WR Lenses- just how weather resistant are they?

vk4akp · 02-01-2010, 03:53 PM

Hi, Just wondering just how weather resistant the new WR lens's are?

Looking to get a Pentax DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR to try out.

Would it be safe to use it in the rain for example?

.-.-.

GoremanX · 02-01-2010, 04:08 PM

I've used mine in the rain, even massive downpours. I've half-buried my camera in snow. I've used it near crashing waves. It's all very weather-resistant.

Some fools have put theirs under the faucet, or in the shower. For the most part, there have been very few ill incidents. But I think a good rule of thumb is to avoid pressurized water jets. It's weather resistant, not weather-proof. Complete submersion is probably also not a good idea.

Wheatfield · 02-02-2010, 06:29 AM

I don't worry at all about rain with my 55mm and 60-250mm lenses. Pentax says they are weather resistant, so if they aren't, they will have a warranty repair on their hands.

Vormulac · 02-02-2010, 07:36 AM

I use my DA* lenses in the rain all the time and my 70-135 has had a full glass of champagne poured into the upturned lens hood - ran it under tap - no ill effects at all.

Also very useful in music clubs - shooting Reef before Christmas and my mate's 50D fogged up the instant we got our cameras out, my K7 didn't.

**Rondec** · 02-02-2010, 09:23 AM

I think they will stand a lot of weather. Certainly submerging them will break the seals quickly. Both of my DA * lenses have taken down pours that eventually sent me inside.

vk4akp · 02-02-2010, 11:36 AM

OK, Thanks guys. All very interesting.

But I see a few here referring to DA* lens's.

The DA* are a very expensive lens range. Surly their weatherproofing is far superior to the DA WR lens's?

Or are they the same?

.-.-.

GoremanX · 02-02-2010, 12:01 PM

The DA* lenses are superior in optics and have SDM focusing, among other things. Their weather resistance is supposedly better too, mostly because they have internal focusing so there's no extension of the lens on zooming/focusing (and therefore no air gets sucked into the lens as it gets longer). I understand the WR kit lenses (18-55mm WR and 50-200mm WR) have "simple" weather sealing, but all the examples I gave above about what I subject my lens to has been done to my 18-55mm WR kit lens. I think Pentax did a fine job of weather-sealing the kit lenses.

edit: the DA* 55mm doesn't appeat to have internal focusing, so I guess that one does suck in air as it extends to focus.

pasipasi · 02-02-2010, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by GoremanX

and therefore no air gets sucked into the lens as it gets longer

But air still gets sucked in when the lens is zoomed.

vk4akp · 02-02-2010, 12:28 PM

TNX,

Hum. Well. I guess the big question is then.

Where does it suck from?

.-.-.

GoremanX · 02-02-2010, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by pasipasi

But air still gets sucked in when the lens is zoomed.

No it doesn't, it's internal focus and internal zooming. My DA* 50-135mm does not get any longer or shorter, it's a fixed length. Almost all DA* lenses are this way except the 55mm.

darrenleow · 02-02-2010, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by GoremanX

No it doesn't, it's internal focus and internal zooming. My DA* 50-135mm does not get any longer or shorter, it's a fixed length. Almost all DA* lenses are this way except the 55mm.

Don't the DA* 16-50 and 60-250 extend when zooming?

bdery · 02-02-2010, 02:24 PM

My WR kit has been exposed to a real Quebec snowstorm, and came out blazing and shooting :P I believe as long as there's no pressure applied the lenses will be ok (pressure meaning : being UNDER water)

asdf · 02-02-2010, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by GoremanX

edit: the DA* 55mm doesn't appeat to have internal focusing, so I guess that one does suck in air as it extends to focus.

It becomes "internal" focusing if you put a filter on it. Canon considers their new 50 f/1.2 fully weather sealed once you put a filter on it. (In the modern fast fifties, the ring with the filter thread does not move as you focus.)

GoremanX · 02-02-2010, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by darrenleow

Don't the DA* 16-50 and 60-250 extend when zooming?

oops, the 16-50mm does. Don't know about the 60-250.

VaughnA · 02-02-2010, 02:27 PM

No problems here. Had 18-55WR out in rain and snow with no problems at all.

02-01-2010, 03:53 PM	#1
vk4akp Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ipswich / Qld / Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 133	WR Lenses- just how weather resistant are they? Hi, Just wondering just how weather resistant the new WR lens's are? Looking to get a Pentax DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR to try out. Would it be safe to use it in the rain for example? .-.-.

02-02-2010, 11:36 AM	#6
vk4akp Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ipswich / Qld / Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 133 Original Poster	*DA vs DA WR Lens weather proofing?** OK, Thanks guys. All very interesting. But I see a few here referring to DA* lens's. The DA* are a very expensive lens range. Surly their weatherproofing is far superior to the DA WR lens's? Or are they the same? .-.-.

02-02-2010, 02:27 PM	#13
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by GoremanX edit: the DA* 55mm doesn't appeat to have internal focusing, so I guess that one does suck in air as it extends to focus. It becomes "internal" focusing if you put a filter on it. Canon considers their new 50 f/1.2 fully weather sealed once you put a filter on it. (In the modern fast fifties, the ring with the filter thread does not move as you focus.) Last edited by asdf; 02-02-2010 at 02:34 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Weather Resistant Lenses	kyteflyer	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	09-01-2010 04:42 AM
How Weather Resistant are "WR" lenses?	mediaslinky	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	07-12-2010 05:35 AM
Weather Resistant Lenses???	neverbnnba	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	8	07-07-2010 12:23 AM
Do I really need a weather resistant body?	justtakingpics	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	13	05-10-2010 06:52 AM
weather-resistant lenses	aka	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	9	09-25-2009 04:06 PM

02-01-2010, 04:08 PM	#2
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	I've used mine in the rain, even massive downpours. I've half-buried my camera in snow. I've used it near crashing waves. It's all very weather-resistant. Some fools have put theirs under the faucet, or in the shower. For the most part, there have been very few ill incidents. But I think a good rule of thumb is to avoid pressurized water jets. It's weather resistant, not weather-proof. Complete submersion is probably also not a good idea.

02-02-2010, 06:29 AM	#3
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	I don't worry at all about rain with my 55mm and 60-250mm lenses. Pentax says they are weather resistant, so if they aren't, they will have a warranty repair on their hands.

02-02-2010, 07:36 AM	#4
Vormulac Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London Posts: 219	I use my DA* lenses in the rain all the time and my 70-135 has had a full glass of champagne poured into the upturned lens hood - ran it under tap - no ill effects at all. Also very useful in music clubs - shooting Reef before Christmas and my mate's 50D fogged up the instant we got our cameras out, my K7 didn't.

02-02-2010, 09:23 AM	#5
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	I think they will stand a lot of weather. Certainly submerging them will break the seals quickly. Both of my DA * lenses have taken down pours that eventually sent me inside.

02-02-2010, 12:01 PM	#7
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	The DA* lenses are superior in optics and have SDM focusing, among other things. Their weather resistance is supposedly better too, mostly because they have internal focusing so there's no extension of the lens on zooming/focusing (and therefore no air gets sucked into the lens as it gets longer). I understand the WR kit lenses (18-55mm WR and 50-200mm WR) have "simple" weather sealing, but all the examples I gave above about what I subject my lens to has been done to my 18-55mm WR kit lens. I think Pentax did a fine job of weather-sealing the kit lenses. edit: the DA* 55mm doesn't appeat to have internal focusing, so I guess that one does suck in air as it extends to focus.

02-02-2010, 12:12 PM	#8
pasipasi Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oulu Photos: Gallery Posts: 532	Originally posted by GoremanX and therefore no air gets sucked into the lens as it gets longer But air still gets sucked in when the lens is zoomed.

02-02-2010, 12:28 PM	#9
vk4akp Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ipswich / Qld / Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 133 Original Poster	TNX, Hum. Well. I guess the big question is then. Where does it suck from? .-.-.

02-02-2010, 12:42 PM	#10
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by pasipasi But air still gets sucked in when the lens is zoomed. No it doesn't, it's internal focus and internal zooming. My DA* 50-135mm does not get any longer or shorter, it's a fixed length. Almost all DA* lenses are this way except the 55mm.

02-02-2010, 01:36 PM	#11
darrenleow Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	Originally posted by GoremanX No it doesn't, it's internal focus and internal zooming. My DA* 50-135mm does not get any longer or shorter, it's a fixed length. Almost all DA* lenses are this way except the 55mm. Don't the DA* 16-50 and 60-250 extend when zooming?

02-02-2010, 02:24 PM	#12
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	My WR kit has been exposed to a real Quebec snowstorm, and came out blazing and shooting :P I believe as long as there's no pressure applied the lenses will be ok (pressure meaning : being UNDER water)

02-02-2010, 02:27 PM	#14
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by darrenleow Don't the DA* 16-50 and 60-250 extend when zooming? oops, the 16-50mm does. Don't know about the 60-250.

02-02-2010, 02:27 PM	#15
VaughnA Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,363	No problems here. Had 18-55WR out in rain and snow with no problems at all.