That is my question concerning a Nikon D200 and various glass. I posted a shot in Avian where this topic came to my little head. I shoot from a boat and in the water occasionally, and the thought of replacing my relatively new digital gear is not one I relish. $$$$ Is there anything one can do if there is an accidental submerging? Will all chips and whatnot just fry or can it be dried even a compressed air? Should I just shoot the old Canon AE since replacing that is far cheaper? What about glass, is it sealed or would water get into the different elements and such? Thank you all for any answers and advice.
Bruce
A complete immersion is almost sure death for any camera that's not completely waterproof, especially if it's salt water. Splashing and rain can be averted with covers, but I've dunked enough cameras and lenses- both in the days of film and more recently with digital- to harbor very few hopes of a recovery from dunking in saltwater. If freshwater (clean) gets in the camera I've had fair luck opening all compartments and drying everywhere I can reach, then putting the completely open camera in front of a hair dryer on low air flow with no heat. But I'm surprised when it works completely.
Sorry to be the bearer of sad tidings, but in my case it strengthens my efforts to prevent dunkings in the first place.
Great point Ed! Be sure to read the fine print on the policy though. And remember, even if insurance will cover a camera, you're going to be without till all the paperwork is done......
If you are working around water, your camera/lens will wind up in the water. Maybe not tomorrow, or next week, but it will eventually decide to go for a fatal swim.
Carry the minimum you need to work with, work as carefully as you can and insure everything.
Surprised no one has mentioned it yet, but you need a Pelican case. Keep all camera gear in that unless actually taking a photo. When you're done taking the shot, put it back into the Pelican and shut it up tight. This has saved my stuff twice.
Thank you all for comments & suggestions. I was afraid of worse case answers being true when I asked this question. For anyone who has soaked their gear, was anything salvageable? Cards, glass, any thing? Thanks, Bruce
Thank you all for comments & suggestions. I was afraid of worse case answers being true when I asked this question. For anyone who has soaked their gear, was anything salvageable? Cards, glass, any thing? Thanks, Bruce
Cards fare well with wetting. There are numerous accounts of folks leaving them in a pocket then running them through the washing machine, but the cards still worked. Microdrives are toast.
Canon L series lenses fare better than consumber grade because they're better sealed. Same for Nikon. That usually the case for pro bodies versus consumer grade from any manufacturer.
The big deals in my experience is fresh versus salt, immersion time, and immersion versus splashing. We've salvaged both film and digital cameras from quick freshwater dunkings using the method I described, but I'm yet to see anything survive a walk on the salty side.
Thank you Hank. I'm currently only exposed to fresh water & crystal clear at that. I do shoot sports for a local paper so I know about rain & hoods, My question was asked because I was stalking mergansers in the water w/ my eye to the viewfinder and stepped into a drop off. I "try" to be careful but occasionally the subject is too inviting to use my "Better Judgement"!!
Again Thank you all, this site is too cool!
Bruce
I'm "adjusting" to bifocals, and if I glance down at the wrong moment I don't even need a dropoff to land flat on my face, whether in the water or on land.
One small detail that has saved my cameras around water a couple of times is a longer camera strap. I wear one long enough to allow me to stick my head and one arm through the strap so the camera hangs at my side at belt level, or I can even swing it around back when I need more freedom. Not only is this more convenient for keeping it under a raincoat, but the extra length has allowed me to raise my camera higher and clear of the water when the rest of me lands in the water.
You might be getting the impression I'm pretty clumsy. No dispute.
I love it Hank. You and I would be in disastrous company if we ever were on a shoot together!
Knock on wood! but I haven't yet dunked my camera. (D 200). I have had it in blowing sand and driving salt water mist and spray. All saved by my trusty camera repair person, who cleans it thoroughly after such trips. Pricey, but way less than replacement. And yes, Pelican® cases are wonderful. When shooting in light rain I have used the Op Techs® camera wraps as covers over both body and glass and find it works okay. Immediately done with the shot all goes back under more waterproof cover like my raincoat, Pelican case, or backpack.
Edit: Everything okay with the cards on these wetter adventures. I haven't gotten 'em wet, tho; I mean to say that just being in the camera and transferred quickly to dry storage, all was well.
Discussion
13 repliesBruce
Sorry to be the bearer of sad tidings, but in my case it strengthens my efforts to prevent dunkings in the first place.
Carry the minimum you need to work with, work as carefully as you can and insure everything.
Would underwater housing be an option for you? If you're shooting in the water it might be a good idea, but it can be pretty expensive!
Kent in SD
Cards fare well with wetting. There are numerous accounts of folks leaving them in a pocket then running them through the washing machine, but the cards still worked. Microdrives are toast.
Canon L series lenses fare better than consumber grade because they're better sealed. Same for Nikon. That usually the case for pro bodies versus consumer grade from any manufacturer.
The big deals in my experience is fresh versus salt, immersion time, and immersion versus splashing. We've salvaged both film and digital cameras from quick freshwater dunkings using the method I described, but I'm yet to see anything survive a walk on the salty side.
Again Thank you all, this site is too cool!
Bruce
I'm "adjusting" to bifocals, and if I glance down at the wrong moment I don't even need a dropoff to land flat on my face, whether in the water or on land.
One small detail that has saved my cameras around water a couple of times is a longer camera strap. I wear one long enough to allow me to stick my head and one arm through the strap so the camera hangs at my side at belt level, or I can even swing it around back when I need more freedom. Not only is this more convenient for keeping it under a raincoat, but the extra length has allowed me to raise my camera higher and clear of the water when the rest of me lands in the water.
You might be getting the impression I'm pretty clumsy. No dispute.
Knock on wood! but I haven't yet dunked my camera. (D 200). I have had it in blowing sand and driving salt water mist and spray. All saved by my trusty camera repair person, who cleans it thoroughly after such trips. Pricey, but way less than replacement. And yes, Pelican® cases are wonderful. When shooting in light rain I have used the Op Techs® camera wraps as covers over both body and glass and find it works okay. Immediately done with the shot all goes back under more waterproof cover like my raincoat, Pelican case, or backpack.
Edit: Everything okay with the cards on these wetter adventures. I haven't gotten 'em wet, tho; I mean to say that just being in the camera and transferred quickly to dry storage, all was well.