cases of foul weather. It is raining in sydney and I wondered 
>how well my Leica equip would hold up when Whet (wet).<<<<<<<<

Hi Alexander,
I suppose it depends on how wet you mean in wet? And how hard or heavy 
volume of rain is falling. I've used mine in rain, but when it begins I tuck 
the cameras inside my jacket until the moment to shoot, subject comes up, 
camera is out, focus, shoot, back under jacket.

Then with hanky or face cloth... (my wife keeps wondering where they 
disappear to,) ;-) wipe camera off as best I can.  But usually there's water 
somewhere. And I've never had any water created malfunctions during the 15 
years I used M6's on working assignments.

One needs but common sense and shoot quickly with the minimum of water on 
the camera. Then drying it off quickly.

Now if you have one that gets soaked you can dry it out in the following 
manner without ill effects.

Don't panic when I say......"put it in the oven!"

Take the base plate off as though loading. Then open the back cover so it 
will stay open by propping it on a cup or something to hold it open. Make 
sure the shutter isn't cocked. Place in oven with the slightest of "WARMTH!" 
Now that's the key word..... "WARMTH"... You should be able to hold your 
hand in the oven and barely feel  it warm.

Set camera on a centre rack and leave the camera until it feels warm and 
depending on how badly it got soaked, leave it until you don't see water 
anywhere. I don't mean dropping it in the pond and using the oven, although 
it probably would work. I mean wet from a down pour and you couldn't dry it 
off soon enough that there maybe some leakage into the body.

Been there and done this a few times over the years and everything worked 
like new after.

And if this method doesn't work, then its off to leica or your favourite CLA 
person.

If it's ever salt water?  And really soaked, drop the camera over board, 
claim the insurance and buy a new one! ;-)

ted