Dropped EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS in a stream.

[florinp]

<p>"Uneconomical to repair"...<br>

A 70-200 2.8 IS ...<br>

Pathetic !<br>

"The Icon cannot be repaired: get a new one !"<br>

I use Canon most of the time and I find again, here, their POOR after sales service. (worldwide !)<br>

That's why, when someone is about to start in serious photo, I suggest Nikon: Canon are state of the art but cross your fingers when needing service... Alas I married Canon...<br>

Sorry for your mishap and hope for the best !</p>

[tom_harvey3]

<p>Emmett, the rice and/or dessicant trick does work. Long-grain rice is cheap. It takes about a week or so, and you may need to change out the rice and the bag after checking moisture levels after 3 or 4 days.</p>

<p>Don't use sushi or arborio rice I've heard mentioned in the past.</p>

[scott_ferris]

<p>Florin, and all the other dismissive people, please understand water damage is quite different from knocks scratches and other repairing situations. Canon will not touch it, for the reason I stated very early on in the thread. Insurance companies, who know the cheapest way out of every situation, won't consider trying to repair it, historically water damaged gear ends up being unreliable. It is unfortunate but that is the way it is.</p>

<p>If you think Canon service is bad then go to the Nikon forums, they have an even worse reputation. But no manufacturer will repair, and give the subsequent warranty, on water damaged equipment.</p>

<p> </p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>Emmett, I've dropped an entire camera kit in the drink during a canoe trip (fresh water). In that particular case it really wasn't worth repairing. And old Ricoh manual focus K-mount outfit. However, oddly enough, the one piece of fully electronic gear - the flash - survived. Nearly 30 years later the darned thing still works and puts out the rated power, per my flash meter. Based on that experience, I'd say there's hope for your lens.</p>

<p>I've been caught in the rain several times and had some water that resembles condensation inside the glass. Usually I'll set the lens/camera under a fan. Every hour or so I'll rack the focus/zoom, and flip the lens from front to back and various sides. With the camera I'll tape a sheet of lens cleaning tissue across the lens mount opening to protect the mirror while allowing some airflow. So far, so good. Not quite comparable to my electronic cameras actually taking a swim.</p>

<p>In an extreme case such as yours I'd consider an alternative: put the lens in a frost-free type refrigerator/freezer. My frost free freezer recirculates cold air continually. The downside of this is that any frozen foods not stored in completely airtight containers will become dessicated. The upside is that it's a nifty way to dry flowers. It might actually work on a lens. At the very least, keep the lens cool to minimize the risk of fungus, mold, mildew and critters.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>"If you think Canon service is bad then go to the Nikon forums, they have an even worse reputation."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Eh, that's debatable but I see your point. Nikon USA has been fine with my warranty repairs. I do see a few complaints that appear to have some validity. As for Nikon authorized service outside the US, I've heard some valid complaints. In many cases, tho', complaints are based on unrealistic expectations or unclear communication.</p>

<p>I had my share of gripes about Canon USA service years ago, mostly regarding a design flaw with camcorders we used for inspections. One end of the handstrap was inexplicably anchored inside the camcorder body. When the rivets popped loose they rattled around inside the camcorders and disabled them. After two or three warranty claims they refused to repair any more, claiming it was the users fault for actually using the handstrap.</p>

[Jerry_]

<p>Take care in freezing the lens: water expands as ice. Since water is inside the lens, the results of ice (growing in size) may not be ideal.</p>

<p>On the good side, you did not have salt water to deal with....</p>

<p> </p>

[py-photography]

<p>I would have been crying, and for that matter still crying.<br>

Give the rice trick a shot, at this point you have nothing to loose.<br>

Good luck I hope it turns out well.</p>

[bryan_lardizabal]

<p>Emmett - hope you get it repaired at a reasonable rate. Check with property insuror in the UK, in the states you can get coverage for cameras/gear that is inexpensive and well worth it for accidents like yours.</p>

[ilkka_nissila]

<p><em>I'm not apologizing in any way</em><br>

<em> </em><br>

It would be a good idea if you did. Just because there are others like you on online forums doesn't justify your thorough lack of sympathy to the OP.</p>

<p>The thing is that to any photographer worth their salt, it is often worth taking risks to get the shot. Risks to gear are small compared to e.g. risks to life. If it's not to you, then you care more about your gear than your work and are unlikely to create anything memorable. Now, the OP took a chance and lost gear. It is easy to recognize the photographers from the gear fondlers in this thread - the fondlers don't understand why someone would take a lens out of its glass cabinet into the unpredictable outdoors, whereas the photographers understand the OP's situation because they recognize the need to take risks to get worthy images and sympathize with the OP since they know it could have been their lens.</p>

[Landrum Kelly]

<blockquote>

<p>Sorry for your mishap, but is there any reason why you decided to take that very expensive lens anywhere near water ?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Yeah, seal it away in a cabinet or safe somewhere. . . .</p>

<p>--Lannie</p>

[jim_krupnik]

<p>Sergiu M,<br>

It's not just a matter of cost, as I have a fair amount of my labor tied up in expensive photo gear for both work and pleasure, but the old S2 will always hold a special high place on my list of favorite cameras. When a pocket camera was not enough, and a real (D)SLR was just too much at the time, the featherweight S2 with it's very fine "super-zoom" lens, and pretty slick movie mode always filled the need back then. It ended up capturing thousands of images for me over time, including some of my all-time favorites.</p>

<p>I love that gem, and it took a beating without complaint for years before it was retired by the SD900, and then the G9 for pocket camera/stealth duty. Even though it has spent far more time on a display shelf than taking pictures over the past few years, it's still ready for action today!<br>

<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4633184382_6ca434dffd.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></p>

[lex_jenkins]

<blockquote>

<p>"Take care in freezing the lens: water expands as ice."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Jerry makes a good point - I was assuming there was only residual water inside the lens, droplets and condensation. The refrigerator section of a frost-free unit will accomplish pretty much the same thing but more slowly. There's usually a fan blowing downward along the back of the unit. Between recirculating air and the cool temperature it should help with drying and inhibiting the growth of critters.</p>

[fritz_carlsson1]

<p>A trick I have used to get rid of water in watches requires rather specialised laboratory equipment but is worth mentioning. Place the watch or lens in a large vacuum dessicator or any other vacuum chamber with or without a dessicant, such as silica gel. Evacuate the chamber with an oil vacuum pump. Water will evaporate fairly quickly depending on the strength of the vacuum.</p>

[robertbody]

<p>Jim, great shot of showering your lens. Will you be including that picture when you put up your lens for sale? :-)<br>

Is there a filter on your lens during the shower?</p>

[lee_richards2]

<p>All someone has to do is say Canon.......and some reactionary says, "oh yea....Nikon!" Sigh. </p>

<p>I have had marvelous service from Nikon repair centers. Fast, professional and fairly (though not cheaply) priced. I say this not to start a flame war but only to give credit where it is due. On one occasion they were kind enough to turn around what amounted to a complete rebuild of a D2H in a week. And they paid the overnight return shipping. </p>

[robertjewett]

<p>Here in the Phoenix area is an excellent little repair shop called Tempe Camera. If you Google them, you'll find them. When I broke a 24-70L (dropped it on concrete) the lady at Canon said in a whisper, "send it to Tempe Camera, we certify their repair techs and they are much cheaper than ours". So I did, Excellent service. Perfect workmanship, and a fraction of the cost.</p>

[scott_ferris]

<p>Lex and Lee,</p>

<p>I have had far better service from Canon than Nikon, for one, Canon USA recognise, and will service and carry out warranty work on Canon lenses where ever they were bought, even grey imports. I buy lenses when I need them where ever that might be, Nikon USA are often reluctant to work on non USA supplied equipment and they will not honour warranties from out of country sales (well they didn't used to). For many that is a non issue, for me and my lifestyle it is a deal breaker.</p>

<p> </p>

[KenPapai]

<p>I am not too worried about this anyway. Harry had his say and we know what photographers are after anyway -- last week I was laying on my belly shooting into a stream with maybe 15 inches clearance above the water -- with a $1700 body and $1600 lens (middle of the road equipment these days). If Harry were with me he'd caution me NOT to attempt the shot. LOL!</p>

<p>I bet in a week or two Emmitt's lens will be performing better but it'll never be the same. Accidents happen -- all one can do is their best to minimize (but not eliminate).</p>

<p>Go for the GUSTO! Take a few risks. Life is too short.</p>

[john_tanner]

<p>Ignore the snide comments! But, why they come here to publiclicy state they are so rude is beoynd me. They must not have had mothers.<br>

Since, every mother tells the children if you can not say anthing nice shut your clap. We know these people best from the comments they leave. </p>

[nathancraver]

<p>Sorry for your mishap. As others have stated, only real photographers take the risks to get the good shots. The key is to prepare and think carefully about what you can do to prevent a mishap before you proceed. As the old adage goes, <br />"an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. When I take my cameras into risky situations, I try to stop and think about what could go wrong and imagine what I can do to prevent such things from happening, then I am prepared. Crap happens, and we all learn from our mistakes. I hope that this event will allow you to be more prepared in the future so that something like this does not happen to you again. Good luck with your repair, I hope it works out for you. </p>

[hjoseph7]

I have devised a list of risky situations for your hard-earned equipment at home, or in the field.

Please feel free to add to this list.

================================================================== <br><br<br>

 

 

 

a) on the corner of a table or shelf with the camera strap dangling down <br>

b) anywhere near kids under 9 years old<br>

c) anywhere near pets especially dogs(they might think your 35mm f1.4 is a dog-bone)<br>

d) in the bathroom( never leave a lens or camera in the bathroom too long the humidly will kill it)<br>

e)on top of a heater(common folks you know better than that)<br>

f)by an open window where rain can suddenly turn your investment into crap<br>

g)inside you cars; glove compartment in the heat of summer or winter<br>

h) in the trunk of your car<br>

i) during a thunderstorm<br>

k)on the beach on a howling windy and humid day<br>

l) in Artic weather below 15 degrees<br>

m) infront of a military base <br>

n) infront of a federal building in Washington DC, NY, L.A. or anywhere else for that matter<br>

o) on the floor right under your bed(no matter how tired you are pack it up)<br>

p) in a camera bag that is not really a camera bag<br>

r) in Detroit at 2:00AM in the morning <br>

s) white water rafting, deep sea diving, water-boat skiing, crossing alligator infested rivers <br>

t) inside one of those Roach Motels <br>

u)during a riot <br>

v) infront of a Police station <br>

u) on a steep mountain or cliff(when you are not sure about your camera strap) <br>

w) areas where avalanches are common <br>

x) inner city ghetto <br>

y) in the path of a tornado <br>

z) near seemingly harmless looking streams <br><br><br>

 

 

Emmet, I sincerely apologize for my harsh and crititcal statements..

[g dan mitchell]

<p>Yes, don't get too close to the ocean"<br>

<img src="http://gdanmitchell.com/gallery/d/619-4/SurfWavePtLobosBW20080209.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Don't shoot close to sports activities or in the rain:<br>

<img src="http://gdanmitchell.com/gallery/d/2678-3/WheelsRainSausalito20090216.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Avoid dust and sand:<br>

<img src="http://gdanmitchell.com/gallery/d/2850-3/DustStormDeathValley20090403.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Don't carry your gear into dangerous alpine zones:<br>

<img src="http://gdanmitchell.com/gallery/d/1526-2/HitchcockLakesWhitney20080811.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Avoid getting too close to creeks.<br>

<img src="http://gdanmitchell.com/gallery/d/1936-4/MercedRocksReflections_b_20080216.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Never shoot in foggy, misty, drizzly conditions.<br>

<img src="http://gdanmitchell.com/gallery/d/1986-3/YosemiteFallFogShrouded20081102.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Keep your distance from waterfalls.<br>

<img src="http://gdanmitchell.com/gallery/d/1206-2/VernalFallBase2007_10_26.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Keep your camera in the car when it rains.<br>

<img src="http://gdanmitchell.com/gallery/d/2601-3/OakMeadowFallRain20081101.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Avoid steep drop-offs and edges of cliffs.<br>

<img src="http://gdanmitchell.com/gallery/d/1118-2/YosemiteFallsGlacierPointBW20080516.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>And always wear your galoshes and don't catch cold. :-)</p>

<p>Dan</p>

[bb photography]

<p>Don't feel too bad. I had mine stolen from me last weekend while I was shooting a wedding. :( The worst part is, I was shooting at a marina of which my family has been member's for about 15 years. People don't just steal things like that there. Or at least I thought they didn't.<br>

I hope you can salvage it. </p>

[derek_thornton1]

<p>Emmett, sorry if I repeat what someone else said, way to much to read.</p>

<p>I have dropped a couple lenses and bodies in the water. Instead of sending back to Nikon I simply repaired myself. My 105mm looked just like your lens with condensation all up inside it. I just took all the screws out and gently seperated enough for air to get it. I then laid it in a tray and sat it on top of a space heater on low heat. I put a thermometer inside the tray and made sure it stayed around 105F. Two days later I was shooting with it, that was two years ago. It still looks and acts brand new to this day.</p>

<p>I had my lens drying out withen a half hour of dropping it in the water. I can not say this will work for you. A lot of time has passed with it being wet. In all that time the water will most likely leave spots as it dries. Who knows, you may get lucky. If not send it back to Canon, They are good folks and will help you out best they can.</p>

<p>Good Luck,</p>

[ed_v.]

<p>Emmett, by accident I discovered a good method to try as a last resort when recovering waterlogged electronics. I left my cell phone in my jeans pocket when they went into the wash. Not realizing where I had lost it, I put the jeans in the clothes dryer. My wife found my cell phone still in the pocket when emptying the dryer. I left the phone open with the battery out overnight and the next morning assembled everything. It worked!</p>

<p>Now, I wouldn't just toss my lens into the dryer wrapped in a towel, but our dryer came with a rack for drying sweaters flat. The rack suspends the item in the center of the dryer, so essentially you are exposing the item to the dry heat, but it's not getting tossed around. I'd probably try the lowest setting first. I know this post is probably too late for you, but this is the method I'd try if I found myself in your situation. Just coming back from Niagra Falls my 40D got its fair share of mist but luckily nothing made it into the lens or body.</p>

[hal_a]

<p>I'm sorry to hear this Emmett. But you got some good responses. Try drying up all the moisture with rice or coffee beans, and after a week, your lens should be usable. Since it was a stream, and not salt water, I don't think you'll find any of the electronics corroded. After that take it to a shop and have them clean all the internal elements. Don't be afraid to take the lens in risky places! After all, that's why you bought the lens, right?</p>