EPL2 Images Shot in Statia

[smoore]

A recent addition to my line of camera housing Leak Detector's are units for the Oly PT-EP01, PT-EP03 and PT-EP05L. Some piece of mind when diving with these housings as with any small leak, the water will often run forward in the housing and not be seen until enough water accumulates to touch the camera.... then its a problem !!!
Only US$36 posted worldwide- Check it out Underwater Camera Housing Leak Detector - Underwater Camera Housing Leak Detector - Home Page

Definitely getting one before I put this camera in the water again. I looked over the rest of you website. Do you think that sanitary napkins are better than the dessicant packages?

 

[Reefwalker]

Definitely getting one before I put this camera in the water again. I looked over the rest of you website. Do you think that sanitary napkins are better than the dessicant packages?

Dessicant packs are used to absorb excess moisture (humidity) in the air contained inside the housing. This moisture is mostly a result of the air heating-up inside of the housing, caused by the camera's internal strobe firing and also the extremes of temperature difference between the above water air temperature and the surrounding water temperature when the housing is submersed. (eg. Warm surface air temperature and cool sea water). If no Dessicant Pack is fitted, the excess moisture will form small water droplets (Condensation) on the inside surfaces of the housing... usually on the inside of the lens port first, as it gets worse it will make the entire inside of the housing damp... and the camera & lens :crying2:

Sanitray Napkins are used to absorb small water leaks in housings, they won't save a camera if there is a major catostrophic leak (eg, NO main 'o' ring fitted!!), but they will help to contain and absorb a small consistent drip (this is how most leaks start), and stop this water moving around the housing and touching various parts of lenses and the camera body. They are cheap, easy to purchase (if your not embarrassed :blush and very effective.

In the PT-EPXX housings (or any other housing), where the camera's strobe is firing an external strobe via fiber optics, then you should have a dessicant pack inside the housing to absorb air-borne moisture AND a Sanitary Pad to absorb water SHOULD you get a leak. One does not do the job of the other!
Also if you are shooting your external strobes in manual settings (and you should be!) set the camera's internal strobe to the lowest setting that still triggers the external strobe... less strobe power inside the housing = less heat = less moisture condensing inside the housing.

 

[smoore]

Reefwalker thanks for the information.