skipster 0 Posted January 4, 2005 I just purchased a underwater camera kit including strobes, focus light, digital camera and housing. Since I want to be prepared, I'm putting together a "first aid kit" in case of flooding. However, is it worthwhile to carrying a bottle (1 liter) of distilled water or is distilled water readily available in most areas? I would think distilled water would be hard to find in most regions. Please let me know what other people do or carry in their "first aid kit". Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Schulz 1 Posted January 4, 2005 When digital cameras flood they are toast. Ditto for strobes if the water gets beyond the battery department. So forget first aide and get insurance to cover what you don't want to pay for out of pocket. http://www.splashdowndivers.com/photo_gall...y/insurance.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james 0 Posted January 4, 2005 A realistic approach if you are going to be doing an extended trip in a remote location is to bring: Extra camera and strobe battery packs Extra camera body Extra camera housing electronics/bulkhead-hotshoe kit If you flood your housing and only get a tiny bit in it can toast the battery. Replace. If you get a LOT of water in the camera and housing electronics are toast. Replace and use your backup camera body. Cheers James Wiseman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
castropix 0 Posted January 4, 2005 Skipster, When you get a chance let us know what equipment you just purchased. Welcome. Can't wait to see your work. Harvey -------------------------------- Canon S1 IS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arnon_Ayal 1 Posted January 4, 2005 The distilled water won't help much for the camera and strobes but it can save the memory card (or more important the images that are on it) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davephdv 0 Posted January 13, 2005 Agreed that if you flood a digital camera it is a paperweight. However many leaks don't result in an out and out flood. With a Nikonos it was always a debate if you should rinse the camera in fresh water. I would not do that with a digital camera. I would use a damp cloth to wipe it down well. A small hairblower is of value. You can convert a cardboard box to a tent and use the hairblower to dry off the camera thoroughly. A small bottle of electronic contact cleaner and some q tips can be of value if you have corroded electric contacts. If you housing has a hot shoe and you can get an extra hot shoe and/or an extra strobe synch cord socket you might keep shooting. Get the battery and the memory card out of the camera as soon as possible. Beware that if you flood a synch cord there may be salt water in the cord even if you dry it thoroughly. If you try to use it again you may fry the electronics is your camera and or strobe. As always bring your duct tape, some thick rubber bands, and some zip ties. Best thing is to always test your housing in the rinse tank anytime you open the housing. This way you are mostly likely to have a leak and not a flood. You will then have a reasonable chance that the above may be of some value. If you are using a dSLR decide ahead of time if the lens or the camera is of more value to you. That way you will know which way to hold the house if you detect a leak at depth. You best choice would be as mentioned by others to have an adequate back up. Your camera/housing/strobe may not work on a trip for other reasons than just a flood. Fortunately digital cameras become obsolete so fast that saving your old rig as a backup may be a better choice than trying to sell it at a loss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
