one more camera gone...

[hvulin]

it was my mistake (I geared up too fast and didn't check everything)...

when I was at 20m depth I noticed that my Canon S45 was already half in water!

too bad... (it was already old but...)

I guess I'll go and get a used S45 or S50 after I check out the empty case and continue to shoot...

just a reminder for the others: allways check twice!

 

[Marek K]

Ouch!! Nije dobro!!

Well, at 20m depth, the case should stop filling after it was 3/4 full of water, right?

I just got my first digital camera, and intend on using it underwater with a housing. But I'm really paranoid about flooding.

Other than the usual advice on maintaining and checking o-rings, is there anything that can be done to alert a diver that flooding was occurring? I assume that if the very beginnings of flooding can be detected early enough -- and at less than safety-stop depths -- it would be possible to save the camera with immediate surfacing. I've heard of alarms. I suppose keeping a close eye on the camera case while descending would help.

Is there any kind of chemically-treated material that can be put into the bottom of a camera case, that would turn a vivid color when it starts getting damp?

 

[fairybasslet]

I always check the camera housing out in the rinse tank first. I even snap a few photos just to make sure nothing leaks when stress is put on the orings. One time, I noticed some water in the bottom, but it hadn't reached the camera yet, so I had time to fix the orings.

 

[Gilligan]

Sorry my friend. I have been there myself.

 

[Gilligan]

Is there any kind of chemically-treated material that can be put into the bottom of a camera case, that would turn a vivid color when it starts getting damp?

This company sells a leak detector for what it's worth.

I use this in my housing in the hopes it will help should I catch a small leak immediately.

 

[alcina]

Sorry to hear about your loss!

I check my orings and all seals very carefully when I set up, then again when I prepare to enter the water, and again when I enter the water, and still again as I head down...and I've been known to have a little look again once I am down there I'm not paranoid but I know that it only takes a small error to ruin my dive!

 

[Charlie99]

So far I've been lucky!

Only opening the housing under nice, controlled, well lit conditions such as a condo or hotel room helps.

I also do a leak test in a sink, or a tall juice pitcher, after closing up the housing. First a few seconds to check for gross leaks, then fiddling with the buttons while checking for drips, then leaving it for about a 15 minute soak. So far it's worked, but I still keep my fingers crossed.

----

Just look on the bright side Hrvoje, now you have a good excuse to go out and buy a new camera!

 

[Jamdiver]

So sorry to hear that hvulin .
Do you have any insurance on the camera?

Anyway hopefully my super-meticulous checks of orings and housing with magnifying glass prior to dives will prevent a flood!

Best of luck to you and use this as an excuse to get a bigger, badder camera

 

[caribou]

Besides usual care, avoiding excessive stress even for a very short time is a good practice. I have seen divers entering water (backroll or giant stride) with the camera on the wrist.

I prefer entering and have someone hand me the camera when I'm in the water.

But there is no such thing as zero risk, so don't buy a camera you can't afford to flood...as people say...

 

[crpntr133]

Not a mattter of "if" but a matter of "when". Always hard to see another one go.