ramosa
B&W
i hope this works out for her. if i dropped mine in a river, you would hear cursing around the world (even though i have insurance).
Drowned M8- Help requested
- Thread starter _goodtimez
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little jack
Member
A few months ago I spilt wine all over my keyboard. I took it outside and sprayed a hose right though it- totally soaking it and letting the water run all the way inside for a good while. Then I placed it upside down- let the water run out and dry outside in the shade for a few hours. Then I placed the keyboard in a bag with a heap of silica gel packs. I let it sit in there for a week- and kept the bag in warm places. Halfway through I took out the silica bags out and 'cooked' them in the oven for a while, totally drying them.
keyboard works flawlessly.
the thing about water damage is that- with a light drying- an item will often work for a while- before dying a few months later as the rot and corrosion sets in. The key is to wash out any contaminants, salts etc. then to dry the thing very thoroughly-.
those posters on this thread who suggested turning the camera on were crazy. It is just lucky this didn't permanently kill the camera with a short circuit.
The mud at the back should have been cleaned away with water straight after the accident- preferably distilled water. Then the camera should have been stored in silica or rice and a warm environment for several weeks at least.
glad to hear it still works- but I would probably put it in a siliica bag for a week or two even at this stage....
keyboard works flawlessly.
the thing about water damage is that- with a light drying- an item will often work for a while- before dying a few months later as the rot and corrosion sets in. The key is to wash out any contaminants, salts etc. then to dry the thing very thoroughly-.
those posters on this thread who suggested turning the camera on were crazy. It is just lucky this didn't permanently kill the camera with a short circuit.
The mud at the back should have been cleaned away with water straight after the accident- preferably distilled water. Then the camera should have been stored in silica or rice and a warm environment for several weeks at least.
glad to hear it still works- but I would probably put it in a siliica bag for a week or two even at this stage....
Last edited:
aniMal
Well-known
Saw your pictures in flickr - seems like you´ve saved this M8! At least for a period.
I have had mine with me when skiing, and unfortunately I forgot to bring a plastic bag... It died, and of course I took the battery out - then let it dry out for some hours before switching it on. Works fine now, as ever - it´s the only time where it has not worked 100%.
Water from condensation should be clean, though - and it seems like the water your sisters M8 fell into was not the worst. The small arching you found could have developed into a short circuit, so it needed cleaning out for sure.
How is the viewfinder? Clear, or is there some fogging?
Would be interesting to see how it goes, how many exposures she makes from now on... I believe it will work for a longer period, perhaps some years even.
And the idea of using silica for some weeks still is probably good, its not like the costs are prohibitive anyway.
I have had mine with me when skiing, and unfortunately I forgot to bring a plastic bag... It died, and of course I took the battery out - then let it dry out for some hours before switching it on. Works fine now, as ever - it´s the only time where it has not worked 100%.
Water from condensation should be clean, though - and it seems like the water your sisters M8 fell into was not the worst. The small arching you found could have developed into a short circuit, so it needed cleaning out for sure.
How is the viewfinder? Clear, or is there some fogging?
Would be interesting to see how it goes, how many exposures she makes from now on... I believe it will work for a longer period, perhaps some years even.
And the idea of using silica for some weeks still is probably good, its not like the costs are prohibitive anyway.
_goodtimez
Well-known
The VF glass (the one attached to the metal top cover) was stained from the inside, the result of dried-out droplets. All VF inside elements were relatively clean, only a couple dust spots were present.
I did clean all that glass and now its like new.
After having carefuly observed what happened I gues I would do the following:
M8 dunked in salt water:
1-Immediate battery removal.
2-Rinse with clear water and then leave in deminerilized water for some minutes.
3-Remove the plastic bottom cover (5 screws) after removing the metal bottom plate.
4-Rinse again in demineralized water.
5-Dry using clean compressed air at first (low pressure)
6-Dry using a hair dryer (low temperature)
7-Leave to dry for a good week, everything open, in front of a small heater fan with low temperature.
8-Touch wood, reassemble and turn on. Eventually have a beer or just go sleeping, depending on the results.
M8 dunked in non salty clean water:
Only steps 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
I did clean all that glass and now its like new.
After having carefuly observed what happened I gues I would do the following:
M8 dunked in salt water:
1-Immediate battery removal.
2-Rinse with clear water and then leave in deminerilized water for some minutes.
3-Remove the plastic bottom cover (5 screws) after removing the metal bottom plate.
4-Rinse again in demineralized water.
5-Dry using clean compressed air at first (low pressure)
6-Dry using a hair dryer (low temperature)
7-Leave to dry for a good week, everything open, in front of a small heater fan with low temperature.
8-Touch wood, reassemble and turn on. Eventually have a beer or just go sleeping, depending on the results.
M8 dunked in non salty clean water:
Only steps 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
ethics_gradient
Well-known
Glad to hear your camera turned out okay!
Rachgoodtime
Member
I like what you say Brother about the M8 drunked in salt water ! That seems to be the best way of saving the camera in that case. Thanks to have repaired my M8. I am sure it will work perfectly.
Alberti
Well-known
Well, I had my same nightmare with an M8 when I fell in a mountain river high in the Swiss Alps (2.000 m). I saw drops of water in the middle rangefinder glass (the ribbed one). Plus the bottom had some drops of water.
I sent it to Solms and they repaired the whole thing for € 850 plus shipping & handling.
This is what I did:
After drying the camera worked again (and perfectly at that, image wise), the clock had stopped. The clock information was corrupted in the EXIF. All pictures had the same date and timestamp.
Then (after some pondering and counting my money) I sent the whole thing to Solms.
The camera was repaired, and the connector replaced. Also some standard maintenance handlings were performed (that are bundled in a new warranty of a year such as alignment and cleaning of the sensor; readjustment of the RF) I did not request a 48 repair service; it took more than 3 weeks.
The camera now functions good in all respects, and the warranty might help me to sell it. My old M2 once went to a bottom of a lake and after cleansing, functioned OK for 25 years again! So I expect the same here.
Had I had a Japanese mass-product, then I would have had to buy a new camera! So: kudos to Leica.
alberti
I sent it to Solms and they repaired the whole thing for € 850 plus shipping & handling.
This is what I did:
- I turned off the camera, removed the battery (there were some drops already down the battery compartment) to prevent a short circuit
- Left the opened camera to dry for several days in the warm cabin (around 20 degs)
- The lens started to condense on the aperture blades and on that glass. I recon this happened as well in the camera: the vapour travels around. [This could happen also on a rainy or snowy day too!]
- Took a deep breath. Reinserted the battery. It came to life!!!
- The LCD did have water in it (there are then layers seen, white spots); that disappeared again after some days (of use).
After drying the camera worked again (and perfectly at that, image wise), the clock had stopped. The clock information was corrupted in the EXIF. All pictures had the same date and timestamp.
Then (after some pondering and counting my money) I sent the whole thing to Solms.
The camera was repaired, and the connector replaced. Also some standard maintenance handlings were performed (that are bundled in a new warranty of a year such as alignment and cleaning of the sensor; readjustment of the RF) I did not request a 48 repair service; it took more than 3 weeks.
The camera now functions good in all respects, and the warranty might help me to sell it. My old M2 once went to a bottom of a lake and after cleansing, functioned OK for 25 years again! So I expect the same here.
Had I had a Japanese mass-product, then I would have had to buy a new camera! So: kudos to Leica.
alberti
_goodtimez
Well-known
Hi Alberti,
The good news for me are the story of your M2. I have a clear preference for that kind of camera compared to a digital one.
Regarding your M8, was it actually the same DSP bottom connector which got damaged ?
The good news for me are the story of your M2. I have a clear preference for that kind of camera compared to a digital one.
Regarding your M8, was it actually the same DSP bottom connector which got damaged ?
Alberti
Well-known
I let the experts do it. I don't know how the connector was damaged, the factory used 'corrosion' as a generic term.
Digital has a short life span - sure, but I do expect longlevity. 20 years ago I bought a Meridian CD player from the top shelf, as the saying goes. I expected 5 years. Well, even though I had a disorder two times (connector cable, and a power outage) the machine is still up and running and outperforms many new top-end players. And it has a good service organisation behind it.
For me the good news from my professional repair is the warranty. I do now expect some 3-5 more years to use the camera. The S2 has some good design principles, like the dust and water sealing. But of course, the whole electronics sould be better designed with the idea in mind that water vapour can creep in at all times: come frost, come heat, come rain, come snow. It is the temperature changes that violates traditional designs.
Well, coming to think of it, why not a hybrid camera like the Epson: keep all the digital components sealed (except for the sensor 🙄) and have the rest mechanic. Would that help the oidea of a long life?
Alberti, always trying to out-design
