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Camera rained on last night.
- Thread starter a2jack
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Don't turn it on. Take battery and card out. Let it dry out. You could try putting it in dry rice, or better, some in a container with desiccant packs. Sometimes a little dry air blown on it can help. Hope for the best.
More info on what camera you have and just how wet it got might be helpful. Some cameras are more water resistant, and most electronics can handle a little bit of moisture. However, most electronics also can’t tolerate getting really wet and/or submerged.
I second the silica gel pack option. Put it in a bag with a handful of those and they will help pull the moisture out.
I second the silica gel pack option. Put it in a bag with a handful of those and they will help pull the moisture out.
You'll also want to carefully examine and clean any sensors, mirrors and lenses. As rain water often contains dirt and other contaminants. Which will leave a residue and affect picture quality.
My preference is to open up electronics which get wet and place them in front of a fan.
As long as current isn't applied while wet or they aren't wet long enough to corrode. They can often handle a lot more than one would think. Short circuits and corrosion are the real killers.
Case in point. I had an old motherboard not worth much. It was coated with a layer of tobacco tar from the previous owner. It was either the trash heap or clean it. Given it's value I didn't want to waste much time nor money on fancy contact cleaner. I soaked it liberally with 90% alcohol. Scrubbed it with a toothbrush. Then doused it with a garden hose to rinse it. Hit it with alcohol again to speed up drying. Let it sit around for a few weeks (mostly because I was busy). It was squeaky clean, odor free, corrosion free and works perfectly fine.
I've done the same with an old stereo preamp board covered in a layer of filth. Although that time I used distilled water.
Something like an image sensor I wouldn't do that nor a hard drive. Solid state electronics are fine though.
My preference is to open up electronics which get wet and place them in front of a fan.
As long as current isn't applied while wet or they aren't wet long enough to corrode. They can often handle a lot more than one would think. Short circuits and corrosion are the real killers.
Case in point. I had an old motherboard not worth much. It was coated with a layer of tobacco tar from the previous owner. It was either the trash heap or clean it. Given it's value I didn't want to waste much time nor money on fancy contact cleaner. I soaked it liberally with 90% alcohol. Scrubbed it with a toothbrush. Then doused it with a garden hose to rinse it. Hit it with alcohol again to speed up drying. Let it sit around for a few weeks (mostly because I was busy). It was squeaky clean, odor free, corrosion free and works perfectly fine.
I've done the same with an old stereo preamp board covered in a layer of filth. Although that time I used distilled water.
Something like an image sensor I wouldn't do that nor a hard drive. Solid state electronics are fine though.
Don't think I can handle those tiny screws.
I wonder if a good camera house could help here, or would it be cheaper just to try and replace it on e-bay ? Thanks for reply. a2
The cost of any repair would most likely cost more than the camera. Any chance its covered on your household insurance?
Don't know the value of your camera. I'd just wait a week then try putting the battery back in. If it works. Remove the lens to clean it inside and out. Also the mirror or sensor. Assuming this is an SLR.
If it is dead. Sell it for parts only due to water damage. Sell the lens separately or keep it for a used replacement. Although if it is older you may want to get a newer model. One with better low light performance and wireless sync.
Remove camera battery t first.
If you have silica gel packets, put the camera in an airtight cover with silica gels.
Change the silica gel packets every day and do it for 5 days.
On the 6th day if there are condensed water droplets on the rear LCD screen, take it to the service center. don't try to switch it on. If no water droplets are there you can do a visual inspection to confirm and then put battery and switch on
If you have silica gel packets, put the camera in an airtight cover with silica gels.
Change the silica gel packets every day and do it for 5 days.
On the 6th day if there are condensed water droplets on the rear LCD screen, take it to the service center. don't try to switch it on. If no water droplets are there you can do a visual inspection to confirm and then put battery and switch on
We live out in the sticks, so no gel packs to be had locally. Lots of rice though.
a2
Guys it "frigging" worked. Thank you all.
Here's a shot taken after 10 days in the rice.
Special thanks to @robgendreau. a2
Here's a shot taken after 10 days in the rice.
Special thanks to @robgendreau. a2
Do you know how hard it is to get a cat in focus when they are found in their natural state?!Congrats, but the subject looks a little fuzzy to me.