Drying a dunked camera out?

On my recent 8 day bp trip thru the southern Sierra Nevada, my camera (Canon SX10) and myself took a dip in the Kern River. Twice in a few minutes time. It still has issues, powers partially up is all. Does it need to go to a shop for a cleaning and drying out now? I saw condensation in the lense later in the day and for a day or two later also. I took the batteries out of course and installed them a few times to check progress. Thanks.

Duane

Yes, you do need to take it to a repair shop to be looked at and I wouldn't even try to turn it on until it was completely dried out.

Having said that, with all the electronics in cameras nowadays, it is generally more cost effective to forgo the repair and buy a newer camera (or if you really like that one, perhaps check out http://www.keh.com for a used one). After all, that model is close to three years old now (which can be dramatic in camera time).

I'm not too camera savy, so was thinking of even getting a smaller, lighter one that was more a p & s. May have to go the disposable route again.

If you haven't taken any action yet and don't know if you're going to send it off - try bagging the camera with rice and sealing it up. The rice will absorb some of the remaining moisture; meanwhile, although it's probably too late since you've already done it, I wouldn't power it up again for a while, until after letting it sit with the rice a few days.

Hi Duane,

Serious bummer, I believe we've been treated to photos from that very camera.

I'd leave it out in the sun (not in triple-digit heat, but any warm California day will do). I'd do this both powered up with the lens extended and powered down with the battery and card out. Come to think of it, take the card out right away if you've not already.

Because it's fresh water you have a ghost of a chance bringing it back to life. But if it doesn't spontaneously come back to life, budget for a new one. Repair will cost more than it's worth. Modern consumer electronics.

To toss you a bone of hope, last weekend I washed our garage opener remote in my pants pocket. Tried it and it didn't work. Opened it up, removed the battery, peeled off the keypad and cleaned up all the corrosion the detergent had caused. Voila, it works! Forty bucks saved.

But that remote is one one-thousandth as complex as a digicam.

Much luck,

I let the camera sit in the sun a few days of my trip. I plan on taking it to the shop where purchased and see what they say this coming week. It's stuck on record mode last time I checked it. Bummer, I bought it a few years ago for the Alaska trip that year, had only ever had $30 Kodak cameras or disposable ones up to then.
Duane

Daughters cell phone went thru washing machine. She covered it in a big bowl of dry white rice and it pulled the moisture out. She used it another 6 monthes. She said she left it in the rice for two days. Might be worth a try?

I took it back to where I bought it, they sent it in, waiting to hear back if it is fixable, how much or target practice.

Duane

Not fixable. Bummer, back to disposable cameras.
Duane

Sorry to hear. Hate to say it, but all digicams are "disposable." They're like cellphones and DVD players--use and toss.

Now lenses, those are "investments."

Cheers,

Well, before I put a bullet in the camera, I gave it a "shot".:) I can take pics and it seems to work, but the video light, a blue color stays on all the time. I'll give it a go next trip. I only took a photo inside and tried the flash, that works too. May just be some inconvenience is all. Not sure if this will be a drain on the battery or not.
Duane

I am a retired Camcoder/ Camera Tech. I could write a book on some of the cameras I have seen come into my shop thru the years. Dropped in swimming pools, off 2 story balconies, cliffs, creeks, rivers, oceans, $3K Sony camcorder stored in a cooler until the ice melted. I have had cameras come in where their lenses look like they are 1/2 full of chocolate milk. When you see the crash and burns on Funniest Home Videos I’m the guy who repaired the cameras.
First time is the MAJOR FACTOR, especially in corrosive water like saltwater or pool water (chlorine).
1 Power the unit down and take the batteries out. Do not keep trying to turn it on and off. You are possibly causing more damage.
2 If it is nasty water rinse camera with fresh water. Allow to dry in the sun if possible or put it in a ziplock baggie with rice.
3 Get it to a repair center as soon as possible. When I would get a call from a panicked customer. I would tell them I need the camera as soon as possible, not tomorrow......today. The quicker I got the camera the better chance I have to save it. First step with a saltwater submerged camera I would get a 5 gal bucket of water and dunk the camera until all debris was cleared. Next disassemble entire camera, mechanics, boards and lens assemblies. Dry everything very carefully with a low power heat gun, dust all the boards and connectors with Deoxit 5, relube chassis and all mechanics. Clean a reassemble lens (dust free) and iris assy then realign.
Saved around 8 out of 10. The cost for your misadventure $500-1000.

I have swum with a few cameras.
I have tried silica gel and rice - with little noticeable result.

1 - don't power any thing up.
2 - don't power any thing up!
3 - remove everything; cards, batteries, etc
4 - as per 'flipperfla' - if dirty or salty water - rinse well.

5 - I hung my drowning babies over a wood stove (as in steel box - NOT an open fire) with a medium to warm heat. Lens down with all 'doors' open. Left them for several hours. Unless there is electronic damage it should work. should?