Pentax K-5 Water proofing - false advertising

**crewl1** · 04-01-2013, 01:04 AM - **2 Likes**

I specifically purchased an 18-135 lens to complete my WR kit with my K-5 and have been enjoying the shots I have been getting with this combo.

Yesterday however I believe the seals failed when I was shooting a sporting event at my grand daughters swim meet.

I wanted to get a shot of her touching the wall of the pool but when I stuck my camera in to get the shot the camera only took 3 frames of the normal burst and then stopped.
Upon trying to review the shots the camera would not power up.

I noticed some water drops under the top LCD which doesnt seem normal since the camera is water proof.
When I took out the battery a little bit of water drained out of the bottom.

Does anyone else have similar experience? I can't get the camera to power on any more.

I will send the camera in for repair and plan to sell it when it comes back as I believe Pentax advertising about WR is false.
My warranty is up first of April, glad I tried it in the pool before the warranty expired.

Medium FormatPro · 04-01-2013, 01:22 AM - **1 Like**

READ THE INSTRUCTION BOOK or simply "Google" the term WR!!

WR literally mean Weather RESISTANCE; and **NOT** weather PROOF. If you would have wanted a water proof camera then they do sell a few point and shoots that are water proof to a degree, or one can purchase most any SLR and then spend a few more thousand to get a **PROPER** water PROOF housing for it.

It is not false advertising, but lack of the owner in BOTH doing research on it and also complete failure to read the instruction book.

Sure send it for repair, as the repair BILL for both the camera and the lens will be more than one actually paid for the camera. It is not a warranty item.

beachboy2 · 04-01-2013, 01:24 AM - **1 Like**

Did you have the sliding plastic cover in place in the flash hot shoe? It's required and easily forgotten.
bb2

siamthai · 04-01-2013, 01:30 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by crewl1

I specifically purchased an 18-135 lens to complete my WR kit with my K-5 and have been enjoying the shots I have been getting with this combo.

Yesterday however I believe the seals failed when I was shooting a sporting event at my grand daughters swim meet.

I wanted to get a shot of her touching the wall of the pool but when I stuck my camera in to get the shot the camera only took 3 frames of the normal burst and then stopped.
Upon trying to review the shots the camera would not power up.

I noticed some water drops under the top LCD which doesnt seem normal since the camera is water proof.
When I took out the battery a little bit of water drained out of the bottom.

Does anyone else have similar experience? I can't get the camera to power on any more.

I will send the camera in for repair and plan to sell it when it comes back as I believe Pentax advertising about WR is false.
My warranty is up first of April, glad I tried it in the pool before the warranty expired.

I guess it's april fools joke :-)

Eulogy · 04-01-2013, 01:32 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Medium FormatPro

READ THE INSTRUCTION BOOK or simply "Google" the term WR!!

WR literally mean Weather RESISTANCE; and **NOT** weather PROOF. If you would have wanted a water proof camera then they do sell a few point and shoots that are water proof to a degree, or one can purchase most any SLR and then spend a few more thousand to get a **PROPER** water PROOF housing for it.

It is not false advertising, but lack of the owner in BOTH doing research on it and also complete failure to read the instruction book.

Sure send it for repair, as the repair BILL for both the camera and the lens will be more than one actually paid for the camera. It is not a warranty item.

Clavius · 04-01-2013, 01:46 AM - **1 Like**

You stuck your gear under water?!? If this is not an April fools joke, then I don't know what is.

Gray · 04-01-2013, 01:55 AM - **1 Like**

delicious: crewl1 and Medium FormatPro, you are both such PF veterans!! Well done (both), for the set up and the fall.

**Rondec** · 04-01-2013, 03:31 AM - **1 Like**

The problem is that the sealing on the 18-135 isn't as good as the sealing on the DA * lenses. Definitely for underwater work, you should use one of those lenses.

Anvh · 04-01-2013, 03:37 AM

It probably would have lasted longer with a DA* lens on it.
I mean Pentax own people actually put the K5 under water up to the lens mount to demonstrate the sealing.

You Tube

Mazhe · 04-01-2013, 03:46 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Rondec

The problem is that the sealing on the 18-135 isn't as good as the sealing on the DA * lenses. Definitely for underwater work, you should use one of those lenses.

Or rather you should use a 645D ^^

Tom S. · 04-01-2013, 04:45 AM - **2 Likes**

Maybe you should put it in the microwave to dry it out?

macTak · 04-01-2013, 06:31 AM - **2 Likes**

The problem here was not the water, but the chlorine (and probably urine; the Olympic champions admit that they pee in the pool) in the water. Pentax advertises resistance only to water, not to a chlorine/urine cocktail, and these chemical deposits have damaged the camera. To remove them, you need to thoroughly clean the camera with regular water. Take the lens off and run all parts of the lens under the tap (make sure to zoom and focus the lens aggressively whilst under the tap to break up any deposits!); then do the same for the camera (make sure you the mirror box is washed out well too, as deposits could be lurking there!). If the camera still doesn't work, the deposits have obviously adhered beyond the point of solubility, and you will have to shift them. To do this, use a hammer to strike all portions of the camera and lens. If somehow this fails, then you will have to buy a new hammer.

mrNewt · 04-01-2013, 06:51 AM - **1 Like**

Well your seals failed because you didn't warm them up first - you need to use a torch so you can expand the seals - this way any small imperfections are filled by the expanding rubber.

For BEST results however, you need to use a condom - great sealer!!!

Jean Poitiers · 04-01-2013, 07:00 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Tom S.

Maybe you should put it in the microwave to dry it out?

I thought the same thing ...

Kozlok · 04-01-2013, 07:27 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Tom S.

Maybe you should put it in the microwave to dry it out?

I bet it tastes like chicken after that.

04-01-2013, 01:04 AM - 2 Likes	#1
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Pentax K-5 Water proofing - false advertising I specifically purchased an 18-135 lens to complete my WR kit with my K-5 and have been enjoying the shots I have been getting with this combo. Yesterday however I believe the seals failed when I was shooting a sporting event at my grand daughters swim meet. I wanted to get a shot of her touching the wall of the pool but when I stuck my camera in to get the shot the camera only took 3 frames of the normal burst and then stopped. Upon trying to review the shots the camera would not power up. I noticed some water drops under the top LCD which doesnt seem normal since the camera is water proof. When I took out the battery a little bit of water drained out of the bottom. Does anyone else have similar experience? I can't get the camera to power on any more. I will send the camera in for repair and plan to sell it when it comes back as I believe Pentax advertising about WR is false. My warranty is up first of April, glad I tried it in the pool before the warranty expired.

04-01-2013, 01:46 AM - 1 Like	#6
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	You stuck your gear under water?!? If this is not an April fools joke, then I don't know what is. Last edited by Clavius; 04-01-2013 at 01:55 AM.

04-01-2013, 06:31 AM - 2 Likes	#12
macTak Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 759	The problem here was not the water, but the chlorine (and probably urine; the Olympic champions admit that they pee in the pool) in the water. Pentax advertises resistance only to water, not to a chlorine/urine cocktail, and these chemical deposits have damaged the camera. To remove them, you need to thoroughly clean the camera with regular water. Take the lens off and run all parts of the lens under the tap (make sure to zoom and focus the lens aggressively whilst under the tap to break up any deposits!); then do the same for the camera (make sure you the mirror box is washed out well too, as deposits could be lurking there!). If the camera still doesn't work, the deposits have obviously adhered beyond the point of solubility, and you will have to shift them. To do this, use a hammer to strike all portions of the camera and lens. If somehow this fails, then you will have to buy a new hammer. Last edited by macTak; 04-01-2013 at 06:38 AM.

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04-01-2013, 01:22 AM - 1 Like	#2
Medium FormatPro Banned Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Charleston & Pittsburgh Photos: Albums Posts: 1,668	READ THE INSTRUCTION BOOK or simply "Google" the term WR!! WR literally mean Weather RESISTANCE; and NOT weather PROOF. If you would have wanted a water proof camera then they do sell a few point and shoots that are water proof to a degree, or one can purchase most any SLR and then spend a few more thousand to get a PROPER water PROOF housing for it. It is not false advertising, but lack of the owner in BOTH doing research on it and also complete failure to read the instruction book. Sure send it for repair, as the repair BILL for both the camera and the lens will be more than one actually paid for the camera. It is not a warranty item.

04-01-2013, 01:24 AM - 1 Like	#3
beachboy2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 222	Did you have the sliding plastic cover in place in the flash hot shoe? It's required and easily forgotten. bb2

04-01-2013, 01:30 AM - 2 Likes	#4
siamthai Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Svealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 172	Originally posted by crewl1 I specifically purchased an 18-135 lens to complete my WR kit with my K-5 and have been enjoying the shots I have been getting with this combo. Yesterday however I believe the seals failed when I was shooting a sporting event at my grand daughters swim meet. I wanted to get a shot of her touching the wall of the pool but when I stuck my camera in to get the shot the camera only took 3 frames of the normal burst and then stopped. Upon trying to review the shots the camera would not power up. I noticed some water drops under the top LCD which doesnt seem normal since the camera is water proof. When I took out the battery a little bit of water drained out of the bottom. Does anyone else have similar experience? I can't get the camera to power on any more. I will send the camera in for repair and plan to sell it when it comes back as I believe Pentax advertising about WR is false. My warranty is up first of April, glad I tried it in the pool before the warranty expired. I guess it's april fools joke :-)

04-01-2013, 01:32 AM - 1 Like	#5
Eulogy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	Originally posted by Medium FormatPro READ THE INSTRUCTION BOOK or simply "Google" the term WR!! WR literally mean Weather RESISTANCE; and NOT weather PROOF. If you would have wanted a water proof camera then they do sell a few point and shoots that are water proof to a degree, or one can purchase most any SLR and then spend a few more thousand to get a PROPER water PROOF housing for it. It is not false advertising, but lack of the owner in BOTH doing research on it and also complete failure to read the instruction book. Sure send it for repair, as the repair BILL for both the camera and the lens will be more than one actually paid for the camera. It is not a warranty item.

04-01-2013, 01:55 AM - 1 Like	#7
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	delicious: crewl1 and Medium FormatPro, you are both such PF veterans!! Well done (both), for the set up and the fall.

04-01-2013, 03:31 AM - 1 Like	#8
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	The problem is that the sealing on the 18-135 isn't as good as the sealing on the DA * lenses. Definitely for underwater work, you should use one of those lenses.

04-01-2013, 03:46 AM - 1 Like	#10
Mazhe Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 139	Originally posted by Rondec The problem is that the sealing on the 18-135 isn't as good as the sealing on the DA * lenses. Definitely for underwater work, you should use one of those lenses. Or rather you should use a 645D ^^

04-01-2013, 04:45 AM - 2 Likes	#11
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	Maybe you should put it in the microwave to dry it out?

04-01-2013, 06:51 AM - 1 Like	#13
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Well your seals failed because you didn't warm them up first - you need to use a torch so you can expand the seals - this way any small imperfections are filled by the expanding rubber. For BEST results however, you need to use a condom - great sealer!!!

04-01-2013, 07:00 AM - 1 Like	#14
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Originally posted by Tom S. Maybe you should put it in the microwave to dry it out? I thought the same thing ...

04-01-2013, 07:27 AM - 1 Like	#15
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Originally posted by Tom S. Maybe you should put it in the microwave to dry it out? I bet it tastes like chicken after that.