How to spot a leak from casing

[CotoChris]

Have a slight dilema. Last summer with a Canon S40 and respective case when it ceased to work. I'm almost sure it was due to condensation as this was in Malta and left camera in case between dives.

Now in case if it isn't condensation how can I test for leaks with the new camera. Do I fill it with toilet paper and take it for a dive? If so how do I know which O-ring to replace? Should I return it to Camera Underwater for them to replace all rings (is it worthwhile?)

And damn, as I write this tommorows double dive has just been cancelled I'm in a right mood now, been looking forward to this all week. Damn damn damn damn, kick the dog damn damn damn

[ScubaSue]

Originally Posted by Chris Guimaraens

Have a slight dilema. Last summer with a Canon S40 and respective case when it ceased to work. I'm almost sure it was due to condensation as this was in Malta and left camera in case between dives.

Now in case if it isn't condensation how can I test for leaks with the new camera. Do I fill it with toilet paper and take it for a dive? If so how do I know which O-ring to replace? Should I return it to Camera Underwater for them to replace all rings (is it worthwhile?)

And damn, as I write this tommorows double dive has just been cancelled I'm in a right mood now, been looking forward to this all week. Damn damn damn damn, kick the dog damn damn damn

This is completely off the cuff - I would be inclined to get some darkish blue coloured absorbent paper, which when/if it gets wet goes a much darker blue. If you used loo roll, it tends to be pastel colours which, if dampened, wouldn't show up too well.

I'm sure there are others on the boards with a far more scientific answer than that.

Bad luck about tomorrow - doh, the poor dog!

S

[CotoChris]

Originally Posted by ScubaSue

Bad luck about tomorrow - doh, the poor dog!

S

Nah, the dogs are fine, going to take them for walkies now and strectch our legs.
Good idea on the paper, blotting paper should work, no?

[ScubaSue]

Originally Posted by Chris Guimaraens

Nah, the dogs are fine, going to take them for walkies now and strectch our legs.
Good idea on the paper, blotting paper should work, no?

It should ... can you get coloured blotting paper? when I was a kid it was quills and inkwells and white blotting paper.

[Tim Ingmire]

Do a leak test - take the housing for a dive without camera - if you have a leak you won't need any indicator paper to tell you.

[ScubaSue]

Originally Posted by Tim Ingmire

Do a leak test - take the housing for a dive without camera - if you have a leak you won't need any indicator paper to tell you.

I knew there was someone around that would have a more sensible answer.

Without hijacking Chris' thread - if you have a leak, will it be a complete flood rather than just a trickle then? - (don't really fancy taking mine down to find out)

[eddy]

Chris,

I had a leak on my Canon s45 case which i think is probably the same as your case, the leak was from one of the knobs on the top of the case and was the end of the whole thing. When i talked to canon they said they couldnt do anything and just replaced it as it was less then a year old. Canon do not service cases. If it isnt our o-ring then get in contact asap if its under 1yr old.

O-ring's - you can get them on canon's website i think..... sure i saw them there.

Eddy

[Harry Remmington]

Do the test in fresh water if you can to avoid any damage to the housing interior. You are more likely to see a problem in shallow water before the pressure helps seal any "O" ring fully.

[BJ]

Just as I forked out several thousand pounds for a housing, I asked Peter Rowlands at OceanOptics if I was wasting my money and should I just get a cheap digital camera and a plastic housing? He replied that the quality of the pictures would probably be as good but people do not realise that these plastic housings cost more to maintain than to buy. Food for thought?
It seems once they start leaking (usually through a control) it's Game-Over.

[John N]

Does that go for Ikelite 'plastic' (polycarbonate) housings as well?
Mine seems fairly sturdy, but if it did leak through the controls I would hope they could do something about it.