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07-25-2012, 06:21 AM   #1
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Is Pentax 17-70 f/4 water resistant?

Just upgraded to a k-5 body, now choosing a standard zoom to get, not sure whether to go for 18-55 WR, 18-135 WR or 17-70.

I assume the 17-70 is also water resistant even though the name doesn't have WR in it? Because its SMCP? Can anyone confirm this please? Thanks!

07-25-2012, 06:31 AM   #2
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The DA 17-70 is NOT water resistant. It's the only SDM lens that is not.
07-25-2012, 06:33 AM   #3
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The description of the lens mentions SMCP coating - water and oil repellent. What does that mean?

"SP Coating
SP (Super Protective) coating made of a special fluoride compound has been applied to the front surface of the new lens through the use of a unique evaporation process. As a result, the lens offers excellent water- and oil-repellent performance and makes for easier cleaning should the lens be accidentally smeared with fingerprints or cosmetics."
07-25-2012, 06:37 AM   #4
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sp coating is a lens coating on the front element to help repel fingerprints etc,
Sadly this lens isn't WR.
I think they should release a mk2 version with at least the basic kit lens WR and make it an optional kit for all WR cameras myself

07-25-2012, 06:40 AM   #5
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Disappointment ;(

Guess I'll give it a miss then =\
07-25-2012, 06:41 AM   #6
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WR zooms are as follows
18-55
18-135
16-50 2.8
50-135
60-250

that's it (even less WR primes just the 55 you own and the DFA100WR)

maybe the new zoom on the roadmap is also WR but we won't find out until photokina at the earliest

When Pentax introduced WR it was really a big leap forward, unfortunately Hoya then took over and lens development really stalled. Nikon has about 4 times the number of wr lenses now
07-25-2012, 06:43 AM   #7
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None of the Pentax lenses is <Water Restistant>.

WR lenses are <Weather Resistant> which is much more subtle.

07-25-2012, 06:44 AM   #8
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I think all the DA* are weather resistant. I got the 55 and the 200
07-25-2012, 06:46 AM   #9
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oK, so the 17-70 is not even weather resistant ;(

What's the point of the water resistant camera body then ...
07-25-2012, 06:48 AM   #10
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I just got the 18-135 simply because it is weather resistant and will make a great trave lens for visits to the places I like to hike in.
07-25-2012, 06:49 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by junototoro Quote
I think all the DA* are weather resistant. I got the 55 and the 200
oops missed the 200 and 300 - never really shoot at those lengths so they are off the radar
Also missed the less than stellar 50-200 wr)

Last edited by eddie1960; 07-25-2012 at 06:58 AM.
07-25-2012, 06:54 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by VoiceOfReason Quote
I just got the 18-135 simply because it is weather resistant and will make a great trave lens for visits to the places I like to hike in.
What's the sharpness like? Sme reviews say 18-135 sharpness is worse than 18-55. Some others say otherwise. Don't know what to believe..
07-25-2012, 06:54 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by junototoro Quote
oK, so the 17-70 is not even weather resistant ;(

What's the point of the water resistant camera body then ...
Body is weather resistant not Water (though it is pretty water tight)

The 18-135 looks to have similar iq to the 18-55wr (which is far better than most kit lenses on the market)
to get the performance of your other lenses though the DA*16-50 is really the lens to look at

the 18-55WR is worth owning if you don't have the 16-50 though. It's performance can be quite good (particularly it shines at around 35mm and f 5.6)

I have shot a lot in pretty heavy rain without a WR lens though, I gaffer tape the seal at the body and use saran or a plastic bag over the lens body (old film shooting trick). ugly but it works, i've spent whole day shooting live events this way a couple of times.
07-25-2012, 07:03 AM   #14
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I did incur some heavy rain / snow with my plastic k-r kit lens and the k-r body. They survived fine. I didn't really shoot much, but they did get water all over them which I wiped off with a cloth..

18-55 WR is a lot cheaper than 18-135 WR!
07-25-2012, 07:39 AM   #15
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18-135 aside from the much longer length also adds sdm and is an IF lens, both of which are more premium features (and it will be less noisy thanks to this)
18-55WR is a decent enough lens, but it is noisy by comparison with sdm lenses
It would almost be worth your while to buy the K30 kit with the 18-135 and sell off the K30
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