Do you need to buy an expensive camera rain cover? I don’t think so. Make you’re own.
I posted a photo-essay about shooting portraits in the rain in Bejucal, Cuba. I mentioned a DIY DSLR rain cover I made with a plastic bag, which led to some inquiries from readers asking how they could make it themselves.
After a lot of soul searching (I was planning on applying for a patent on my design), I decided it was better to be helpful than a millionaire. So here goes.. My secret DIY camera rain cover recipe! (It’s the best camera rain cover if I do say so myself. )
DIY Camera Rain Cover
Ingredients
- Your DSLR lens and lens hood (attached).
- A plastic bag. (a.k.a your camera rain cover)
- At home, I use small garbage bags sized for bathroom wastebaskets. I like them because they’re tapered at the bottom which means a lot less bulk, but any plastic bag will do. Tip: When traveling, snag your hotel room’s laundry bag.
- Large rubber band.
How to Put Your Camera Rain Cover Together
- Slip camera into the bag so that the lens and hood are facing the bottom of the bag.
- Pull the bag taut around the lens and hood, just below where the hood screws on to the lens, and secure it with the rubber band.
- Poke a small hole in the plastic that’s covering the lens opening, slowly widening it ( you want to keep it tight) until you can just slip the edges of the hole around the outside of the lens hood.
- Ta da! You’re done.
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Pretty useless without a demo – would like to have seen you actually use it, dealing with the loose end of the bag and such.
Thank you, it’s great idea! I’m a photographer, and I’d like to make some interesting pictures when it rains!
This will definitely help you with that!
Good one…Thanks for sharing
You bet
perfect, thanks for sharing!! <3
You bet!
but tell me, how do you clean your lense if there still got some rain drops on it? Is there an appropiate way without leaving water stains or harming the lens?
Sure.. I bring along a tissue or some other absorbent cloth and lay it on the lens to soak up the moisture. I don’t rub the lens with it. Then I use a shammy or other lens cloth to clean it. I always bring around a small bottle of lens cleaner too if I think I’m going to be in a situation where it might get dirtier than normal.
Thanks For Information, That’s Good
wow,, thanks for informations,, it’s really help
My pleasure. I’m very happy you find it useful. 🙂
What a creative idea! I’ll have to try this the next time I am stuck taking photos in the rain. Also, your photos are just as inspirational as they are beautiful! It is awesome that you are able to travel to so many counties and shine a light on the local cultures and people. 🙂
It definitely works and I love that it’s dirt cheap. LOL
I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed the photos. My goal is to do just what you said, “shine a light on the local cultures and people,” and I’m glad that’s coming through in my work.
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Great idea! Hopefully in the future I will hear more about this idea!
Sure.. what else would you like to know?
This is such a good idea! As a fellow traveler I appreciate this tip and will for sure consider it in the future.
It really works and it’s so easy to stuff a plastic bag and a rubberband in your pocket.
It really is!
Super cool I would love to hear move about this topic.
I like your blog so much! You are so lucky to be able to travel to amazing places. Love looking at your photos.
Yay! I’m so happy you like it. Thank you. I’m lucky yes, but I also make it a priority.. I’ll put money toward a ticket (or a camera) before I spend it on shoes. LOL I hope you come back. 🙂
we love your blog
Thank you!
Thanks so much! That’s very resourceful of you. I considered buying a raincoat for mine a few months back.
It’s a great hack for normal rainy days.. Love it. Glad you found it helpful.
Thank you,,,,,,
You’re most welcome!
Thank you so much for this post!
Thank you! I’m so glad you found it helpful. 🙂
i like your article, very inspiring and thank you for your post
This is so creative! Thank you for sharing this idea!
I’m so glad you found it useful. 🙂
Wow! That’s a good idea. 🙂
I am new to this blooging world. I hope you like it.
Thank you. It really works.
thank you for share, easy trick and helpful
You bet, glad you found it so.
Ahh! I love this post. I do this religiously with my DSLR as I live in Oregon, where it never stops raining, and can’t afford a water housing haha. It’s so cool to know you’re doing the same! I usually just the large storage plastic bags but a trash bag is a way better idea! Thanks!
Don’t you just love cheap hacks?! Lol. Glad you liked the post. Thank you for letting me know.
impressive Im suddenly inspired
Yay!
I bought a commercially available one for about £20…..never use the damn thing and yours is probably just as effective
I think you should have held out for the patent, Susan! 😀 Also, that first image is WOWZA!
Lol… I’m just too generous I guess Elen! ;). Thanks about the photo. I was pretty happy with that one even though I was drenched. Not my camera mind you, but I was a mess.
Cool! Thanks, I’ll have to try this.
You are very welcome! Glad you like it. It truly does work.
That’s cool. Rea;;y helpful article for likes of me who travel a lot. Thank you so much.
Yay! I’m glad you found it helpful. :))
Great! This really helps.
Awesome! Glad you find it useful.
😀 Makes a good poncho too. How do you hand hold a 500mm?
The big garbage bag certainly does, LOL. I had to take a lot of breaks holding that baby.
Cool! Thank you Susan for sharing it.
My pleasure!
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utile ed economico, meglio dj così!!!! ciao
Grazie mille
Susan, that is an awesome video for newbies and those of us who have “weathered” storms and waves. Even if you have “official” covers, they are often not with you are the right time, and you can always have a rubber band in your camera bag–and find a plastic bag somewhere on some random street in the middle of nowhere. Nice work Susan! Love the video.
I’m glad it reads well from your end. I mean, it’s not the most fabulous quality but it gets the job done. LOL ..
And Thank you, Patricia.. Meant to say that in the previous reply. 🙂
Nice and easy trick — will have to try it sometime 🙂
It works!
This is super helpful and easy. Thanks for sharing!!
You bet! Glad you feel it’s helpful.
That was really helpful!!! very short and precise!
Yay! Glad you liked it. It’s my first DIY. 🙂
cool
Glad you like! 🙂
Love it! Particularly the large version
Yeah.. that was pretty nifty if I do say so myself. 😉