What does "AW" stand for?

Michael Piziak · 08-21-2021, 03:18 PM

I read a post about WR and AW. I know WR is water restistance, but what does "AW" stand for - ?

**FozzFoster** · 08-21-2021, 03:23 PM - **1 Like**

All Weather

Youtu.be

stevebrot · 08-21-2021, 03:26 PM - **6 Likes**

It means if warranty service finds water inside, you lose.

Steve

Michael Piziak · 08-21-2021, 04:21 PM

Fozz & Steve,

What is better weather protection - WR or AW ?

vonBaloney · 08-21-2021, 04:33 PM

AW. You'll see the more premium lenses say AW.

Wheatfield · 08-21-2021, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by Michael Piziak

Fozz & Steve,

What is better weather protection - WR or AW ?

I expect they are the same thing.

Michael Piziak · 08-21-2021, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

I expect they are the same thing.

oh, ok. I thought that, perhaps, "WR" and "AW" were actual abbreviations used in the industry to mean that one is more weather proof than the other....hmmm.....

Wheatfield · 08-21-2021, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by Michael Piziak

oh, ok. I thought that, perhaps, "WR" and "AW" were actual abbreviations used in the industry to mean that one is more weather proof than the other....hmmm.....

It's all marketing double speak.

vonBaloney · 08-21-2021, 05:45 PM

According to Pentax, AW is superior, but it may just really mean that some lenses inherently seal better than others, i.e. prime vs zooms.

Michael Piziak · 08-21-2021, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

According to Pentax, AW is superior, but it may just really mean that some lenses inherently seal better than others, i.e. prime vs zooms.

Thanks for your reply.

On another forum, someone told me this:

"WR means Weather Resistant and AW is all weather. AW is a higher level of water and dust resistance."

**AstroDave** · 08-21-2021, 07:07 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Michael Piziak

more weather proof

NONE of these are weather PROOF! As Steve Brot noted!!

JPT · 08-21-2021, 09:10 PM - **1 Like**

The difference is that Ricoh claims that both WR and AW are weather resistant, but that AW is also dustproof.

You can see this indicated on p.26 of the lens/accessory brochure.
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/pdf/pentax_acc.pdf

biz-engineer · 08-21-2021, 10:49 PM - **2 Likes**

It means you could eventually cover the product with sand and mud and clean it under the shower, but you wouldn't do it if you paid the camera/lens with your own money. More practically, it means if you happen to be trapped into rain or sand storm while photographying, the camera and zoom lens can take some water drops or dust on the outside surfaces for some time until you blow air to remove dust and wipe it with a cloth to remote water before operating the zoom to avoid dust or water being sucked inside. Biggest mistake is to confuse AW/WR with Water Proof (often incorrectly interpreted). The other mistake is to operate the zoom when water / dust is on the surface of an extended lens barrel, there is no better to suck water/dust inside the zoom.

bogwalker · 08-24-2021, 04:59 PM

For a more definitive rating, you need to look for an IP value (Ingress protection). Higher numbers are better, there are specific testing requirements to qualify at each level. From another site:

IP65 – Water resistant
IP66 – Water resistant against powerful jets
IP67 – Protected against complete temporary water submersion

**mlag** · 09-26-2022, 01:55 PM - **1 Like**

On the new pentax.eu website I found this:
AW
Water and Dust Protection.
Humidity and dirt are the natural enemies of high performance electronics and precision optics.
AW lenses provide maximum weather-resistant and dustproof performance preventing the intrusion of drizzle and dust into the lens barrel.
WR
Water and Dust Protection.
Humidity and dirt are the natural enemies of high performance electronics and precision optics.
WR lenses come with a simplified weather-resistant construction designed to repel a light splash of water.

Confirms AW > WR.
Also: in the description of a WR lens is stated it is ”drip proof” what sounds a bit less than Weather Resistant....and AW refers to drizzle and dust.

So we have now Drizzle & Dust or Drip proof lenses.
Looks like they try to define weather as something which is not at all heavy rain !

Somehow I have the impression they got a bit more prudent...maybe they have seen too many online video’s of people showering their gear...

08-21-2021, 03:18 PM	#1
Michael Piziak Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,815	What does "AW" stand for? I read a post about WR and AW. I know WR is water restistance, but what does "AW" stand for - ?

08-21-2021, 10:49 PM - 2 Likes	#13
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,248	It means you could eventually cover the product with sand and mud and clean it under the shower, but you wouldn't do it if you paid the camera/lens with your own money. More practically, it means if you happen to be trapped into rain or sand storm while photographying, the camera and zoom lens can take some water drops or dust on the outside surfaces for some time until you blow air to remove dust and wipe it with a cloth to remote water before operating the zoom to avoid dust or water being sucked inside. Biggest mistake is to confuse AW/WR with Water Proof (often incorrectly interpreted). The other mistake is to operate the zoom when water / dust is on the surface of an extended lens barrel, there is no better to suck water/dust inside the zoom. Last edited by biz-engineer; 08-21-2021 at 11:11 PM.

08-24-2021, 04:59 PM	#14
bogwalker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Chicagoland Photos: Albums Posts: 145	For a more definitive rating, you need to look for an IP value (Ingress protection). Higher numbers are better, there are specific testing requirements to qualify at each level. From another site: IP65 – Water resistant IP66 – Water resistant against powerful jets IP67 – Protected against complete temporary water submersion

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08-21-2021, 03:26 PM - 6 Likes	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	It means if warranty service finds water inside, you lose. Steve

08-21-2021, 04:21 PM	#4
Michael Piziak Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,815 Original Poster	Fozz & Steve, What is better weather protection - WR or AW ?

08-21-2021, 04:33 PM	#5
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	AW. You'll see the more premium lenses say AW.

08-21-2021, 04:33 PM	#6
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	Originally posted by Michael Piziak Fozz & Steve, What is better weather protection - WR or AW ? I expect they are the same thing.

08-21-2021, 04:36 PM	#7
Michael Piziak Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,815 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wheatfield I expect they are the same thing. oh, ok. I thought that, perhaps, "WR" and "AW" were actual abbreviations used in the industry to mean that one is more weather proof than the other....hmmm.....

08-21-2021, 05:28 PM	#8
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	Originally posted by Michael Piziak oh, ok. I thought that, perhaps, "WR" and "AW" were actual abbreviations used in the industry to mean that one is more weather proof than the other....hmmm..... It's all marketing double speak.

08-21-2021, 05:45 PM	#9
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	According to Pentax, AW is superior, but it may just really mean that some lenses inherently seal better than others, i.e. prime vs zooms.

08-21-2021, 05:51 PM	#10
Michael Piziak Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,815 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney According to Pentax, AW is superior, but it may just really mean that some lenses inherently seal better than others, i.e. prime vs zooms. Thanks for your reply. On another forum, someone told me this: "WR means Weather Resistant and AW is all weather. AW is a higher level of water and dust resistance."

08-21-2021, 07:07 PM - 1 Like	#11
AstroDave Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 1,648	Originally posted by Michael Piziak more weather proof NONE of these are weather PROOF! As Steve Brot noted!!

08-21-2021, 09:10 PM - 1 Like	#12
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	The difference is that Ricoh claims that both WR and AW are weather resistant, but that AW is also dustproof. You can see this indicated on p.26 of the lens/accessory brochure. http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/pdf/pentax_acc.pdf

09-26-2022, 01:55 PM - 1 Like	#15
mlag Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Zuiderkempen - Grote Netewoud - Belgium Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,410	On the new pentax.eu website I found this: AW Water and Dust Protection. Humidity and dirt are the natural enemies of high performance electronics and precision optics. AW lenses provide maximum weather-resistant and dustproof performance preventing the intrusion of drizzle and dust into the lens barrel. WR Water and Dust Protection. Humidity and dirt are the natural enemies of high performance electronics and precision optics. WR lenses come with a simplified weather-resistant construction designed to repel a light splash of water. Confirms AW > WR. Also: in the description of a WR lens is stated it is ”drip proof” what sounds a bit less than Weather Resistant....and AW refers to drizzle and dust. So we have now Drizzle & Dust or Drip proof lenses. Looks like they try to define weather as something which is not at all heavy rain ! Somehow I have the impression they got a bit more prudent...maybe they have seen too many online video’s of people showering their gear...