I got some snow on my Canon 40D...it wasn't a lot and I got it into the house as fast as I could, but yesterday the LCD screen wasn't working and today it doesn't seem to be working at all. I live in a small town so will either have to mail it or drive somewhere to have it looked at. Any advice or knowledge or the subject? Is it pooched? It didn't get soaking wet...got some snowflakes on it that melted. Argh...back to the point and shoot for now...and I was JUST finding some time to play with it!
Just random thoughts... could it have shorted the battery out? I'd take out everything you can (battery, card, lens) and put it in a bowl full of rice and leave it there for a few days to a week to completely dry it out. The rice needs to completely cover the camera. When you do try and turn it on, it might be worth trying with a completely new battery, but I know these are expensive if you don't already have a spare :/
That is a bummer! I wouldn't expect such a dramatic reaction to just a little moisture. My 5DMKII has been completely buried in snow, thrown around, dropped and pushed into the dirt for shots without any adverse side effects; so I'm inclined to think it's a manufacturers defect. I do like Helen's idea about the battery and rice, very good advice! And you say "pooched" like that's a bad thing... ;) I wish you the best of luck in getting this sorted!
@valhamil@hehe1308 Thanks Val. I'm assuming that is the same concept as the rice...I don't have cat litter on hand so will try rice first. Silly question. I assume I leave the lens on in order to protect the body from getting rice in it? (need to find a big bowl)
@grizzlysghost Thanks Aaron...yes, one of the reasons I started this thread is it seemed to be very little moisture but I wasn't sure...thought maybe I was just too casual with my equiptment. I was out in my yard trying to get some snow shots of the huge soft flakes that were coming down but only for a few minutes. Will try rice and let you know. (Yes, poor use of the word pooched...was trying to keep it clean)
Take the battery out (including the backup watch battery, in a slideout compartment in the main battery slot), and put the camera somewhere warm and dry for about a week. Rice doesn't hurt either. Chances are it'll be OK after that.
@edie - make sure you do the rice thing before trying a new battery, because any moisture in the battery compartment may just short it out again. (And yes, cat lit works just as well!) And put the lens cap on rather than leaving the lens on. You might need to dry out all the components as well, but dry them separately.
FYI- the 5dmk2 has much better seals than the 40D. Your problem will probably be due to the Moisture. The rice trick mentioned is a great one! It does work.!!
Leave in dry WARM room as well for at least a few days.... then try putting back together. It may all work and the viewing screen maybe the only thing not working at this point. Dont know til ya try :) GOOD LUCK !! Bummer
Canon in Irvine, California is quick , inexpensive and very good with repairs if needed .
Sounds very similar to what happened to my Nikon D60. I left it out on the deck overnight. Unfortunately it rained and then we had heavy frost. When I found it in the morning it was covered with ice. Straightaway, I took out the battery, dried it and left it close to the fire for a couple of days.
When I put the battery back the camera operated and took images, but the LCD screen displayed just a few lines and nothing else. We live in a remote location so I had to send the camera away. Luckily, only the LCD needed replacement. It cost me around $200NZ.
@edie you've got all sorts of good advice and i haven't anything better to offer... but it would surprise me greatly if a few flakes of snow did in your camera... i've been out shooting in the rain with no issues... even long exposures in the pouring rain (with a plastic bag over the camera, but it still got quite wet) and it was fine... really hoping all is ok!
Seriously that should not have done for your camera, There supposed to be used outdoor in all weather, Canon would not be happy to think there products die so easily, contact them and tell them what has happened, you can but try.
I put mine in a sealed bag with some of those little silica packs that you get when you buy shoes. Mine was an underwater camera that mustn't have been sealed right when we submerged. Still not 100% though - some of the buttons aren't always responsive now :(
I had the same problem with my Canon T2i -- took it out in a misty rain and thought i'd killed it. I let it rest for a week and then tried it again and it was fine. I heard later about the rice cure. Good luck!
Yeah the 5DMKII is weather sealed so don't use that as your base. Non weather sealed like the 40D can get messed up quite easily if you warm them with snow on them...
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Leave in dry WARM room as well for at least a few days.... then try putting back together. It may all work and the viewing screen maybe the only thing not working at this point. Dont know til ya try :) GOOD LUCK !! Bummer
Canon in Irvine, California is quick , inexpensive and very good with repairs if needed .
When I put the battery back the camera operated and took images, but the LCD screen displayed just a few lines and nothing else. We live in a remote location so I had to send the camera away. Luckily, only the LCD needed replacement. It cost me around $200NZ.
Thanks everyone!! \you all rock. It's back. Took it out in the snow again today wrapped in a plastic bag. Thanks for the rice trick and all the advice.