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General discussion

Canon Sureshot S30 condensation on CCD?

Sep 30, 2004 5:33AM PDT

I was taking some pictures for a wedding outside about 3 weeks ago and it was cloudy and SLIGHTLY "misty" outside. I didn't notice any water getting on my camera at all, and thought I was being very careful about NOT getting it wet. I also took pictures inside at the wedding reception afterwards. (temp outside was +14C and inside was +20C)
When I was color correcting the pics that I took in Photoshop I noticed "rings/halos" or what appeared to be waterspots in the background of the pics. I assumed (and it looked like) there may be waterspots on the lens so I took it into the Photosource camera store in our town and they cleaned the lens but told me that I had gotten condensation inside the camera and that(it's a 2 year old Canon S30) it would have to be sent away and that it would cost me approx, $400 to have it fixed, that I had wrecked the most expensive part of the camera... First of all, is this correct information that they've given me - and I have scoured the Canon Camera User Guide and found only 2 sentences on this problem - that I should've placed it into a plastic bag to move it from outside to inside??? If this is so, WHY is there not a larger section on PREVENTING this, and the information given, does NOT really explain itself to an amateur photographer... PLEASE HELP ME..... I'm really upset, if this is correct, the camera is basically garbage if I have to pay more than half of the original cost of the camera.... Can you also explain in DETAIL how to AVOID this in the FUTURE?????? Thanks MaggieMay

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Re: Canon Sureshot S30 condensation on CCD?
Sep 30, 2004 5:48AM PDT

The first step here is not get upset. It clouds your discussion.

Next, consider that film cameras have the exact issue and problem and I've never read much more than a few lines in those as well.

Prevention is always cheaper than the cure so I'll share I took my Canon Digital Elph with me on the boat ride at Nigeria Falls. It was very wet there and I used a Ziploc Sandwich bag and was successful in avoiding any issue.

Sorry to hear about your issue, but it's part of photography (lessons?)

Bob

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Re: Canon Sureshot S30 condensation on CCD?
Sep 30, 2004 9:58AM PDT

It seems you have written-off the camera as a loss, so it is time to try a few things.

Place the camera in a dry part of your house. If possible put it near a window (point lens away from sun), where it can get a little sun. Remove the battery and leave the battery door open. Open any more doors that you find on the camera.

Leave it there for a couple of days.

If you are lucky, it just might dry-out.

....