K-30 fell in river (fresh water): Hi All, Today when I was trying to compose a shot, my tripod and the Pentax K-30 mounted on it fell in the river and got completely submerged. I tried...

krisculin Loc: Bristol, CT, USA

Hi All,

Today when I was trying to compose a shot, my tripod and the Pentax K-30 mounted on it fell in the river and got completely submerged. I tried to save it and fell in after it. All in all I got the tripod and camera out of the water in < 10 seconds.

I need some recommendations.

I did *not* turn it on afterward as I know better. I immediately took the batteries out and put the camera back in the bag and headed home (1/2 drenched I might add)

The lens appears to be a loss (when changing focal lengths it's no longer smooth and there seems to be a "crunching" sound coming from it) but it's the kit lens. I opened up the battery compartment, memory card slot and took the lens off to help dry it out.

Any other recommendations to see if I can salvage the camera? I've only had it since November and its not even paid off yet.

I plan on trying to help it dry out by using a hair dryer on low. Thoughts on that?

Thank you in advance.

Kris C

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Check your insurance policy.
Buy a new camera.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I wish you luck. I don't want to give any advice for fear that I will say something that is wrong and make your situation even worse. I really feel bad for your accident. Maybe you'll get lucky. My fingers are crossed.

krisculin Loc: Bristol, CT, USA

My deductible is more than what I paid for the camera so I think that's out.

As for buying a new camera - it may come to that. I think I'll wait and see how my camera works once it dries out but I doubt it will ever be the same and then I'll just wonder about the photographs that I take if they could have come out better.

I have a road trip coming up at the end of April (driving through all 6 New England states in the US). One of the primary reasons for doing the road trip is to take lots and lots of photographs. If I don't have a camera there's really no point in doing the road trip (might as well just do a 3 day vacation in-state).

krisculin Loc: Bristol, CT, USA

@ebrunner - I understand your reluctance to offer advice. The support is thoughtful and appreciated none-the-less.

JoeB Loc: Mohawk Valley, NY

Check this link out. Hope it helps.

http://www.wikihow.com/Dry-a-Digital-Camera-(Bowl-Method)

krisculin Loc: Bristol, CT, USA

@joeb - that's what I wanted to do when I got home but I didn't have enough rice to completely cover it. I plan to get some more tomorrow and hopefully it'll help.

I'll keep my fingers crossed. Maybe if everyone did for a few seconds it'll help keep Murphy at bay :)

0627ramram32 Loc: Orange County, CA, USA

If you have a gas oven, open all possible apertures on the camera body and put it in the oven overnight, door shut. The pilot light will provide the perfect warmth to dry it out with out damaging any parts.

CajonPhotog Loc: Shreveport, LA

One thing that would be beneficial, would be to use a Q-Tip and alcohol on all the electrical contacts that you can get to after the rice has done it's thing. That will help get any residue from the water off of the contacts. Hope it all goes well.

Keep us posted as you go through the process, so that we may either grieve with you at the death of your camera, or offer our praises and pats on the back for the resurrection of your camera from being in a comma under rice, and then rising with newness of life to capture life's awesome moments once again.

Wendy2 Loc: California

Not sure a hair dryer is a good idea. You may push water into places that it hadn't reached before.

krisculin Loc: Bristol, CT, USA

@wendy2 - that's a good point. I haven't used it yet but I'll keep it in mind. Even on a low setting it may push any excess water instead of drying it.

I'm leaning toward the camera-in-rice idea. I just need to get more rise to make it effective.

More ideas are welcome. Again, I appreciate the support and ideas and I'll keep you all posted.

This is a great forum and am glad I joined.

Kris C

JoeB Loc: Mohawk Valley, NY

krisculin wrote:

@wendy2 - that's a good point. I haven't used it yet but I'll keep it in mind. Even on a low setting it may push any excess water instead of drying it.

I'm leaning toward the camera-in-rice idea. I just need to get more rise to make it effective.

More ideas are welcome. Again, I appreciate the support and ideas and I'll keep you all posted.

This is a great forum and am glad I joined.

Kris C

Wendy2 has a very good point. I remember reading an article that said the very same thing. You might also try the silica packs, I don't know off hand where you can buy them other than Amazon. You might try your local pharmacy to see if they have any as some medications come with them pack inside to keep them dry, the pharmacy just throws them away when done. Just a thought.

Wendy2 Loc: California

krisculin wrote:

@wendy2 - that's a good point. I haven't used it yet but I'll keep it in mind. Even on a low setting it may push any excess water instead of drying it.

I'm leaning toward the camera-in-rice idea. I just need to get more rise to make it effective.

More ideas are welcome. Again, I appreciate the support and ideas and I'll keep you all posted.

This is a great forum and am glad I joined.

Kris C

I've heard about rice many times, but recently read that it does not work. I really don't know though

This is a long shot, but what about dry bread? Seems that people use that to absorb moisture from food items. I am just guessing though.

Silica gel, the little packets that come with products, are designed to absorb moisture. If you can collect enough of them, or buy it, that may work.

I see that the post previous to mine mentions Silica also!

krisculin Loc: Bristol, CT, USA

@joeb & @wendy2 - that's a good idea. I have to go to the pharmacy tomorrow anyway. Doesn't hurt to ask.

I have an Amazon Prime account. If the pharmacy doesn't pan out I can order some online. It would be cheaper than buying a new camera (which I hope I don't need to do).

Tomorrow is going to be a long day as I have to wait and wait for the camera to completely dry. It turns out I missed a really awesome sunset tonight. That's Murphy for ya.

Wendy2 Loc: California

krisculin wrote:

@joeb & @wendy2 - that's a good idea. I have to go to the pharmacy tomorrow anyway. Doesn't hurt to ask.

I have an Amazon Prime account. If the pharmacy doesn't pan out I can order some online. It would be cheaper than buying a new camera (which I hope I don't need to do).

Tomorrow is going to be a long day as I have to wait and wait for the camera to completely dry. It turns out I missed a really awesome sunset tonight. That's Murphy for ya.

Better try something before you order or buy anything. The longer it takes to dry, the worse the problem will be.