What does "weather resistant" mean?

Last year I purchased a K-3 II in anticipation of an African safari. Indeed, inbetweentimes, the trip changed, to now involve visiting the mountain gorillas of Rwanda! So, I thought I'd be perfectly at home with my "weather resistant" K-3 II.
The gorilla trek was, fortunately, at the end of the safari and I was fortunate to have taken nearly 600 photos beforehand.
We climbed for three-and-a-half hours and endured rain and sleet, but with my camera safely in my backpack, I was not worried. But, when we reached the gorillas, and it was time to deploy my Pentax from my backpack, it didn't work! Changed the battery: nothing! No signs of life, whatsoever. Fortunately, my non-weather resistant Moto 4 phone had been in my soaked jeans pocket and worked perfectly to capture some digital memories.
The next day, the K-3 II showed some condensation in the top-plate LED display and the battery icon lit up. Over the next couple of days, having returned home, it came back to life. Seemingly undamaged, I thought it worthwhile to have it checked out and so shipped it to Johnsons Photopia, Pentax UK's repair agent.
After a couple of weeks they made me an offer for a new K-3 II body - without explanation, excepting water ingress. After querying this, and the Pentax's weather-resistance, I was offered a refurbished replacement body. All these offers were made a near full retail price, and the warranty was considered void.
I asked for my camera back and, apart from the FLUcard, as far as I can see, everything is working fine. So, I'm puzzled!
To what extent are Pentax "weather resistant" cameras supposed to be protected?

Weather resistant isn't waterproof, but it's all a matter of degree. My cameras happily take rainfall in their stride, but before any lens is changed or a card changed then I do make sure the outside has thoroughly dried off. I also wipe any extended zoom barrel on the lens with a hand to remove any excess water before zooming back.

It's not been a problem, but of course if there happened to be a faulty seal then there could be a problem potentially. Given that cameras are to be used I just bash on though and ignore whatever the UK weather can throw at us.

What lens were you using ? It should also be weather resistant.

Regards:

I can imagine your frustration and disappointment at the camera not working at such a crucial moment!

I can only say that all my Pentax cameras, including one before they were officially weather resistant (*ist DS) have survived all weather I have thrown at them, from a safari full of dust to extreme heat ad dust in Death Valley to Pacific Northwest downpours to snow and ice and cold in the Arctic.
I rarely had a WR lens on the camera, usually the 17-70, which does have some protection but isn't officially WR.

Despite the lack of photos I hope you enjoyed your encounter with gorillas. I am envious of you!

I had the lens purchased with the camera, the Pentax DA 16-85mm WR lens attached.

OP. You describe the signs of moisture post-event, and what Johnson's had to say, but not what the camera itself was like when you removed it from your back-pack. Was it wet externally? Given the conditions, could it have suffered condensation internally?

This business of water ingress, etc, is a bee in my bonnet, having read too many similar tales to yours.

Touch wood, I've had no problems, but like John R I've used my cameras in all sorts of wet conditions, and given the circumstances you describe would argue that Pentax's advertising would lead a reasonable person to believe that the camera would not suffer if subjected to some water contact.

I'd get back to Johnson's, or speak to your retailer and push back hard, especially given the camera was protected in a back-pack at all times immediately prior to failure!

Ricoh Pentax do not claim their kit is water resistant, nor does it confirm to any recognised standard in respect of water resistance, but how many publicity shots have they used showing their cameras splashed with water?

If Johnsons or your retailer are not able to help, don't over-look your consumer rights and avenue for re-dress via the Smalls Claims Court process if you feel that you were misled directly or indirectly when you purchased the K3II.

Hindsight is wonderful.
Having taken kit in bags on motorbikes in days of yore I quickly learnt that bags, whatevere claims made by the shops, were NEVER waterproof - esp paniers on a motorbike.
Hence my habit of wrapping valuable kit in plastic bags inside my main camera bag or rucksack - a habit which i still do today, even thought my biking days are long gone.
Hope your kit is OK or replaced properly

As John pointed out 'weather resistant' doesn't mean weather proof. However, that being said I still think that you've been very unlucky.

I've used used my K-5iis in heavy rain, driving snow and temperatures as low as -30C and never had a problem (except that at very low temperatures battery life is VERY short!!). Mind you, when I go out and I know that it's going to be wet, I follow GrumpyGrandPa's advice and always keep the camera inside a waterproof bag inside my backpack, as backpacks always leak eventually.

I hope that your bad luck didn't spoil what must have been an amazing experience.

Phil

Hi John,

The camera appeared to be fine and dry when removed from my backpack.

Apart from offering to sell me a replacement, so far I've had no response from Johnson's apart from "beyond repair due to fluid damage" - but it works perfectly well. Hence my confusion...

Is the clue in "we climbed for 3.5 hours"? Just maybe at some time earlier the lens was changed or the battery door opened in very warm humid conditions, the humidity then trapped inside the sealed body and condensing internally in the cooler atmosphere.

I think this might be it - the only time my K3 has let me down was when I put it away (wet) in a bag, then sat in a warm train for 30 mins. It then refused to power up. Removing the battery and letting it dry in a coolish but dry place with the battery door open and lens off for a couple of hours restored it to health. Three hours in a backpack, worn on a strenuous trek could well lead to condensation problems. I've not had a problem with my K30, K5 or K3 when used in the rain or snow, if kept at ambient temperature and not taken into a significantly hotter or colder environment

In this case the weather sealing may have sealed the damp in the camera rather than let it evaporate.
If one's going into a humid jungle one might be prepared for such an eventuality with sealed bags and silica gel, but if one just ends up humid conditions unexpectedly I suppose the problem can just happen upon you.

I have used Pentax cameras and lenses in all sorts of conditions and have not had any problems. Mind you I have never dropped one in a lake!!
I do however avoid storing wet/damp kit until it is dried out.
Pentax, along with other manufacturers, do not seem to have an IP (Ingress Protection) rating, so presumably they have not been independently tested.

Actually, because of the nature of the trek, the camera remained in my backpack from the time we left the hotel, early in the morning, until we arrived at the gorilla family.

I have to admit to having purchased some water-proof bags for the camera for a future such event - naturally, after the horse has bolted!

Still waiting to hear what Johnsons have to say, however.