Canon housing WC35 - fog between lens ports

[bakatchabandit]

Using the canon WC35 housing for the S90 I have recently encountered a problem with fog/condensation between the two panes of glass on the housing itself. My understanding is that these should be vacuum sealed and thus the aforementioned should be impossible unless that seal has been breached in some way. Is there any easy way to fix this? The housing is no longer under warranty and this is a recent problem occuring over the past few months after plenty of use prior to that.

I did some digging and found comments on various boards where others have had the same issue but nothing that hints at a solution...though I do have some thoughts on how to minimize going forward.

For clarity, the inside of the housing is dry as a bone and the inside of the lens (from within the housing) is also completely dry...I am certain that the fog/condensation is occurring between the two panes of glass.

Hoping there is some way to fix this...thanks!

 

[Interceptor121]

I am not sure about the vacuum? There is no vacuum the port is attached to the housing with screws and then there is an o'ring. I would check that you have marine grade screws of the same size of those used and then I would unscrew those in the housing very carefully remove the port, take off the oring inspect it and see if it needs replacing. If not I would then reassemble everything and put it together again
It is possible if you have put the housing in colder water compared to where you were diving and the camera had got really hot that some moisture has formed
Besides the o'ring can also be replaced once you work out what you need, in fact all canon housings can be 'serviced' with a few screwdrivers clips and few orings

 

[bakatchabandit]

Thank you! I will give this a shot.

I am definitely uncertain about the vacuum but I read somewhere that the seal between the two panes of glass was/is vacuum sealed..I have read so many posts on so many boards I cannot be certain it was in regard to this housing.

The water is quite warm this time of year in the Philippines but the outside temp is significantly warmer. I did find a workaround, thanks to advice on other sites and boards, and this is simply to immerse the camera in water between dives...this works. I am new to UW photography but I have quickly been bitten by (buy) the bug.

The issue mentioned in this thread, wish I had titled it correctly, typically occurs on an afternoon dive after 2 morning dives with no issue. I have always kept the camera and housing out of the sun between dives but I have not been diligent enough to cover it with a wet towel or immerse it in water...simply because I did not know any better.

I appreciate the response.

Thank you!

 

[Interceptor121]

I would not leave it in a bucket for other reasons but covering with a towel is a good idea, glad it is sorted