D2x and the sea - bad combination!

[Steve Davey]

So, quick question... had a waterproof housing issue photographing sharks in polynesia. Although I took the thing to 15 metres the day before - this time snorkelling with sharks the housing leaked. In truth it is probably user error (I was distracted when prepping). In the water getting some nice shots - click click CLUNK! The dead. Surface and there was water in the housing. It had come in from the top - dripped all over the camera boday and pooled in the bottom and flooded the battery compartment.

Have to say the other sealing was amazing. Althugh the outside of camera wet - no penetration, except 'down below'. First of all the camera was saying "err" with dead battery (even with new dry battery). Now just dead.

The question is - anyone (equally dumb as me) had a similar problem. What was the cost/prognosis? Also anyone know what is in the bottom of the camera (that bit next to the battery compartment)? It will need replacing but would be nice to know what is in there!

Luckily I have a spare and am now trying to ship the thing back to Nikon UK from Easter Island where I am now! I will need it again ten days after I get back for another trip and need a head start!

Any info/reassurances etc more than welcome.

Thanks,
Steve

http://www.stevedavey.com

 

[Shutterbugin]

Man that is a shame, I feel for you truely. Easter Island? Man that Fedex bill must be steep.

Sorry to say this but - next time concentrate during the preparation of your $5,000 camera ;-).

So, quick question... had a waterproof housing issue photographing
sharks in polynesia. Although I took the thing to 15 metres the day
before - this time snorkelling with sharks the housing leaked. In
truth it is probably user error (I was distracted when prepping).
In the water getting some nice shots - click click CLUNK! The dead.
Surface and there was water in the housing. It had come in from the
top - dripped all over the camera boday and pooled in the bottom
and flooded the battery compartment.

Have to say the other sealing was amazing. Althugh the outside of
camera wet - no penetration, except 'down below'. First of all the
camera was saying "err" with dead battery (even with new dry
battery). Now just dead.

The question is - anyone (equally dumb as me) had a similar
problem. What was the cost/prognosis? Also anyone know what is in
the bottom of the camera (that bit next to the battery
compartment)? It will need replacing but would be nice to know what
is in there!

Luckily I have a spare and am now trying to ship the thing back to
Nikon UK from Easter Island where I am now! I will need it again
ten days after I get back for another trip and need a head start!

Any info/reassurances etc more than welcome.

Thanks,
Steve

http://www.stevedavey.com

--
ShutterBugin
http://www.exposureproductions.smugmug.com

 

[Steve Davey]

Sadly you are right. It was one of those situations, you are doing something, someone comes up and talks to you, you skip something without realising it. Very easy to do.

Actually though looking at the picture times I was under for about 20 minutes, so I reckon that the stopper was knocked when I was down there else it would have happened long before. There was a lot of current and one of the sharks twatted into me 24 seconds before the camera died (have a close up picture of it at time of impact)! At depth the pressure keeps the stopper in kind of like the door of a plane, but just under the surface it can get bashed and come loose. So maybe it wasn't my fault - except for being so dumb to take the thing under water in thre first place! Still as the saying goes - swim wth the sharks...

Steve
http://www.stevedavey.com

 

[David Cropp]

Hi Steve,

Feel for you also. Hope you can save the beastie, distilled water soak followed by alcohol.Get that salt out.
You probabably are aware of the 1:1 rule

• one for the camera one for yourself hic

enjoy your stay.
Dave

 

[TurboFC3S]

If you have separate floater insurance for the camera, just throw it over and say the sharks ate it ;-)
--
Ryan Scott - Motorsports Photographer
Why I shoot --> http://www.rxtuner.com

 

[Kevin O'Neil]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the distilled water is only for cameras like the F3, and maybe the F4. Putting a D2X in any water will destroy the camera electronics and CCD. I doubt the camera can be repaired given this was salt water.

--
Kevin O'Neil
http://www.Eastern-Light.net
http://www.Eastern-Light.com

 

[pcoxpe]

I’m not sure about recommendations for the dSLRs, or film SLRs, however, I do have experience with U/W cameras and seawater.

The use of alcohol after distilled water, is only for the Nikonos, Nikonos II, and Nikonos III, eg. non-electronic cameras. For the Nikonos IVa and V, use distilled water only. For all U/W strobes, use distilled water only. The printed circuit boards will usually be damaged when using high concentrations of alcohol, as well as some plastic parts. (I used alcohol on a SB102 and faced a pretty hefty repair bill.)

The typical procedure for electronic cameras is to remove the batteries as soon as possible, pour out as much seawater as possible, and submerge the entire camera in freshwater until the “rescue” procedure can be performed (keep it packed in freshwater, kinda’ like canned tuna).

The “rescue” procedure goes something like: Partially disassemble the camera and gently pour several gallons of distilled water through all parts of the camera. Dry using a hair dryer, set on low speed, low heat. After all visible moisture is gone, set the camera on manual and operate the shutter, if it sticks, continue to dry, and repeat until the shutter no longer sticks. “Work” the shutter under warm air for several minutes. Jim Church’s Nikonos Handbook gives a detailed procedure.

I used the “rescue” procedure on a IVa, and used the camera the rest of the week (even with the electronics). On the III, I used distilled water and alcohol, and used the camera the rest of the week.(different trips) After flooding, I sent them to Underwater Photo Tech ( http://www.uwphoto.com/index.html ). I used Southern Nikonos ONCE, now I stay away from them.

If I had a dSLR, and it had quite a bit of seawater in it, I’d give the rescue procedure a try – probably couldn’t hurt.

--
Philip...

 

[Steve Davey]

Thanks all - have tried the alcohol - on me not the camera! The water dripped down on to the camera (pro tool - well sealed) but only got in the batter compartment. Shutter/sensor seems unviolated as does lens mount and card slot. Ie the vast majority of the camera is untouched but the battery and anything that is in the bottom 10mm of the camera will need to be replaced. Hopefully nothing else! Duking the whole thing would be overkill as 95% of the camera stayed dry!

In truth I have been dumb with that camera a bunch. Hung out of planes, dived, deserts and a couple of festivals. I knew the risks and I accept them. Maybe not with a smile though! I also learn. Next time waterproof tape to hold in the stopper. More to seal battery compartment and maybe a bit of litmus paper inside the btm of the housing so I can see if water inside before the dreaded clunk.

Maybe even a small batterey - bulb - two wires combo to flash at me if the botton of the housing floods - now there's an idea!

Cheers all,
Steve

http://www.stevedavey.com