USVI-On-Line

Hi to all. I have been a lurker on this board for some time and I love reading all of your helpful information. Hubby and I are leaving for St. John in 16 days and we are so excited. We just purchased an underwater housing for our camera and I was wondering how you all took care of it when you finished snorkling? It says to submerge in fresh water when you are done, but that sounds like alot of trouble every time you get out of the water. Any advice would be great...

The trouble of submerging in fresh water after each use will not only prolong the life of the housing, it will also make it less likely to leak, which could destroy the camera.

Just get a container that's big enough to dunk it in, and bring a jug of water in your vehicle.

If you're somewhere that has showers, you can rinse it off like that.

I don't know what kind you have, but for mine, the most important part is the rubber seal around the lid, usually an O ring. Care of that is important. When you are not using the case to house your camera, keep it open...and not closed and unsealed...open. When you are done with it, make sure to use the oil they gave you to keep the seal oily...so that it will not dry and crack. Also inspect carefully for sand when you take the camera out.


Have fun!

Found the discussion we had on this several months ago.
Rather than copy and paste content, here is link - scroll up to top:

http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum ... ight=#7448

Important to rinse off the salt real well in fresh water because if salt water is left to crystallize on the case or O-ring, it will act like sand and cause leaks. Like mentioned here, I didnt submerge, just rinsed real good, then let air dry overnight.

As mentioned in the link, I only lube the O ring every other day by removing carefully with the edge of a credit card then running the O ring lightly thru my fingers (careful not to stretch it) with a dab of silicone, checking for sand. (Do this when you get back before you fire up the blender!)

Also good battery & other advice from Bob&Anitia in that thread and his link to the Canon UW photography page:
http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/uwphoto/index-e.html

JMQ

Note to self: when you get home go and dig underwater housing out of sweaty salty snorkel bag, rinse it off, and see if it is not completely destroyed!

How did I miss that other thread? My camera ineptitude continues...

Thanks so much for the advice. When we get back I will try to figure out how to post some pics. I am on a misson to find a sea turtle....not touching allowed.