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Recommended weather-sealed zoom lenses for professional Sigma fp L setups?

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Does anyone actually have a solid recommendation for a fully weather-sealed zoom lens that doesnt feel like a toy on the Sigma fp L? Honestly im so fed up with my current gear situation because I keep getting moisture alerts or just straight up panicking every time a single drop of rain hits my setup and it's driving me crazy. I love the sensor on this thing, the 61MP is incredible for my landscape work, but the lack of clear info on which zooms actually survive a beating is making me want to sell the whole system and just go back to Sony or something even though I hate their colors.

I have a huge gig coming up in three weeks out in the Olympic Peninsula—if you know that area you know it’s basically a giant rainforest—and I am genuinely anxious that my kit is going to fry on day one. I've been looking at the Sigma 24-70mm DG DN Art but I’ve heard mixed things about the sealing around the zoom barrel, and some people say the dust gets in there way too easily which is a nightmare when you're shooting professionally. Then there is the Panasonic Lumix S Pro stuff but they are so massive it almost defeats the purpose of the tiny fp L body, but at this point I guess I don't care about the size if it actually works.

My budget is around $2500 for a solid workhorse zoom, maybe a 24-70 or a 24-105 range, but it absolutely has to be able to handle mist and heavy humidity without me having to wrap it in plastic bags like a total amateur. Is the Leica Vario-Elmarit worth the insane price jump for the sealing alone or am I just overthinking this? I really need something that won't fail me because this client is a big deal and I cant be the guy whose camera died because of a little drizzle. Are there any L-mount zooms that you guys have actually put through the ringer in bad weather?...


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11

Regarding what #1 said about "Honestly, I had some pretty annoying issues with" the Sigma seal... i totally agree. A lens failed on me in the mist once and it was a nightmare. Then I bit the bullet on the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH and the sealing is miles ahead. It has handled some serious drizzle for me.

  • Put silica gel packs in your bag to pull moisture out post-shoot.
  • Use a B+W 82mm UV Filter to keep the glass safe.


5

Honestly, I had some pretty annoying issues with the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for L-Mount. It is just not as good as expected when things actually get wet. The dust pump reputation is unfortunately very real because the sealing at the zoom barrel is definitely the weak link. If you are heading to the Olympic Peninsula, that thing is gonna struggle. You should really check out the teardown reports over at the LensRentals blog. They do a deep dive into the internal gaskets which is way more useful than the marketing fluff. If you want a lens that wont die, the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 24-70mm f/2.8 is basically your only real choice, even if it feels huge on the fp L. Quick tip: always keep a solid filter like the B+W 82mm Clear Nano2 Master on there to complete the weather seal at the front. Without it, moisture just creeps right past the rim.


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