50mm DA f/1.8... good in rain?

toptenmaterial · 08-21-2017, 02:46 PM

Hi! Infrequent poster here. After using the Panasonic LX100 for a year and a half I've started saving up for the K70. I don't have a lot of cash so I think I'm going to get the 50mm lens for everything, as least to start with. I like to do street shooting at night in town, so having it wide open is a big plus.

My question: the K70 is weather resistant, or weather sealed, or... you can take it in the rain it seems. Can the 50mm DA do the same thing? We get some lousy weather in my little corner of the globe. Thanks!

awscreo · 08-21-2017, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by toptenmaterial

Hi! Infrequent poster here. After using the Panasonic LX100 for a year and a half I've started saving up for the K70. I don't have a lot of cash so I think I'm going to get the 50mm lens for everything, as least to start with. I like to do street shooting at night in town, so having it wide open is a big plus.

My question: the K70 is weather resistant, or weather sealed, or... you can take it in the rain it seems. Can the 50mm DA do the same thing? We get some lousy weather in my little corner of the globe. Thanks!

It's not weather sealed in any capacity, it is a plastic-fantastic standard lens after all. Optically it's fairly good though, but I wouldn't risk my camera with a non wr lens in a rain, unless you get a cover for the kit (which are available).

**boriscleto** · 08-21-2017, 02:51 PM

No. The DA 50 is not WR. If a lens is WR it will have that in its name i.e. 18-135 ED AL [IF] DC WR. (Extra-low Dispersion, Aspherical Element, Internal Focus, DC Motor, Weather Resistant)

The * series are all AW which means they are dust sealed as well as having a higher standard of WR. Adam has an article somewhere on the site that lists all the WR options.

Adam · 08-21-2017, 02:51 PM

The DA 50mm is not weather sealed. The more expensive DA* 55mm F1.4 is, however.

For those rainy days I'd say the most cost-effective solution would be a DA 18-55mm or 18-135mm WR. Then you won't be restricted in terms of primes.

Adam
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**BigMackCam** · 08-21-2017, 02:52 PM - **2 Likes**

Hello

No, the DA50 f/1.8 absolutely is not weather resistant... but neither were most all of the lenses people used during the days of film. Weather-resistant or not, you shouldn't treat any DSLR and lens combo like it's water-proof. Take reasonable precautions - a rain poncho, keeping the camera under your jacket, wiping it down when it gets droplets of water on it. Used this way, *any* camera and lens is usable in bad weather. Those that are weather-resistant are simply at less risk of water ingress

MadMathMind · 08-21-2017, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Weather-resistant or not, you shouldn't treat any DSLR and lens combo like it's water-proof. Take reasonable precautions - a rain poncho, keeping the camera under your jacket, wiping it down when it gets droplets of water on it. Used this way, *any* camera and lens is usable in bad weather. Those that are weather-resistant are simply at less risk of water ingress

I put mine under the faucet to clean it.

**clackers** · 08-21-2017, 07:10 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MadMathMind

I put mine under the faucet to clean it.

That's rolling dice.

There's no gasket on the DA50.

MadMathMind · 08-21-2017, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by clackers

That's rolling dice.

There's no gasket on the DA50.

with the DA*55 attached!

**clackers** · 08-21-2017, 07:14 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MadMathMind

with the DA*55 attached!

Well, that's obviously better.

I've got that combo too, but still wouldn't do that. Moist cloth for mine.

**mikesbike** · 08-21-2017, 11:08 PM

not having much cash- consider the KS-2 with the DA-L 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC WR kit lens. This combo is offered now at B&H for $549. Bought separately, the body is $499 and kit lens is nearly $300! I have the excellent K-5 IIs and last year bought this same combo as my lightweight alternative at a similarly great price- reduced after the K70 was released. A couple of months ago, I also purchased a KP.

I can tell you, the images from the KS-2 are very fine! Metering and exposure are very good. This kit lens is the smallest zoom lens for APS-C use. Releasing its retracted carrying position for using the lens is a bit fiddly, but easy to get used to. AF is fast, quiet, and sure. The combo is so compact, I can fit it into a large jacket pocket- no problem! Very handy. Yet, this neat little DSLR package has WR, both body and lens, and can be used in the rain! As I always say, be sure to employ "fine" sharpening in the custom image menu for both "Bright" and "Natural" categories. The kit lens is slow for doing night shots, however. We would be glad to see the arrival of a really good D-FA 24mm f/2 DC WR, and also a simple upgrade of the fine FA 35mm f/2 into a D-FA DC WR version.

**BigMackCam** · 08-21-2017, 11:34 PM

Originally posted by MadMathMind

I put mine under the faucet to clean it.

LOL

The point I was trying to make was, simple precautions allow any equipment, WR or not, to be used in most weather conditions. WR in a lens (or camera) is only weather resistance, not weather proofing. As such, there's risk associated with using even WR kit in wet weather (or rinsing it under the faucet

) - it's just lower risk than with non-WR kit

**caliscouser** · 08-22-2017, 02:44 PM

- fast
- cheap
- WR

pick 2 out of 3 because 3 out of 3 ain't happening

toptenmaterial · 08-22-2017, 08:13 PM

Fascinating responses. Thanks everyone. A question: is there a compelling reason to get the K70 over the KS2?

awscreo · 08-22-2017, 08:25 PM

Originally posted by toptenmaterial

Fascinating responses. Thanks everyone. A question: is there a compelling reason to get the K70 over the KS2?

Best bang for the buck, newer, a ton of awesome features, I believe it would have better image quality too. I'd watch few reviews on YouTube about the camera, like TheCameraStore channel K70 review

08-21-2017, 02:46 PM	#1
toptenmaterial Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 80	50mm DA f/1.8... good in rain? Hi! Infrequent poster here. After using the Panasonic LX100 for a year and a half I've started saving up for the K70. I don't have a lot of cash so I think I'm going to get the 50mm lens for everything, as least to start with. I like to do street shooting at night in town, so having it wide open is a big plus. My question: the K70 is weather resistant, or weather sealed, or... you can take it in the rain it seems. Can the 50mm DA do the same thing? We get some lousy weather in my little corner of the globe. Thanks!

08-21-2017, 11:08 PM	#10
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,558	not having much cash- consider the KS-2 with the DA-L 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC WR kit lens. This combo is offered now at B&H for $549. Bought separately, the body is $499 and kit lens is nearly $300! I have the excellent K-5 IIs and last year bought this same combo as my lightweight alternative at a similarly great price- reduced after the K70 was released. A couple of months ago, I also purchased a KP. I can tell you, the images from the KS-2 are very fine! Metering and exposure are very good. This kit lens is the smallest zoom lens for APS-C use. Releasing its retracted carrying position for using the lens is a bit fiddly, but easy to get used to. AF is fast, quiet, and sure. The combo is so compact, I can fit it into a large jacket pocket- no problem! Very handy. Yet, this neat little DSLR package has WR, both body and lens, and can be used in the rain! As I always say, be sure to employ "fine" sharpening in the custom image menu for both "Bright" and "Natural" categories. The kit lens is slow for doing night shots, however. We would be glad to see the arrival of a really good D-FA 24mm f/2 DC WR, and also a simple upgrade of the fine FA 35mm f/2 into a D-FA DC WR version. Last edited by mikesbike; 08-22-2017 at 12:01 AM.

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08-21-2017, 02:50 PM	#2
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722	Originally posted by toptenmaterial Hi! Infrequent poster here. After using the Panasonic LX100 for a year and a half I've started saving up for the K70. I don't have a lot of cash so I think I'm going to get the 50mm lens for everything, as least to start with. I like to do street shooting at night in town, so having it wide open is a big plus. My question: the K70 is weather resistant, or weather sealed, or... you can take it in the rain it seems. Can the 50mm DA do the same thing? We get some lousy weather in my little corner of the globe. Thanks! It's not weather sealed in any capacity, it is a plastic-fantastic standard lens after all. Optically it's fairly good though, but I wouldn't risk my camera with a non wr lens in a rain, unless you get a cover for the kit (which are available).

08-21-2017, 02:51 PM	#3
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,476	No. The DA 50 is not WR. If a lens is WR it will have that in its name i.e. 18-135 ED AL [IF] DC WR. (Extra-low Dispersion, Aspherical Element, Internal Focus, DC Motor, Weather Resistant) The * series are all AW which means they are dust sealed as well as having a higher standard of WR. Adam has an article somewhere on the site that lists all the WR options.

08-21-2017, 02:51 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	The DA 50mm is not weather sealed. The more expensive DA* 55mm F1.4 is, however. For those rainy days I'd say the most cost-effective solution would be a DA 18-55mm or 18-135mm WR. Then you won't be restricted in terms of primes. 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:

08-21-2017, 02:52 PM - 2 Likes	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,693	Hello No, the DA50 f/1.8 absolutely is not weather resistant... but neither were most all of the lenses people used during the days of film. Weather-resistant or not, you shouldn't treat any DSLR and lens combo like it's water-proof. Take reasonable precautions - a rain poncho, keeping the camera under your jacket, wiping it down when it gets droplets of water on it. Used this way, any camera and lens is usable in bad weather. Those that are weather-resistant are simply at less risk of water ingress

08-21-2017, 07:03 PM	#6
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	Originally posted by BigMackCam Weather-resistant or not, you shouldn't treat any DSLR and lens combo like it's water-proof. Take reasonable precautions - a rain poncho, keeping the camera under your jacket, wiping it down when it gets droplets of water on it. Used this way, any camera and lens is usable in bad weather. Those that are weather-resistant are simply at less risk of water ingress I put mine under the faucet to clean it.

08-21-2017, 07:10 PM - 1 Like	#7
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by MadMathMind I put mine under the faucet to clean it. That's rolling dice. There's no gasket on the DA50.

08-21-2017, 07:12 PM	#8
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	Originally posted by clackers That's rolling dice. There's no gasket on the DA50. with the DA*55 attached!

08-21-2017, 07:14 PM - 1 Like	#9
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by MadMathMind with the DA*55 attached! Well, that's obviously better. I've got that combo too, but still wouldn't do that. Moist cloth for mine.

08-21-2017, 11:34 PM	#11
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,693	Originally posted by MadMathMind I put mine under the faucet to clean it. LOL The point I was trying to make was, simple precautions allow any equipment, WR or not, to be used in most weather conditions. WR in a lens (or camera) is only weather resistance, not weather proofing. As such, there's risk associated with using even WR kit in wet weather (or rinsing it under the faucet ) - it's just lower risk than with non-WR kit

08-22-2017, 02:44 PM	#12
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	- fast - cheap - WR pick 2 out of 3 because 3 out of 3 ain't happening

08-22-2017, 08:13 PM	#13
toptenmaterial Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 80 Original Poster	Fascinating responses. Thanks everyone. A question: is there a compelling reason to get the K70 over the KS2?

08-22-2017, 08:25 PM	#14
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722	Originally posted by toptenmaterial Fascinating responses. Thanks everyone. A question: is there a compelling reason to get the K70 over the KS2? Best bang for the buck, newer, a ton of awesome features, I believe it would have better image quality too. I'd watch few reviews on YouTube about the camera, like TheCameraStore channel K70 review