Saltwater Incident/Damage: It's embarrassing but my Nikon fell into a foot of salt water. It was immediately retrieved and sent to Nikon for inspection and repair (hopefully) on the...

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

It's embarrassing but my Nikon fell into a foot of salt water. It was immediately retrieved and sent to Nikon for inspection and repair (hopefully) on the same day of the accident. Unlike water, salt can have an additional damaging effect. I am worried. But not so much - I am insured. Just wondering has anyone had salt water damage and the camera and lens survived?

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Mark7829 wrote:

It's embarrassing but my Nikon fell into a foot of salt water. It was immediately retrieved and sent to Nikon for inspection and repair (hopefully) on the same day of the accident. Unlike water, salt can have an additional damaging effect. I am worried. But not so much - I am insured. Just wondering has anyone had salt water damage and the camera and lens survived?

I hope your camera comes through ok. Did you have it on a strap or were you just hand holding? Good luck.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Don't know if it still is recommended, but there was a time when it was suggested to take the camera equipment and put it into a clean bucket and flush it with distilled water to prevent corrosion caused by the salt.

Glad to hear that you had the camera insured

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

You mite wanna start camera shopping.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Bret wrote:

You mite wanna start camera shopping.

It is insured (D800E) and the Nikon D810 comes to mind but what a way to get a new camera.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Mark7829 wrote:

It is insured (D800E) and the Nikon D810 comes to mind but what a way to get a new camera.

You owe it to yourself :thumbup:

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Mac wrote:

I hope your camera comes through ok. Did you have it on a strap or were you just hand holding? Good luck.

It was on a tripod, low and the locking mechanism did not lock. It looked locked and I usually listen for the click but I was in the pacific ocean on rocks in 18" of water and the waves we loud and I was watching the waves as well as take a long exposure and then it was in the water ... major sigh. You don't have your hands on the camera when taking a long exposure.

mechengvic Loc: SoCalo

Madman wrote:

Don't know if it still is recommended, but there was a time when it was suggested to take the camera equipment and put it into a clean bucket and flush it with distilled water to prevent corrosion caused by the salt.

Glad to hear that you had the camera insured

After falling in a foot of salt water (no doubt complete immersion), a fresh water rinse doesn't sound like too bad of an idea, I probably would have done it.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Hopefully Nikon can fix it. Please let us know how it turns out, I'm sure that many people will be watching this one.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

mechengvic wrote:

After falling in a foot of salt water (no doubt complete immersion), a fresh water rinse doesn't sound like too bad of an idea, I probably would have done it.

I got it dried with towels, took out the battery, CF and SD cards, removed the lens and dried inside and out. Four hours later it was shipped to Nikon, in plastic bag with silica gel absorbing packets.

I have already called my insurance AAA homeowners - I am covered 100% - no deductible as I insured every individual camera and lens I owned under a separate article - $1 for very $100 of value. It is a good deal - everyone should do that. If you are a photographer - you will be here where I am at some point.

mericando Loc: NASHVILLE TN

good to know-I'm with AAA, I'll have to check that out.
Good luck with the misfortune that might turn into good fortune. Hope the pics turned out marvelous : )

Fractured_Lens

Mark7829 wrote:

I got it dried with towels, took out the battery, ... (show quote)

As far as I know, once salt has gotten into the electronics it starts eating things, even if you soaked it in distilled water it won't get 100% of the salt solution out. If Nikon were to repair it, I would assume they'd have to basically do a complete swap of everything except the housing. As suggested, pick your replacement and the best dealer to buy it from. My only concern is insurance. The tell you it's covered for 100% of the value... was that retail value when new? or is it depreciated value like they do with vehicles? I have NationWide and they will replace it with an newer version of what I had. Meaning whatever the technological advances are added to my Nikon D5100's evolution at the time of loss.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

I have NationWide and they will replace it with an newer version of what I had. Meaning whatever the technological advances are added to my Nikon D5100's evolution at the time of loss.[/quote]

It is the replacement value. It's a D800E and it hasn't dropped a penny since a bought it on Amazon for 3200. I also purchased Nikon because I also knew they did not depreciate as fast as others.

You bring up another point. My insurance coverage is based upon the original purchase price not on the depreciated value. So as my equipment depreciates, I should see a decrease in my annual cost. I will have to give them another call.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Mark7829 wrote:

It's embarrassing but my Nikon fell into a foot of salt water. It was immediately retrieved and sent to Nikon for inspection and repair (hopefully) on the same day of the accident. Unlike water, salt can have an additional damaging effect. I am worried. But not so much - I am insured. Just wondering has anyone had salt water damage and the camera and lens survived?

I assume that Nikon will give you an estimate before doing a repair. If the repair is essentally the same as buying a refurb, you have a decission to make. As above, start shopping

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

boberic wrote:

I assume that Nikon will give you an estimate before doing a repair. If the repair is essentally the same as buying a refurb, you have a decission to make. As above, start shopping

I am waiting for Nikon to tell me if they can repair. I am shopping, the D810 looks good at the moment. I am also worried if the claim were to result in higher rates or even a cancellation. But we'll have to wait and see. I will let everyone know what happens.