So...It happens eventually I guess...a swimming story and some ?'s

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Jbear

Jbear

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My D5, 500PF and I decided to take swim in a muddy river today. As of now...about 2 hrs post...500PF is working save for a gritty MF ring. Who knows about the days ahead. My D5 is not...just a blinking batttery ico. I have it drying on an air cleaner...can't hurt. Surprising how dry it is inside...not dry enough I suppose. Any advice as to what to do from here? Does ins. cover this at all? I'm guessing not without a rider, but???? Is it worth getting a local eval to see if these are cleanable/recoverable? Any insight is appreciated. I suppose if you shoot long enough....
Ironically...not in the kayak...just the last few hundred feet of a hike and a muddy riverbank that didn't look that way. It was quite spectacular, aside from a strained quad...I'm ok. Might miss my next hockey game but that's about it.
Thanks all...you are allowed to laugh...it's just stuff.
 
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Thank you! Yup...all good. Just frustrated, but could have been waaaay worse. Just had some minor shoulder surgery last Monday and I am supposed to keep chill for 4-6 weeks. Today was my first hike...fortunately...I didn't pull my subcu stitches and the Mepilex bandage + Vaseline kept it clean and dry. It could have really been a tire fire. I did a full somersault into that muddy sucker. Gear is just gear.
 
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The horror story we all hear about and always hope it never happen to ourself, some are even convinced it shall never happen to them.
Anyway, all turned out to be “only” gear damage and would therefore bring it to the gear doctor. Just get the body and lens to a Nikon service center so you get it back in mint condition and enjoy it for the years to come (or upgrade to a lovely Z8 with the 600PF)
 
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Standard homeowners insurance only covers theft, fire, flooding, etc. Not human factors. If your range oven is electric and can be set below 200F(preferably 150) put the camera in there overnight. If the oven has proof mode better yet. Set at 125 or so. Really nothing to lose.
 
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Appreciate that! I'll be sticking with DSLR though...back to the D850 D500 combo for a while. I got the D5 in May for a cross-country camping trip and it eventually became my favorite. If I have to...I'll replace it.
 
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Jbear said:
My D5, 500PF and I decided to take swim in a muddy river today. As of now...about 2 hrs post...500PF is working save for a gritty MF ring. Who knows about the days ahead. My D5 is not...just a blinking batttery ico. I have it drying on an air cleaner...can't hurt. Surprising how dry it is inside...not dry enough I suppose. Any advice as to what to do from here? Does ins. cover this at all? I'm guessing not without a rider, but???? Is it worth getting a local eval to see if these are cleanable/recoverable? Any insight is appreciated. I suppose if you shoot long enough....
Ironically...not in the kayak...just the last few hundred feet of a hike and a muddy riverbank that didn't look that way. It was quite spectacular, aside from a strained quad...I'm ok. Might miss my next hockey game but that's about it.
Thanks all...you are allowed to laugh...it's just stuff.
Click to expand...

Happened to me once - D500 and 500PF. The boat overturned spilling 3 of us in about 6 feet of water. Thankfully the water was clear. The gear was submerged for nearly half a minute before I was able to hold it above water and make for the shore.
Got home, separated the lens from the camera, took off all caps, battery, and ran it under my wife's hairdryer for two (very anxious) days before I tried switching it on. It worked and has worked after that for the next two years I had them. Pretty well built.
 
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Any time you have water damage, take out the battery immediately and don't put it back in until all water is completely dry. Testing it prematurely is a big problem and can short out the camera. Also take out memory cards and open up all doors, flaps, etc. Remove the lens caps to improve air circulation. Remove your Eyepiece as well.

Don't use rice. Rice is usually coated with a fine powder or dust. You're just adding to the problem and it does very little to absorb water and moisture quickly. Put your gear in a warm area - on a warm appliance like a television, computer, or receiver. You can even use a heating pad set on the lowest temperature. Give it several days to dry fully.

Plan to send your camera and lens to Nikon for service. Tell them what happened. I had a D850 and 16-35 lens completely submerged for 2 minutes and they were serviced and returned in good working order. Nikon is capable of cleaning any damage - or telling you it can't be repaired. I used Camera Service Company outside Atlanta for repairs of some items that Nikon did not handle including water damage to a D300.

For non-professional use, most homeowners policies cover camera gear. Ideally you already have a rider on your homeowners policy and an itemized list provided. The cost is around $1.25 per $100 of value each year. The policy terms vary and you can insure current replacement value with the same item, or pay extra for replacement with a similar new item based on insuring the original cost. There may or may not be a deductible, and you may or may not have coverage for accidental water damage or other drops. There is a lot of variation.

If you don't have the camera specifically listed, it's probably covered to your policy limits with a deductible for lost or damaged property. You'll need to contact your insurance agent. Make sure you report one incident involving a camera and attached lens - not two separate dropped items. When making claims, you can use the replacement value through an objective source like KEH for a point of reference on used value. Talk with your agent about what value should be used for the claim. Insurance could cover repair costs or replacement, so contact them now rather than waiting.
 
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I would send it in to a reputable camera repair shop. As for insurance, if it was in your home (eg stolen from your house) it would be covered for sure. Since you were away from home, I don't know (you will just have to ask your agent).
 
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As a d500 owner who goes to some funky places, I'm interested in a report back on how your gear fares. From what others are saying, you have a good chance of survival. Things i will remember are to immediately remove the battery, not to use rice and dry thoroughly. And then send it in for a checkup.
 
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I think the greatest challenge in this case is twofold. First, it was on, so current was running through it. Second, silt. I had to put my clothes and backpack through two cycles before they got close to being clean. I will certainly let you know. Most importantly...my suture site remains intact and stayed dry and I didn't F-up my shoulder. Otherwise...another $600 for a hockey season I would have missed completely.
So...itz all good👍 .
 
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If you have silica gel (lots of it) put the camera in a sealed container full of the silica gel for a week or two. If not, try dry rice for a couple weeks. It may dry it out enough then again it may not but at least it's worth a try.

Not sure about the lens. gritty MF ring could just be dirt got under the outside rotating assembly or it could be mud / water inside. Hope the lens continues to be OK. I"d put it in silica gel or rice for a while too just to be safe.

The big thing is the camera and lens can be replaced, they are just things. I'm glad you did not also fall in that river or get otherwise hurt. You cannot be replaced.
 
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Jbear said:
That's encouraging. I've written them off but...who knows. The silt is gonna be as much of an issue if not more. Took three washer cycles to get my clothes clean😑🤣😎
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I would recommend letting it dry for awhile with rice or silica or in the low heat oven. Then…if it isn’t dead…I would send both it and the lens into Nikon for an evaluation…they can test it and give you a repair estimate. It will need at least a food disassembly and cleaning. Once you know the repair cost you can make a decision on Fox or replace.
 
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Well no worries there cuz it's not covered. It's been in our oven on proof for a couple of days, but I'm not hopeful between the silt and the power being on while bathing. I am trying to decide if I want to just trash it an go Z9 or replace both items for a bit less. I would really miss being able to shoot those astronomical ISO's that the D5 manages. I really had no intention of going ML, I think I'd be silly not to at least consider it. Gonna be the D850/D500 + 200-500VR and 300VR2.8/1.7 for awhile.
 
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Well...it works. D5 works...500PF works...I got nuthin'. Reads the card, recording images, AF, aperture, focus pts. Don't understand how but...there you have it.
Now I'll give it a good cleaning and decide if it needs to go anywhere to get pro cleaned. The lens has a gritty MF ring...not sure if that's of cost/benefit but any thoughts regarding going forward or potential cost...sling 'em👍😎
 
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Jbear said:
Well...it works. D5 works...500PF works...I got nuthin'. Reads the card, recording images, AF, aperture, focus pts. Don't understand how but...there you have it.
Now I'll give it a good cleaning and decide if it needs to go anywhere to get pro cleaned. The lens has a gritty MF ring...not sure if that's of cost/benefit but any thoughts regarding going forward or potential cost...sling 'em👍😎
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Wow, that is great news! Very impressed. Not that I have any plans to go swimming with my d500/500pf, but you never know...lol. Sometimes we have to cross fast moving streams in the Sierras and I really should carry a dry bag to stow the gear in for the crossings, but don't.

Personally, I think that gritty MF ring warrants the service at Nikon. You can check their website https://repair.nikonusa.com/en/ProductEntry and put your lens in. I had my 500pf repaired (bent mount) and cleaned. I considered the cost well worth it. My total was about $200 for the premium cleaning and maintenance and another $104 for the bent mount. Total was $304 with shipping included.
 
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