TS2 Water Damage?

[Lobalobo]

Below are two photos of my TS2 after being submerged, with all doors sealed and locked (just as I'd done dozens of times before). The lens and the screen are clean and dry on the outside and I assume that this is water damage on the inside. Should I just trash the camera at this point?

 

[Lobalobo]

Interestingly, at least to me, the water in the lens seems to have evaporated, but still I doubt that the camera is reliable enough to use.

 

[Lobalobo]

So, a day later, the condensation in the lens is gone, and in the LCD mostly gone, though some remnants of water marks. The camera operates properly and here's the thing, the battery/card department was always dry as was the compartment behind the other door, I believe. The camera never stopped working, just became clouded with condensation. The leak seems to be somewhere other than the seals. Saw bubbles coming up from the mic. Could that be the source? Very strange. I suppose I should not submerge again, making this not a very useful device. Any advice is still welcome.

 

[Ring A]

That's a good idea, toss it into a bucket of dyed water so you can see where the leak is
--
'I don't necessarily believe everything I say'!

 

[happypoppeye]

Huh? ...to see where the leak is? ...tossing it into a bucket of dyed water knwoing there is a leak is going to kill the camera ...and dyed water is going to leave coloring on the lens when the water dries ...sounds like a sarcastic remark, but not sure if it was mean't to be.

That's a good idea, toss it into a bucket of dyed water so you can see where the leak is
--
'I don't necessarily believe everything I say'!

--
http://www.wanderinground.wordpress.com
http://www.pbase.com/happypoppeye

It's almost all opinion folks, gonna have to deal with it.

 

[Lobalobo]

Huh? ...to see where the leak is? ...tossing it into a bucket of dyed water knwoing there is a leak is going to kill the camera ...and dyed water is going to leave coloring on the lens when the water dries ...sounds like a sarcastic remark, but not sure if it was mean't to be.

Hmm, I take it there is no real way to salvage, or test, for a leak and the camera is now a dry-lander and thus of little use (as I have other, better, smaller point-and-shoot dry cameras). Maybe I'll take it out in the rain. Oh well. Strange, though, that there is no leak in either sealed open compartment (not "department," typo in my earlier email).

 

[Vandyu]

I've never used a waterproof camera, so was interested in your problem of water leaking into the camera. Started reading about it and found the following:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366363,00.asp

Cons
Pricey. No lens cover. Occasional lens fog during underwater use.

Like the Olympus Stylus Tough-8000, the lens occasionally fogged up after removing the camera from water, but dipping it back in the water seemed to do the trick.

http://scubadiverinfo.com/3_cameras_panasonic_lumix_ts2.html

Waterproof functions

How did Panasonic waterproof the camera and what do you need to observe when using it in the water? At first sight you'd swear this was just an ordinary compact camera. It's always fun to see people's reactions when you take the LUMIX into the water. Everyone thinks you forgot about the camera and it's now destroyed. It isn't, of course, and the LUMIX certainly makes a nice conversation starter in addition to its many other qualities.

There are some telltale differences. Unlike most landlubber cameras with big zoom barrels that motor in and out, the Pana's 4.6X optical zoom is fully internal. That is quite an accomplishment in such a thin camera. Not all underwater cameras do it this way. Canon's competing D10, for example, has a big bulge in front of the camera to accommodate its 3X zoom. It is so big that it blocks part of the flash when shooting macro. The Panasonic doesn't have this problem. The front of the lens is protected by glass (make sure you eliminate droplets when you come out of the water, else pictures can be useless). The battery/storage card compartment and the I/O connector compartment cover doors have O-ring style rubber gaskets and springloaded latches, and there is an extra lever to push and lock things in place. The manual very extensively warns against getting sand or water onto the packing as even a few grains may cause leaks. Also, it is recommended to routinely inspect the seal and have it replaced if it looks compromised, and also once a year. After use underwater, and especially in the sea, the camera should be rinsed off with tap water, or left in a bowl with clean fresh water for ten minutes or so. Do follow those recommendations!

Underwater case: A waterproof camera with underwater modes practically begs for an optional underwater case, and Panasonic offers one. The DMW-MCFT2 marine case for the Lumix TS2 can handle depths up to 130 feet, which is the depth limit for recreational diving.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/TS2/TS2A.HTM

It was a lot of fun paddling around, camera in hand, shooting underwater and the results were more than acceptable. The camera was none the worse for wear although some lines appeared in the LCD screen. They were temporary effects and disappeared after a short time.

http://www.dslrphoto.com/dslr/camera-15520-panasonic-dmc-ts2-user-reviews.html

Scroll down to user reviews:

Camera lasted less than 2 years before it leaked water after being submerged to about 3 feet in fresh water. Both door seals were carefully checked each time it was taken into the water, including the time it leaked. Not sure it leaked through one of the two doors however as the batter and SD card were dry. Water first appeared near the top of the screen, later fogged over the lens.
Was a good camera up to this point, taking reasonable photos, rugged, and small.
--
Are you ready to make someone's day a little brighter?

 

[Lobalobo]

Pricey. No lens cover. Occasional lens fog during underwater use.

Thanks for your response, and for taking the time, but my problem is not fog, it is condensation inside the lens.

Camera lasted less than 2 years before it leaked water after being submerged to about 3 feet in fresh water. Both door seals were carefully checked each time it was taken into the water, including the time it leaked. Not sure it leaked through one of the two doors however as the batter and SD card were dry. Water first appeared near the top of the screen, later fogged over the lens.

This is what happened, guess I'm not alone. I would suggest to others that this camera has only a 2-year life as mine failed at that point as well.