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silvercamp · 08-29-2015, 07:59 AM

Over the last couple years I have come back to photography as a hobby and quickly started a new Pentax collection. I specifically like the durability and WR/dust resistant aspects of the system as I typically like to keep it in my kayak, canoe or at the lake where it's always exposed to splashing, wind and sand etc. I didn't want to have to worry all the time like the others , putting it carefully away between pictures where I just leave my Pentax on on bottom of the canoe ready to go.

Well the other day I found out how great of a camera the K3 is. I was climbing up a steep loose shale embankment with my family. While holding onto a rope with both hands I continued climbing I see my K3 unclip from my backpack with the 16-50 lens and start tumbling down like a rock bouncing up then hitting the ground again about a half dozen times. I yelled below fo my wife to lookout but she stretched her hand out a pinned it on the ground before a final plunge into a pile of rock below.

Once I got the camera back thinking the worst I auto focused and took some pictures and to my amazement everything was still working as before. Except for some scratches and dirt that I have to carefully clean

Just thought I would share my story about on of the many great features of Pentax.

**wtlwdwgn** · 08-29-2015, 08:39 AM

Glad it turned out okay instead of what might have happened.

silvercamp · 08-29-2015, 09:50 AM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

Glad it turned out okay instead of what might have happened.

That's for sure my first concern was for nobody below to get hit by the camera. Fortunately we were far enough apart that there was time to react to get out of the direct path. The K3 with the 16-50 lens is heavy and solid like a rock and could seriously hurt someone. Luckily nobody got hurt and the camera never took its final plunge

wissink · 08-29-2015, 10:09 AM

I'm impressed. I can imagine your heart sinking as you see it tumbling towards your family. I'm glad it turned out okay!

bigdavephoto · 08-29-2015, 04:24 PM

Now that could be turned into an add.

A picture of your camera right after the fall happened with the liner underneath saying "Built like a tank but still takes great pictures. Pentax"

I could see that in a magazine.

**snpsht** · 08-30-2015, 02:41 AM

Glad it (and you) survived!

Mine survived an accidental trip to the bottom of a mountain river - the non-water resistant, non-Pentax lens didn't though.

Took it months to dry out and I bought another K3 in the meantime, so I now have two!

starbase218 · 08-30-2015, 04:24 AM

Reading through your post I can almost see the horror scenario unfold. Glad your gear is still ok!

I wouldn't want to leave it exposed in a canoe though. I was canoeing with a few friends a while ago, and we tipped over. Don't think the K-3 would have survived that so easily.

**Mikesul** · 08-30-2015, 06:05 AM

Originally posted by starbase218

Reading through your post I can almost see the horror scenario unfold. Glad your gear is still ok!

I wouldn't want to leave it exposed in a canoe though. I was canoeing with a few friends a while ago, and we tipped over. Don't think the K-3 would have survived that so easily.

Actually it might. Check Heie's post from the Afghanistan shower stall from a few years ago.

08-29-2015, 07:59 AM	#1
silvercamp New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 18	Pentax K3 - One Tough Camera Over the last couple years I have come back to photography as a hobby and quickly started a new Pentax collection. I specifically like the durability and WR/dust resistant aspects of the system as I typically like to keep it in my kayak, canoe or at the lake where it's always exposed to splashing, wind and sand etc. I didn't want to have to worry all the time like the others , putting it carefully away between pictures where I just leave my Pentax on on bottom of the canoe ready to go. Well the other day I found out how great of a camera the K3 is. I was climbing up a steep loose shale embankment with my family. While holding onto a rope with both hands I continued climbing I see my K3 unclip from my backpack with the 16-50 lens and start tumbling down like a rock bouncing up then hitting the ground again about a half dozen times. I yelled below fo my wife to lookout but she stretched her hand out a pinned it on the ground before a final plunge into a pile of rock below. Once I got the camera back thinking the worst I auto focused and took some pictures and to my amazement everything was still working as before. Except for some scratches and dirt that I have to carefully clean Just thought I would share my story about on of the many great features of Pentax.

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08-29-2015, 08:39 AM	#2
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,853	Glad it turned out okay instead of what might have happened.

08-29-2015, 09:50 AM	#3
silvercamp New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 18 Original Poster	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn Glad it turned out okay instead of what might have happened. That's for sure my first concern was for nobody below to get hit by the camera. Fortunately we were far enough apart that there was time to react to get out of the direct path. The K3 with the 16-50 lens is heavy and solid like a rock and could seriously hurt someone. Luckily nobody got hurt and the camera never took its final plunge

08-29-2015, 10:09 AM	#4
wissink Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: S-ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 609	I'm impressed. I can imagine your heart sinking as you see it tumbling towards your family. I'm glad it turned out okay!

08-29-2015, 04:24 PM	#5
bigdavephoto Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: East central Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 893	Now that could be turned into an add. A picture of your camera right after the fall happened with the liner underneath saying "Built like a tank but still takes great pictures. Pentax" I could see that in a magazine.

08-30-2015, 02:41 AM	#6
snpsht Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South Coast, NSW Posts: 286	Glad it (and you) survived! Mine survived an accidental trip to the bottom of a mountain river - the non-water resistant, non-Pentax lens didn't though. Took it months to dry out and I bought another K3 in the meantime, so I now have two!

08-30-2015, 04:24 AM	#7
starbase218 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Planet Earth, Sol system, Milky Way galaxy, Universe Posts: 1,119	Reading through your post I can almost see the horror scenario unfold. Glad your gear is still ok! I wouldn't want to leave it exposed in a canoe though. I was canoeing with a few friends a while ago, and we tipped over. Don't think the K-3 would have survived that so easily.

08-30-2015, 06:05 AM	#8
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Originally posted by starbase218 Reading through your post I can almost see the horror scenario unfold. Glad your gear is still ok! I wouldn't want to leave it exposed in a canoe though. I was canoeing with a few friends a while ago, and we tipped over. Don't think the K-3 would have survived that so easily. Actually it might. Check Heie's post from the Afghanistan shower stall from a few years ago.

Pentax K3 - One Tough Camera

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