Which Pentax film SLR's are weatherproof?

PaddyB · 01-18-2009, 10:57 PM

I'm looking at getting a film SLR in the near future. Since I shoot in nasty conditions a lot I was wondering what models are weatherproof or at least weather resisant/built like a tank.

I've read that the LX is...are there any others? What about the MZ-S?

redpigeons · 01-18-2009, 11:12 PM

Originally posted by PaddyB

I'm looking at getting a film SLR in the near future. Since I shoot in nasty conditions a lot I was wondering what models are weatherproof or at least weather resisant/built like a tank.

I've read that the LX is...are there any others? What about the MZ-S?

I have a k1000 that is older then me (30 years) and MZ-7 that I bought in 2003. honestly I don't know about weather proof I am probably not going to help you but I can say that my cameras been to a lot!! and I mean A LOT!! and both models built like a tank. you hold it and feel like you holding a solid piece of machinery.

Wheatfield · 01-19-2009, 06:30 AM

The LX is somewhat weather sealed, though I wouldn't trust them in a heavy rain. The lenses are not weather proof. You can get waterproof housings intended for scuba diving if you need extreme protection from the elements.
The most I've ever done is to use electrical tape to seal off some of the more obvious areas of intrusion and hope for the best.
Frankly, with the price of used film cameras now, I'd just buy cheap plastic ones from the MZ era and treat them as semi disposable cameras at this point if I was going to torture them to death.

redpigeons · 01-19-2009, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Frankly, with the price of used film cameras now, I'd just buy cheap plastic ones from the MZ era and treat them as semi disposable cameras at this point if I was going to torture them to death.

Just one thing... don't use the FA kit lens that came with the MZ the 28-80 is really week it feels week and it will not last much on though condition.
but if you attach an older lens or better lens to the MZ you will get a solid piece

PaddyB · 01-19-2009, 10:33 PM

By nasty conditions I mean high humidity, (moderate) exposure to dust/dirt/sand and light rain. No heavy rain or underwater use. My K10D has done nicely in such conditions although I found mold on the mount recently when I removed the lens. Perhaps I'll try the electrical tape idea.

So which of the MZ series are well built? Some of them are pretty cheap on ebay...can anyone give me a breakdown on the MZ's or a link thereto?

Thanks.

Erik · 01-20-2009, 07:45 AM

For this type of usage, I would get any one of the old all-metal mechanical models over the plastic MZ's any day, regardless of weather sealing. An MX or ME or KX or whatever will be built tank-like enough to probably sustain any amount of abuse you're likely to throw at it. AF might be important to you though, in which case I dunno.

jgredline · 01-20-2009, 05:51 PM

I am not going to be much help either, but i can tell you that i dropped my K1000 in a stream and while it killed the film in it, I dried the camera and it continues to work like new. Even the M50F/2.0 survived and shows no sign of anything wrong.

redpigeons · 01-20-2009, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by PaddyB

By nasty conditions I mean high humidity, (moderate) exposure to dust/dirt/sand and light rain. No heavy rain or underwater use. My K10D has done nicely in such conditions although I found mold on the mount recently when I removed the lens. Perhaps I'll try the electrical tape idea.

So which of the MZ series are well built? Some of them are pretty cheap on ebay...can anyone give me a breakdown on the MZ's or a link thereto?

Thanks.

I can not recommend the MZ-7 enough as I said I took pictures with it even in the rain, dust, field trips and so on. I love this camera its easy to use its fast and simple.
the k1000 is a Tank but its very simple, some times its nice to have AV and TV mode also the biggest problem with the K1000 in the field is loading film. I am experienced with the process and still takes me good 10 min every time. in field/ rain/ dust condition is not recommended

Jonson PL · 08-15-2009, 11:41 AM

The Z1 and Z-1P are Pro built. Not sealed, but they can stand a beating. And they are cheap, compared to what you get.
MZ-S are very expensive in comparison.

An all mechanical body, like e.g. MX or KX might handle well in tough environments.
LX have the dust- and weather-sealing. And you can get protective bags, to wrap around lenses

K-9 · 08-15-2009, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by Jonson PL

The Z1 and Z-1P are Pro built. Not sealed, but they can stand a beating. And they are cheap, compared to what you get.
MZ-S are very expensive in comparison

I second that. My PZ-1p has been in the rain a bunch of times (although not for long periods of time) and it was not affected. It's probably the bulkiest SLR they made with a chunky grip that stays in your hand in all conditions. Easy to shoot one handed with AF if you have to.

KungPOW · 08-15-2009, 12:13 PM

All cameras, even sealed ones like the K10D, need to be kept dry when in storage. If you have mold growing on your gear, it could be a good time to look at silica gell packs, and sealed containers. I think it is more of a storage issue then a sealed camera issue.

As for a weather proof Pentax SLR, nothing was made that compaires to the K10D etc.

I think the top weatherproof film SLR was canon's EOS-1v. But for the cost of that body, you could do as Wheatfield sugested, and use multiple MZ bodies until they die.

8540tomg · 08-15-2009, 12:22 PM

I can testify the Pentax MX will function for an hour or so in -40 C. For those of you still using Fahrenheit scale, Celsius and Fahrenheit are the same at -40. Wheatfield knows all about this sort of thing.

I waited outside to get a shot of Rick Hansen's Man in Motion fund raiser.

Rick Hansen Foundation - The Man In Motion World Tour

It was bloody cold as I recall but the camera worked well. I don't take my gear out in the rain if I can help it so I can't report in this area.

Cheers

Tom G

Nesster · 08-15-2009, 12:46 PM

I take my Fuji ST605 and similar - the K1000 would do - out all day in the rain. Simple electrics for the meter, I just wipe them down afterwards. Seem to do fine.

I.e. I recommend a simple user camera that should it eventually die it won't be a huge loss. Works great.

**ChrisPlatt** · 08-15-2009, 01:18 PM

Get a Nikonos.

Chris

jgredline · 08-15-2009, 05:10 PM

Weather proof or not, My new to me ME-F got a good bath and kept on ticking...What can really go bad in an slr?

01-18-2009, 10:57 PM	#1
PaddyB Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Taipei Posts: 65	Which Pentax film SLR's are weatherproof? I'm looking at getting a film SLR in the near future. Since I shoot in nasty conditions a lot I was wondering what models are weatherproof or at least weather resisant/built like a tank. I've read that the LX is...are there any others? What about the MZ-S?

08-15-2009, 11:41 AM	#9
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	The Z1 and Z-1P are Pro built. Not sealed, but they can stand a beating. And they are cheap, compared to what you get. MZ-S are very expensive in comparison. An all mechanical body, like e.g. MX or KX might handle well in tough environments. LX have the dust- and weather-sealing. And you can get protective bags, to wrap around lenses Last edited by Jonson PL; 08-15-2009 at 11:52 AM.

08-15-2009, 12:22 PM	#12
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	I can testify the Pentax MX will function for an hour or so in -40 C. For those of you still using Fahrenheit scale, Celsius and Fahrenheit are the same at -40. Wheatfield knows all about this sort of thing. I waited outside to get a shot of Rick Hansen's Man in Motion fund raiser. Rick Hansen Foundation - The Man In Motion World Tour It was bloody cold as I recall but the camera worked well. I don't take my gear out in the rain if I can help it so I can't report in this area. Cheers Tom G Last edited by 8540tomg; 08-15-2009 at 12:35 PM. Reason: typo

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01-18-2009, 11:12 PM	#2
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943	Originally posted by PaddyB I'm looking at getting a film SLR in the near future. Since I shoot in nasty conditions a lot I was wondering what models are weatherproof or at least weather resisant/built like a tank. I've read that the LX is...are there any others? What about the MZ-S? I have a k1000 that is older then me (30 years) and MZ-7 that I bought in 2003. honestly I don't know about weather proof I am probably not going to help you but I can say that my cameras been to a lot!! and I mean A LOT!! and both models built like a tank. you hold it and feel like you holding a solid piece of machinery.

01-19-2009, 06:30 AM	#3
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	The LX is somewhat weather sealed, though I wouldn't trust them in a heavy rain. The lenses are not weather proof. You can get waterproof housings intended for scuba diving if you need extreme protection from the elements. The most I've ever done is to use electrical tape to seal off some of the more obvious areas of intrusion and hope for the best. Frankly, with the price of used film cameras now, I'd just buy cheap plastic ones from the MZ era and treat them as semi disposable cameras at this point if I was going to torture them to death.

01-19-2009, 09:24 AM	#4
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943	Originally posted by Wheatfield Frankly, with the price of used film cameras now, I'd just buy cheap plastic ones from the MZ era and treat them as semi disposable cameras at this point if I was going to torture them to death. Just one thing... don't use the FA kit lens that came with the MZ the 28-80 is really week it feels week and it will not last much on though condition. but if you attach an older lens or better lens to the MZ you will get a solid piece

01-19-2009, 10:33 PM	#5
PaddyB Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Taipei Posts: 65 Original Poster	By nasty conditions I mean high humidity, (moderate) exposure to dust/dirt/sand and light rain. No heavy rain or underwater use. My K10D has done nicely in such conditions although I found mold on the mount recently when I removed the lens. Perhaps I'll try the electrical tape idea. So which of the MZ series are well built? Some of them are pretty cheap on ebay...can anyone give me a breakdown on the MZ's or a link thereto? Thanks.

01-20-2009, 07:45 AM	#6
Erik Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 755	For this type of usage, I would get any one of the old all-metal mechanical models over the plastic MZ's any day, regardless of weather sealing. An MX or ME or KX or whatever will be built tank-like enough to probably sustain any amount of abuse you're likely to throw at it. AF might be important to you though, in which case I dunno.

01-20-2009, 05:51 PM	#7
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	I am not going to be much help either, but i can tell you that i dropped my K1000 in a stream and while it killed the film in it, I dried the camera and it continues to work like new. Even the M50F/2.0 survived and shows no sign of anything wrong.

01-20-2009, 07:46 PM	#8
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943	Originally posted by PaddyB By nasty conditions I mean high humidity, (moderate) exposure to dust/dirt/sand and light rain. No heavy rain or underwater use. My K10D has done nicely in such conditions although I found mold on the mount recently when I removed the lens. Perhaps I'll try the electrical tape idea. So which of the MZ series are well built? Some of them are pretty cheap on ebay...can anyone give me a breakdown on the MZ's or a link thereto? Thanks. I can not recommend the MZ-7 enough as I said I took pictures with it even in the rain, dust, field trips and so on. I love this camera its easy to use its fast and simple. the k1000 is a Tank but its very simple, some times its nice to have AV and TV mode also the biggest problem with the K1000 in the field is loading film. I am experienced with the process and still takes me good 10 min every time. in field/ rain/ dust condition is not recommended

08-15-2009, 11:44 AM	#10
K-9 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,971	Originally posted by Jonson PL The Z1 and Z-1P are Pro built. Not sealed, but they can stand a beating. And they are cheap, compared to what you get. MZ-S are very expensive in comparison I second that. My PZ-1p has been in the rain a bunch of times (although not for long periods of time) and it was not affected. It's probably the bulkiest SLR they made with a chunky grip that stays in your hand in all conditions. Easy to shoot one handed with AF if you have to.

08-15-2009, 12:13 PM	#11
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	All cameras, even sealed ones like the K10D, need to be kept dry when in storage. If you have mold growing on your gear, it could be a good time to look at silica gell packs, and sealed containers. I think it is more of a storage issue then a sealed camera issue. As for a weather proof Pentax SLR, nothing was made that compaires to the K10D etc. I think the top weatherproof film SLR was canon's EOS-1v. But for the cost of that body, you could do as Wheatfield sugested, and use multiple MZ bodies until they die.

08-15-2009, 12:46 PM	#13
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	I take my Fuji ST605 and similar - the K1000 would do - out all day in the rain. Simple electrics for the meter, I just wipe them down afterwards. Seem to do fine. I.e. I recommend a simple user camera that should it eventually die it won't be a huge loss. Works great.

08-15-2009, 01:18 PM	#14
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	Get a Nikonos. Chris

08-15-2009, 05:10 PM	#15
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Weather proof or not, My new to me ME-F got a good bath and kept on ticking...What can really go bad in an slr?