Why Sandisk Memory Cards Are Awesome!

Just saw this article pop up about a found Canon 1000D that had been floating at sea for over a year and the Sandisk SDHC Extreme III card in it still gave up some images!

Read the article here at Engadget.com: LINK

Canon EOS 1000D washes ashore in BC, Canada, SD card reveals it was lost at sea for over a year

What you're looking at was once a fully functional Canon EOS 1000D, now merely a relic of the sea (the Pacific Ocean, to be exact), which was recently posted on Google+. User Marcus Thompson, found the DSLR washed up near a wharf while on a diving job in Deep Bay British Columbia, Canada and decided to take it home to find out what could be salvaged. After removing and cleaning the SanDisk Extreme III SD card inside of it, he was successfully able to recover about 50 photos with EXIF data from August 2010, showcasing what's described to be a firefighter and his family on vacation. While he hasn't located the owner of the shooter turned coffee table decoration just yet, Marcus is currently asking the "Google+ hive mind" to help get the two reunited. If you're from BC area and want to help out -- or just curious to see this DSLR from more angles -- you'll find some pictures from the SD card and more information about the camera at the source link below.

ben_r_ wrote in post #13458639
Just saw this article pop up about a found Canon 1000D that had been floating at sea for over a year and the Sandisk SDHC Extreme III card in it still gave up some images!

Read the article here at Engadget.com: LINK

Wouldn't it also fair to give credit to Canon for having such a good seal?

Canajun wrote in post #13458805
Wouldn't it also fair to give credit to Canon for having such a good seal?

True, except on the 1000D I doubt there is much sealing. Memory cards are also pretty simple too and most usually hold up pretty well to getting washed or taking a dip in the pool as long as they are allowed to dry out before powering up. But a year at sea?! Thats crazy!

ben_r_ wrote in post #13458823
True, except on the 1000D I doubt there is much sealing. Memory cards are also pretty simple too and most usually hold up pretty well to getting washed or taking a dip in the pool as long as they are allowed to dry out before powering up. But a year at sea?! Thats crazy!

I guess seawater corrosion doesn't accelerate until air (oxygen) is introduced (my guess only).

Canajun wrote in post #13458870
I guess seawater corrosion doesn't accelerate until air (oxygen) is introduced (my guess only).

That is true I believe, however arent most contacts and metals in something like a memory card silver and/or gold which dont corrode?

Silver will corrode; gold is pretty much impervious to anything but extremely strong acids (aqua regia) or encrustations.

Saw the article too. Pretty remarkable. SD cards are really simple, though.

Jon wrote in post #13459269
Silver will corrode; gold is pretty much impervious to anything but extremely strong acids (aqua regia) or encrustations.

Ah, okay, that clears that up. Thanks.

wfarrell4 wrote in post #13459873
Saw the article too. Pretty remarkable. SD cards are really simple, though.

And yea, you are right. Its still pretty crazy sounding when you say it though. I wouldnt expect ANYTHING electronic to work after months and months under the sea!

Great story

Here is another link on the same story but has a few more pictures of it.

I had a G9 in an underwater case that I took on a night time shallow dive. The camera quit a few minutes into the dive and when I came up I found a grain of sand in the seal and the case full of seawater. Took the SD card out and the pictures were fine. The camera was wrecked of course.

Are you saying that Lexar cards wouldn't perform like this?

As expected, the eyecup didn't stay on.. damn you Canon.. why can't you design it better?

mcluckie wrote in post #13462779
Are you saying that Lexar cards wouldn't perform like this?

All CF Cards are glued solid try popping one open and see how quick you destroy it.

4x4rock wrote in post #13464399
As expected, the eyecup didn't stay on.. damn you Canon.. why can't you design it better?

Ha. Ya know Ive read of some people having that problem, but I have to be honest, in the last almost ten years of owning Canon DSLR camera bodies, I have never once had one of their eyepieces fall off. BUT, I AM ridiculously careful with my stuff, so that could be why.

If that was a nikon, it would have dissolved in about 2 days.

A quick spray with WD40 and she'll be good as new. May need to pressure wash the mirror.