E-mail & Camcorder Woes?

AOL from hell took out half my e-mail before I could read it, somehow. If you sent anything I always reply, so if you don't get one then re-send. Thanks. ...

Yesterday I took along our camcorder to film fishing and scenery on the Wilson. Late in the day, pretty much mentally extinguished I think, I stupidly waded across a tailout with Mark while caring the cam in a non-waterproof bag. Made it fine. On the way back over I slipped and partially dunked the bag & cam in the river. And I just can't understand how I could have stumbled because this cam had the new high tech 'stablilzer' in it. Yup, EIS, electronic image stabilizer. Hmmm. Well, I think the film was saved because it was on the other side that the water hit. But enough water got into the camcorder that it won't function right at all. I guess after letting it dry out for a few days I will see if a repair place can fix it? Any suggestions? Otherwise that little stunt cost me $900! Ooouch! - RT

[smilesforu]

Thats suckssssss fishing is expensive enough with out taking the plunge . I was thinking about upgrading my digital so I could pack it along on fishing trips... you just changed my mind. Hope it drys out and works again.
Tight lines

[RJ]

ooouch is right RT I let my lil' bro borrow mine with the image stabalizer here a couple years back on his bighorn sheep hunt, he pulled it out to find out his water bottle leaked all over it.(fried that sucker it did) o I mean the camera. RJ

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http://www.fishhawk1.homestead.com

[Snagly]

Here's the good news: your videotape will be OK even if wet. It's not affected by water -- there aren't any emulsions on it. However, if the tape housing got wet you're going to have to have the housing replaced as the water will cause the plastic to warp/ seize and/or grow mold. A new housing costs about $10 per tape IF you can find a shop that will do the work. (If you can't, let me know and I'll put you in touch with a lab in LA that can do the job.)

As for the camera, let it dry out for a long, long time to make certain all the moisture has escaped that may have gotten into semi-sealed places (sort of like condensation on inside of your watch crystal). It may just come back to life. Good luck.

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The worst steelhead season in Oregon is still better than the best steelhead run in Singapore!

[Fishin Magician]

Good News Steve!!! This happened to me too and what I did was put it in by a heater vent on the floor and opened it all up. I let it dry overnight (note: dont put it too close , just close enough to let "warm" air flow through it) then I was told to place it in a box with one of those DRI-Z-AIR contraptions as well as a few silicon bags and left it there for a few days. It now works great and I also recommend after drying it out get a head cleaner to clean the heads. I have some of the drying stuff and if you need a Camcorder I have an extra til you get yours working. Let me know if I can help. I only live a few miles away!!!! Hope this helps~ John

Thanks for the hopeful posts guys. And thanks for the offer John! No immediate need, but I may get hold of you if I need one. I won't wade with it though - Steve

[sinker]

Next time this happens I wouldn't try turning it on until I was sure it was good and dried out. When you flipped that switch it may have sent juice to a bunch of wet components.
Last year I dug to older motherboards out of the dumpster at work. Its an open top dumpster and they'd been getting rained on for 2 days. Took them home put them on furnace vents for a couple days and they worked just fine.
I know another guy that takes his keyboard in and puts it in the bathtub and takes a toothbrush to it to clean it. Lets it sit for a few days and plugs her back in.
No electricity is the key.

[Beer Waggin]

Hey RT, I've dunked my cell phone many times, been trying to give the boss a reason to buy me a new one, and after it dries out, the damn thing keeps working. I wouldn't loose any sleep over it. Dry it out and buy a waterproof bag, it'll be fine.

[Just_learning]

Same thing has Happened to me RT, my camera has fallen into the water on camping trips, stupid me i was on some rapids and fell off the innertube, luckily i had the strap tied to my arn. Just let it dry out and it will be fine.

Oh man I hope it works with mine. Thanks for the suggestions and hope! However, I did try to run the cam with the power on for a few seconds. Hope that didn't ruin my chances. Just have to wait and see. Thanks much. - RT