I Fell Into the River
Mar 24, 2019 21:24:40 #
sailwiz
Loc: Santee, CA
True, I went all the way in and under, camera too. I took my brand new Lumix FZ80 to the park across the street and while setting up the shot the muddy bank gave way and in I went. Only thing dry was nothing. This water was muddy as the river was up over its banks because of recent rain. I've let the camera dry, I didn't rinse it in fresh water so I'm sure there is a fine silt inside the camera. As weeks passed the camera dried out to a point where Live View and the 3in screen showed a fog, caused by the lens I guess. I picked the camera up today and as far as I can tell EVERY function works! View finder and lcd are clear as normal. I took photos and movies and all seems well. My Question is: I have a water spot probably between to lens elements. I took some pics and saw no issues, but I thought I would ask what to do. I have insurance should I use it for the water spot, cleaning and a check up? What do you think?
Mar 24, 2019 21:31:10 #
If moisture got between two elements you could be looking at a fungus breading ground. In my opinion get it cleaned, the sooner the better.
--
--
Mar 24, 2019 21:35:44 #
Yes, send it in for a checkup. There may be moisture in there you can't see. After sll, if this is a new camera you want it pristine.
Check out Smartphone Photography section of our forum.
Mar 24, 2019 22:09:14 #
sailwiz wrote:
True, I went all the way in and under, camera too.... (show quote)
Yes, absolutely. Like yesterday..... Thats what insurance is for.
Mar 25, 2019 06:40:46 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
sailwiz wrote:
True, I went all the way in and under, camera too.... (show quote)
Sorry, this is a decision YOU have to make. Usually dust and water spots will not effect the final image, as you have stated.
That said, NO one knows exactly what is going on inside your camera. It could stop working tomorrow are not at all.
My Sony got due all over it and stopped working for a while. The next month it worked fine and continued to work well.
If your going to claim it as a loss, please don't turn around and sell your old one, that would not be fair.
Mar 25, 2019 07:27:28 #
It sounds like a cleaning would be in order. I wonder how good Panasonic service is. Amazon is selling it for $300. I wonder how much a good cleaning would cost. That would require complete disassembly.
Mar 25, 2019 07:35:12 #
I assume you sealed/packed it in a container with a dessicant? If not, a week of that may pull that final bit of moisture out.
Check out Travel Photography - Tips and More section of our forum.
Mar 25, 2019 08:23:55 #
Mar 25, 2019 09:13:34 #
catchlight..
Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway
Lucky it was such an inexpensive camera. Non the less you must have had that "What the hell just happened moment"!
Sun light is your best friend. Storing gear in opaque plastic storage boxes in a sunny part of the house can prevent or kill fungus growth.
http://sunlightinstitute.org/sun-exposure-antiseptic-antibiotic/
Sun light is your best friend. Storing gear in opaque plastic storage boxes in a sunny part of the house can prevent or kill fungus growth.
http://sunlightinstitute.org/sun-exposure-antiseptic-antibiotic/
Mar 25, 2019 09:24:47 #
When electric circuitry gets wet, funny thing can happen, often long after it dries out. Get it seviced, ASAP.
Mar 25, 2019 10:05:12 #
That unfortunate incident has never happened to me but my first reaction, after drying the camera, would have been to send the camera for inspection, cleaning and repairs.
Check out Close Up Photography section of our forum.
Mar 25, 2019 10:15:39 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
Depending on internal board coatings, and exposed electrical contacts, and lens, mold/fungus and corrosion could begin to build. Only time will tell. Sitting it over an A/C outlet, or near a dehumidifier, or in dessicant would have been helpful, could possibly still help. Like I said, time will tell. At that price point, it may be uneconomical to service/repair, but I would check with Panasonic and see what they have to say.
Mar 25, 2019 10:22:50 #
sailwiz
Loc: Santee, CA
Thanks for a replies. Much appreciated. I'm going to send it in for service. I guess the most amazing thing about this is that the camera still operates 'as new.' Maybe a lesson learned about cameras here.
Mar 25, 2019 10:44:06 #
Water and junk inside you camera is a ticking time bomb. Use your insurance to replace it.
Mar 25, 2019 10:58:19 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Check out Professional and Advanced Portraiture section of our forum.