With El Niño in full effect, it is time to break out my Pentax gear that is truly rain proof. I love shooting in the rain.

<p>Hi Folks, <br>

Lets see some of those crazy weather pictures. Down here in Los Angeles we are really getting crazy rain. </p>

<h3 ><a href="http://jgredline.blogspot.com/2016/01/with-el-nino-in-full-effect-it-is-time.html">With El Niño in full effect, it is time to break out my Pentax gear that is truly rain proof. I love shooting in the rain.</a> </h3>

<p>So lets see some pictures.<br>

<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYLei_5cy6U/Vo3FbgjX_HI/AAAAAAAAEK4/efLmAAF_RFk/s1600/i%2Bphone%2B%25281%2529.JPG" alt="" width="1600" height="1061" /></p>

<p>-<br>

<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0aFZ-9xjcs/Vo3FXliaxpI/AAAAAAAAEKA/qZ4ulqg3eRc/s1600/K50%2B%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1060" /><br>

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<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8in6Nys5pR4/Vo3FZq8T-oI/AAAAAAAAEKY/d1Np4wbHtBY/s1600/K50%2B%25285%2529.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1060" /><br>

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<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_RiOzujjVPs/Vo3FYa7W2yI/AAAAAAAAEKM/zh9a-xVlsb0/s1600/K50%2B%25284%2529.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1060" /><br>

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<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smTCmsIH70M/Vo3FZukjZ-I/AAAAAAAAEKc/9dNQ07nnnYQ/s1600/K50%2B%25286%2529.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1060" /></p>

<p>Looks like you will have plenty of rain. Lots of flooding. Be safe. Post what you can.</p>

<p>Just remember, it ISN'T an underwater camera!</p>

<p>You might want to consider an <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Carrying-Gear/phd/4291457765/ci/2604/N/4294204834">Ewa Marine</a> waterproof accessory.</p>

<p>Henry Posner<br /><strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p>

<p>I'm glad you guys in CA finally got some relief...</p>

<p>Javier, the gentleman in photo #3 appears to share your enthusiasm.</p>

<p>I have been wanting to get DA 16-85mm and if I ever get one, that will be my shooting gear in the rain. For those who have the zoom, how does it compare to DA* 16-50. I am scared of getting a lemon on the DA* 16-50 as there are many real horrible stories with SDM failures. A side note -- there are many positive and negative stories on weather protection and I actually don't know who to believe. I will likely look into extra rain cover if I actually stay and shoot long in the rain.</p>

<p>By the way, I just sold my beautiful used DA* 60-250mm f/4.0 on PF as I don't use it often enough to justify staying and I think I rather have the DA 55-300 WR version to cover the occasional use. The cheaper version won't match the DA* but I think for my infrequent use, it will do. Your thoughts and comments are very welcome regarding DA* 60-250 -- it is indeed a beautiful lens. I am replacing the DA* zoom with two lenses with WR -- the DFA 100mm f/2.8 macro and DA 16-85mm zoom.</p>

<p>Here's one:</p><div></div>

<p>This one might be a little tight but I like it.</p><div></div>

<p>My current splash proof gear is this one with Sony Action Cam HDR-AS100V with remote. It is like a gopro hero3 but it has a remote that I can hit ''Rec' on the watch-like remote. It is not waterproof unless I mount the white camera on its under-water housing. It is like a p&s with a small sensor. I like it for its very-tiny size that is very pocket-able</p>

<p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1526/23557276013_8100a0c5c3_b.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /></p>

<p>It is meant for use on video but I use it for photos as well. Distortion is hellish in most shots that I make but the little camera can have some fun shots when the lighting is right</p>

<p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1454/24101674671_f1accdd7cc_b.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /></p>

<p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1525/24158456316_953dd84489_b.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /></p>

<p>The 170 degree view has fisheye-like view when I aim my boy at an angle. <br /> <img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1533/24101492601_abed01278a_b.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /></p>

<p>I find it a chore to bring any cameras to skiing as I like to have the camera gear to be smallest in size. Just bringing my Sony Action Camera can do well for video but it is lacking for pictures and I wish it has a zoom setting instead of a fixed wide view with lots of undesirable distortion. I am debating with Pentax DA 16-85 or a point & shoot weather resistance camera which I am currently favoring Olympus tough 860. The Pentax WG p&s cost too much for me.</p>

<p>An old picture of mine when I shot after the rain was with the DA* 50-135 zoom and K20D</p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6048/6211127377_0b8731f7c5_b.jpg" alt="" width="1009" height="1024" /></p>

<p>The other WR lens that I wish trying is the DA 20-40mm f/2.8-4.0 limited. The size would be more suited for my usage</p>

<p>Great thread! Great images! Wish I had some to share.</p>

<p>Nice bus picture Harry, Love the colors !<br>

I like crop as well. I have been trying to avoid any cropping and leaving my street photography more RAW. Having said that, I love what you did with it. :)</p>

<p>Hin, Great to see you again old Friend. That third fish eye capture is great. Your boy has grown !</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p >Douglas Stemke <img title="Moderator" src="/v3graphics/member-status-icons/mod.gif" alt="" /><img title="Subscriber" src="/v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub10plus.gif" alt="" />, Jan 06, 2016; 10:28 p.m.</p>

 

<p>Just remember, it ISN'T an underwater camera!</p>

 

 

</blockquote>

 

 

<blockquote>

<p >Henry Posner , Jan 07, 2016; 03:55 p.m.</p>

</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>

<p>You might want to consider an Ewa Marine waterproof accessory.<br>

Henry Posner<br /><strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p>

</blockquote>

<p><strong> </strong><br>

Thanks for the advice folks, but I really do have that confidence in the Pentax weather sealing. Heck, that is why I bought one. I do wish I held on to more of my Pentax lenses though. I have noticed that the shake reduction in the K50 is much improved over the K20D. That makes it easier for me. I think I will look for a used 18-135 WR lens. That would be all I need I think. <br>

<strong>Folks, Lets see some pictures. Rain, snow, ice, Lets see them...</strong></p>

 

 

<p>Pentax DSLRs and WR lenses are great for rainy conditions. Rain and splash yes, underwater no. I just bought a Pentax K-S2 kit with the little 18-50mm WR (which comes without a hood) from B&H. Neat little ensemble. I like having the WR compact model as an even more compact alternative to my K-5 and IIs bodies when I need that extra compactness. I can actually fit it into three of my jackets with large pockets, little zoom and all! Lots of capability in a small package, yet still a DSLR that can take even my big lenses. Now I'll be looking for a raincoat with big pockets.</p>

<p>Very nice photos, Javier, which certainly do illustrate the WR advantage!</p>

<p>Hin, something to consider regarding the new DA 16-85mm WR. When in the same range as the DA* 16-50mm, the new lens is f/3.5-4.5, or only about one stop off the DA* lens. The new lens apparently has tested better than the DA* in many respects- distortion, vignetting, etc. And it uses DC AF rather than SDM, which seems to be faster and more reliable than SDM.</p>

<p>BTW, Javier, I have had the DA 18-135mm WR for some time, and find it to be a very useful and versatile lens.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I take my WR gear and even some non-wr gear out in all kinds of inhospitable conditions. So far so good! I like to take it skiing in my jacket pocket with a piece of velcro camera bag padding to help protect my body. <br /> I took the K-S2 + 18-135 snowshoeing today since I can't ski yet.<br>

Here are some very WR moments from the past few years:<br>

.<br>

<a title="IMGP7667-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/14788122568_4674375183_z.jpg" alt="IMGP7667-Edit" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /> .<br /> <a title="IMGP5176-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/516/19027591643_780ddce888_z.jpg" alt="IMGP5176-Edit" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /> .<br /> <a title="IMGP5288-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/12427861044_c24333c462_z.jpg" alt="IMGP5288-Edit" width="426" height="640" /></a><br /> .<br /> <a title="IMGP5384" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8541/8625905381_f77484a83b_z.jpg" alt="IMGP5384" width="640" height="424" /></a><br /> .<br /> <a title="IMGP3857.jpg" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5461/9013775616_669106853b_z.jpg" alt="IMGP3857.jpg" width="640" height="424" /></a></p>

<p> </p>

<p>@Matt, very inspiring work. Thank you so much in sharing your work with us all the time<br /><br /><br>

@Michael, thanks for the extra pointer. And now my decision to make on 16-85 is even more challenging. It is true that the SDM 16-50 still intrigue me for ownership but all the SDM issues scare me away. With the current price drop at < $700 level in B&H and amazon, it is absurd not to consider it. </p>

<p>I don't think it is much of a decision. The 16-50 never got much of a good review from the get-go. Klaus was unimpressed---plus, the SDM issue. R U Nuts?<br>

The 16-45mm probably runs circles around it.</p>

<p>http://www.photozone.de/pentax/405-pentax_1650_28?start=1</p>

<p>@Wayne, though all criticism with the lens on 16-50, it is still one of the very capable zooms in Pentax. I know all about the SDM issues and I hope Pentax has addressed it for other SDM labelled zoom lens such as the 50-135 and 60-250. I personally have not run into issues with 50-135 and 60-250. They are quite top-quality zooms rarely found in other systems for their prices. The recent price on 16-50 under $700 is well worth consideration but it will add certainty if Pentax gives a 3-5 year instead of 1 year warranty. Pentax should do something extra to warrant users on SDM. My appreciation with 50-135 goes a long way and I think it is the BEST zoom that I have ever used on Pentax. Yes, it is slower in AF department but the image quality is prime like. </p>

<p>Hi folks.<br>

While I do know it is not an underwater camera, it is certainly the most weather resistant cameras that I own. If I am wrong and I kill it, so be it. But honestly, If i felt it would die, I would not do it. I took it out again in another torrential rain storm and again, just perfect.<br>

<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hDF_Rl_bgw/Vq6vlQIHfHI/AAAAAAAAES8/YE9DwW56TZ8/s1600/IMGP3656.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1061" /></p>

<p><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mXNlfOOY6IQ/Vq6vnFSKtPI/AAAAAAAAETM/laJP0tok4Zk/s1600/IMGP3729.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1061" /></p>