Can a wet lens be salvaged? Sandy Storm got them wet.

Hi,

I'm a Sandy hurricane victim and had this question. Most of my lens got wet(they were in a suitcase). Most of my stuff Is in my sig. I managed to salvage my D30 and a cheap 55-250 the rest got wet. Any Info would be great. I'm pretty sure my 1D MKII is dead, so I'm looking for another one in the classified section, although I want the N version now. Thanks for your help.

We they submerged? I'd worry about fungus down the road.

I think sigma said they will warranty their lenses damaged in the storm. If the 30mm got wet, you may be able to revive that one via warranty.

The lenses would have had to be opened and dried ASAP. It also depends if the water was clean or dirty.
Electronics can be submerged for a short period of time without any problem as long as they are properly dried up soon enough.

Open if necessary for element cleaning and best drying - best done by a good camera shop.
Otherwise get some Silica Gel and dry em out.
You don't want an Fungus a mung us.

I have to check and see how bad it was, but yes suitcase was on the floor and I got 4-5 feet of water.

Blubayou wrote in post #15325019
I think sigma said they will warranty their lenses damaged in the storm. If the 30mm got wet, you may be able to revive that one via warranty.

Thank you for the info. Blubayou. I wrote them an email to see if I am eligible. Do you know If Canon & Tamron are doing this as well?

EL_PIC wrote in post #15325074
Open if necessary for element cleaning and best drying - best done by a good camera shop.
Otherwise get some Silica Gel and dry em out.
You don't want an Fungus a mung us.

Thanks El_PIC! Do you mean these?

http://www.amazon.com …r=8-1&keywords=Silica+Gel

Can you make an insurance claim? As Rick said, I'd be worried about fungus later.

actorlife wrote in post #15325106
Thanks El_PIC! Do you mean these?

http://www.amazon.com …r=8-1&keywords=Silica+Gel

yea

actorlife wrote in post #15325106
Thanks El_PIC! Do you mean these?

http://www.amazon.com …r=8-1&keywords=Silica+Gel

Yes. Fresh rice from a new sealed bag can also work.
I you feel comfortable, remove the lens mount.

I have also heard of using rice as a way to dry electronics out. For a lens, I would be very careful not to get any in the back of the lens. If it were me, I would try putting a layer of rice in a container, placing the lens with the rear cap off straight down into the rice (standing upright and being very careful not to get any grains inside) and burying the rest with rice all around it. I'd leave it there for a day or two. Since there is no power running through the lens the electronics should be ok. Just need to get it nice and dry.

if water got inside the lens, damage is done and you'll never get it back to 100%.

I've not done it with a lens, but with other electronics I have put rice/silica gel packets together in a biiig ziplock back for a day or two and had good results.

I haven't seen mention of taking Sandy damaged lenses on warranty from either Canon or Tamron. Sorry!

I guess I didn't know the exact details of Sigma's policy for items damaged by Sandy. It seems they are still sticking to the warranty term, just expanding coverage to include storm damage:


"Extended warranty coverage for Hurricane Sandy damage: Sigma hereby extends the warranty coverage of Sigma products still under warranty for damages incurred as a result of Hurricane Sandy. If your equipment is under warranty, Sigma will provide either (a) complimentary service to get your equipment running, or (b) a trade-in option. Just ship your damaged equipment to Sigma, and we will ship the equipment back to you without charge. All terms of your Sigma warranty coverage still apply, so when sending in your Sigma product, please be sure to include a copy of the original sales receipt as proof of purchase date. If you do not have appropriate documentation as a result of the Hurricane, please contact us. Eligibility for this offer is subject to Sigma’s sole discretion. This offer is open through December 31, 2012 (we must receive your damaged equipment by that date)."

Taken from here:

That is so cool of Sigma. Nice when a company steps up like that.


What makes lenses different is that even if you can dry out the glass, the water removed key lubricants and the elements will forever have internal water spots and residue. Not to mention, some parts just won't dry without complete disassembly.

Blubayou wrote in post #15325489
I've not done it with a lens, but with other electronics I have put rice/silica gel packets together in a biiig ziplock back for a day or two and had good results.

I haven't seen mention of taking Sandy damaged lenses on warranty from either Canon or Tamron. Sorry!

I guess I didn't know the exact details of Sigma's policy for items damaged by Sandy. It seems they are still sticking to the warranty term, just expanding coverage to include storm damage:


"Extended warranty coverage for Hurricane Sandy damage: Sigma hereby extends the warranty coverage of Sigma products still under warranty for damages incurred as a result of Hurricane Sandy. If your equipment is under warranty, Sigma will provide either (a) complimentary service to get your equipment running, or (b) a trade-in option. Just ship your damaged equipment to Sigma, and we will ship the equipment back to you without charge. All terms of your Sigma warranty coverage still apply, so when sending in your Sigma product, please be sure to include a copy of the original sales receipt as proof of purchase date. If you do not have appropriate documentation as a result of the Hurricane, please contact us. Eligibility for this offer is subject to Sigma’s sole discretion. This offer is open through December 31, 2012 (we must receive your damaged equipment by that date)."

Taken from here:

While admirable in one way, I always find my self in a situation like this wondering why a Sandy victim is any more or less devastated by their flooded camera gear than someone from a smaller storm / flood that went unnoticed by the media. So basically, these companies are trying to gain some good will based on everyone having attention on this storm. If they really want to step up, they should just change their warranty to cover damage from floods caused by any storm. But that would likely cost them more than the one time hit and not gain them the perceived goodwill.

By the way, very sorry for the loss by the OP.. I can't imagine losing all my gear like that.