So, just how weather-resistant are the "Limited" lens

climbertrev · 11-15-2010, 12:44 PM

Interested to know

My old K50mm f1.7 has always been bullet-proof, though never tested on WR electronic cameras

Post your opinions, success stories and horror stories here

Adam · 11-15-2010, 12:58 PM

Well, if you soak it in water, it'll likely enter inside the lens, fog it up, and lead to other bad things!

r0ckstarr · 11-15-2010, 01:00 PM

Originally posted by climbertrev

My old K50mm f1.7 has always been bullet-proof, though never tested on WR electronic cameras

Just because the camera is WR, doesn't mean that any lens you put on it will be.

pxpaulx · 11-15-2010, 01:12 PM

Well, they are not sold as WR, so no weather sealing is implied in the Limited series. The only WR/sealed Pentax lenses are the ones with WR (weather resistant) in the title (the 18-55 WR and 50-200 WR), or any of the DA* series lenses (the DA* lenses are weather sealed, while the WR lenses are only sold as weather resistant - DA* lenses have better sealings that also protect against dust).

paperbag846 · 11-15-2010, 01:31 PM

The WR lenses can be hit by waves at the beach. An old metal lens can survive a MILD sprinkling, but that is a risk. Same goes for all lenses that aren't sealed... I would quickly hide my limited from any inclement weather!

wlachan · 11-15-2010, 01:35 PM

Limited lenses aren't WR, or even close. I have disassembled and repaired my all 3 FA Limited and they aren't sealed at all. Dust & girt accumulate underneath easily. I just tightened the focusing ring screws of my lightly used FA31 last week and the distance data tape had grit deposits on it already. Also, the chip on the tape is rather exposed and may not be pretty if soaked with water. The DA14 chip however, is completely sealed with epoxy so perhaps DA lenses are better protected in this regard. Personally, I would be cautious using them in sandy environments.

kswier · 11-15-2010, 04:59 PM

Originally posted by wlachan

Limited lenses aren't WR, or even close. I have disassembled and repaired my all 3 FA Limited and they aren't sealed at all. Dust & girt accumulate underneath easily. I just tightened the focusing ring screws of my lightly used FA31 last week and the distance data tape had grit deposits on it already. Also, the chip on the tape is rather exposed and may not be pretty if soaked with water. The DA14 chip however, is completely sealed with epoxy so perhaps DA lenses are better protected in this regard. Personally, I would be cautious using them in sandy environments.

BOOO!!!

I had the same question about how limited lenses react to weather. It would be nice if somebody could comment on the DA limited lenses though.

I really wish Pentax would come out with some small weather resistant lenses with good iq.

soppy · 11-15-2010, 05:08 PM

Is there a way to make them WR? I remember working on an old RC truck servo and you could dip the sensitive bits in epoxy, protecting them from water. Pretty sure this wouldn't apply here but just curious...

wlachan · 11-15-2010, 05:17 PM

The chip can be sealed with epoxy easily if you really want to, but the rest of the lens is still rather "exposed" so to speak.

steve1307 · 11-17-2010, 05:08 AM

DA15 WR anyone? That's some of Sydney harbour coming at me.
I'm glad had a filter on that day, generally I don't.
No harm done.

pxpaulx · 11-17-2010, 05:51 AM

Originally posted by kswier

BOOO!!!

I had the same question about how limited lenses react to weather. It would be nice if somebody could comment on the DA limited lenses though.

I really wish Pentax would come out with some small weather resistant lenses with good iq.

The same applies to the DA limiteds, not sealed at all.

11-15-2010, 12:44 PM	#1
climbertrev Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Plymouth,United Kingdom Posts: 72	So, just how weather-resistant are the "Limited" lens Interested to know My old K50mm f1.7 has always been bullet-proof, though never tested on WR electronic cameras Post your opinions, success stories and horror stories here

11-15-2010, 12:58 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Well, if you soak it in water, it'll likely enter inside the lens, fog it up, and lead to other bad things! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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11-15-2010, 01:00 PM	#3
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by climbertrev My old K50mm f1.7 has always been bullet-proof, though never tested on WR electronic cameras Just because the camera is WR, doesn't mean that any lens you put on it will be.

11-15-2010, 01:12 PM	#4
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	Well, they are not sold as WR, so no weather sealing is implied in the Limited series. The only WR/sealed Pentax lenses are the ones with WR (weather resistant) in the title (the 18-55 WR and 50-200 WR), or any of the DA* series lenses (the DA* lenses are weather sealed, while the WR lenses are only sold as weather resistant - DA* lenses have better sealings that also protect against dust).

11-15-2010, 01:31 PM	#5
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	The WR lenses can be hit by waves at the beach. An old metal lens can survive a MILD sprinkling, but that is a risk. Same goes for all lenses that aren't sealed... I would quickly hide my limited from any inclement weather!

11-15-2010, 01:35 PM	#6
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Limited lenses aren't WR, or even close. I have disassembled and repaired my all 3 FA Limited and they aren't sealed at all. Dust & girt accumulate underneath easily. I just tightened the focusing ring screws of my lightly used FA31 last week and the distance data tape had grit deposits on it already. Also, the chip on the tape is rather exposed and may not be pretty if soaked with water. The DA14 chip however, is completely sealed with epoxy so perhaps DA lenses are better protected in this regard. Personally, I would be cautious using them in sandy environments.

11-15-2010, 04:59 PM	#7
kswier Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 426	Originally posted by wlachan Limited lenses aren't WR, or even close. I have disassembled and repaired my all 3 FA Limited and they aren't sealed at all. Dust & girt accumulate underneath easily. I just tightened the focusing ring screws of my lightly used FA31 last week and the distance data tape had grit deposits on it already. Also, the chip on the tape is rather exposed and may not be pretty if soaked with water. The DA14 chip however, is completely sealed with epoxy so perhaps DA lenses are better protected in this regard. Personally, I would be cautious using them in sandy environments. BOOO!!! I had the same question about how limited lenses react to weather. It would be nice if somebody could comment on the DA limited lenses though. I really wish Pentax would come out with some small weather resistant lenses with good iq.

11-15-2010, 05:08 PM	#8
soppy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Gainesville Posts: 347	Is there a way to make them WR? I remember working on an old RC truck servo and you could dip the sensitive bits in epoxy, protecting them from water. Pretty sure this wouldn't apply here but just curious...

11-15-2010, 05:17 PM	#9
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	The chip can be sealed with epoxy easily if you really want to, but the rest of the lens is still rather "exposed" so to speak.

11-17-2010, 05:08 AM	#10
steve1307 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,130	DA15 WR anyone? That's some of Sydney harbour coming at me. I'm glad had a filter on that day, generally I don't. No harm done.

11-17-2010, 05:51 AM	#11
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	Originally posted by kswier BOOO!!! I had the same question about how limited lenses react to weather. It would be nice if somebody could comment on the DA limited lenses though. I really wish Pentax would come out with some small weather resistant lenses with good iq. The same applies to the DA limiteds, not sealed at all.