The D200 got soaked by a wave.

craig · Aug 31, 2009

Any thoughts on how to proceed. I immediately wiped it off and thoroughly dried it with lens tissue and hairdryer when I got home. So far so good...

Love & Bass

RyanLilly · Aug 31, 2009

Hmm... Does it still turn on and function? Or have you even dared to try yet? I have seem lots of electronics come back to life after drying. But salt water could be another issue. I cant remember what the chemical mix is that we use to clean circuit boards at work, but I'll check tomorrow. Its the only thing that can clean beer and soda out of amps and mixers. I'm guessing that probably not much water got in the camera, but where it did, is probably around the buttons and controls, might be worth it to disassemble it a bit and clean the contacts.

Good luck, Ill check on that cleaner.

Stormin · Aug 31, 2009

Letting it dry and then giving it a try has been my motto.

My D90 took a few good blasts on the boat earlier this month. Just keeping the power off and letting it dry worked just fine.

manaheim · Aug 31, 2009

I dropped my D100 in a river once. (NOT a water tight camera)

I managed to pull it out fast enough to save it, but it was acting a bit wonky for a bit. I popped out the battery immediately, sucked (yes, literally) all the obvious water out of it, dried every bit of water I could find, and held it out the window for a while as we drove home.

Turned it on the next day and all seemed fine. It has a couple minor issues now, but the D100 is TOTALLY not watertight, whereas the D200 has some capabilities there.

I'd be a little worried about the salt since it's conductive, but hopefully...

Good luck to you on it.

craig · Sep 1, 2009

So far so good. Powers up shoots and makes photos of topless ladies on the beach.

Love & Bass

Stormin · Sep 1, 2009

And where are these sample images for some C&C? You know, just so that you can get some opinions for us all as to the quality of the sensor after it was hit with the water.

(J/K ...

)

Garbz · Sep 1, 2009

D200 is weather sealed all over. If there was damaged you see it around the lens mounting with a non weather sealed lens.

Monitor it for rust in the mirror compartment. Also watch your lens for developing rust.

Mine has been hit with a wave and is just fine

Sw1tchFX · Sep 1, 2009

I've dropped my D700i na river once and wiped it off with my hand and shirt it was fine. I'd expect your D200 to be pee-chee. It's sealed!

Honestly, if it's working now, i wouldn't worry at all about it. If damage was done, you would have seen it by now.

loopy · Sep 1, 2009

You could try sticking it in a bowl of rice, worked for my cell phone that went through the wash.

JerryPH · Sep 1, 2009

Getting hit with a wave is nothing much. What is of a little more concern is salt water and the bigger killer is sand.

All you could do is wipe it down and as Garbz mentioned, watch for surface rust inside the camera.

If you are really concerned, send it in to Nikon for a complete cleaning and strongly mention that it fell into salt water and that you want a complete cleaning inside and out.

benlonghair · Sep 1, 2009

Obviously not the same as a camera but I went waist deep into the ocean with a cell phone in my cargo pocket once. It vibrated while off for a while. After it dried it worked fine. What finally killed it was sitting in a puddle after losing it off my belt for eight hours.

Gotta think if it was just a splash it should be OK.

DeadEye · Sep 1, 2009

Rule 1 with anything electronic that gets dunked is REMOVE the battery immediatly, replace battery only when sure its clean and completly dry.

Go to liquor store and buy everclear. pure alchohal put it in a spray bottle and clean off the salt residue, let it dry overnight with a fan blowing on it.
Now its ready to have battery replaced and do the smoke check.

Dont cheep out and use denatured as you dont know what it was denatured with.

craig · Sep 1, 2009

Thanks for the replies gang! Day 2 and the ol' girl is still going strong. The alcohol plan sounds like a good idea, but I have not seen any salt residue. Nor have I heard or seen any sand. What is a smoke test?

Love & Bass

craig · Sep 1, 2009

Stormin said:
And where are these sample images for some C&C? You know, just so that you can get some opinions for us all as to the quality of the sensor after it was hit with the water.

(J/K ... )

We liked this one. I may post others from the shoot in the pro gallery.

Love & Bass

DeadEye · Sep 1, 2009

craig said:
Thanks for the replies gang! Day 2 and the ol' girl is still going strong. The alcohol plan sounds like a good idea, but I have not seen any salt residue. Nor have I heard or seen any sand. What is a smoke test?

Love & Bass

LOL ~ Smoke test is when you put power to it and if no smoke comes out, passed test.

After doing solder work on a board a good tech will clean it with alchohal to remove residue and rosin that will cause premature failure.

If a board had salt residue on it. The salt is very conductive and will short things out.

I am sure the wx sealing saved your camera. This is why I shoot with a sealed D1 . I am often in the salt spray after those maritime pix.

Cheers Dan