Olympus c-750 with PT-018

[DB83]

I just bought the PT-018 housing for my C-750 camera. Haven't taken it diving yet. The housing came assembled and all, and it seems that all I would have to do is put the camera in it and close it up. I put the housing into the bath tub to check for leakage, none noticed. I put the camera into the housing and put it into the bath tub, noticed no moisture on the camera. Does this mean that the housing is ready to use?
The manual says that I should put the silica grease on the O-ring. I noticed no grease on the O-ring when I took the housing out of the box, and I didn't put any grease on to the O-ring before I did my tests. The housing seems to work fine in the bath tub. I dont know if the grease is actually on the O-ring in just a very small quantity, or maybe the O-ring is currently giving a good seal. If I do nothing further to the housing, can I take it diving with me? Will the pressure difference of the depth alter the functionality of the housing?

 

[mwrager]

Hello I also have a C750 with a PT 018. Take a look at some of my pics in my gallery. The first tip I have for you is play with the settings for the camera out of the water. Find out how to set the white balance. 2nd, put the camera in the case and then take some pics with it. 3rd, make sure that you keep the o-ring undamaged. If the o-ring gets damaged replace it. 4th, Only use Olympus grease on the o-ring. 5th, Only use a small amount of grease on the o-ring. 6th, I store the o-ring in a zip lock bag when not in use. I have more tips if you want them.

 

[DB83]

Hello I also have a C750 with a PT 018. Take a look at some of my pics in my gallery. The first tip I have for you is play with the settings for the camera out of the water. Find out how to set the white balance. 2nd, put the camera in the case and then take some pics with it. 3rd, make sure that you keep the o-ring undamaged. If the o-ring gets damaged replace it. 4th, Only use Olympus grease on the o-ring. 5th, Only use a small amount of grease on the o-ring. 6th, I store the o-ring in a zip lock bag when not in use. I have more tips if you want them.

I've already done all of those things. The O-ring is what I'm questioning.
It's brand new, no apparent damage on the O-ring. It came already positioned in the groove for the O-ring on the underwater housing. My concern is that it doesn't look like it actually has grease on it. When I tested the housing, I submerged the underwater housing pretty much right out of the box, and it seemed to work fine (apparently without grease on the O-ring). I then put my camera into the housing, and submerged it again, and it seems to keep my camera dry. Does this mean that my underwater housing is safe to use on a dive? or does it have a chance of leaking if I take it into the ocean?

I mean, I will probably put grease on it before I actually take it for a dive, but I just want to know now in case I try testing out my underwater housing again before applying grease. I don't want to be surprised when my camera gets soaked.

 

[mwrager]

I only put grease on the o-ring just before I dive. Just something for you to remember. It’s not a matter if your case will leak it’s just a matter of time. Some leak on the first dive and some leak after the 10000 dive. With that in mind this case has more than 1 o-ring. The main one that we can get to and every button has one. The button o-rings need to be serviced once a year, you can do this your self or send it in.

When I store my o-ring I clean it and do not put any grease on it and then put it in a zip lock bag.

Mine has been down on 40 dives and the deepest I have had mine is 90 feet and mine has never leaked. But I never open up my case out side of my room. Once I have sealed it up I wait until I get back to my room and then down load the pics to my lap top.

 

[DB83]

When you say that it will leak, are we talking about full flooding the housing and ruining my camera? Or is it something like small droplets at a time?

 

[ReyeR]

DB, the grease is only a lubricant, it doesn't help in getting a better seal. It helps in keeping the o-ring soft and supple. Having the o-ring lubricated also helps with the door shutting and opening easily as it comes in contact with the polycarbonate.

What you need to do is inspect the o-ring for grit (sand, hair, lint etc) and nicks, cuts or deformities that might comprimise the seal. Then squeeze very little grease (and I mean very little, like < 1mm) out of the tube and apply it evenly over the o-ring. Donot pull or over-work the o-ring and stretch it out of shape.

If the o-rings came pre-installed in the grooves then just inspect it for grit (especially if the housing came in a box with packing material). If it appears too dry ie you're finding it too hard to close the door then apply a little grease.

It is generally advised to take the housing for a dive first time without the camera in it. Press the buttons and work the levers at depth to make sure the seals are not faulty.

Good luck!

 

[mwrager]

When you say that it will leak, are we talking about full flooding the housing and ruining my camera? Or is it something like small droplets at a time?

Yes, it could be an all out flood or just a few drops. Both can kill you camera. If you dont want to loose all that money with a flood, get the camera insured.

 

[Reeveseye]

I second Mrager's advice, especially the part about taking it on a dive without the camera first. I tied mine to a weight and sent it to the bottom of my swimming pool overnight before I ever put the camera in it. I have the same setup as you, and I've been down to 110' in 57 degree water with no problems. It's a good housing for a great camera - hope you enjoy it!

Mrager - how do you go about self-servicing the o-rings for the individual buttons? I'd rather do that than have to send the housing in.

 

[mwrager]

Mrager - how do you go about self-servicing the o-rings for the individual buttons? I'd rather do that than have to send the housing in.

I found an article here on this site some time back written by Dave Greenway for a PT-015 how to service all the little o-rings. I have adopted it to use on my PT-018. I am looking for article here but I have been unable to find it.

 

[jlyle]

I found an article here on this site some time back written by Dave Greenway for a PT-015 how to service all the little o-rings. I have adopted it to use on my PT-018. I am looking for article here but I have been unable to find it.

Here's a link to Dave's article:

http://www.digitaldiver.net/lib_docs/PT--015_service.pdf