Flooded Housing

[SCUBAMedicBill]

I have a Canon Shot A75 and a Canon WP-DC30 Waterproof Housing. These are both brand new when the housing flooded, or should I say leaked.

I took them to Belize about two weeks ago, and on the first day did some snorkeling. I did all the suggested leak tests first. With an empty, closed housing, I submerged in about a foot of water for a few minutes with no leaks. I then put the camera in and dipped it in water momentarily and again found no leaks. Then while snorkeling, I got the camera down about 18 inches when I noticed air bubbles, and a very little water (about 5 cc) in the bottom of the case. I immediately surfaced and went to shore. Opened the case and the camera was hot. Took the batteries out and dried the camera. Let it dry over night, but it still didn't work. I did close the housing and put it in water, but didn't see any leaking.

I called canon and of cause water damage isn't covered, but since both items were brand new, they said send them in with a letter explaining what happened, and they will look at it and decide it they'll cover it.

Luckily a friend with me had a camera, so I still got my pictures, but even if they covered the damage, I'm a little gun shy about bringing the camera and housing in the water.

Has anyone else had this experience?

Bill

 

[JMD123]

Its very cliche to say but its not a matter of if a housing will leek its only a matter of when... I know that is not much help, but check with your home owners policy they may cover the loss if there is one.

 

[iflyprops]

I have a Canon Shot A75 and a Canon WP-DC30 Waterproof Housing.
Bill

Guess it wasn't waterproof... (sorry couldn't resist...

). Seriously, I am sorry to hear about your camera. It is kind of weird (I think) for the housing to leak in 18in of water and not in the rinse tub. I would send everything into Canon and see if they would be nice enough to cover it...

Good Luck!!

 

[SCUBAMedicBill]

Jonas, thats good advice. If Canon does'nt cover it I will ask my homeowners Ins. What the worst they can say, no.

And Adam, Yes I did send both items to Canon. I made a point to them that both items were Canon products and both were brand new. Hopefully they'll agree.

My moto, "expect nothing, and you'll never be disappointed".

I like the camera and if they say no, I'll buy another. Though I may just go and buy a dedicated waterproof camera.

Thanks

Bill

 

[KimInNB]

My A40 housing "flooded" without ever being in the water!!! It sat on a beach waiting for people to get ready to go diving and it worked up a sweat.

When I was finally ready to go in the water, I picked it up and tried to turn it on. It wouldn't work, so I left it on the beach with a friend.

When I came out from the dive, I opened the housing and a few drops of water dripped out and the camera never worked again!!

Canon told me it was water damage, I told them it wasn't in the water, they didn't care. I had to replace the camera myself - insurance heard the word "underwater" and they denied the claim.


Kim

 

[iflyprops]

Another thing, you can usually put a rider on your homeowners insureance for such occurances, I did that for my gear, can't remember the numbers though...

I had a scare on my tenth dive with my ikelite housing and canon elan 7. I was at the end of my dive in Key Largo in about 35-40ft of water and noticed a few drops of water on the controls of my camera...I got it to the surface took and took it apart. I was lucky and only a few drops got in, from where....I don't know. But I will be replacing the O-rings before my next dive, just to be safe. The only thing I can think of is that I was at the end of a weeks worth of diving and maybe some salt had built up somewhere, even though I took it apart and relubed everything every night, and allowed some water to leak in through one of the control arms. That said I still love my setup...just glad its insured. One less thing to worry about.

Good luck with Canon!

 

[MSilvia]

If you get a replacement camera, you might want to consider getting it from a retailer with replacement insurance. If you just took it into Circuit City and said "It stopped working." They'd replace it. It doesn't help much with the housing though.

 

[DennisS]

DEPP has flooded camera insurance. (Divers Equipment Protection Policy?)

 

[mtman2053]

I think Cannon sucks if they do not honor your new camera warranty. What is a water proof housing suppose to do but to be water proof. I have a Reefmaster U/W film camera and yes it has leaked and YES Sealife replaced the camera and housing with no questions asked. They even appologised!. That is REAL customer service.

I recently purchased a Canon A-80 and I am wanting to purchase an U/W housing for it from Canon but will rethink my decision.

So much for what Canon thinks of its Customers. I am now sorry that I bought the A-80.

IMHO
Mt. Diver

 

[Jason B]

A good friend of mine borrowed my A70 (for land use) and dropped in here drive way as she was returning it to me. She went out and bought me a new one before she got to my house. I boxed the dropped broken one and shipped it to canon with my receipt. They took care of it, didn't cost me penny (so my friend has her own A70 now). Canon seems to be pretty good in my experience.
Good luck....and quit banging your head on the keyboard, it could happen to anyone.