Underwater camera recommendation, Nikonos, others?

[AgX]

If I recall correctly, you should no use a silicon lube with silicon 'O' rings.

I checked at a major manufacturer of silicone compounds:

Glancing through a variety of silicone oils I either fund no hint at all or a "no compatbility-issue with any material" statement.
Glancing through silicone greases I either found no hint at all, a hint that for even lesser swelling other greases are better suited and a statement of being especially designed for lubricating elastomers (Wacker Powersil Paste AP).

 

[Sirius Glass]

http://www.southern-nikonos.com/ will reseal and pressure test Nikonos cameras. They also sell "storage" O rings to avoid keep the diving ring from being deformed.

Their telephone has been disconnected.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I checked at a major manufacturer of silicone compounds:

Glancing through a variety of silicone oils I either fund no hint at all or a "no-compatbility issue with any material" statement.
Glancing through silicone greases I either found no hit at all, a hint that for even lesser swelling other greases are better suited and a statement of being especially designed for lubricating elastomers (Wacker Powersil).

Some mention for use with scuba gear or underwater cameras so to be save I bought it from the seller of the O rings.

 

[Wallendo]

Their telephone has been disconnected.

This might explain why the phone is disconnected: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/houston-tx/robert-warkentin-9007771
I don't know if it was a one-man shop or not, but so many places like this are.

 

[Sirius Glass]

This might explain why the phone is disconnected: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/houston-tx/robert-warkentin-9007771
I don't know if it was a one-man shop or not, but so many places like this are.

Death has been know to make people slow down and even cause some to stop scuba diving. Sad.

 

[Huss]

Wow that is sad. And an unusual turn for this thread.

RIP.

 

[film_man]

The the shutter speed, winder and shutter controls are in the body and sealed with a replaceable O ring.

Do you have a diagram of the o-rings or a link to something which explains how to service it? I'm increasingly interested in getting one of those older mechanical Nikonos bodies to have along my V but don't want yet another dead end system that will be unserviceable.

 

[eli griggs]

I checked at a major manufacturer of silicone compounds:

Glancing through a variety of silicone oils I either fund no hint at all or a "no compatbility-issue with any material" statement.
Glancing through silicone greases I either found no hint at all, a hint that for even lesser swelling other greases are better suited and a statement of being especially designed for lubricating elastomers (Wacker Powersil).

This link https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3783152 includes some speculations on why a silicone lube may no be comparable with some 'O' rings.

I do no have access to the original article that I first read with a caution, but that others seem to have cautions on the type grease being used with housings suggest to me, this is a 'go slow' topic that deserves some caution.

A flooded camera, digital or analog represents, in most cases, a lose, and most folks will no be able to replace or repair a damaged camera/housing during most brief vacations.

IMO.

 

[AgX]

To my understanding the worst than can happen is a swelling of a silicone-rubber ring with silicone-greases (though I found other more vague statements at textbooks). A swelling just in diameter should be uncritically in a door-seal application. Elongation would be more critical.
Furthermore rings from nitrile-rubber (NBR, the classic ones) are not affected by silicone-grease anyway.
And I gave a hint at one suitable silicone-grease. Anyone with silicone-rubber rings and other greases may check for the grease beforehand.

 

[ic-racer]

Do you have a diagram of the o-rings or a link to something which explains how to service it? I'm increasingly interested in getting one of those older mechanical Nikonos bodies to have along my V but don't want yet another dead end system that will be unserviceable.

You might want to pick up the service manual. All film cameras are dead-ends these days, so keeping them in working condition is part of the film process.
Of note, the Nikonos V service manual has no information on o-ring replacement or water permeability testing. I don't have the earlier manuals, but I have noticed with some Nikon products, certain procedures are not included in the manual if they are described in a previous version of the product.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Do you have a diagram of the o-rings or a link to something which explains how to service it? I'm increasingly interested in getting one of those older mechanical Nikonos bodies to have along my V but don't want yet another dead end system that will be unserviceable.

Gently pry the O rings out, I bought plastic tool at a dive shop for $7, clean the grooves, I used a Q tip, apply the grease to the rings making sure they are evenly covered and reinsert. I had to push had down on the body to make it close because the ring needs to be compressed to seal.

 

[GRHazelton]

QUOTE="Wallendo, post: 2352908, member: 63038"]This might explain why the phone is disconnected: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/houston-tx/robert-warkentin-9007771
I don't know if it was a one-man shop or not, but so many places like this are.[/QUOTE]

Sad to see. The site seems active, but.....

 

[film_man]

You might want to pick up the service manual. All film cameras are dead-ends these days, so keeping them in working condition is part of the film process.
Of note, the Nikonos V service manual has no information on o-ring replacement or water permeability testing. I don't have the earlier manuals, but I have noticed with some Nikon products, certain procedures are not included in the manual if they are described in a previous version of the product.

I will leave the V for those that know what they are doing, I was thinking if a II/III are very easy to replace all the rings then I might as well get one of those. I'll have a look for the service manuals.

 

[film_man]

Gently pry the O rings out, I bought plastic tool at a dive shop for $7, clean the grooves, I used a Q tip, apply the grease to the rings making sure they are evenly covered and reinsert. I had to push had down on the body to make it close because the ring needs to be compressed to seal.

Ok thanks, so replacing the winder/shutter speed/etc rings does not require any disassembly? Just pry them off and replace?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Ok thanks, so replacing the winder/shutter speed/etc rings does not require any disassembly? Just pry them off and replace?

Also take off and replace the ring around the lens. Service both rings at the same time.

 

[eli griggs]

Speaking of dive shops, you might pay a knowledgeable shop to teach/show you how to do thorough job of pre-dive, post dive and scheduled maintenance, and, IF, you can get four or six others to each kick in some monies, make a class of it so you can help out the small business owner/out of work dive instructor.

Years ago, that's how a buddy put together the open-water dive class that I took, in an off season, and I see no reason it would no work for others now, so far as 'UW Camera Maintenance' is concerned.

Be Well, Be Safe, Godspeed to all,
Eli

 

[Sirius Glass]

For snorkeling or just swimming one is limited to a maximum depth of 2 meters aka 6 feet I see that Nikon via Nikonos recommended A2 or A12 filters for could film. I cannot either, new or used. What is a good substitute? Is there a very weak orange filter, Y15, 81A, 81B, 81C, 81EF?