Question for Olympus SW Owners

[Steve S]

Bought my 770 SW 2 years ago and am now preparing for a trip in March. The owners manual states you should have a seal service done every year at an authorized repair center. Turns out there are just 2 repair centers, east coast and west coast, and they want $110 plus shipping for the work. Does anyone own a similar camera and has found a good way to do an annual "self-service" on the seals?

[jmq]

Dont have the SW - have a housing for a Canon Powershot. I always remove, clean and re-lubricate the O ring after use and will likely be replacing it before next use. Dont know how easy the DIY route is for the SW but found a thread on it here (look towards bottom). If anybody would have the replacement O ring, it would be B&H. I use the edge of a credit card to ease the O ring off. Hope someone with experience specific to the SW replies.

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:XDX ... cd=9&gl=us

[CariBert]

WHOA!! $110.00 plus S&H?? Doesn't sound too much like they really want to do that work. We live in a disposable society, and it seems buying the up-grade on the SW Olympus would be a better choice!

JMO.....

-Bert

[sandrasjunk]

I just bought a refurb Olympus 790 SW from The Olympus store on ebay and paid 130.00. So to me the 110.00 seems high. I know it's not new but Olympus has gone over it with a fine tooth comb. It seems to work fine.

[Schnell]

Yeah, for 110 I will buy a new camera. That just seems a bit high.

That said I clean the camera very well after each water use. Then open it up and clean each seal with a q-tip. I have also put on an oring lubricant that I have for my pool equipment. I need to do that before our next trip in May. I like to put it on a couple weeks before we leave and let it soak in real well. It almost forms a crust after soaking in and then I wipe it all off with a wet q-tip. Worked for 2 trips, heres to hopin it works for a third!

[kellyanna]

I'm with CariBert. If the cost was less (at least half), I'd do it. But I'd rather have a new one at the price. My camera has been well worth the initial investment. My 770 SW has been put through the ringer but is still reliable and goes with me everywhere. (I'm going to hug & kiss it now).

[Steve S]

I think I 'm going to do the service myself. Check for cracks. Clean up the seals and sealing area well, apply some o-ring grease (I'll check the local dive shop) and let the seals soak up and revitalize until we're ready to go then wipe off the excess and pack 'er up.