Olympus PT-010 depth limit warning

[slowhands]

I like many things about this housing after using it for during a recent dive trip on my old dependable [expendable] C 3040 Zoom. But as I was using it at depth during a PADI Deep Diving Course, I noted that the rubber gasket under the front lens was extruding into the housing, possibly leading to flooding. Admittedly, I exceeded the rated depth for this housing, 30M, by another 10 meters or one atm of pressure, as required for my course.

So I am simply sharing the warning that this gasket is a potential failure point in the sealing of this case at deeper than rated depths. You may want to avoid diving deeper, or check the proper tightening of the lense retaining ring which holds the gasket by pressure. I was very skeptical of all the little O-rings on all the actuators sealing, but it seems they are not the weakest link.

I did contact the seller, and he stated that this was unusual. More often the shutter lever was forced down and it free fired, he said. I will be removing and reseating the gasket to original position as a part of maintenance topside.

I used the internal flash and learned its limits. In poor visibility we had in December in Sabang, PI, I needed to be fairly close to the subject to get a good image. I never had much luck with true macro photography, as on tiny but colorful nudibranchs there. Possibly this was due to surge and hence camera shake, but.. that is another topic. The photo below is typical of what you get with the onboard flash. All in all I had a ball, 800 pics or so.....

 

[Gilligan]

Sorry to hear about your flood but you did exceed the housings rated limits. You didn't mention if you were going to replace your camera with another C3040 or a C4000. The 3040 may be harder to find but you can find re-furbished C4000's in the $300 range. Your flood experience is exactly why I am a believer in using the less expensive re-furbished cameras in the housings. If it's any help to you I have a link on my PT-010 page (link below) that demonstrates the removal and replacement of the lens port. I have removed mine once just to clean it and re-assembled it with no leaks.
I am still using my camera w/o a strobe and the macro shots are usually the best ones. Consider using manual settings instead of auto ones and I think you will find you will get better results. There is an article on using manual settings which I added to my PT-010 page. It is based on the C5050 but it applies to other cameras as well. I found the manual settings made a significant improvement to my photos.

 

[Dee]

Just an added good word for Gilligan's website. He's got a wealth of information there that covers all Oly cameras and housings. I refer to it often.

 

[scubasean]

slowhands once bubbled...
Admittedly, I exceeded the rated depth for this housing, 30M, by another 10 meters or one atm of pressure, as required for my course.

If I understand you correctly, you went to roughly 40M (130ft) with the housing...

How did it do until you passed it rated depth of ~100ft?

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I have had mine to 100 ft and taken pictures with it at that depth with no problems.

 

[Dee]

I know several people, myself included, who have had their PT-10's below 40M+ with no problems but I wouldn't advise doing it repeatedly. I'm sure there is some sort of cushion built into that limit.

 

[scubasean]

I asked becuz I have that housing on my wish list, and hope Santa will bring it.

And, we are visiting San Diego the week following Xmas, with nonpenetration wreck dives (two ships, at 85 and 100ft down or so) planned.

 

[slowhands]

I only posted this as a warning, the camera was not flooded. An image is attached of the gasket, as-is.

I did exceed the depth rating for this housing and was very alert for problems. So I posted this as information/warning to you all, perhaps it would be helpful. I am certainly grateful for all the good information and experience people share here.

I will probably buy the 5050/PT-015 due to this depth rating issue (40M vs 30M), and keep this as a backup, instead of the little film camera I use now. Underwater photography is becoming a passion, and backups are always a good idea when you dive, especially in remote places.

 

[Gilligan]

slowhands thanks for posting the photo. I have two PT-010's and I noticed on my newer one that the gasket is not quite seated fully round and looks somewhat like yours, but not quite as off-center. I won't mess with it at this point as it does not leak.

 

[Mgnau]

I have a question ?

I just received my PT-010. Took a great photo in the bath tub. My question is the shutter stim seems to have some side to side movement (wobble). It did not leak. Is this normal ?