korat Loc: Eastern Shore Virginia

They say that all good dogs go to heaven. Do all good cameras enjoy the same fate? Hope so, because my much loved Canon EOS 5D, which joined the family in 2005, deserves a much better end than it got.

It is no more not because of old age, but, far worse, my own stupidity. I foolishly took it on a trip on a small boat to the barrier islands off the coast of Virginia, and the calm waters on which we left the marina turned suddenly turbulent as I was shooting. Since I had left my camera bag open, the interior got soaked with the first burst of spray, so I quickly tucked the camera inside my windbreaker, but that wasn't waterproof, and by the time we were back in calmer waters everyone aboard was thoroughly soaked.

Made my second dumb mistake by turning the camera on when I got back home to see if by some miracle it still worked. It didn't, and I've learned since then that by doing that I probably compounded whatever damage had already been done.

You guys know a lot more about cameras than I do and probably know enough not to make either of the mistakes I made, but I'm sharing just in case there's someone out there who might benefit from my stupidity.

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

Thanks, I will try to remember.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Gone to the big F stop in the sky. RIP.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

A cangel with infinite ISO.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Salt air and salt water, the enemy...
I do a good bit of coastal shooting and I've gotten into the habit of bringing along a large zip lock plastic bag in my back pocket, just in case the environment turns nasty enough to warrant the water tight protection. Its saved my cameras button a few times.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Your penance should be swift and cruel.
With the camera hanging around your neck, you should crawl on your hands and knees to the farthest-most camera store in your town.
There, you should offer the camera to the photographic gods and beg for forgiveness.
And it shall NOT happen again!!!
SS

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

Your camera died a good death. It died doing what it was meant to do: being at the ready for good photographic opportunities.

Now, hustle yourself down to your favorite camera shop and get a 5D IV.......

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

In the future, IMMEDIATELY eject the battery like an overloaded warp core on the Enterprise. Next, leave the camera in a bag of rice or lots of silica gel packets for a few days. Don't even THINK of turning it on before a few days has passed.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The good news is the camera was twelve years old. Now you have a perfect excuse to start shopping for a new one. Let us know how that goes.

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

That's like losing a good friend...good luck with a new camera.

74images Loc: Los Angeles, California

Also... In Future when something like that Happens you can put you camera in a Bed of Rice (a lot of Rice!) To Absorb Moisture like your now Deceased Mark 5, & let it sit for a while

74images

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

People are saying to put it in rice, which I agree. What I will add is I would (Yes, here it goes...) rinse it off in fresh water first. It has already been doused with water, but the salt will do more damage than just the water. Towel dry it off and then put it in rice or desiccant. Let us know how it all turns out if you try any of these suggestions. Cheers.

cuckoobob

This might help in the unfortunate event that some bit of "electronica" gets wet: I place the object (usually my cell phone) in a food dehydrator, which has a low temperature heating element (adjustable, c. 100 F) and a circulating fan. Meant for dehydrating veggies or making jerky, it's a perfect tool for drying water out out of small places, and has saved my 'phone several times, already!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Sorry to hear about your mishap, I too had my 5D drenched and soaking wet on several occasions, also buried under wet snow for good a couple of hours, but fortunately mine is still going strong.

Ted Liette Loc: Greenville, Ohio

Wow! What tough luck or lack of luck, anyway would your homeowners or any other insurance cover the loss? I'd check just in case or it'd be a good excuse to add your equipment onto your homeowners. I'm really sorry to hear of your misfortune but do have fun shopping for a new camera.