Disaster Question - Water in my lens

[YosemiteJunkie]

Got a question for anyone who may know.
Over the weekend I was in the Freeman Redwood Grove in Ca. and setting up for a shot on the Freeman Creek. I was using my 28-90mm and had my 75-300 in my vest pocket but dumb a_ _ me :o didn't zip up the pocket and the long lens fell into the water and was there for about 30 minutes before I even realized it was gone. Backtracking up the creek where I had been I found it in the water next to a bolder I was setting up on and now full of water.:confused:
My question for you, is this lens salvagable and is is worth salvageing above the cost of what repair may be needed? Can I somehow dry it out myself? I tried to take the front element ring off to get the water out but couldn't get it off. Any help, ideas, thoughts are sought and welcome. Thanks in advance

[Mohawk]

Never had a problem like you describe. But I am sure it will need to be disassembled, cleaned and sanitised. Lots of little critters in that river water.

Send it to Canon. They have a repair facility somewhere around Los Angeles, I think Irvine. They will either tell you to scrap it or they will fix it. It won't hurt to send it in, I am sure this has happened to others and they will know what to do.

Mike

[Skip Souza]

Maybe you could make a mini aquarium out of it. :-)
Mohawk is right. Canon should be able to tell you if it is worth saving. If it was me I would just use it as an excuse to upgrade ;-)
Freeman Creek is damn cold this time of the year, isn't it?

[Cadwell]

Always worth sending it in, but it's unlikely to be economically repairable. If it was salt water it would definately not be worth repairing.

[YosemiteJunkie]

Maybe you could make a mini aquarium out of it. :)

Already got enough of those but I did think about a mirror decoration in my truck.
After spending all I had on another camera I think I'm going to have to hold off sending it to canon for a little bit. Man, you just don't realize how much you use something untill you don't have it. And I was really looking forward to seeing what it could do with this new 300D.

[YosemiteJunkie]

Always worth sending it in, but it's unlikely to be economically repairable. If it was salt water it would definately not be worth repairing.
Actually Freeman Creek is born in a spring about two mile upstream from where I was so it is realativily clean water (and ice cold on top of that). Those shots I was taking sure better come out good cause they cost me a small fortune this time.

[blue_max]

Stick it on Ebay, they buy anything there.

Graham

[csnudelman]

Use the water-filled lens. Start a new art form.:rolleyes:

[Sicily1918]

It probably won't be worth the repair. A new lens goes for about $180, and I'd guesstimate the repair costs at over $100 easy.

What you should do is get another lens, and then "pretend" to have a conversation with your S/O in front of lots of other people (especially photographers). At this point mention how you don't like the quality of the shots or something to that effect, and nonchalantly dump it in the trash or drop it to the ground, and reach into your bag and pull out another one ;)

[Pekka]

It probably won't be worth the repair. A new lens goes for about $180, and I'd guesstimate the repair costs at over $100 easy.

What you should do is get another lens, and then "pretend" to have a conversation with your S/O in front of lots of other people (especially photographers). At this point mention how you don't like the quality of the shots or something to that effect, and nonchalantly dump it in the trash or drop it to the ground, and reach into your bag and pull out another one ;)

:) :)
What about painting it white and then when you see a PR event with lots of PJ's shooting you go there and shoot a couple of shots, pull the lens off and smash in on street shouting "sh** I hate this lens!". Get someone else to shoot expressions on PJ's faces...

Other option is to make it a drink container - just remove the glass from inside and put a plastic cup inside.

[lost]

:) what Sicily said.

[cfcRebel]

I'm sorry to hear what happened to your lens. Check with local camera shop and see how much they charge to "open" it.

:) :)
What about painting it white and then when you see a PR event with lots of PJ's shooting you go there and shoot a couple of shots, pull the lens off and smash in on street shouting "sh** I hate this lens!". Get someone else to shoot expressions on PJ's faces...

Other option is to make it a drink container - just remove the glass from inside and put a plastic cup inside.
LOL!:lol: That's a good idea! That alone is worth more than $180!
Remember to also add a red strip around it.

[YosemiteJunkie]

Thanks for the chuckle everyone. I kind of figured this was about where I was at with it. Being into tropical fish also, I kind of like the aquarium idea but it don't leave much room for viewing :). I could use a new coffee cup. Sure would make for a novel one. But then again I do get a kick out of shock effects from people. Now the delima is to which way to go. Decisions, decision..
Thanks again to one and all.

[ddelallata]

Being into tropical fish also, I kind of like the aquarium idea but it don't leave much room for viewing :)
Thanks again to one and all.

What do you mean? Are you saying that you can't put a Neon Tetra in there? That lens would make an excellent NANO tank. :)

[YosemiteJunkie]

What do you mean? Are you saying that you can't put a Neon Tetra in there? That lens would make an excellent NANO tank. :)
Now that you mention it a little LED behind it would light that tetra right up.

[Sathi]

As long as it was not dropped in salt water it may work well again as long as you have the patience to let it dry out completly before turning it back on. I have seen many an electronic device function again after a soaking. Although I have no idea how it might effect the lens optically. If all kinds of grit got in there or a film dries on the inside you are probably sol.

[bolantej]

if you don't want to send it in, give it a try and open that puppy! just pleeeease, and i'm not saying you would do soemhting like this but....please do not put it on your camera. ;)

[YosemiteJunkie]

if you don't want to send it in, give it a try and open that puppy! just pleeeease, and i'm not saying you would do soemhting like this but....please do not put it on your camera. ;)
Not even close to any of them. I'm still trying to get it open but can't seem to get past the filter ring. Is there a spanner wrench or something special that is used on it that anyone knows of?

[chemicalbro]

even if you could dry out the electronics yourself the lenses will be covered in all kinda slime and funghi ....... dropping a lens in the creek isn't like spilling coffee in yer keyboard :)............

I'd rip that sucker apart myself and take all the lenses out and construct a SUPER DUPER macro lens from toilet tubes and mecanno ;)

(i've already nicked the anglefinder from my telescope which can now fit onto my eos .....I work for BIG plumbing supply company so can find rings and adapters for most stuff........ I also love LEGO hehehehe)