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HermanLee · 05-07-2009, 09:36 AM

Since Pentax mentioned to provide a complete Weather Sealed line up of camera gear,
what is the chance that we're getting a Weather Sealed Flash unit?

That's the only part of Pentax gear that has no weather sealing.

So, please vote your opinion for our friends in Pentax Corp!

Behind-Camera · 05-07-2009, 09:42 AM

I don’t think so. In case of WS failure, high voltage could seriously hurt you. That’s to much of a risk making WS flash.

BrendanPK · 05-07-2009, 09:44 AM

Hey it took them long enough to get the 540 out to begin with (something like 6 yr after the 360) so based on that, and the K10D release... I figure in about 2 more years they may have the sence to do it... Heck it took Canon 20 years to seal their flashes, Nikon still hasn't either

**ManuH** · 05-07-2009, 09:58 AM

It's very easy to seal a flash with a simple ziploc bag so it doesn't bother me.

**DAZ** · 05-07-2009, 10:29 AM

I am not sure of the need for something that is easy to get but hard for Pentax to make for a limited use.

If I need a weatherproof flash I just put my 540/360 in a zip lock bag and use the built in flash on the camera to trigger it. I need more range I just put a bag on the RF trigger on the hotshoe. If Pentax was to make a weatherproof flash the cost would be more (more then 30 cents) then the 99 percent that need/want would pay for. Most would just buy the 540/360 and use the bag.

Don’t get my wrong. I live in the Pacific Northwest. I see the need for weatherproofing, especially on the camera. Even summer weddings can get rained on here. But I don’t see the bang for buck in a weatherproof flash.

I think most Pentax uses would rather have Pentax spend R&D on a weatherproof kit lens or 2.

DAZ

Edit: I see that while I was off line ManuH said about the same thing.

sharko · 05-07-2009, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by ManuH

It's very easy to seal a flash with a simple ziploc bag so it doesn't bother me.

Ziploc bag is the best bang for the buck solution. Just make sure it holds water before hand and you're good to go.

blende8 · 05-07-2009, 11:13 AM

Wait for the new SDM flashes.

Kunzite · 05-07-2009, 11:40 AM

Where is the "No, I don't need one but I'll buy it anyway" option?

Ratmagiclady · 05-07-2009, 11:58 AM

Yeah, whenever I'm out in a rainstorm, I'm just not getting the shots of all the raindrops between me and my subject that I could be.

(I mean, all other things being equal, and how much a nice flash unit costs these days, it'd be cheap enough accident insurance to isolate the electronics, but that'd be just for thoroughness' sake. Hard to see it being a selling point.)

HermanLee · 05-07-2009, 01:51 PM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Where is the "No, I don't need one but I'll buy it anyway" option?

That means you WANT it but don't need it so either choice #1 or 2

Buddha Jones · 05-07-2009, 02:04 PM

If I got paid to shoot, then yeah, I would for sure be out there in the rain taking photos, but since I don't it's not a need. But if I ever take a trip to Brazil or something or some place that has amazing waterfalls and I need some extra light but don't have a flash, then I would wish I did.

Honestly, I just prefer natural light. Give me fast glass and crisp high ISO over a flash any day.

GoldenWreckedAngle · 05-07-2009, 02:20 PM

I can see it being a real advantage for more than just rain. How about just being able to spray-clean the thing without worrying. Joe McNally has been known to stick a flash in a dead chicken to get a shot. I'm thinking, you pull that stunt a few times, and you'll appreciate the ability to clean that puppy with something a little more substantial than a cue-tip and a squirt of canned air.

janneman · 05-07-2009, 03:37 PM

Ever flashed in snow, rain or dust???
These bright raindrops, dustparticles or snowflakes on a very dark subject?

Torphoto · 05-07-2009, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by janneman

Ever flashed in snow, rain or dust???
These bright raindrops, dustparticles or snowflakes on a very dark subject?

Yes but the point isn't to use the flash in adverse weather as much as if you get stuck in it you know that the flash will still work. Here in Trinidad during Carnival we had a huge down pour, I knew my K20D and 50-135 would be fine getting soaked but I stuck my flash in the bag quickly out of fear. I saw another photogs flash stop working in this same rain, now wouldn't it be nice if you knew that wouldn't happen.

ogl · 05-07-2009, 06:46 PM

To use flash in rain is strange idea IMO.

View Poll Results: Voting for Pentax Weather Sealed Flash!
Yes, I really need/want one, now!	14	20.59%
Yes, I need/want & will get it one day!	14	20.59%
Maybe, but I'm not sure.	19	27.94%
No, I don't need/want one!	15	22.06%
No, that's a stupid idea!	6	8.82%
Voters: 68. You may not vote on this poll

05-07-2009, 11:58 AM	#9
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Yeah, whenever I'm out in a rainstorm, I'm just not getting the shots of all the raindrops between me and my subject that I could be. (I mean, all other things being equal, and how much a nice flash unit costs these days, it'd be cheap enough accident insurance to isolate the electronics, but that'd be just for thoroughness' sake. Hard to see it being a selling point.) Last edited by Ratmagiclady; 05-07-2009 at 12:04 PM.

05-07-2009, 03:37 PM	#13
janneman Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 908	The problem with a sealed flash Ever flashed in snow, rain or dust??? These bright raindrops, dustparticles or snowflakes on a very dark subject?

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05-07-2009, 09:36 AM	#1
HermanLee Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern California, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 729	Pentax Weather Sealed Flash! Since Pentax mentioned to provide a complete Weather Sealed line up of camera gear, what is the chance that we're getting a Weather Sealed Flash unit? That's the only part of Pentax gear that has no weather sealing. So, please vote your opinion for our friends in Pentax Corp!

05-07-2009, 09:42 AM	#2
Behind-Camera Guest	I don’t think so. In case of WS failure, high voltage could seriously hurt you. That’s to much of a risk making WS flash.

05-07-2009, 09:44 AM	#3
BrendanPK Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 735	Hey it took them long enough to get the 540 out to begin with (something like 6 yr after the 360) so based on that, and the K10D release... I figure in about 2 more years they may have the sence to do it... Heck it took Canon 20 years to seal their flashes, Nikon still hasn't either

05-07-2009, 09:58 AM	#4
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	It's very easy to seal a flash with a simple ziploc bag so it doesn't bother me.

05-07-2009, 10:29 AM	#5
DAZ Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Everett, WA USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 744	I am not sure of the need for something that is easy to get but hard for Pentax to make for a limited use. If I need a weatherproof flash I just put my 540/360 in a zip lock bag and use the built in flash on the camera to trigger it. I need more range I just put a bag on the RF trigger on the hotshoe. If Pentax was to make a weatherproof flash the cost would be more (more then 30 cents) then the 99 percent that need/want would pay for. Most would just buy the 540/360 and use the bag. Don’t get my wrong. I live in the Pacific Northwest. I see the need for weatherproofing, especially on the camera. Even summer weddings can get rained on here. But I don’t see the bang for buck in a weatherproof flash. I think most Pentax uses would rather have Pentax spend R&D on a weatherproof kit lens or 2. DAZ Edit: I see that while I was off line ManuH said about the same thing.

05-07-2009, 10:38 AM	#6
sharko Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: City of Angels Photos: Gallery Posts: 278	Originally posted by ManuH It's very easy to seal a flash with a simple ziploc bag so it doesn't bother me. Ziploc bag is the best bang for the buck solution. Just make sure it holds water before hand and you're good to go.

05-07-2009, 11:13 AM	#7
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	Wait for the new SDM flashes.

05-07-2009, 11:40 AM	#8
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Where is the "No, I don't need one but I'll buy it anyway" option?

05-07-2009, 01:51 PM	#10
HermanLee Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern California, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 729 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kunzite Where is the "No, I don't need one but I'll buy it anyway" option? That means you WANT it but don't need it so either choice #1 or 2

05-07-2009, 02:04 PM	#11
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	If I got paid to shoot, then yeah, I would for sure be out there in the rain taking photos, but since I don't it's not a need. But if I ever take a trip to Brazil or something or some place that has amazing waterfalls and I need some extra light but don't have a flash, then I would wish I did. Honestly, I just prefer natural light. Give me fast glass and crisp high ISO over a flash any day.

05-07-2009, 02:20 PM	#12
GoldenWreckedAngle Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 339	I can see it being a real advantage for more than just rain. How about just being able to spray-clean the thing without worrying. Joe McNally has been known to stick a flash in a dead chicken to get a shot. I'm thinking, you pull that stunt a few times, and you'll appreciate the ability to clean that puppy with something a little more substantial than a cue-tip and a squirt of canned air.

05-07-2009, 05:42 PM	#14
Torphoto Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Trinidad W.I. Photos: Gallery Posts: 612	Originally posted by janneman Ever flashed in snow, rain or dust??? These bright raindrops, dustparticles or snowflakes on a very dark subject? Yes but the point isn't to use the flash in adverse weather as much as if you get stuck in it you know that the flash will still work. Here in Trinidad during Carnival we had a huge down pour, I knew my K20D and 50-135 would be fine getting soaked but I stuck my flash in the bag quickly out of fear. I saw another photogs flash stop working in this same rain, now wouldn't it be nice if you knew that wouldn't happen.

05-07-2009, 06:46 PM	#15
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	To use flash in rain is strange idea IMO.

Pentax Weather Sealed Flash!

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