I got my housing! Now need tips from you guys

[Swakoo]

Hi guys...

I started from here: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=152652
and I got advice to look at http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=153252

I now have my own underwater housing (yipee! ) for my G2

Thanks to all those who have chipped in their advice etc..

now...

how do I go about maintaining this guy? Its currently submerged in my pail.. just to do a test on whether any water seeps in..

i suppose after that.. i just dry it, and air yah?

But what abt between dives, and after dives?

Between dives, should I just leave my camera inside the housing until the end of the day?
After dives.. how?

The person who sold me, his experience with the casing was very different: he doesn't lub the o-ring before use, after dives he usually rinse with water dry it etc .. but never lub before.. so far so good.. about a year already. He last used it 6 months ago... and to my VERY limited knowledge.. the o-ring seems ok he's a nice person too, very patient with me hehehe

- so is there a need to lub the o-ring? i got the original lub (he didn't use it). If i need replacement.. where you guys reckon?
- How to see if o-ring is damage? I can't always do a "submerge" test in a pail.. hahaha
- A classic example.. now it is submerge in a pail as I am testing.. how should i clean it after.. just by tower? just by airing? away from sun etc..?
- in between dive, should i just leave the camera inside and keep the housing submerge in pail of fresh water?
- after the last dive of the day, how should i clean and wash it etc

With regards to flash, he has a masking tape tape over where the flash is.. to diffuse it.. what should i look out for when taking?

How you guys think i should fasten ths houseing to me.. or is there a need even?

As you can see.. i am a happy owner... but now.. i need to know how to take care of it too

Going tionman this week.. thanks!

[sunfish]

Originally Posted by Swakoo how do I go about maintaining this guy? Its currently submerged in my pail.. just to do a test on whether any water seeps in.. i suppose after that.. i just dry it, and air yah?

If it is fresh water, just air it and let it dry.

Originally Posted by Swakoo But what abt between dives, and after dives? Between dives, should I just leave my camera inside the housing until the end of the day? After dives.. how?

Between dives soak it in fresh water when you can...avoid opening the housing after every dive unless you have no choice and have to change battery or whatever....

Originally Posted by Swakoo - so is there a need to lub the o-ring? i got the original lub (he didn't use it). If i need replacement.. where you guys reckon? - How to see if o-ring is damage? I can't always do a "submerge" test in a pail.. hahaha - A classic example.. now it is submerge in a pail as I am testing.. how should i clean it after.. just by tower? just by airing? away from sun etc..?

yes, you need to lubricate the o-ring, but note that the main purpose of it is to lubricate and not to waterproof, too much of the grease will result in flooding....remember to get the original grease from the housing manafacturer, using incompatible grease may result in damage of the o-ring.

You can inspect the o-ring for physical damage. But for me I play kiasu, I change the o-ring every year.

I personally don't believe in the pail test as the pressure isn't high enough to result in a leak. Normally what I do is first dive of the trip I go down with the housing without the camera....thats the best leak test.

Originally Posted by Swakoo - in between dive, should i just leave the camera inside and keep the housing submerge in pail of fresh water? - after the last dive of the day, how should i clean and wash it etc

same question as above......so same answer....

soak in fresh water whenever you can, avoid opening housing in between dives unless no choice, end of the day soak in fresh water....(1 to 2 hrs...my practice)..then dry it before opening up the housing.

Originally Posted by Swakoo With regards to flash, he has a masking tape tape over where the flash is.. to diffuse it.. what should i look out for when taking

well this is a question of photography techniques...I will leave it to the experts here...

Originally Posted by Swakoo How you guys think i should fasten ths houseing to me.. or is there a need even?

for me actually i don't unless I foresee strong currents ....maybe diy a strap with quick release buckle will do...

[Swakoo]

oooh .. why is there a need to "lubricate" the o-ring? won't it risk coming off easier...?

so between dives i just soak in water, after each dive day i just rinse it, wipe dry, then remove camera, then air it?

and when i return home i just rinse it clean again?
do i wash the inside?

in between dive day.. recommended to just lub it yah?
how to see if o-ring is damage?

the guy who sold me didn't he always wash it then brush the sand off the o-ring...


i definitely want to attach it to me... wait dive halfway it float away.. hahaha

[DTan]

not expert but just feel like answering.

nice to hear your excitement. can't wait to see your pictures. (maybe end up like mine. all 'artistic' type)

ok. MUST lubricate with a thin film (ie don't over grease it).
The experts (not me, i'm just repeating) say it's done to maintian the suppleness of o-ring thus extending the life of the o-ring.

better for u to soak after your dive trip if possible then rinse it rather than let the salt dry on your casing. as opposed to soaking only when u're back home, cuz washing doesn't help much (if the salt deposits form).

if no choice, just rinse as much as you can. then soak as much as u can when back. (some say WARM water helps).

when your washing or rinsing, might help to depress those buttons and move those levers around.

I don't wash the inside.

if u got enough memory on CF or memory card, just open end of day or only when necessary. Don't open. no need to lub.

Open then lub.

O-ring damage? no idea. probably stretch it slightly and see if it is springy. should maintian shape most importantly. KS, just change.

they have the hand band that u can sling around your wrist and tighten with a knob $5 only.

[Swakoo]

i have been opening and closing at home, submerging it in fresh water (from the tap).. do i need to lub then?

what do you mean by lub with thin film?

hmm so can't just use and don lub huh... even if i take effort to dry it etc...

yeah you got it right.. excited.. but also worried about flooding hahaha (very)
can't wait to see the shots too hahaha ...

I think all in all. wash/rinse/soak all these i know.. just concern it will leak (o-ring) cos read alot of unfortunate happenings in the forum...

[Swakoo]

How do i remove the o-ring?

I have been using my finger nails man.. but like not right...? but i do it gently...

[seewhy]

Originally Posted by Swakoo How do i remove the o-ring? I have been using my finger nails man.. but like not right...? but i do it gently...

There is this thing like a guitar picker which can be use to pick out the o-ring. Or put your finger at both corner of the long side, press down onto the o-ring and slide your finger toward each other. This should compress the o-ring and make it pop out of its groove. Method 1 is recommended as it is easier, you can also find some thin, plastic, non-sharp object to do the job. Take care not to scratch/damage the o-ring.

[stonefish35]

I use the MacDonald's coffee stirer to remove the o ring from my housing. free and good, available everywhere.

[Swakoo]

yeah been using my fingers. but will try the coffee stirer trick

Just got back. camera survived all dives (yipee)

But guess what, after last dive, on land, it stopped working, smell something burnt
Sibei suay....

no water nothing... no flood...
now its in service center.. i hope its ok.. cos i really love taking the pictures underwater!

[sprain]

Originally Posted by Swakoo But guess what, after last dive, on land, it stopped working, smell something burnt Sibei suay....

At least it's after finish diving

Hope all's ok...where's your photos?

[Swakoo]

yo sprain

Some news.. motherboard is fried...
but can fix! $85 to replace.. but not sure if that's inclusive of the $80 service charge, but ok lah.. can extend lifespan a couple of years for me to indulge in underwater photography hehehe

photos urm.. not very nice.. but first time... hehe ok lah.. can see a natural progression.. first 100 blur blur, next 100 ok hahaha.. but not fantastic... anyway, i will select a few and post here..

btw sprain, what's your email/msn/hp ? i trying to maintain a list pm me or something

photos soon

[Swakoo]

the next thing i will get is a strobe.. what you guys recommend? - as always don mind a 2nd hand

My camera repair is not as bad as initally thought (whew)

the biggest heartbreak.. is my shots.. for those taken in RAW.. was in 640x480! I thought it will automatically follow my highest res/fine setting..... oh man....

[Swakoo]

ooh sorry man.. just realise.. RAW got no size one hehehe