Weather Sealed Lens and body capabilities

RickyFromVegas · 02-23-2012, 05:29 PM

I'll soon be getting DA*50-135 and was wondering its weather sealing capabilities.
I'll be using that on my K20D, and was wondering just how much rain it can take.

I mean, I know it's weather sealed for extra protection, but just how much rain can it withstand?

**rparmar** · 02-23-2012, 05:33 PM

No-one knows for sure, but people have used these lenses in some pretty extreme circumstances. Search the forums and you might find examples.

The question is really how much rain do you want to shoot in? After a while you're not likely to get very good shots, no matter what the kit.

I've used non-sealed lenses directly under Niagara Falls. So long as you are careful there's no reason not to get any shot you might realistically want to get.

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-23-2012, 05:47 PM

I will repeat the advise I have given others. Consider the WR as insurance. If you get caught out shield the camera as much as possible, and if you intend to get wet use a camera bag or other protection. Rely on WR if your primary protection fails. Although there are people who will swear by the WR, there are others who have posted that the camera fogged up when they got home after a full day in the rain, to one idiot(I'm sorry but that is the only way to describe him) who complained that his K7 failed after being washed in the sink for the 50'th time.

kswier · 02-23-2012, 05:54 PM

I used my k200D and a WR kit lens at mt. Rainer in rain and snow. In the middle of the drip I looked down into my camera bag, and there was a couple centimeters of water in there. There were no problems at all.

I would not worry too much about shooting in the rain.

RickyFromVegas · 02-23-2012, 05:58 PM

I never had a WR lens until now, so I was just curious.
I kept hearing stories of how you could pour a bottle of water on the camera and lens and scare people.
It rarely rains here in Las Vegas, so it's a bit tough to test it out, you know. Just wanted to know of its capabilities and resistance to rain.

gda13 · 02-23-2012, 06:40 PM

Just as important as the resistance to rain is the extra resistance to dust, perhaps even more so where you live. You will be very happy with the *50-135mm it is a great lens!

Docrwm · 02-23-2012, 06:59 PM

I just took mine through several thunderstorms in Florida and it keep on going without missing a beat. Just remember that you CANT open any of the flaps, compartments, covers while its either in the rain or wet. You also can't change the lens under those conditions (duh?). Still, with the 18-135 on it I was pretty well covered. Enjoy.

Adam · 02-23-2012, 07:03 PM

It's sealed enough that you could take a shower with it and nothing would happen

TOUGEFC · 02-24-2012, 12:01 AM

DA* lenses will shoot all day long in the rain no problem

**ak_kiwi** · 02-24-2012, 12:27 AM

Originally posted by Adam

you could take a shower with it

But why would you be in the .................... oh never mind, each to his own

But good question from the OP - I'm picking IP 51 or similar?
http://blog.amlabels.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/IP-Rating_Graph.jpg

RickyFromVegas · 02-24-2012, 03:34 PM

so, no putting the camera and the lens in the washing machine?

stevebrot · 02-24-2012, 09:03 PM

Consider WR to be what it says, resistant. Given adequate time and/or great enough pressure and the seals will fail. Sort of like a water resistant watch.

Steve

(Be aware that pressure comes in many forms...)

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-24-2012, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Consider WR to be what it says, resistant. Given adequate time and/or great enough pressure and the seals will fail. Sort of like a water resistant watch.

Steve

(Be aware that pressure comes in many forms...)

But didn't the timed in the commercials keep on tick'n

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-24-2012, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by RickyFromVegas

so, no putting the camera and the lens in the washing machine?

Honestly, it's your camera, you can do what you want, you already have my advise though

RickyFromVegas · 02-25-2012, 01:15 AM

Yeah...that washing machine part was a joke...

02-23-2012, 05:29 PM	#1
RickyFromVegas Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas Photos: Gallery Posts: 366	Weather Sealed Lens and body capabilities I'll soon be getting DA*50-135 and was wondering its weather sealing capabilities. I'll be using that on my K20D, and was wondering just how much rain it can take. I mean, I know it's weather sealed for extra protection, but just how much rain can it withstand?

02-23-2012, 07:03 PM	#8
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	It's sealed enough that you could take a shower with it and nothing would happen 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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02-23-2012, 05:33 PM	#2
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	No-one knows for sure, but people have used these lenses in some pretty extreme circumstances. Search the forums and you might find examples. The question is really how much rain do you want to shoot in? After a while you're not likely to get very good shots, no matter what the kit. I've used non-sealed lenses directly under Niagara Falls. So long as you are careful there's no reason not to get any shot you might realistically want to get.

02-23-2012, 05:47 PM	#3
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	I will repeat the advise I have given others. Consider the WR as insurance. If you get caught out shield the camera as much as possible, and if you intend to get wet use a camera bag or other protection. Rely on WR if your primary protection fails. Although there are people who will swear by the WR, there are others who have posted that the camera fogged up when they got home after a full day in the rain, to one idiot(I'm sorry but that is the only way to describe him) who complained that his K7 failed after being washed in the sink for the 50'th time.

02-23-2012, 05:54 PM	#4
kswier Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 426	I used my k200D and a WR kit lens at mt. Rainer in rain and snow. In the middle of the drip I looked down into my camera bag, and there was a couple centimeters of water in there. There were no problems at all. I would not worry too much about shooting in the rain.

02-23-2012, 05:58 PM	#5
RickyFromVegas Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas Photos: Gallery Posts: 366 Original Poster	I never had a WR lens until now, so I was just curious. I kept hearing stories of how you could pour a bottle of water on the camera and lens and scare people. It rarely rains here in Las Vegas, so it's a bit tough to test it out, you know. Just wanted to know of its capabilities and resistance to rain.

02-23-2012, 06:40 PM	#6
gda13 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,108	Just as important as the resistance to rain is the extra resistance to dust, perhaps even more so where you live. You will be very happy with the *50-135mm it is a great lens!

02-23-2012, 06:59 PM	#7
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I just took mine through several thunderstorms in Florida and it keep on going without missing a beat. Just remember that you CANT open any of the flaps, compartments, covers while its either in the rain or wet. You also can't change the lens under those conditions (duh?). Still, with the 18-135 on it I was pretty well covered. Enjoy.

02-24-2012, 12:01 AM	#9
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	DA* lenses will shoot all day long in the rain no problem

02-24-2012, 12:27 AM	#10
ak_kiwi Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Auckland, New Zealand. Posts: 328	Originally posted by Adam you could take a shower with it But why would you be in the .................... oh never mind, each to his own But good question from the OP - I'm picking IP 51 or similar? http://blog.amlabels.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/IP-Rating_Graph.jpg

02-24-2012, 03:34 PM	#11
RickyFromVegas Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas Photos: Gallery Posts: 366 Original Poster	so, no putting the camera and the lens in the washing machine?

02-24-2012, 09:03 PM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Consider WR to be what it says, resistant. Given adequate time and/or great enough pressure and the seals will fail. Sort of like a water resistant watch. Steve (Be aware that pressure comes in many forms...)

02-24-2012, 09:08 PM	#13
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	Originally posted by stevebrot Consider WR to be what it says, resistant. Given adequate time and/or great enough pressure and the seals will fail. Sort of like a water resistant watch. Steve (Be aware that pressure comes in many forms...) But didn't the timed in the commercials keep on tick'n

02-24-2012, 09:08 PM	#14
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	Originally posted by RickyFromVegas so, no putting the camera and the lens in the washing machine? Honestly, it's your camera, you can do what you want, you already have my advise though

02-25-2012, 01:15 AM	#15
RickyFromVegas Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas Photos: Gallery Posts: 366 Original Poster	Yeah...that washing machine part was a joke...