Ever had the chance to test out just how good the WR is ?

On any of the Pentax hardware that has the WR designation; has anyone had a chance to thoroughly test it out yet to see exactly how effective it is? After all the WR designation doesn't exactly include a scientific label of sorts; such as earning an IP label... WR can also mean many things, such as: resistance to water, certain types of rain, perhaps "bucket loads of rain" or even streaming water, dust, dirt, sand, and even severe temps.

On the two Pentax K3 variations; I've used them in most every type of weather, have never had a single failure. The grip seems to hold up equally as well, just as long as one does not remove the grip or attempt to change out the batteries before ensuring the devices are not wet (at all) or dirty. All of the Pentax aw flashed have the same exact level of resistance that the camera bodies with the aw designation do.

As for the lenses; I've been through all of them with the exception of the 560; again zero issues relating to the wr resistance.

In testing out the wr resistance the cameras and accessories have been to all sorts of extremes such as: Prolonger use in the cold (severe cold - far exceeding the manual specifications) in places such as Antarctica, Alaska, and the like. All of the hardware holds just fine; autofocus rarely gets a bit slower (but very trivially), manual focus also a bit slower, and zoom settings as well. But all still functions perfectly.

For the other extreme in temperature... Easily able to sustain forty degrees Celsius with one hundred percent hundred percent humidity, and even under direct sunlight. Could go further, but I haven't for prolonged use. Still would not suggest ever leaving higher end equipment in places such as a vehicle on a hot day.

Then there's dust, dirt, sand, etc... From dirt at construction sites, to equestrian events, to beach events. Have never had an issue.

Moisture and water resistance... I regularly expose my gear to salt water spray - zero effects. As for levels of items such as rain... I prefer not to use gear in sustained heavy downpour of rain, but the wr gear has received a thorough rain testing on more than a few occasions. for heavier rain would still suggest some sort of professional cover.

Still wishing that there could be a type of IP rating though.

I still instinctively shield my WR camera from rain, and usually have to consciously remember to stop worrying and let the drizzle fall on it. I have a long ingrained natural protective instinct for anything 'electrical' out in the elements, and it's a hard habit to break. It applies doubly to such a treasured item as my Pentax camera and related equipment.

But I'm well trained now when out with my wife, and always make a conscious effort to remember to put the baby's rain jacket on BEFORE scrambling to put the camera away .... Not doing it in that order risks putting the K7s magnesium alloy body to the test rather than the WR !

I recently bought an AF-540FGZ II 'AW' flash, the ideal pairing for the weather resistant camera ..... On the 3rd page of the manual is the instruction ....'Di not expose the flash unit to water or moisture as there is danger of electric shock' ...!?!?

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My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver

Went to Monument Valley, Utah with my then K5 and the 18-55WR lens fitted. Tha camera and lens got covered in a fine red dust. When I got back to the hotel, there was only one thing to do, under the shower the camera and lens went. All the dust was removed and the camera..........











carried on working as if nothing had happened. Trust it, it works.

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Pentax K1-ii and MZ6
Pentax Lenses 28-80 F, 300 DA*, 80-200 F, 35 F2.4 AL, M50 F1.7, 28-105 DFA, 20 F4 SMC
ONE UNITED Member

All my weather resistance cameras and lenses - K10D, K5, K3, K30 and my three DA*series lenses have been out in all sorts of weather, some of it torrential rain and blizzards. I've never experienced the slightest problem, other than trying to keep the front element dry so the image isn't blurred with rain drops.
David.

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PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

I have used my Pentax cameras, and lenses, even without WR designation (the 17-70, and a long time ago, with the Ds a Tamron 28-300) in African heat and dust (that was the Ds combo) , in Oregon downpours, freezing snow storms, at -19C, moving in an out from -15C to indoors and back again, in gale force winds, on boats big and small, in dusty deserts, extreme heat, (Death Valley +41C), fog, drizzle, you name it.
Not had a single problem. Not one.

Not had any problem with any of mine, no matter what the weather was like. I do have weatherproof covers but have never used them yet.

This gentleman has had no problems either apparently ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo61t5fH6Qw

There's a vid on Youtube somewhere ( or at least a picture ) of a 645z frozen solid in a cube of Ice, and its still working perfectly

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Chris

www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk

" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".

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K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8

Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8

K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM

I probably visit some of the areas David does, I live in Northumberland, and go on trips to North Yorkshire and Durham. If I had to worry about the weather I d not get out half the time

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Regards
Stan

PPG

The star lenses are 'weather sealed' rather than the lower 'weather resistant' classification. No idea what the difference is but I find big value in fine dust resistance when in med on hols. I've used my 300 star and my consumer 18 135 in quite heavy rain on my old K5 and K3 now, no issues.

Great isn't it how it frees us up, and gets us out there regardless of the weather.

I've had no problems with weather resistance, although a friend of mine did have a problem with a waterproof WG-3. It leaked.

I suppose there's always the potential for something to go wrong and as lenses get older seals may need replacing, but it's all good so far.

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Best regards, John

Guess using common sense goes a long way. Though personally never had any water damage with even the non WR Pentax cameras, like my very first Z1 I believe. Survived Niagra falls cruise just fine

Used my K7 than KS2 in high humidity/dust storms with no issues either. Repeatedly. I do always take care to either let dry or vacuum/wipe dust off all my equipment once I'm home and store it in dry, well ventilated places. Don't know how much of a factor that is.

Toughest little bugger in my collection is the K100D Super - with no WR and more visible sand on and in it than an average desert. It doesn't stop it taking photos

Have a feeling this thing will go on long after every other camera I own dies....

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'Photography...it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten....' (Aaron Siskind)

I've spent the last 3 days in the Lake District and describing the precipitation as mere 'rain' would not be adequate. It has pissed down, excuse my French, for most of the time. The Pentaxes performed superbly, I saw very few others out with DSLR cameras, probably because not many are WR.

The biggest problem I had was keeping water droplets off my ND Grad filter, which proved next to impossible.

Regards
David

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Flickr

Nicola's Apartments, Kassiopi, Corfu

Some cameras, some lenses, some bits 'n' bobs

I left my K7 + 18-55WR on a river bank in the care of a family member who shall remain nameless; came back 10 mins later to find camera had taken a tumble and was totally submerged in the river. I can't say whether the WR worked as the flash pop-up button must have been knocked on the way down, and the remote cap was unhinged - camera & lens were completely full of water!

A manic disassembly & drying session followed - the battery needed recharging but after a few days all worked as it should. I eventually sold on the K7, but am still using the 18-55 - after removing the water-marks from each lens group.

David

Hope this is not too repetitive:

Over Christmas in Morar, NW Highlands I went out to Camusdarach beach for a walk. It was blowing a severe gale, really strong, so whipped up a bit of a sand storm from the dunes, then a hail storm followed by torrential rain. I had a K-S2 and 18-135 with me - no cover or bag, and although the downpour did wash off much of the sand, it got into all these little spaces between elements of the camera and lens. Put it under the kitchen tap when I got back home and gave it a good rinse until it was clean, dried it off with a kitchen towel.

Later that night took it out for a lovely west coast sunset - the foretelling of a glorious Christmas day, blue skies and very calm.

Some of the photos are less than perfect with the combination of hail/water/sand on the glass, but the camera and lens? Never missed a beat.

K-5, K-3 II and */WR lenses all holding up well too. This is one of many reasons I choose to stick with Pentax.

Several years ago I was giving moral support to my (now) wife as she ran the Race for Life in Huddersfield. I had my K200 and 18-55 WR lens out in seriously torrential rain and it just kept going. The summers now I am n Hungary can get pretty dusty around our way and the Pentax WR cameras and lenses have never failed yet doe to weather!

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K5, K200 and several film Pentax cameras!