complete brain fart - is my DA 16-45 weather sealed?

vievetrick · 01-12-2011, 09:49 AM

Showing my age but for some reason I can't remember and or find if my Pentax DA 16-45 can handle some snow or lights rain?

joakimfors · 01-12-2011, 09:53 AM

Not weather sealed but some light snow or rain shouldn't be a problem if it isn't for extended periods. Also make sure to wipe it of afterwards and let it dry.

paperbag846 · 01-12-2011, 10:54 AM

If it's snow, blow it off before you bring it inside.

But be careful, consumer zooms suck air in, so airborne moisture can get in too.

vievetrick · 01-12-2011, 06:19 PM

Thanks guys

**Ash** · 01-12-2011, 07:07 PM

Easy way to tell: Any DA lens with a * or WR in the nomenclature is weather-sealed. All-else, take due care in austere conditions.

vievetrick · 01-12-2011, 07:24 PM

Thanks Ash

Loren E · 01-13-2011, 12:12 AM

Originally posted by Ash

Easy way to tell: Any DA lens with a * or WR in the nomenclature is weather-sealed. All-else, take due care in austere conditions.

Maybe up for debate, although Pentax switches up their nomenclature so much it is hard to say. But to clarify, according to Pentax DA* sealing is better than WR. I thought a simple way to understand it then is that DA* is "weather-sealed" while WR is "weather-resistant" but their marketing uses those terms interchangeably so who knows how much better they are sealed, and why WR can handle water but not dust....doesn't make a ton of sense to me...

bdery · 01-13-2011, 05:42 AM

Originally posted by Loren E

Maybe up for debate, although Pentax switches up their nomenclature so much it is hard to say. But to clarify, according to Pentax DA* sealing is better than WR. I thought a simple way to understand it then is that DA* is "weather-sealed" while WR is "weather-resistant" but their marketing uses those terms interchangeably so who knows how much better they are sealed, and why WR can handle water but not dust....doesn't make a ton of sense to me...

We hear that from time to time, but there's never a clear-cut definition of both. And I would assume a DFA 100 mm WR to be as well sealed as a DA*...

I believe , based on my own personal training field, that the difference simply goes with the tighter manufacturing tolerances associated with DA* lenses. Nothing more.

For the record, even Ned doesn't seem to actually know the difference.

techmulla · 01-13-2011, 09:19 AM

* and WR are samething.

* is used for zooms
WR is used for primes.

enoeske · 01-13-2011, 09:34 AM

Originally posted by techmulla

* and WR are samething.

* is used for zooms
WR is used for primes.

Kinda like the da 18-55mm WR kit zoom lens? Or did you mean the da* 55mm prime?

sewebster · 01-13-2011, 10:16 AM

Life's too short to worry about * vs WR

Loren E · 01-13-2011, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by techmulla

* and WR are samething.

* is used for zooms
WR is used for primes.

Please have the slightest idea what you are talking about before making definitive statements like this. These types of posts are why there is so much perpetuated misinformation on this subject.

And the 100 macro WR is sealed like the other "WR" lenses, it is not sealed like DA* glass, as the major distinction is that DA* glass is sealed not only for water but also dust according to Pentax marketing, and the 100 macro WR is sealed like the other "WR" lenses. It is helpful to realize "WR" isn't just an acronym, it is a specific designation for a "simplified sealing" by Pentax given to the 100 macro, the 2 kit lenses, and the 18-135, versus DA* all weather sealing. On the boxes DA* lenses show water and dust, while WR lenses only show water, consistent with the vague descriptions.

techmulla · 01-15-2011, 11:46 AM

thanks for the correction

01-12-2011, 09:49 AM	#1
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183	complete brain fart - is my DA 16-45 weather sealed? Showing my age but for some reason I can't remember and or find if my Pentax DA 16-45 can handle some snow or lights rain?

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01-12-2011, 09:53 AM	#2
joakimfors Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lund, Sweden Posts: 237	Not weather sealed but some light snow or rain shouldn't be a problem if it isn't for extended periods. Also make sure to wipe it of afterwards and let it dry.

01-12-2011, 10:54 AM	#3
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	If it's snow, blow it off before you bring it inside. But be careful, consumer zooms suck air in, so airborne moisture can get in too.

01-12-2011, 06:19 PM	#4
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183 Original Poster	Thanks guys

01-12-2011, 07:07 PM	#5
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Easy way to tell: Any DA lens with a * or WR in the nomenclature is weather-sealed. All-else, take due care in austere conditions.

01-12-2011, 07:24 PM	#6
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183 Original Poster	Thanks Ash

01-13-2011, 12:12 AM	#7
Loren E Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Washington and California Posts: 274	Originally posted by Ash Easy way to tell: Any DA lens with a * or WR in the nomenclature is weather-sealed. All-else, take due care in austere conditions. Maybe up for debate, although Pentax switches up their nomenclature so much it is hard to say. But to clarify, according to Pentax DA* sealing is better than WR. I thought a simple way to understand it then is that DA* is "weather-sealed" while WR is "weather-resistant" but their marketing uses those terms interchangeably so who knows how much better they are sealed, and why WR can handle water but not dust....doesn't make a ton of sense to me...

01-13-2011, 05:42 AM	#8
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by Loren E Maybe up for debate, although Pentax switches up their nomenclature so much it is hard to say. But to clarify, according to Pentax DA* sealing is better than WR. I thought a simple way to understand it then is that DA* is "weather-sealed" while WR is "weather-resistant" but their marketing uses those terms interchangeably so who knows how much better they are sealed, and why WR can handle water but not dust....doesn't make a ton of sense to me... We hear that from time to time, but there's never a clear-cut definition of both. And I would assume a DFA 100 mm WR to be as well sealed as a DA... I believe , based on my own personal training field, that the difference simply goes with the tighter manufacturing tolerances associated with DA lenses. Nothing more. For the record, even Ned doesn't seem to actually know the difference.

01-13-2011, 09:19 AM	#9
techmulla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 107	* and WR are samething. * is used for zooms WR is used for primes.

01-13-2011, 09:34 AM	#10
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Originally posted by techmulla * and WR are samething. * is used for zooms WR is used for primes. Kinda like the da 18-55mm WR kit zoom lens? Or did you mean the da* 55mm prime?

01-13-2011, 10:16 AM	#11
sewebster Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 544	Life's too short to worry about * vs WR

01-13-2011, 07:03 PM	#12
Loren E Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Washington and California Posts: 274	Originally posted by techmulla * and WR are samething. * is used for zooms WR is used for primes. Please have the slightest idea what you are talking about before making definitive statements like this. These types of posts are why there is so much perpetuated misinformation on this subject. And the 100 macro WR is sealed like the other "WR" lenses, it is not sealed like DA* glass, as the major distinction is that DA* glass is sealed not only for water but also dust according to Pentax marketing, and the 100 macro WR is sealed like the other "WR" lenses. It is helpful to realize "WR" isn't just an acronym, it is a specific designation for a "simplified sealing" by Pentax given to the 100 macro, the 2 kit lenses, and the 18-135, versus DA* all weather sealing. On the boxes DA* lenses show water and dust, while WR lenses only show water, consistent with the vague descriptions.

01-15-2011, 11:46 AM	#13
techmulla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 107	thanks for the correction