Beginner Weather sealed ?

paul78

paul78

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In the midst of shortlisting a DSLR purchase and I noticed that the Pentax K50 is 'weather sealed'

As I foresee the camera will be carried when I go cycle touring so weather sealed sounds like a real bonus but how much protection does it realistically afford ?
 
The higher end DSLR's do have more 'weather sealing' than the lower end but even with a pro body/lens set up you will still need to pull on a water proof jacket for your kit if you are out with it for any length of time in something more than drizzle. Very cheap waterproof camera/lens covers can be had for just a few pounds on Ebay and given our climate they are worth every penny.
Comment not specific to the model you asked about but pretty much a generic answer.
 
I have never owned a K50, but have had the K5/K5iis and now the K3, they are easily the best built APS C bodies available at their price point
Here is a Youtube clip from the US army, gives a good idea what you can expect -)
 
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That video is crazy ... May of been a particularly expensive fail if they hadn't of worked post soaking
 
The k50 is shower proof, so long as you have a wr lens attached. If there's anything specific queries you have I'd try posting on the Pentax user forum as there's not many pentaxians on here. Hth.
 
There are a decent amount of WR lenses available for Pentax, 55-300mm / 60-250 / 16-50 / 20-40 / 55 / 18-55 / 200 / 300 / 50-135 .
 
Thanks fellas ... does seem to be a lack of love for Pentax though using a comparison site like Snapsort they seem to fair very well against like for like models by Nikon and Canon.
 
I like Canon and Nikon, but the D7100/D7000 etc really do not come close in build quality when compared with the Pentax K5/K3's, they also have some fantastic lenses in their lineup, it's worth visiting a store to get a hands on
 
I have a Pentax K3 and K5iis and have just (August) returned from a 3 week Land Rover expedition in the Faroe Islands and Iceland. During the period we suffered rain everyday and some days it lasted the full 24 hours. It was the worst summer weather they had experienced for decades (typical:rolleyes:)

I used the K3 and DA*16-50 and my wife used the K5iis and DA18-135 in some of the most torrential rain you can imagine. In addition I took mine right to the edge and, in one case, below some pretty amazing waterfalls. In the interior there was plenty of volcanic dust thrown up by the high winds and I also took images down in the surf on the beach.
Both cameras performed faultlessly throughout.

The strap came loose on the K5iis, as my wife got out of the car, and it fell about 3 foot onto a tarmac carpark without any damage (lucky but also noteworthy).

In reality we should really have had some additional weather covers but they did do very well without. For value, weather resistance and ruggedness Pentax are hard to beat.

As for picture quality; I'll let you be the judge:











 
Love the photos ralphhardwick. I am another Pentax fan and if they price is right am hoping to grab a K-3 for my self in the sales.
 
Thanks Ralph ... think I am sold on a Pentax now .. its does seem a great camera for my proposed end use.

Now just to hold tight till the sales start this week :)
 
Remember that weather sealing is only as good as the lens you put on it... if you team a fully weather sealed body with a crap lens it will still leak like a seive
 
paul78 said:
Thanks Ralph ... think I am sold on a Pentax now .. its does seem a great camera for my proposed end use.

Now just to hold tight till the sales start this week :)
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Although there are better WR lenses, in the Pentax range, I would recommend the DA 18-135. It's not that fast, at 3.5-5.6, but it has a really useful range, is lightweight, reasonably priced, gives pretty good IQ and is fully weather resistant.
This was taken with the K3 +18-135


and this one with the K5iis (same sensor as the K50) +18-135



big soft moose said:
Remember that weather sealing is only as good as the lens you put on it... if you team a fully weather sealed body with a crap lens it will still leak like a seive
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That's why I stick with Pentax lenses rather that 3rd party. The Tamron and Sigma lenses are often as good, if not better, but don't offer the WR. With the trips I undertake dust and water resistance are a prime consideration.
 
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Good to see someone appreciate what Pentax offers in terms of value for the money.

There were some stonking deals on the K3 recently, £635 after cash back I think was the best was via SRS who were bundling quite a few freebies in too.

Amazon had an amazing black Friday offers on Pentax lenses, typically my car decided to batter my wallet into submission just before this!

See what new year brings!
 
I shot pentax for ages when i was shooting film - mainly with an mZ6 and an MZS ... I only went to canon for dslr because the original *ist was crap (i was helped to this decision by rolling over a floating hide and killing myMZS and most expensive zoom)
 
Hogboy said:
I like Canon and Nikon, but the D7100/D7000 etc really do not come close in build quality when compared with the Pentax K5/K3's, they also have some fantastic lenses in their lineup, it's worth visiting a store to get a hands on
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Funny how we see things differently. I thought the K5 was a plastic fantastic against the Nikon D7000 and felt like a toy IMO. The Nikon felt a lot nicer in my hand and is well built with mag alloy and dust and moisture resistant.

I bought the K5 and sent it straight back to SRS, before changing to Fuji for the lightness.

The Fuji XT1 is WR along with the 18-135mm lens but is expensive, fanatstic cameras though.
 
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The K50 and K30 are pretty plasticy, but the K5/3 are virtually bombproof in the hand, i have owned a D7000 and as great as a camera that it is, i really wish it was better constructed.
Each to their own i suppose -)
 
Swanseajack said:
Funny how we see things differently
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Funny indeed:LOL: IMHO the Pentax K5 is better constructed than most, and there is little plastic in the construction, its main structure being magnesium alloy and steel, incorporating a very large number of seals against damp & dust. I'm very happy with my Fuji system, but if I were to go back to a cropped DSLR, it would be to a K5iis rather than anything from Canon or Nikon, without hesitation:rolleyes:.
 
Hogboy said:
The K50 and K30 are pretty plasticy, but the K5/3 are virtually bombproof in the hand, i have owned a D7000 and as great as a camera that it is, i really wish it was better constructed.
Each to their own i suppose -)
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"I like Canon and Nikon, but the D7100/D7000 etc really do not come close in build quality when compared with the Pentax K5/K3"'

Two quotes from you highlighted in bold. In what way do you wish it was better constructed???????? I found it a great camera and robust.

doggel said:
Funny indeed:LOL: IMHO the Pentax K5 is better constructed than most, and there is little plastic in the construction, its main structure being magnesium alloy and steel, incorporating a very large number of seals against damp & dust. I'm very happy with my Fuji system, but if I were to go back to a cropped DSLR, it would be to a K5iis rather than anything from Canon or Nikon, without hesitation:rolleyes:.
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See bold from your post.

And from what I stated in my previous post > "The Nikon felt a lot nicer in my hand and is well built with mag alloy and dust and moisture resistant".

I'm just trying to get my head around why the K5 is a better camera than the Nikon, when they are very similar. I can't see where the K5 is superior or the K5iis over the D7000 /D7100.

I am changing systems from the Fuji for the longer lenses available from other brands, which is for home use due to my disabilities. I have bought a D750, and I am looking for something lighter for going out, so looking at all options.
 
15899932350_55e3ddbfa2_b.jpg

I don't think it is necessarily a better camera, that it really down to personal choice/requirements etc, but it is in my opinion the best constructed aps c camera on the market.
Its small things like the lockable battery cover with rubber seals, i know the D series have those awful clips that fall open easily, the K's all have these locks.
I don't know if you have picked up a Pentx, but side by side with a D7000, the Nikons do feel, at least to me, plasticy by comparison.
I'm no Fanboy of any brand, i currently have a Fuji XT 1 and Pentax K-3, and have owned quite a few other brands, my first dslr was a Nikon D80.
I just believe in credit where it's due.
The K- battery cover
 
Is the battery cover alling open really a problem though - its never happened to me in 10 years of shooting canon
 
big soft moose said:
Is the battery cover alling open really a problem though - its never happened to me in 10 years of shooting canon
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Not really, but it's the attention to detail i like, plus no water is going to seep through -) The DF has a similar battery cover lock, i don't know why it's not a standard feature on all dslrs ?
 
Its on the bottom so water seepage shouldnt be an issue due to gravity - personally i can't think of anything worse than a fiddly lkock on a battery change when you are trying to swap them quickly and without looking
 
The Pentax is far better than the Nikon for the following reasons:
  1. It has an 'X' in its name. Anything with and 'X' in it is special and turbo charged over anything else.:cool:
  2. It isn't a Nikon. Just ask a Canon owner and they'll tell you how bad Nikons are:runaway:
  3. I've got one. If ever there was a definitive reason why they're better then I just wouldn't believe it :rolleyes:
 
Hogboy said:
15899932350_55e3ddbfa2_b.jpg

I don't think it is necessarily a better camera, that it really down to personal choice/requirements etc, but it is in my opinion the best constructed aps c camera on the market.
Its small things like the lockable battery cover with rubber seals, i know the D series have those awful clips that fall open easily, the K's all have these locks.
I don't know if you have picked up a Pentx, but side by side with a D7000, the Nikons do feel, at least to me, plasticy by comparison.
I'm no Fanboy of any brand, i currently have a Fuji XT 1 and Pentax K-3, and have owned quite a few other brands, my first dslr was a Nikon D80.
I just believe in credit where it's due.
The K- battery cover
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If you read what I have written you will see that I have purchased a K5 and sent it back to SRS as I thought the Nikon was better built in grip / holding and construction The K5 felt to plasticky to me.

You stated "I like Canon and Nikon, but the D7100/D7000 etc really do not come close in build quality when compared with the Pentax K5/K3"'

I have asked a question how you came to the above conclusion, which you seem to be back tracking on now.

I am not having a go, I'm trying to find out about another system and understand how the Pentax are better. As I am in the market for a lighter system to go with my D750.

I'm also no fanboy, due to disabilities it's hard for me to get a good fitting camera for my hand / arms disabilities. I have had Canon, Nikon, Pentax K5 and over the last couple of years Fuji XE1, Xpro1, XT1 & Nikon D750 recently.
 
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Wow you guys get through cameras like I get through bikes :)

So who has a Pentax to sell me then ? ;)
 
paul78 said:
Wow you guys get through cameras like I get through bikes :)

So who has a Pentax to sell me then ? ;)
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Theres one in the classifieds with a 50mm lens. £360 with a shutter count of 6k.

SRS have a K5II ex demo body on ebay > http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PENTAX-K5...Cameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item54160384ee

A kit with 5 lenses > http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pentax-K5-2600-Shutter-Actuations-Perfect-Condition-Plus-Lenses-etc-/201236976096?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item2edaa891e0

The guys on here will be better to advise if the above 5 lens kit is good value.

Pentax don't come up for sale often on here, you may have better luck on Wex, Pentax forums, MPB or ebay for secondhand. When I bought mine new I had it from SRS and they were the cheapest around at the time.

Also have a look on here for current best prices if buying new > http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Pentax/Pentax-Digital-SLRs
 
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Thanks Simon

I think I am still a while off gaining access to the classifieds but will certainly check out the other links.

Again a very helpful forum
 
Swanseajack said:
If you read what I have written you will see that I have purchased a K5 and sent it back to SRS as I thought the Nikon was better built in grip / holding and construction The K5 felt to plasticky to me.

You stated "I like Canon and Nikon, but the D7100/D7000 etc really do not come close in build quality when compared with the Pentax K5/K3"'

I have asked a question how you came to the above conclusion, which you seem to be back tracking on now.

I am not having a go, I'm trying to find out about another system and understand how the Pentax are better. As I am in the market for a lighter system to go with my D750.

I'm also no fanboy, due to disabilities it's hard for me to get a good fitting camera for my hand / arms disabilities. I have had Canon, Nikon, Pentax K5 and over the last couple of years Fuji XE1, Xpro1, XT1 & Nikon D750 recently.
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Not backtracking, just trying to stay polite -)
The K series feel like mag alloy with a rubber coating, and imho feel great in the hand, while Canikons feel like a lump of plastic with some mag alloy deeply buried underneath.
Pentax are 'weather sealed' and have tons of rubber seals to prevent water entering virtually anywhere, The D7000/D7100 are both 'weather resistant' but seem to lack any seals, the battery cover and card slots
have no seals at all as far as i can remember, and if you tried what the guy in the video did with one, you would have a very dead camera.
But it all comes down to personal preferences, you obviously disagree, which is fine, i was just commenting on other options which Paul78 had asked for opinions on.
Here are three Youtube reviews for anyone who is interested


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEAfjHOK86w
 
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Ian, I hope you dont think I have not been polite in my questions, cause it is not the case or intention, if you feel that way I apologise.

I am trying to find out about another system and gather factual evidence about a brand / camera, as I'm in the market for such.
 
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Swanseajack said:
Ian, I hope you dont think I have not been polite in my questions, cause it is not the case or intention, if you feel that way I apologise.

I am trying to find out about another system and gather factual evidence about a brand / camera, as I'm in the market for such.
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Not at all -)
The problem we have today is that there is just too much choice, and making a decision on which system to go for has never been harder
 
paul78 said:
In the midst of shortlisting a DSLR purchase and I noticed that the Pentax K50 is 'weather sealed'

As I foresee the camera will be carried when I go cycle touring so weather sealed sounds like a real bonus but how much protection does it realistically afford ?
Click to expand...


Can't comment on the Pentax, but I was out on Thirsday shooting in the rain from around 9am to 1pm. The camera wasn't put away between shots (couldn't be arsed) so just slung the tripod over my shoulder with the camera still on it and walked to the next place I needed to shoot. All the while the rain continued. Each time I stopped to shoot I had to wipe the lens off and there was water dripping off the camera. The camera is fine, as I knew it would be. The images are fine. When I got home I just dumped the entire camera bag into the airing cupboard, as it's every warm in there. Just don't take lenses on and off when you get home is the camera has been very cold/wet/damp etc. Doing so can cause condensation to form INSIDE the camera... that's something you don't want. Let gear acclimatise slowly.

This was with a Nikon D800 though... but from what I've seen Pentax stuff is pretty robust too.
 
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