My Camera Has Broken Down

[Jason Green]

Hi,

I was attempting action shots of dripping icicles in the garden using the flash and all was going well (although I only caught one drip in ten shots though ). I then noticed another icicle above the camera had been leaking onto the camera - only around the manual/automatic focus switch (which is located on the top of the front right from the front side).

Suddenly between bursts I looked at the camera to line up the next set and it was off. I tried turning it back on repeatedly - to no avail. Assuming the flash had drained the batteries, I charged them fully.

Two hours later I put them back in - still nothing. I assume the water could have done something?

Camera details: Fuji FinePix S5600 zoom

My camera is now out of service for now so any help appreciated please!!!!!

[LoveT]

I don't like being the voice of doom, but I think you might assume right Jason . It sounds like the water has got into the camera and done for it (sorry ) - water can get anywhere.

You could try leaving it out somewhere warm overnight (but take any cards etc. out first) but not in direct heat e.g in a warm room. That may help, but a lot of digital cameras are pretty delicate and don't cope with water getting into the electronics.

If the worst comes to the worst, you might be able to claim on your household insurance?

I sincerely hope I'm wrong and you're back up and running in no time at all!

Thea

[pressld2]

Jason,

I would take the battery out and leave the camera for at least 24 hours at normal room temperature - around 68 degrees F. Then try it again. If it still doesn't work it's a repair job I'm afraid.

Dave P.

[Jason Green]

Thanks for the replies.

I have removed the card, the batteries and left it near to - but not directly - by a heater. Hopefully this'll work. This may not make a difference, is the water from a frozen icicle likely to be any less damaging to the electronics than normal rain water? The camera has been wet before - even in the same area - and I've never had a problem with it before. Even the batteries are on the other side of the body.

I will get back to you hopefully with good news - and upload the pictures I'd managed - assuming they survived!

Take care,

Jason

[LoveT]

Hi Jason

The only other thing I can think of is that the battery has given up the ghost - which they do sometimes.

Maybe this morning was the last straw for it - from what you say it could be that it will no longer hold a charge.

I'm not suggesting you go out and buy a new battery on the offchance for it, as I know how expensive they are, but is there any way you could borrow one to try or something? Then at least you'd know if it was the battery at fault.

Thea

[Jason Green]

Hi Thea,

Interesting suggestion. Yesterday I charged the four NiMH AA's and the charger was still on red after three hours - Usually I would have expected them to have been finished by then. They were fairly warm as well. They are the same ones I've used since I bought the camera in Dec '06. I'll try new ones once I have given the camera enough time to dry out.

Thankyou Thea and PressId2 for your suggestions and I'll keep you posted.

[Blackbrook Eye]

The golden rule if you think water has entered a camera is not to attempt to switch it back on until you are sure it has fully dried out, too late for yours now i'm afraid, but you will be aware if it happens again. Good luck with your attempts to rectify the situation, as has already been suggested, a new set of batteries may do the trick, your old ones certainly don't owe you anything after all this time do they, but make sure that it is completely dry before attempting anything else. As to your question regarding the difference between rain water and ice water, only the temperature is different.

[Jason Green]

OK, thankyou Blackbrook Eye.

LATEST UPDATE:
I put the camera in a tablecloth and left it next to a cool heater. Three hours later I returned the batteries - and it turned on!!!

I then rotated the power button to the Live View and all was good - until I pressed the Zoom button. Suddenly the Flash went from Forced to Off, then the screen switched from LCD to EVF.

I then changed the view back to LCD and this time I kept the button depressed and it zoomed... as it should... until I zoomed out and it changed flash mode, then returned to EVF - again.

The thing seems... confused!

I have now taken the batteries out again and wrapped it up, placed it by the heater and will wait a few more hours.

I will let you know if it works again but I fear the damage has already been done

No more photos for me for a while...

[Blackbrook Eye]

Stop Jason, dont try to start the camera for at least a couple of days or you may do permanent damage, it is obviously still damp inside, probably from condensation, which can take a good while to clear completely. Keith

[big bill]

Hello jason I would not attempt to start it up for a couple of days at least to give it a chance to thoroughly dry out starting it up early could cause damage so I`m affraid patience is a virtue were this is concerned and let it dry out completely for a couple of days