Camera Disaster!!

[Lancashire Lad]

I'm not disputing what you are saying regarding the electronic complexity of modern digital cameras. (The Nikonos did have somewhat less complex electronics for the metering, viewfinder & flash circuitry).

What I was saying was, if you've nothing to lose, it's worth a try, and might, just might, against all the odds do the trick.

(I was told I was being silly and wasting my time trying to flush the camera, when the Nikonos flooded, but that worked).

Obviously the thing would be to get the camera replaced under the insurance policy - if it is covered by the policy when in the garden. I'm pretty sure most camera retailers would be only too willing to write out an "uneconomical to repair" note.

But even so, I would at least have a go, just for the hell of it.

Regards,
Mike.

[ron1863]

I would try the advice Mike gave, what have you to lose, the camera is already soaked with dirty pond water, at least it will get rid of dirt, insects etc.
I imagine what has happened to you is every photographers nightmare. Good luck with the insurance company mate, hope it all ends well

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

I'm not disputing what you are saying regarding the electronic complexity of modern digital cameras. (The Nikonos did have somewhat less complex electronics for the metering, viewfinder & flash circuitry).

What I was saying was, if you've nothing to lose, it's worth a try, and might, just might, against all the odds do the trick.

(I was told I was being silly and wasting my time trying to flush the camera, when the Nikonos flooded, but that worked).

Obviously the thing would be to get the camera replaced under the insurance policy - if it is covered by the policy when in the garden. I'm pretty sure most camera retailers would be only too willing to write out an "uneconomical to repair" note.

But even so, I would at least have a go, just for the hell of it.

Regards,
Mike.

We're pretty much in agreement that Nick has nothing to lose by having a go himself. My knowledge and experience, though, tells me this would be 99% a futile attempt.

Most retailers would indeed be willing to write out an "unecomical to repair" note - because it is indeed unecomical to repair.

Everything needs replacing, or it will just come back again next week with another associated fault, which the repairer would be duty bound to put right. No repairer in their right mind is going to put themselves in this situation. Most have been there, done that, and paid out of their own pocket for the priveledge of the experience.



Trust me, the camera really is toast.

[Badllarma]

This sent shudders down my spine I did this 15 years ago with a Pentax ME Super (my fathers) but it hit concrete rather than a pond needless to say camera was a write off the case cracked open like an egg.

Your 40D is dead or should be classed as, even if you get it all cleaned out and working ok how long with it last?
I can see it now half way round the world on a trip of a life time and I'm telling you now it will fail. Or taking shots of a friends wedding or anything that is remotely important to you and this camera is not going to work or will develop a fault.

The golden rule for cameras and light meters it this if you don't have 100% confidence in it the only place it's fit for is the bin Ring the insurance company just don't mention the wind (act of God) and blame your self for a incorrectly set up tripod

[Badllarma]

Oh nearly forgot go and price up your new 50D

[Nick Smith]

I am at 6's and 7's whether to actually attempt giving the camera a good soaking with pure filtered tap water to try to flush out any pondlife that may be lurking within the deepest darkest crevices of my faithful friend. I have a de-humidifier and have placed the camera close to this with it on 100% in an attempt to dry it out. The camera body actually looks quite dry and I am glad to say the water did not get inside the shutter mechanism (which is amazing) The lens was completely flooded and looks like it will need to be stripped down to the bare bones to dry it out (you can pick a new one up for a couple of hundred quid). Surprisingly enough the camera body worked this morning although, as badllarma stated, how reliable can it possibly be. It could last a day or years. I suppose we live with this problem on a day to day basis as it is. Thanks again. (Not so anguished this morning) Nick.

[captaincarot]

Originally Posted by Doggle Avaddit

Hi Nick,

I repair electronic equipment for a living. There is no way your camera will ever be made good after such a soaking, it is a Write-off.

this is not the case.
it's most likely that it will be dead, but having spent 13 yers in the semiconductor manufacturing industry i can say categorically that water does not always mean that a device will be dead, it depends on how the device was manufactured, if the components and circuit boards were encapsulated or not for example,

it also depends on what power levels were passing through the components when they were exposed to water as to what level of damage is done.

if some thing like this does happen to some one else, first thing to do is get the batteries out without delay,

though if you can get one on the insurance i would for the reasons other people have stated, you might just keep it going as a back up

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by captaincarot

this is not the case.
it's most likely that it will be dead, but having spent 13 yers in the semiconductor manufacturing industry i can say categorically that water does not always mean that a device will be dead, it depends on how the device was manufactured, if the components and circuit boards were encapsulated or not for example,

it also depends on what power levels were passing through the components when they were exposed to water as to what level of damage is done.

if some thing like this does happen to some one else, first thing to do is get the batteries out without delay,

though if you can get one on the insurance i would for the reasons other people have stated, you might just keep it going as a back up

The most likely things to go wrong first are the switches. The camera will cease to operate correctly because some or all of the controls will fail. The internal (non soldered) connectors will then oxidise and corrode, again meaning a loss of control. If the electronics are waterproofed, they may survive, but what would be the point if the rest of the camera grinds to a complete halt.

[captaincarot]

the point would be if you've managed to get another on the insurance and you can hang on to the written off one you might just be able to save it and end up with 2

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Doggle Avaddit

The most likely things to go wrong first are the switches. The camera will cease to operate correctly because some or all of the controls will fail. The internal (non soldered) connectors will then oxidise and corrode, again meaning a loss of control. If the electronics are waterproofed, they may survive, but what would be the point if the rest of the camera grinds to a complete halt.

Im not following your logic on this

Assuming that the batteries are out, oxidisation, like corrosion, will only occur while dampness allows the process to continue. Since we are dealing with fresh water here as opposed to salt water, there will be very little chemical reaction, and no salt residues which would ultimately maintain a hygroscopic reaction. So - once the camera is dry, it should remain dry.
(I do agree that there might well be a problem if there happens to be any residual dirt causing possible contact between two switch points or between two separate conductors on the circuit board, or jamming one of the miniscule cogs or motors etc.).

I would suggest drying a couple of bags of silica gel, and then placing the camera body in a sealed bag/container with the gel, and possibly repeating the process over several days.

I'm sure that a replacement camera would be granted, if covered by the insurance policy, and it's very unlikely that the insurers will require this camera handing over (although if they pay out it effectively becomes their property).

So Nick, as has been said, you may just end up with a usable back-up body that could conceivably continue working ad-infinitum.

Best of luck with your claim.
Regards,
Mike.