Something I've been wondering about the stars. They have been the only weather resistant Pentax lenses until the release of the WR kit zooms. And where does one need weather resistance? Outside. And what do people shoot outside? OK, many shoot birds, animals and such stuff that that demands lenses in tele-range, like DA* 200, 300 or 60-250. But probably at least as many people shoot landscapes and wider lenses are really handy then. And what kind of DA* wide lenses does Pentax offer then? Well, there's the 16-50 mm zoom and ... nada. So it's basically just ONE lens for landscapes. And BTW, does a 55 mm lens really need weather resistance? I mean, isn't that really mostly a portrait lens today and not a tele or wide that is used outside?

Odd and a bit unpractical in my opinion. But I'm sure people find other aspects in this question.

[Ash]

Good thoughts, although WR also means dust protection from the internals of the lens. Another thing not to have to worry about for me. You don't need to be outside to get dust particles challenging the integrity of the lens.

[heliphoto]

I agree with the premise that there's a shortage of short sealed lenses - something like a 12mm wx. sealed prime would be awesome!

I disagree that Landscape = short focal length... I often shoot landscapes with lenses up to 200mm. Here's one @ 200mm.

Ash's point about dust resistance is a good one too - my Tamron 70-200mm already has a few pieces of dust inside, and it's been in use about nine months, but my DA* lenses are dust free.

[Eaglerapids]

I agree with the premise that there's a shortage of short sealed lenses - something like a 12mm wx. sealed prime would be awesome!

I disagree that Landscape = short focal length... I often shoot landscapes with lenses up to 200mm.
Ash's point about dust resistance is a good one too... but my DA* lenses are dust free.

I have no problem using my 300/4 for a landscape, either.
But I do agree, also, about the need for a sealed wide angle. I was just out this morning in the rain having to take care with the 21mm on the K10 and just not worrying about the 300/4 on the K20.

[bdery]

You can use WR lenses to protect yourself against rain, snow, sand, dust, wind. You can use your WR lenses in any situation when you might want to take pictures. And adding WR to the higher end lenses makes sense. At some point, it seems that Pentax plans on adding WR to all their lenses (except maybe the limiteds). That makes a lot of sense to me.

[MikePerham]

And BTW, does a 55 mm lens really need weather resistance? I mean, isn't that really mostly a portrait lens today and not a tele or wide that is used outside?

The DA* series is more than just WR ...it is the premium line of Pentax lenses. Hence the 55 is a DA* to show it is a premium grade lens (and priced accordingly) ...the fact that it is WR is simply consistant with the series.

However, I do agree with you that a super wide is needed in the DA* series. Whether it is something like the much speculated upon 11-16/f2.8 or a prime that is at least 12mm ...either way I would snap one up if it were made available.

The DA* series is more than just WR ...it is the premium line of Pentax lenses. Hence the 55 is a DA* to show it is a premium grade lens (and priced accordingly) ...the fact that it is WR is simply consistant with the series.

Well, you certainly know that there's also the premium line of limited lenses without WR.

[thomascdk]

I would be happy if the 10-17 was WR. I love to shoot nature and landscapes with this little gem and that often leads to me and the camera lying on the ground.

[MikePerham]

Well, you certainly know that there's also the premium line of limited lenses without WR.

Well there is (are) the limiteds ...but they cater to a different need. I am building a 3 lens limited kit to have a small travel package as my current camera bag and gear is getting too big an heavy to carry for any length of time. That is were the limiteds come in ...however I am going to add the DA15 to that limeted kit even though it is very close to the 16-50 I have now.

I still think we need a superwide DA* to round out the premium range of conventional lenses ...as opposed to the niche product limiteds.

Best opening sentence of the year.

Best opening sentence of the year.

"I'd like to thank the Academy..."

[egordon99]

Shooting in overcast conditions is awesome, especially people shots. So of course there's often a chance of rain/drizzle, so I would LOVE a fully weather sealed system for portraits.

I was out with my Canon 24-70L/40D and it started drizziling. Got some great shots but was very tentative as that combo is nowhere near as weather-sealed as a K20D/16-50.