Note From Tongal: “Waterproof Your Gear Against April Showers" is part of a series of Tongal Community-written blog posts that were originally sourced in the Tongal Blog Open Call Project. Read more Tongal Community-written posts here and then Pitch us a topic you'd like to write about for the Tongal Blog!
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When the snow starts to melt and the temperatures start to rise, it’s a surefire sign that spring is in full swing. For those of you not living on the east coast where I am, spring is a magical 2-week period where the weather is perfect before the season we call “Pre-Summer” rolls in to make your life a living hell. The biggest issue we run into as filmmakers this time of year is the constant rainstorms that seem to pop up out of nowhere! In this blog post, I’ll give you my tips and tricks for weatherproofing your gear so you can ride out the April Showers!
When filming outdoors this time of year, it’s imperative that you have some sort of rain gear available at all times. You can’t stop recording every time you see a dark cloud in the sky, but you’ll want to quickly protect your camera gear in the event of inclement weather.
Looking Out For #1: Camera Gear
When I’m shooting B-Roll with a bigger ENG style camera, I like to have a Porta Brace Camera Body Armor around my camera at all times. It protects the camera from dirt and dust in normal weather, but also has a pouch to hold your rain gear that covers the entire camera without hindering your ability to keep shooting. If you’re looking to film athletes running through the pouring rain for your shoots, there’s no easier way to do it than this! It allows you to run and gun without fear of ruining your equipment.
Pro-Tip: Practice putting on your rain gear before you attempt to put it on in the field. You don’t want to be struggling to figure it out for the first time as the rain starts pouring down on your poor camera. Make sure you’re comfortable with the process and are ready to go at the first sign of rain!
If you’re using a DSLR camera and want a cheap and effective way to protect your camera, look no further than the OP/TECH USA Rainsleeve! It’s a space-saver in your bag and a camera-saver when the weather starts to go south. In seconds, you can have this wrapped around your camera and be protected from the elements. With a two pack of these rain sleeves for less than $10, you really can’t go wrong adding one to your DSLR bag. Another solid long-term option is Amazon’s pick for DSLR rain gear, the Altura Photo Professional Rain Cover. It’s another quick slip-on that allows you to continue shooting in all types of weather.
Pro-Tip: If you decide to test Mother Nature and not purchase rain gear, it’s a good idea to have a towel in your bag. Not only is this a great tool for cleaning the water off your camera when it gets soaking wet, but you can also preemptively wrap the towel around your camera to temporarily keep it protected from the rain. Plastic bags can also get the job done if you’re really desperate. I’d advise you take the $10 hit and get the real thing instead of being cheap!
For those of us fortunate enough to work with higher-end cameras, you’re going to want custom rain gear to make sure your equipment is protected properly. If you’re shooting with a RED or Arri Alexa, you have several options to choose from. The camRade Wetsuit has a nice setup and fits the 5” RED monitor comfortably, while the Porta Brace model may be more beneficial if you’ll be using the eyepiece to frame your shots. Make sure you pick out the right rain gear that fits with your current camera setup. You don’t want to be fumbling around on set with it only to find out it doesn’t fit your monitor or camera setup.
Don’t Skimp on the Accessories
When you’re filming out in the elements, you’re going to also want a rainproof camera bag to keep all of your equipment protected even when you aren’t using it. When bad weather rolls in, you’ll always have the option to pack up your gear quickly and know it’s protected. The Pelican style hard cases are a great way to transport larger cameras and accessories. If you’re filming on the go, a backpack like Amazon Basic’s DSLR and Laptop Bag is an affordable way to carry your camera, lenses, and laptop all in one shot! It’s weatherproof and comes with a rain guard to make sure your gear is protected at all times. I have a similar bag I use to carry my drone, DSLR, and audio gear, freeing up my hands to lug around my heavy tripod and slider when I’m operating as a one-man band. There are plenty of good camera backpack options out there, so find one that’s customized for your current setup.
Finally, there’s only one thing left to make sure is weatherproof… YOU! Find yourself a nice rain jacket you can throw in the back of your car to make sure you’re ready when inclement weather strikes. As someone who has filmed way too many football games out in the rain, the last thing you want to be is soaking wet because you failed to protect yourself properly. Grab your favorite color Northface waterproof jacket and keep it with you at all times. You’ll thank me later. Oh, and make sure you’re wearing proper footwear so your socks don’t get soaking wet.
Pro-Tip: Always have an extra pair of socks with you at all times. Nothing is worse than wearing wet socks when you’re sitting in the office loading your footage. I generally have a full outfit change in my go-bag just in case I spill my lunch on my clothes or get caught in an unexpected rainstorm. It’s always good to be prepared for anything!
If you have high anxiety and want to make sure your expensive camera gear is protected from the weather, you’re going to want to invest in some form of rain gear. If rain gear isn’t your thing, you can always pick up a Go Pro and run headfirst into any storm with confidence that your camera will make it out alive! Now grab your raincoat, get outside, and start filming!
