HALP! Canon WP-1 fogged up!

[j-dogg]

Took it into a spring in northern Florida, 95*F and 500% humidity straight into a "72*F" spring, the inside instantly fogged up and I got one frame off before it locked up on me. I've been trying to dry it out using A/C and I put it in the sun today with the battery door open to try to dry it out, how can I dry this thing without pulling the film? I'm 9 exposures in, the camera has showed signs of life in various stages so I think it will be fine if I dry it.

 

[mgb74]

I would get a lb or so of desiccant (or as a last resort, rice) and place the camera on top in a sealed container. If you want to take the chance, you could "bury" it in the desiccant.

However, given that the camera is sealed you'll be a lot better off doing this with the back open and resting on top of the desiccant. So bite the bullet and pull the film. You can still save your 9 exposures.

 

[Dr Croubie]

You can always find the film back in, take it out and dry the thing in a box of rice (dried pasta also works, less dusty too). Then re-load the film, shoot off 10 at fastest speed with the cap on, and go on your merry way.

 

[j-dogg]

Well my worst fears were confirmed, the whole inside of the camera was wet with condensation, film and all, so its safe to say that roll is probably done. :c

If I can't resolve this.....might be time for a Nikonos.

 

[j-dogg]

Update.....got the thing apart. Turns out it's exactly how I would have designed it....the camera itself is inside, the outer exterior is a sort of waterproof case. I removed the actual camera out and it's slowly drying, I see some salt corrosion on an integrated circuit. Not a problem, I happen to work in the EMS industry and we have some pretty bad-assed stuff to clean it, the condensation is coming off from the AC in my room. Might take this opportunity to put some fog-proof liquid on that front element cover.

 

[John Koehrer]

The WP-1 isn't waterproof, it's more like weather proof. I put one in a jar of water to check it's resistance to leakage.
Ooops! Left it about 30 minutes and gosharooty it had flooded.

 

[j-dogg]

Welp I got it apart and it works again yaayyyyy

Yeah I'm starting to think that.......well it looks like I might spring for one of those DiCAPac bags and stuff my A2 in there with the 28-70 or maybe even the Nikkormat if I'm feeling frisky

 

[JW PHOTO]

I have owned(still have two) several and if you take your time, as you have found, they are fairly easy to work on. Are they worth playing around with? I think so and mainly for one reason - the lens. I find the lens on this camera to be very good and it gives me results, IMO, as good as my Rollei 35 with Tessar lens. Color rendition is slightly different, but contrast and sharpness are right up there. These cameras are "waterproof" and made to go down to 15', but past that and you're on your own. Usually the seals can't hold under the pressure at a depth greater than 15'. You might get by at 20' a few time, but lookout. The main problem with water leaks is actually user error. When people load film into these little guys they must always check the doors rubber seal and the area it comes in contact with. One speck of sand or piece of broken film from a sprocket strip and you got problems. These are excellent boating, beach and rainy day cameras with very good lenses. Worth the trouble? Yup! JW