k20d waterproof?

Mew · 11-03-2009, 08:10 AM

Hi.

Was wondering "how" waterproof the k20d is, it says in the catalouge that its water seald. But how much? Can i take it out if its raining?

noblepa · 11-03-2009, 08:20 AM

Pentax does not claim that the K20D is waterproof. That implies that it can be dunked completely underwater.

What they DO claim is that it is weather-sealed. All of the openings have rubber gaskets or some other form of seal that reduces the possibility of water or dust entering the camera. It does not guarantee to eliminate all possible water/dust infiltration. Big difference.

Note, also, that it is only completely weather-sealed when used with weather-sealed lenses. That includes all the DA* lenses and the new WR lenses, supplied as kit lenses for the K-x.

Can you take it out in the rain? Probably, but use a little common sense. If the rain has been given a name, you should probably keep it inside. I have a K10D, the K20D's predecessor, which has, essentially the same weather-seals. I don't avoid using the camera in the rain, even though I don't have a WR lens. If the rain is too heavy, I hold it under my coat, or at least hold it facing down, so that any water will hit the back, which is sealed and run off the lens, which is not. When not actually shooting, I do the same.

Eruditass · 11-03-2009, 08:21 AM

It means it won't be warrantied if you submerge it in water or subject it to high pressure water, but everything else is good and encouraged. People have shot in all kinds of weather conditions and non-weather conditions:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/76095-people-jello-fight.html

You can find videos of youtube where they take their camera into the shower:
YouTube - PENTAX K7 Sales Pitch in the shower!

taking it out in the rain:
YouTube - Rain and Rain - Pentax K-7

Pentax booths are known for emptying water bottles over their equipment with pride.
Official Pentax mini-ad:
YouTube - PENTAX K-7 Weather Sealing

However, make sure you have a DA* or WR lens. Those are the only lenses that are weathersealed. The LTD pancakes are not all sealed, unfortunately, only the DA* pancakes.

waqas · 11-03-2009, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by Eruditass

It means it won't be warrantied if you submerge it in water or subject it to high pressure water, but everything else is good and encouraged. People have shot in all kinds of weather conditions and non-weather conditions:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/76095-people-jello-fight.html

You can find videos of youtube where they take their camera into the shower:
YouTube - PENTAX K7 Sales Pitch in the shower!

taking it out in the rain:
YouTube - Rain and Rain - Pentax K-7

Pentax booths are known for emptying water bottles over their equipment with pride.
Official Pentax mini-ad:
YouTube - PENTAX K-7 Weather Sealing

However, make sure you have a DA* or WR lens. Those are the only lenses that are weathersealed. The LTD pancakes are not all sealed, unfortunately, only the DA* pancakes.

Wow, this was the first time I watched a Pentax getting a shower, there are lots of interesting Pentax videos out there at YT.

Eruditass · 11-03-2009, 09:14 AM

Also, check out this ad video of the K-7:

YouTube - ??? ??????? ???????: ??????

reeftool · 11-03-2009, 09:23 AM

I have been in rain and snow with my K10D without problems. The weather sealing seems to work very good but I am never deliberately reckless. If I know its going to rain I make sure I have a cover of some sort. Cold snow isn't to much of an issue but warmer, wet snow I treat as rain. I feel confidant I can use my camera the same way I used my manual film cameras.

**Ahab** · 11-03-2009, 09:27 AM

Originally posted by Mew

Hi.

Was wondering "how" waterproof the k20d is, it says in the catalouge that its water seald. But how much? Can i take it out if its raining?

I've had my K10D out in downpours with the kit lens, no problems. I'd have no reluctance to do the same with my K20D only I might have a DA* 200 mounted.

XH558 · 11-03-2009, 02:28 PM

I have used a K20D and recently a K-7 in the rain at airshows here in the UK and have suffered no problems at all with the weather sealing so I am confident that they work.

In fact at the last show I was at we had a bit of a downpour and I was surrounded by other camera owners who swiftly put theirs undercover and stared at me probably wondering why I wasn't that concerned!

That was a K-7 by the way and there have been no problems.

**Rondec** · 11-03-2009, 04:29 PM

I have shot in some pretty heavy weather with K10/20 and DA* lenses. I think that they can take the abuse better than I can. At the same time, as mentioned above, don't be silly. Giving your camera a bath on a regular basis will lead to the seals breaking down and trust me, electronics and water don't mix.

LeDave · 11-03-2009, 11:50 PM

It's water resistant but it's not water proof, not even a Sea Dweller is water proof although it can go down 4,000 feet in the ocean.

khaz0r · 11-04-2009, 07:39 PM

Although the camera may be weatherproof and water resistant, how about the lens? Are all lenses built to be weatherproof?

noblepa · 11-04-2009, 10:06 PM

Originally posted by khaz0r

Although the camera may be weatherproof and water resistant, how about the lens? Are all lenses built to be weatherproof?

No, most Pentax lenses are NOT weather sealed. Only the DA* lenses and the new WR kit lenses included with the K-x, are weather sealed.

res3567 · 11-05-2009, 01:50 AM

Pentax bodies and lenses will be advertised as WR. That should eliminate the guesswork.

Sew-Classic · 11-05-2009, 05:37 AM

Originally posted by noblepa

Note, also, that it is only completely weather-sealed when used with weather-sealed lenses. That includes all the DA* lenses and the new WR lenses, supplied as kit lenses for the K-x.

I think that you meant to say "K-7", not " K-x". The K-x is supplied with the DAL lenses- the lightweight lenses with the plastic mount and no inc. hood. The K-7, on the other hand, is often bundled with the WR lenses.

LeeHolliday · 11-17-2009, 10:17 PM

took mine out the other day in a heavy downpour.. no problems other than a fogged up lens.. oh and I didnt even realize that my 50mm 2.8 M lens was on the sucker til I got home. I didnt see any water on the mount and we were out there for at least a couple hours. yup!

11-03-2009, 08:10 AM	#1
Mew New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Borås Posts: 6	k20d waterproof? Hi. Was wondering "how" waterproof the k20d is, it says in the catalouge that its water seald. But how much? Can i take it out if its raining?

11-03-2009, 08:20 AM	#2
noblepa Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,142	Its Weather-Sealed, not "Waterproof" Pentax does not claim that the K20D is waterproof. That implies that it can be dunked completely underwater. What they DO claim is that it is weather-sealed. All of the openings have rubber gaskets or some other form of seal that reduces the possibility of water or dust entering the camera. It does not guarantee to eliminate all possible water/dust infiltration. Big difference. Note, also, that it is only completely weather-sealed when used with weather-sealed lenses. That includes all the DA* lenses and the new WR lenses, supplied as kit lenses for the K-x. Can you take it out in the rain? Probably, but use a little common sense. If the rain has been given a name, you should probably keep it inside. I have a K10D, the K20D's predecessor, which has, essentially the same weather-seals. I don't avoid using the camera in the rain, even though I don't have a WR lens. If the rain is too heavy, I hold it under my coat, or at least hold it facing down, so that any water will hit the back, which is sealed and run off the lens, which is not. When not actually shooting, I do the same.

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11-03-2009, 08:21 AM	#3
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	It means it won't be warrantied if you submerge it in water or subject it to high pressure water, but everything else is good and encouraged. People have shot in all kinds of weather conditions and non-weather conditions: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/76095-people-jello-fight.html You can find videos of youtube where they take their camera into the shower: YouTube - PENTAX K7 Sales Pitch in the shower! taking it out in the rain: YouTube - Rain and Rain - Pentax K-7 Pentax booths are known for emptying water bottles over their equipment with pride. Official Pentax mini-ad: YouTube - PENTAX K-7 Weather Sealing However, make sure you have a DA* or WR lens. Those are the only lenses that are weathersealed. The LTD pancakes are not all sealed, unfortunately, only the DA* pancakes.

11-03-2009, 09:09 AM	#4
waqas Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: VA, USA Posts: 234	Originally posted by Eruditass It means it won't be warrantied if you submerge it in water or subject it to high pressure water, but everything else is good and encouraged. People have shot in all kinds of weather conditions and non-weather conditions: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/76095-people-jello-fight.html You can find videos of youtube where they take their camera into the shower: YouTube - PENTAX K7 Sales Pitch in the shower! taking it out in the rain: YouTube - Rain and Rain - Pentax K-7 Pentax booths are known for emptying water bottles over their equipment with pride. Official Pentax mini-ad: YouTube - PENTAX K-7 Weather Sealing However, make sure you have a DA* or WR lens. Those are the only lenses that are weathersealed. The LTD pancakes are not all sealed, unfortunately, only the DA* pancakes. Wow, this was the first time I watched a Pentax getting a shower, there are lots of interesting Pentax videos out there at YT.

11-03-2009, 09:14 AM	#5
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Also, check out this ad video of the K-7: YouTube - ??? ??????? ???????: ??????

11-03-2009, 09:23 AM	#6
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	I have been in rain and snow with my K10D without problems. The weather sealing seems to work very good but I am never deliberately reckless. If I know its going to rain I make sure I have a cover of some sort. Cold snow isn't to much of an issue but warmer, wet snow I treat as rain. I feel confidant I can use my camera the same way I used my manual film cameras.

11-03-2009, 09:27 AM	#7
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	Originally posted by Mew Hi. Was wondering "how" waterproof the k20d is, it says in the catalouge that its water seald. But how much? Can i take it out if its raining? I've had my K10D out in downpours with the kit lens, no problems. I'd have no reluctance to do the same with my K20D only I might have a DA* 200 mounted.

11-03-2009, 02:28 PM	#8
XH558 Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Essex Posts: 10	I have used a K20D and recently a K-7 in the rain at airshows here in the UK and have suffered no problems at all with the weather sealing so I am confident that they work. In fact at the last show I was at we had a bit of a downpour and I was surrounded by other camera owners who swiftly put theirs undercover and stared at me probably wondering why I wasn't that concerned! That was a K-7 by the way and there have been no problems.

11-03-2009, 04:29 PM	#9
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	I have shot in some pretty heavy weather with K10/20 and DA* lenses. I think that they can take the abuse better than I can. At the same time, as mentioned above, don't be silly. Giving your camera a bath on a regular basis will lead to the seals breaking down and trust me, electronics and water don't mix.

11-03-2009, 11:50 PM	#10
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	It's water resistant but it's not water proof, not even a Sea Dweller is water proof although it can go down 4,000 feet in the ocean.

11-04-2009, 07:39 PM	#11
khaz0r Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 31	Although the camera may be weatherproof and water resistant, how about the lens? Are all lenses built to be weatherproof?

11-04-2009, 10:06 PM	#12
noblepa Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,142	Originally posted by khaz0r Although the camera may be weatherproof and water resistant, how about the lens? Are all lenses built to be weatherproof? No, most Pentax lenses are NOT weather sealed. Only the DA* lenses and the new WR kit lenses included with the K-x, are weather sealed.

11-05-2009, 01:50 AM	#13
res3567 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,876	Pentax bodies and lenses will be advertised as WR. That should eliminate the guesswork.

11-05-2009, 05:37 AM	#14
Sew-Classic Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ohio, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 238	Originally posted by noblepa Note, also, that it is only completely weather-sealed when used with weather-sealed lenses. That includes all the DA* lenses and the new WR lenses, supplied as kit lenses for the K-x. I think that you meant to say "K-7", not " K-x". The K-x is supplied with the DAL lenses- the lightweight lenses with the plastic mount and no inc. hood. The K-7, on the other hand, is often bundled with the WR lenses.

11-17-2009, 10:17 PM	#15
LeeHolliday Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SF Posts: 20	took mine out the other day in a heavy downpour.. no problems other than a fogged up lens.. oh and I didnt even realize that my 50mm 2.8 M lens was on the sucker til I got home. I didnt see any water on the mount and we were out there for at least a couple hours. yup!