Less than 24 hours after my lens took a bath in a freshwater pond it's been brought back to life! When I got home I put it in a bag of rice for about 20 minutes - then put it in the oven with the door cracked @ 150 for about 5 hours. Put it back in the bag of rice over night and while I was at work (I noticed the water/condensation got progressively less) then placed it in the over for another 2 hours. Works just like it did before! Thanks to all for your advice/support. Lets just hope it doesn't degrade over time. . .
I am glad you were successful. However, you must watch for growth of fungus and maybe some barely visible fog over time.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on August 1, 2009 at 12:00 AM
The other possibility is corrosion in the circuits, which may take some time to show up. I would not depend on that lens as an only lens some something important, but you might be very lucky in this case.
Posted by Steve Sieren on August 1, 2009 at 1:56 AM
You may want to send the lens to Canon for a complete cleaning and tune up to prevent any fungus and corrosion.
John
Posted by Luke Ormand on August 1, 2009 at 4:13 PM
It's a Nikon, and being that it's an inexpensive kit lens that got minimal water on the inside, I'm going to risk it and not spend the money. Spent quite a bit of time shooting with it today and it performed as usual. Thanks for all the advice/suggestions though
You could keep some of those small desiccant packs right near the lens each time you pack it away, as an ongoing prevention against future deterioration. In my humid neck of the woods (Eastern PA), this is generally thought to be a good idea for lenses & cameras anyway during the humid season. I had a telephoto that grew a fungus once, but I was still able to use it for some occasions because someone told me to pack desiccant around it & then it never grew larger. Change them out now & then though, 'cause they won't do their job forever.
Discussion
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