Picked up a 5D & 17-40

Though I've been lusting for a 5D for sometime and planned on buying one sometime, I didn't think today would be the day. My beloved 20D & 24-70 went for a little dip this morning. I immediately shut off the power and when I got back to the car wiped the outside of the body and lens down. I removed the grip, batteries, CF card and lens. No visible moisture in any orifices. So I plan on letting it air with all cavities open for a week before attempting to power it back up.

In the meantime I need a body for two shoots this weekend so I bit the bullet. I plan on dropping the 24-70 on the 5D on Friday or maybe even tomorrow. Hopefully my 20D will be fine if not my insurance will cover a replacement for it. It's about time I needed a digital back-up body and not just my film body or borrowing a friend's XT.

From everything I've read & seen I'm really looking forward to shooting with the 5D. Best part...my hubby approved

Sorry to hear about your 20D and congrats on 5D!

Congrats! Nice combo!

Rubi Jane wrote in post #4186453
Though I've been lusting for a 5D for sometime and planned on buying one sometime, I didn't think today would be the day. My beloved 20D & 24-70 went for a little dip this morning. I immediately shut off the power and when I got back to the car wiped the outside of the body and lens down. I removed the grip, batteries, CF card and lens. No visible moisture in any orifices. So I plan on letting it air with all cavities open for a week before attempting to power it back up.

In the meantime I need a body for two shoots this weekend so I bit the bullet. I plan on dropping the 24-70 on the 5D on Friday or maybe even tomorrow. Hopefully my 20D will be fine if not my insurance will cover a replacement for it. It's about time I needed a digital back-up body and not just my film body or borrowing a friend's XT.

From everything I've read & seen I'm really looking forward to shooting with the 5D. Best part...my hubby approved

Rubi Jane,

When a lens of mine took a dip a while back, I let it sit for a day or two but noticed that moisture in the interior hadn't appreciably evaporated, so I turned my oven on low and put the lens in the oven and, leaving the oven door a little open, left it like that for, I don't remember, maybe 24 hours or so. That did the trick, and the lens is functional.

Not that you should lightly try this with your 20D, but it would be bad to try to power up electronic circuits if there is still any water inside. A very low oven temp might be something to consider!

Just a thought from my experience!

Tony

I see you said batteries in the plural sense. This did include the coin cell backup battery as well ??

Good luck...

Happened to me as well. I filed a claim with my insurance, got my check and sold the destroyed stuff off pretty cheap on Craigslist. That was how I got my 40D.

Mark_48 wrote in post #4192561
I see you said batteries in the plural sense. This did include the coin cell backup battery as well ??

Good luck...

Yes all batteries, 2 in the grip and the clock battery.

Thanks Tony!
I did put a film SLR in a low oven after being caught in a bad rain storm but don't think I'd try it with the 20D...too much plastic and electronics these days - LOL!

There's no visible moisture in the lens so I think I got lucky. I'm in no hurry to power the body up so it can sit for a good week and I'll check on it.

I wonder if sealing it in a plastic bag with packs of desiccant might safely draw any moisture out of it? Possibly a craft store might have something like this for drying flowers.

It seems a local auto retailer carries some form of desiccant in larger sizes than you would usually find packed with new goods...they carry some real obscure things. I'm going to try & get to a location this weekend and put the body & desiccant in an air tight tupperware.

My concern with the silica gel packs that come packed with new goods is that it likely has little moisture absorption quality left since it's been exposed to air already.

Good news...the 24-70 performs flawlessly on the 5D. The AF seems to be far more accurate on the 5D than the 20D, is that likely the case?

The silica gel desiccant packs can be dried out by baking them in an oven so they can be reused. I don't have a clue as to what temp or how long.

Congrats on the 5d 17/40 combo
You'll be chuffed with just how much extra the lens covers at the wide end

Hi
I also bought a 5D as a back-up for my 20D. As mentioned, the 17-40 lens is just fantastic on the 5D.

Re your 20D (and lens) - you may get it dried out and it may work, however it may also start corroding at a later date and I'm not sure if your insuarance will cover the costs then. It may pay to check with them now.

+1 that

????????

Mark_48 wrote in post #4197622
The silica gel desiccant packs can be dried out by baking them in an oven so they can be reused. I don't have a clue as to what temp or how long.

Now there's a thought. I'll have to go rummaging to see how many I can find scattered in all the gear packs. Thx

digitalfailure wrote in post #4197646
Congrats on the 5d 17/40 combo
You'll be chuffed with just how much extra the lens covers at the wide end

Haven't had the opportunity yet but I'm full of anticipation. I used a friend's Sigma 10-20 on the 20D and WOW it's wide so it should be something similar I expect.

kiwimichael wrote in post #4198198
Hi
Re your 20D (and lens) - you may get it dried out and it may work, however it may also start corroding at a later date and I'm not sure if your insuarance will cover the costs then. It may pay to check with them now.

Another good thought. I'll call them tomorrow and see what they say. I hate to make an unnecessary claim but I really do need two bodies these days.

I had a chance to use the 24-70 & 5D in low light this evening with flash and dragging the shutter...I used to like my 24-70, now I love it on the 5D, and the noise at ISO 1600 or 3200 is negligible too.