PENTAX DUST AND WEATHER SEALING IN AFGHANISTAN

THIS IS *NOT* AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE U.S. ARMY

I'm demonstrating the weather sealing and dust resistance offered by PENTAX's bodies and lenses (www.pentaximaging.com and www.pentaxforums.com) top offerings while deployed in Afghanistan by covering them in sand, small rocks, and dust, and then rinsing them off in the shower.

PENTAX K-7 + DA* 50-135 f/2.8
PENTAX K-5 + D-BG4 Battery Grip + DA* 16-50 f/2.8

Video recorded with the PENTAX WG-2 @ 640x30p.

For those that are curious regarding pricing, as of 25 December 2012, the PENTAX K-7 can be had for $450 used (as it is discontinued), the PENTAX K-5 for $700, the DA* 16-50 for $799, the DA* 50-135 for $850, and the Battery grip for $185. No Nikon or Canon offerings are as affordable for a fully weather sealed system with professional grade quality. Also, the PENTAX kit will be much smaller and more compact. The since released Pentax K-30 ($650) and Pentax K-5 II ($1099) and K-5 IIs ($1239) can all be used in place of the K-5 and K-7 bodies shown in this video as they all also exude Pentax's outstanding weather sealing. I own the K-30 myself and can personally attest to it's weather sealing.

For those that are curious, here is my series of deployment updates: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p... That is number 17, and is the *Final Update* (published 9 February 13), and all previous ones can be accessed from there as well.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Anthony Reid]

Where this cameras given to you by the army?

[Heie x]

Nope - any and all camera gear I own are my own personal property. And they were uninsured too, which should emphasize my trust in them ;)

[Anthony Reid]

Heie, as you are a well good photographer, as I have seen some of your pics on the pentax forum, can you please tell me, which one to choose as a first lens for my new k5ii: Sigma EX DG Macro 24-70mm f/2.8 without HSM for around £230 ($353), Pentax SMC DA 16-50mm f/2.8 Lens VGC for around £300 ($460) ,Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 around £210 ($320).

Kind of worried about the sigma lens, as it is limited at 24mm...

They are all used, and they all have fixed focal length.

Thanks for helping!!!!=)

[Heie x]

If you can get the DA* 16-50 f/2.8 for £300, then get it immediately! I doubt you will be able to though, because that is the cheapest I've ever *heard* of it. Just test it to make sure the lens works (namely the autofocus), as it is very likely there is an issue for that cheap. If not, the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is your best bet. Sigma also makes a 17-50 f/2.8, but you are correct about the 24-70 - a great lens, but very limited on the wide end when used on APS-C (like the K-30/K-5 series).

[anpaasi]

Just wanted to let you know that I saw this video about a year ago and it was the dealbreaker in me choosing the Pentax K-30 over Canonikon. I have now used it mine in rain, snow, blizzards and below -20 degree celcius temperatures. Guess what, it still works. :)

I really hope Pentax has compensated you in atleast some way, whether you wanted that or not. This is the best promotional video any company could ask for.

[Heie x]

In theory, nothing. In practicality, the lens wouldn't like it too much lol. The reason for the difference is because each element/compartment is individually sealed within the lens, offering superb sealing against the elements. An extreme demonstration, but if it were real shooting conditions, I'd wipe/blow the lens barrel off as best I could before zooming, which I've done with dust. The DA* 50-135 though has internal zooming and focusing, so intrusion of any kind is virtually impossible ;)

[Heie x]

No problem, glad that was helpful :)

Putting it in a bag is a great idea, especially if you can put some of those small silica gel packs in it as well. You also don't need to put it in a sealed bag - your camera bag will work just fine. The intent is to *slow the rate* of the temperature change, so if your camera is in the bag, it will have to warm the bag before warming the camera, hence meeting that intent. A little condensation isn't the end of the world though, so don't sweat it too much ;)

[BTNH420]

Ahaha I'm from Bulgaria and it's the same thing. I have a few friends that are part of the Canadian Forces and they say it's very safe and that most people are very respectful towards peoples things comparing to back home. I'm assuming it's similar in the US army because I see lots of soldiers with their own gopro cameras and such.

[BTNH420]

Hey thanks for the response! I actually didn't think about the air conditioning it's good you mention it. I don't think we'll be even sleeping indoors while there but for the rest of the trip it might be an issue. If I was to seal it in a bag before going into an air conditioned room would that be safe?

[preludebb]

perfect camera for outdoor action :-)

[Anthony Reid]

The one for 300 was sold finally for 380, and i did not risk buying it as the seller stated that the motor in the lens was repaired. Why can't pentax just make, lets say 10-200mm f/2.8 lens, I would buy it for any kind of money...

[Anthony Reid]

I am originally from Russia, where we have a mandatory army for men who are over 18. but those who are in unis, they kind of "free" lol, but anyway, in Russia, some people don't even risk taking their mobile phones with them on an army service, as they might be stolen or even just simply taken from them. When I saw this video, I thought that you are kind of a army photography-news-something guy lol. As you americans have all kind of high-tech shit in your army, if judging by the films lol=)