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[Q] Newbie: How to test a used housing & change lenses

Started Dec 30, 2019 | Questions thread
kelpdiver Veteran Member • Posts: 5,564
Re: [Q] Newbie: How to test a used housing & change lenses

rp200 wrote:

Hi,

Newbie getting into underwater photography...

Picked up a used Olympus housing for E-PL7. Changed the o-ring and did basic test for leak by putting in bathtub. Before diving with my camera in it, what would be a proper way to test the housing? Just take it in empty and press all the buttons?

I like to stuff it with a bit of tissue paper so it will be obvious if moisture gets inside.

Lastly, what is a proper way to change lens during dives to avoid capturing moisture inside the housing?

I used to worry about that a lot - would only open and close the camera in an air conditioned room.   After a number of liveaboards where everyone swapped between WA and macro on the camera deck, I stopped worrying.  Even humid air only has a tiny bit of moisture in it for the volume of dead air in your housing.   It's the abrupt temperature changes that is a bigger threat - like taking your open camera outside of the AC room to 85F - that can make it fog instantly if not covered in a plastic bag or in the housing.  Wait 10-15 minutes for it to warm up before exposing.

If you're really concerned, you could stick a dessicant pack into the housing.

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