jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Although they're not marketed as Tough cameras, these Pentax DSLRs can take some pretty heavy abuse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo61t5fH6Qw

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

I was getting very upset when he was doing that lol. I'm glad it worked out.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Pentax must love that video. It's not them doing it, so they're not responsible, but it shows how well the cameras are sealed.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Oh, F#*%ing S^$@, I have a K-5 and a K-20, and the 16-50mm Zoom he referred too (I did not hear what the second lens was) and believe me I wouldn't abuse any of them like that. I think the weather sealing is best on the K-20. It has locking "doors" and you can see the rubber seals. Also I once got a taco from the County Fair spilled on my K-5 around the Hot Shoe and View Finder and other upper areas. Nothing happened then other then not having the proper items to clean it off with, but years later the dried food dust worked its way into the camera. Eventually needing a professional cleaning the camera repair guy said he found a lot of weird dust inside and not just on the sensor. He asked if I dumped food on it.

Have you seen the long video where some looney freezes a Nikon Camera in a block of ice after doing all sorts of horrible things to the camera. Afterwords it still turns on, though I don't think it was going to take proper images after that, even if it did click off one (did it even did that much? Don't remember).

I'd have to wonder, might Oppenheimer have left a Leica III at Trinity and "nuked" it?!!!

For context, yes, I think Pentax cameras are great. Though, I've never met a working camera I didn't like. I have a still well working Pentax Spotmatic, K2 DMD, and K1000.

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

Bo0mer

I don't have any Olympus gear, but after seeing this post I'd be tempted if I needed a weather tight camera:

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2017/04/recently-top-has-had-some-comments-about-the-weatherproof-qualities-of-olympus-pro-gear-i-can-tell-you-that-its-hard-to-exa.html

Kim LeBlanc Loc: St. charles, Mi.

I have both the K3 & the K#II very good cameras that don't get the respect they deserve. I have purchased a Nikon 7200 & I find in not to be the camera the Pentax K3II is. Only reason for buying the Nikon, more lens choices.

A10 Loc: Southern Indiana

I have a Pentax K-10, K-3, and a K-1 and would never try what that soldier did, but it is nice too know these cameras will take on the elements.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Jerry, I am familiar with Pentax cameras since 1957. I remember that at that time German lenses were adapted to use with those cameras and some photographers complained of the "poor" quality of Pentax lenses. I have never used Pentax cameras and lenses but their quality for as long as I know always have been excellent.
It is reassuring when we have a camera that can take a shower.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I loved my Pentax SLRs from the 35mm days, especially the KX. I do wish they had joined the digital world earlier so I could have stayed with that brand.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Did those cameras belong to the soldier, or were they U.S. Army property? I wonder how happy the Army would've been to replace them if his demo failed?

Lens Creep

whoa, that is some serious treatment and the Pentax stands up!

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

I have a working (I think) K-1000 and a K-50 but would never treat either that way.

brucebc Loc: Tooele, Utah

My new K-1 slid off the trunk of my car and landed on the cement driveway, I thought I am sure glad I bought the insurance, It never missed a beat. I couldn't even find where it hit when it landed. I have a lot of pentax bodies and the LX has to be my favorite.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Reminds me; one of mine, either the K1000 or KX, blew over while on a tripod atop Pike's Peak and it never missed a beat either. Pretty tough old cameras.