canon waterproof case

Hi guys

I got my self a canon waterproof case and i tested it out last night

and i was worried because when i opened up the waterproof case after putting it in a bucket of water

the seal was wet

is this normal??

There shouldn't be any water past the o-ring, otherwise, you have a leak and should check your o-ring for any cuts, nicks or foreign matter...

really so that means it leaks

great!!

but the inside of the case still stays dry

does this mean it still leaks?

the O-Ring is the seal right?

by the way thanks for replying

I'll clarify what I meant in my earlier post: if there's water beyond the o-ring (the seal) on the inside face of the housing, then you do have a leak. If you only have droplets on the o-ring itself, it should be ok. Droplets trapped around the perimeter of the housing often flow down onto the o-ring when you open the housing.

You can confirm whether you have a leak or not by stuffing the inside of the housing with toilet paper or tissues rolled in a ball. If the paper is not wet after you've opened the housing, then you're fine.

the o-ring is the seal.

in a normal condition, the o-ring seals the housing. The middle of the o-ring squishes into the other side of the housing. the side of the o-ring facing the outside of the housing will have water touching it, the side of the o-ring facing the inside of the housing should be dry.

When you open the housing, the water on the side of the o-ring facing the outside of the housing will spread or congregate a little (from water tension, etc.) and so you will see water droplets on the entire o-ring. That is normal. the inside of the housing should be dry.

However, if you have a dust particle, hair, or whatever between the o-ring and the housing, it will then leak. That is why all of us check that o-ring before we close our housing.

the lube just adds another layer of defense. it makes sure there is good contact between the o-ring and the housing. Both items are not perfectly smooth even at the molecular level, so the lube fills in those imperfections to give a good seal.

when i try a new housing, i always put mine assembled in a water tank for a couple of hours, then i take it on a dive without my camera. that gives me the best test that everything is functioning properly.

good luck

that helps heaps!

thanks guys for all the help