silica gel packages

[rcagar]

does any one insert small silica gel packages into their housings like it says to do here?:

http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/uwphoto/index-e.html

 

[alcina]

Yup

 

[rcagar]

any other tips for newbie?

 

[rcagar]

haha i just found the tips and techniques forum............

 

[alcina]

And don't forget to go to the Pink Link - it's a compilation of many many things for the newbie and the not so newbie in one easy to wander through place

 

[EvaL]

Yes, I insert 2 in the housing for my Canon A520.
By the way, you can reuse these packages. If you poke a few holes on the paks with a needle, you can put them in the oven at around 250 degrees F (not too high or it might melt the plastic) for about 5 mins, they'll turn blue again after the moisture has left. Just store them in an air-tight container (or orginial package) for your next use.
Dive safely.

 

[Charlie99]

By the way, you can reuse these packages. If you poke a few holes on the paks with a needle, you can put them in the oven at around 250 degrees F (not too high or it might melt the plastic) for about 5 mins, they'll turn blue again after the moisture has left. Just store them in an air-tight container (or orginial package) for your next use..

Another alternative is the microwave. I set it to the 10% power setting so it doesn't melt the packages, and then run it for 10 minutes or so. The indicator turns blue in about 5 minutes, but additional moisture is still coming out for several minutes afterwards. I don't both poking pinholes since the packages are semipermeable. I'll try the pinhold trick on the next round to see if it speeds things up.

 

[rcagar]

only problem is now, I cant find any around the house, and i am diving soon

 

[rcagar]

just a couple more questions, you say to turn of AiFi, does that mean i should set it to centre or 'flexizone', also what ISO should my camera be set to? (Auto, High ISO Auto, 80-800)

 

[Charlie99]

Just take it for a dive and don't worry about it. The worst that can happen is that the lens will fog up a bit and you won't be able to take photos.

Several times I've been too lazy to recharge the silica gel and don't bother putting one in. Never had a problem. That may be because Maui isn't all that humid, and the air temp and water temps are pretty close to each other.

Whether or not you will have fogging/condensation problem depends upon a variety of things such as the relative humidity and temp of the place where you close up the housing, and the temperature of the water you dive in.

2 gram indicating dessicant packs can be found at the bottom of the page http://www.preservesmart.com/products.htm