G10 and Canon housing failure

[cvoros]

Well...my friend had a canon camera and housing for quite some time, so last year for my wife's b-day I purchased a G10 and an a Canon housing for it (DC28). We took it diving in Cozumel last year and it took some great pics. We returned this August and on the 3rd day it leaked just enough to create some condesation inside, and it ruined the camera. Once we got it on the boat I took the camera out and dried it as much as I could. By the time we got back to the hotel it "worked" but the flash would not fire....and within another hour the camera stopped functioning altogether. I have an extended warranty on the camera so it is going to be taken care of, but I spoke with Canon and apparently there are no warranties at all with the housings and there is no servicing the housing at all either.

I siliconed the o-ring and since something is barely seeping in enough to just cause some consensation, I doubt I could detect where it is leaking and if its not the o-ring there isnt much I can do either. So, I guess its now trash. :cussing:

Just thought I'd post this info for anyone thinking of a Canon housing. OR, if anyone knows someone who DOES service these...I would appreciate a link.

 

[jbb]

Well...my friend had a canon camera and housing for quite some time, so last year for my wife's b-day I purchased a G10 and an a Canon housing for it (DC28). We took it diving in Cozumel last year and it took some great pics. We returned this August and on the 3rd day it leaked just enough to create some condesation inside, and it ruined the camera. Once we got it on the boat I took the camera out and dried it as much as I could. By the time we got back to the hotel it "worked" but the flash would not fire....and within another hour the camera stopped functioning altogether. I have an extended warranty on the camera so it is going to be taken care of, but I spoke with Canon and apparently there are no warranties at all with the housings and there is no servicing the housing at all either.

I siliconed the o-ring and since something is barely seeping in enough to just cause some consensation, I doubt I could detect where it is leaking and if its not the o-ring there isnt much I can do either. So, I guess its now trash. :cussing:

Just thought I'd post this info for anyone thinking of a Canon housing. OR, if anyone knows someone who DOES service these...I would appreciate a link.

If you would do a search there are quite a few posts about a mold line causing just such problems on the Canon housings for the G series. Very very careful hand sanding has eliminated the problem for most. If they replace your g10 with a g11 I recommend the Fisheye FIX uw housing. Works great with Inon double macro wet lenses.

 

[cvoros]

I just registered and will search through some posts. I dont know what they will do with the camera just yet. We got back yesterday and I contacted the warranty company and expect to hear from them in the next day or so. Have done some searching about housings and the FIX is nice but may be out of our price range unless spend some time saving btw now and our next trip hopefully in the spring. Gotta do some research on the Ikelites, FIX, 10bar, and Patimas - etc. We are more or less beginner UW photographers, but this G10 takes some outstanding pics.

 

[MarineResearch]

My wife had a housing that formed a small leak. I keep desiccant in the housing and it saved the camera. I serviced the housing myself and it has worked fine ever since. If you don't remove the main o-ring from the housing during storage, it will form a flat spot and leak. Unfortunately, many of the Canon housings seem to have some sharp areas that can damage the main o-ring during removal and installation. The DC28 has a couple of screws that sort of get in the way of o-ring servicing as well.

 

[prandyulo]

My G10 flooded Christmas day after making a back entry with it from a boat. All internal circuits are now brand new. Since then I've followed the thread post on sanding the sharp ridges along the O ring channels, took off the O ring while on storage, used magnifying glass to inspect O ring and channel every pre-dive, used liquid silicon to grease the buttons. So far logged 100 dives with it.

I would suggest you try the housing again at 100 feet without the camera inside with a new O ring installed and doing the sanding as prescribed along the channels. That ought to work.

 

[Gilligan]

Sorry to hear about your housing leaking and ruining your camera. I also have a G10 in a Canon housing and so far no problems.

One method of checking for the leak is to place a small amount of powdered grape flavored Kool Aid inside the housing around each control. Take the housing to depth (no camera of course) on a dive or in a pressure chamber if you have access to one. If one of the controls is leaking the area will turn purple from the Kool Aid. The grape flavor Kool Aid powder is white until it is mixed with water then it turns purple.

Obviously you have to thoroughly rinse out and dry the housing afterwards.

I do not leave my main O ring in the housing between dive days. I keep it in a zip loc bag. You have to be very careful not to ding the O ring when removing it from the housing.

You may want to purchase one of these leak detectors that fits in the housing.

Like prandyulo I also use the liquid silicone on the control plungers when they begin to feel sluggish.

 

[slowhands]

...I purchased a G10 and an a Canon housing for it (DC28). We took it diving in Cozumel last year and it took some great pics. We returned.. it leaked just enough to create some condesation inside, and it ruined the camera.

Once we got it on the boat I took the camera out and dried it as much as I could. By the time we got back to the hotel it "worked" but the flash would not fire....and within another hour the camera stopped functioning altogether. I have an extended warranty on the camera so it is going to be taken care of, but I spoke with Canon and apparently there are no warranties at all with the housings and there is no servicing the housing at all either.

I siliconed the o-ring and since something is barely seeping in enough to just cause some condensation, I doubt I could detect where it is leaking and if its not the o-ring there isn't much I can do either. So, I guess its now trash. :cussing:

Just thought I'd post this info for anyone thinking of a Canon housing. OR, if anyone knows someone who DOES service these...I would appreciate a link.

Canon has a problem with tiny leaks caused by "mold release lines" under the O-ring area. This has been studied and a DIY cure posted on this board, here:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/canon-corner/315202-canon-housing-leaks-easy-diy-fix.html

I am sorry for your troubles. It's a good idea to search on this board for tips on equipment you might purchase or use. In this case, it would have saved you a lot of grief.

 

[ScubaMarc]

I have some issues thinking that condensation would break the camera. I have used my camera in 100% humidity with no issues. A puddle of water would break it, but some drops on the case will not. Are you sure it was water damage that broke your case.

also, condensation is not a leak.how did you pack the camera?

 

[dynobob]

I have a G-10 with a Ikelite housing. I have over 300 dives on the camera and housing. Why would you want to use a cheap housing and worry about flooding? The maintenance program that Ikelite has is very adequate and really prevents leaks. Take a look at a Canon housing then compare it to and Ikelite!

dynobob

 

[ScubaMarc]

I have a G-10 with a Ikelite housing. I have over 300 dives on the camera and housing. Why would you want to use a cheap housing and worry about flooding? The maintenance program that Ikelite has is very adequate and really prevents leaks. Take a look at a Canon housing then compare it to and Ikelite!

dynobob

i too have quite a few dives on my cheap case. hummmm???