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Don M
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2005 - 03:03 pm: | 
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Is there any hope - along with a number of lenses - water got in the drawers where they were stored - what should I do? |
John Goodman
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2005 - 03:32 pm: |
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The essential thing with any optic or camera that is sunmerged wet is to get it clean and keep it in liquid (distilled water fully submerged!, not oil or any petroleum product!) Be SURE all batteries are out of everything, as galvanic action happens very quickly if batteries are not removed.What that means is everywhere there us a gold wiping or contact connection the gold will sacrifice to lesser metals and vanish leaving a nasty white corrosive powder.
Be sure to not do this with any piece of equipment that was simply wet or moist on the exterior. Use this submersion treatment for the items that went all the way under. Half submerged or soaking wet does count if there is evidence of a good bit of liquid inside the item. Otherwise on "damp" items towel dry them, then create a warm dry environnment (not too hot though) such as a light box, place the items in there and let those items dry out. If the items you judge as dryable seem rough (aperture, focus mount and such) DO NOT use or work them (such as the focus mount) until they are cleaned and oiled by a PROFESSIONAL classic camera repair center.
Quickly seek out a restorative repair center and overnight the cameras to them. Ask them for their best recommendation, however, the only way to prevent oxidation and rust is 1) remove all power sources and 2)starve the metal parts for oxygen so oxidation or rust cannot start.
Sticker shock--repairs/restoration if possible could top $500 per camera and 150+ per lens.
I am a 38 year veteran collector and photog with several years in the business. Took in many repairs and saved a few classics such as these.
The worst I remember is a guy had a new Kodak Instamatic Reflex (SLR-Nice camera, crappy film) that he dropped overboard. He immersed it it COOKING OIL. Needless to say it was UNECONOMICALLY repairable. So at the least use distilled water but nothing else!
Good luck and prayers are with you. This one is a tough call, but I think the advice I have given is about as good as you can do to curtail or stop corrosion while trying to secure a repair option. |
Glenn Middleton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2005 - 06:16 pm: |
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I just hope your insurance will cover the restoration costs.I store all my collection in 'tupperware' containers into which I place a silica gel dryer.As John says repair costs will be high but the amount of work needed can be very large indeed. |
Stuart Willis
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 11:02 pm: |
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If its freshwater - you have a chance.
If it's seawater - forget it. Saltwater and electronics don't mix. The first thing an owner does after a seawater mishap is to see if the camera works. And that's when the electronics fry terminally.
Both camera models would represent enormous stripdown work. In terms of economic restoration the Canon AE1 in particular is near impossible.
The best you can do with a seawater candidate is to submerge and thoroughly wash out in fresh water and hope you get lucky after careful drying and meticulous attention to lube.
As the previous contributor said - "It's a tough call"
Hope this helps
Stuart Willis |
