Modern lenses and weather sealing

[FowlersFreeTime]

My new favorite series of APSC lenses is growing: Viltrox now has offerings in 15mm, 25mm, 35mm, and 56mm, all with a max aperture of f/1.7. These are great, lightweight and travel friendly lenses... but that last bit gives me pause. Their own website claims "Front lens splash-resistance and anti-fouling coating" but the lenses lack the typical rubber o-ring at the lens mount and are not categorized as weather resistant/sealed. I'm still baffled by the omission, it could not have increased the price by much to include an o-ring? All my other lenses from Sony, Tamron, and Sigma have this rubber ring, though I understand they are several times more expensive.

I don't shoot in the rain if I can help it, but Florida is a very humid environment, so I'm starting to get a bit worried. Am I just being paranoid?

Open discussion: with modern lenses and cameras having fairly tight tolerances, does a "weather resistant" designation mean as much nowadays? Does the lack of this feature dissuade you from buying such a lens?

 

[Unframed Dave]

Yes.

I never intentionally take my kit out in the wet, but frequently get caught out. Unlike my wife, I'm rarely prepared for it.

 

[iamdlewis]

Humidity isn't weather for this exercise. High humidity is a problem for basically everything if the high humidity is constant and cleaning isn't done regularly. With that said if you don't go out and shoot in the rain/snow then I don't think it is something that you should be overly concerned about. Even if you do end up in a little rain as long as you can clean and dry the gear in a relatively quick time frame you should still be good.

Generally I think people get a little paranoid about electronic gear and weather. I've had a laptop that made not mention of being any type of weather/environment proof survive after being out in the tropical rain for 5 mins. Plus there are stories like this one: After 13 Years Underwater, Lost Digital Camera Photos Reunited With Owner

 

[Unframed Dave]

I think living in Britain makes the paranoia stronger.

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

I never really think about it. I never go out if it is raining, and on rare occasions that I get caught out, I generally don't worry at all. I think that older gear was definitely prone to being affected, but these days that worry has been eliminated.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I think living in Britain makes the paranoia stronger.

I am familiar with your weather, I wouldn't trust a non weather sealed lens on a wet day anywhere in Britain/Scotland. Likewise I would leave my camera at home on a rainy day in Florida (we get some HEAVY rain, especially during summer).

I think to @iamdlewis point though, I may be overreacting about humidity and a few initial raindrops if I'm surprised by inclement weather.