Question on Canon Waterproof Case

Mike Brodbelt wrote:

Buy the grease that Canon sells, and that one ONLY.

You don't need to be quite that careful, but you do need to watch what you
buy.

Yes you do!

For example, Olympus sells 2 types of grease, 1 is for the black
O-rings, and 1 is for the yellow, blue, red, colored O-rings. Using the
wrong grease could have bad results. Remember, "choose wisely" because
the wrong one will result in a camera FLOOD.

For the people without time to do adequate testing of compatibility of
elastomers and lubricants, buy what the manufacturer is selling. If you
find out that it is EXACTLY the same as another product, that is
wonderful. As an UW photographer, my time is too limited to do such
testing and it isn't worth the few dollars saved to buy a generic
product.

Also suggest posting on www.wetpixel.com or www.digitaldiver.net where
you will find more experts on uw photography rather than on this forum,
which has more of a general user base.

Best of luck,

--
Matt

On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 05:59:40 +0900, Matthew Endo wrote:

Mike Brodbelt wrote:

Buy the grease that Canon sells, and that one ONLY.

You don't need to be quite that careful, but you do need to watch what
you buy.

Yes you do!

Read this linked page. Black O-rings are typically nitrile-butadiene
rubber, which use silicone grease. Coloured O-rings are usually silicone,
and need fluorosilicone grease.

For example, Olympus sells 2 types of grease, 1 is for the black O-rings,
and 1 is for the yellow, blue, red, colored O-rings. Using the wrong
grease could have bad results. Remember, "choose wisely" because the
wrong one will result in a camera FLOOD.

Yes, it will. However, the page I linked to tells you all about this, and
even suggests products numbers. Cameras Underwater is also a place that is
quite happy to advise over the phone, and they do know what's safe. Random
purchase of lubricant isn't a good idea, but it's also not necessary to
slavishly adhere to the manufacturers lubricant, which is only ever
re-branded anyway.

Mike.

Mike Brodbelt k
wrote:

Read this linked page. Black O-rings are typically nitrile-butadiene
rubber, which use silicone grease. Coloured O-rings are usually silicone,
and need fluorosilicone grease.

And you believe this as the gospel truth?

Are the O-rings Canon supplies NBR, EPDM, FKM, etc. etc. etc.? What is
the exact composition of the grease? I stated "silicone grease" because
that was the translation from Japanese for Olympus products.

Here's an English support page from Canon:

http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/uwphoto/page/03-e.html

They mention the "special grease".

I suggest people with too much time on their hands to get a copy of the
Parker reference guide. There are plenty of O-ring elastomers, and lots
of ways to go wrong with the wrong lubricants.

Yes, it will. However, the page I linked to tells you all about this, and
even suggests products numbers. Cameras Underwater is also a place that is
quite happy to advise over the phone, and they do know what's safe. Random
purchase of lubricant isn't a good idea, but it's also not necessary to
slavishly adhere to the manufacturers lubricant, which is only ever
re-branded anyway.

As I stated before, Vaseline is NOT a safe alternative. That advice is
madness.

--
Matt

I just stumbled upon the tiny container which came with the case
giving the definitive answer--it is a Silicon Grease.

I doubt it is anything actually sold by Canon so hopefully any Silicon
Grease will work if I use this up (or misplace it again). There is a
simple white label on it, not a Canon label.


On Sun, 27 Jun 2004 22:39:21 -0400, Ron Chusid
wrote:

I did have some reservations regarding Vasoline which I why I
mentioned it to see if others also had similar reservations.

Another question is how important it really is to apply this every
time. I've only used the case once, and applied the lubricant. If I
use it one or two more times, I wonder if it would really matter if I
didn't use the lubricant, and then I could order some before the next
trip.

For the person who recommended only buying what Canon sells, the
manual does not say what to use, and I couldn't find any sign of Canon
actually selling anything. Unlike most camara accessories/supplies
provided by manufactueres, I don't think this grease had a Canon
label.

Unfortunately there will not be any scuba stores around where I'm
going.


On Sun, 27 Jun 2004 16:42:27 -0700, steve
wrote:

While Vaseline might work in the short term I would be quite concerned
that is may attack the gasket itself as it is a petroleum based product.

If you do use Vaseline (which I dont recommend) then be sure to replace
the gasket afterwards.

One thought -- if you are going to a vacation destination where there
are dive shops, try checking there to see if they have the silicone
based stuff. They may cater to the underwater photography crowd.

Steve


Ron Chusid wrote:
I'm leaving Wednesday so it isn't safe to order on line, and I have
very little time to make it to stores Monday or Tuesday as I will
probably be working until after 9 pm both days to make it out of town.

Someone suggested Vasoline in an email message. I wonder how that
would work--at least I can get it at a drug store which would be open
around the clock.

On Sun, 27 Jun 2004 12:18:57 -0700, steve
wrote:


A Google search for the wunderwater housing part number lead me to a
link that listed the parts list for the unit.

On that list was "Silicone Grease"

A Google search for Silicone Grease gave me a plethora of links, but one
looked promising:

https://emporium.olympus.com/innards...sku=200922-410

Even though this is for an Oly, it will likely work in your application.

Perhaps you can order some and get it before your trip?

Good Luck,

Steve



Ron Chusid wrote:


I have a Canon WP-DC300 waterproof case for the S50. I'm getting ready
for a trip, and cannot find the chemicals which were shipped with the
case--most likely lost while quickly unpacking from my last trip where
I used this.

One of the chemicals is a grease which is used to lubricate the rubber
seals. Anybody know what I might be able to pick up to replace this?
Obviously it needs to be something which will not harm the rubber.

I just stumbled upon the tiny container which came with the case
giving the definitive answer--it is a Silicon Grease.

I doubt it is anything actually sold by Canon so hopefully any Silicon
Grease will work if I use this up (or misplace it again). There is a
simple white label on it, not a Canon label.


On Sun, 27 Jun 2004 22:39:21 -0400, Ron Chusid
wrote:

I did have some reservations regarding Vasoline which I why I
mentioned it to see if others also had similar reservations.

Another question is how important it really is to apply this every
time. I've only used the case once, and applied the lubricant. If I
use it one or two more times, I wonder if it would really matter if I
didn't use the lubricant, and then I could order some before the next
trip.

For the person who recommended only buying what Canon sells, the
manual does not say what to use, and I couldn't find any sign of Canon
actually selling anything. Unlike most camara accessories/supplies
provided by manufactueres, I don't think this grease had a Canon
label.

Unfortunately there will not be any scuba stores around where I'm
going.


On Sun, 27 Jun 2004 16:42:27 -0700, steve
wrote:

While Vaseline might work in the short term I would be quite concerned
that is may attack the gasket itself as it is a petroleum based product.

If you do use Vaseline (which I dont recommend) then be sure to replace
the gasket afterwards.

One thought -- if you are going to a vacation destination where there
are dive shops, try checking there to see if they have the silicone
based stuff. They may cater to the underwater photography crowd.

Steve


Ron Chusid wrote:
I'm leaving Wednesday so it isn't safe to order on line, and I have
very little time to make it to stores Monday or Tuesday as I will
probably be working until after 9 pm both days to make it out of town.

Someone suggested Vasoline in an email message. I wonder how that
would work--at least I can get it at a drug store which would be open
around the clock.

On Sun, 27 Jun 2004 12:18:57 -0700, steve
wrote:


A Google search for the wunderwater housing part number lead me to a
link that listed the parts list for the unit.

On that list was "Silicone Grease"

A Google search for Silicone Grease gave me a plethora of links, but one
looked promising:

https://emporium.olympus.com/innards...sku=200922-410

Even though this is for an Oly, it will likely work in your application.

Perhaps you can order some and get it before your trip?

Good Luck,

Steve



Ron Chusid wrote:


I have a Canon WP-DC300 waterproof case for the S50. I'm getting ready
for a trip, and cannot find the chemicals which were shipped with the
case--most likely lost while quickly unpacking from my last trip where
I used this.

One of the chemicals is a grease which is used to lubricate the rubber
seals. Anybody know what I might be able to pick up to replace this?
Obviously it needs to be something which will not harm the rubber.