Can a D70 dodge a bullet?

[lidarman]

We went to Sayulita, Mexico last saturday and I was super excited about all the shots I was going to take. Within an hour we were at the beach in front of our hotel and I was shooting pelicans with my 70-200 VR f2.8 lens.

I took a break to sit with my wife and enjoy my cerveza so I sat my camera on my backpack high on the beach. It was even low tide at the time (by now, you know where this is going).

We watched the water for a while and suddenly, an odd construction of waves (our mini tsunami) came blazing in, catching me off guard. It rushed over me as I sat up to run for my camera. The surge caught my camera and carried it away from me as it splashed up over the top of the body and zoom lens. I could feel the sinking sensation in my body as I witnessed this.

I eventually grabbed the camera and without hesitation, popped out the battery. Water came out as well, but not like it was filled, only a couple teaspoons or so. I dabbed the towel I had over the camera trying to get it dry as fast as possible. I did this to the lens as well.

Fournately the sky filter kept all the water off the main lens and it seemed none seeped in the body where the lens mounts--there was hope.

So when I got in the hotel, and had the camera dried off, I inserted the battery. Usually the LCD indicated the number of shots--nothing! Switch on, nothing! I was distraught with grief!

I realized there was probably salt water in the bottom so I sucked on the usb connector trying to get it out...and water did come out. After a few minutes and another attempt to try it unsuccessfully, I decided I had to continue with my vacation and hope it dries out. Fortunately my wife brought her Canon A80.

Two days later, I tried the camera and there was hope. The LCD on the top came on. But it couldn't see the card, the back controls didn't work and the camera seemed dead.

The next day, I fiddled again. This time the camera worked and even snapped pix. But the back panel including the viewing LCD didn't!

When I arrived at home, I took it apart, cleaned the bottom corroded circuit board with D.I. water and dried it with air.

The Camera was working again. WOW!

I think I was very lucky in that no water got on the optics and the sensor.

Also somehow still managed to enjoy my trip...

[another view]

That's pretty amazing - never heard of a camera going for a swim in salt water and living to tell about it. Hope you bought a lottery ticket!

[SmartWombat]

On your 70-200 VR, is there a rubber weather seal - like on the Canon L series?
That could be what saved your camera.

I'd still get it checked out by the manufacturer though.



Often quick washing with fresh water, distilled if you can get it, will save electronics.
I've been astonished at what I've salvaged - back when I did PC hardware support.

We had two machines that had been tohrown into a lake, fished out by the police, used as evidence for the burglary, and then returned to us under insurance 6 months later !
Just for a laugh, we stripped, cleaned and replaced one system, new PSU, mainboard, the lot.
The other one, we dismantled, washed in distilled water, replaced only the fan, and carefully dried for a week.
It worked !!

No, of course we didn't return it to the customer

[almo]

I have had cameras surviuve falls, the worst being with my D30, but salt water. You are one lucky boy..

[jar_e]

Lucky you. I dropped my old olympus into a rain water puddle...and it died.

*sigh* I have no luck

[lidarman]

Sad ending it seems. The camera finally lost it and I'm sure it had a lot to do with residual salt and humidity.

So off to Nikon it goes.

[OldSchool]

Arrrrrg!

Too bad. I was very impressed at how quickely you jumped on it and what you did Rich. Hopefully, Nikon can get your camerea back to snuff without costing too much.

Crazy waves...
Tim