PT 10 - removing the "lens port"

Has anyone removed the "lens port" from the PT 10 - I had a small leak and now have some salt crytals between the black rubber cover inside (around were the lens fits) and the outer casing but to clean it I need (I think) to remove the blue aluminium lens port first.

I have put a piece of metal into the grooves on the port and tried to turn but resistance seems LARGE. Has anyone taken theirs off - any tips - am I doing the right thing?

Also I was thinking of buying the INON macro lens which fits on the outside - but I have a dent on the blue aluminim port holder - how does the inon lens fit - would the dent stop me from fitting it??

Many Thanks

Two thoughs. 1. Ike suggested to me that I get on of those "strap wrenches" that are used to remove car oil filters to remove a port that was too tight. 2. When you are done with a housing for a dive trip you should always soak the closed housing in fresh water for 24 hours. THis will disolved away any salt. If you don't get all the salt it will crystalize when it dries, usually in the O-ring grove and leads to a lot of leaks.

First thing you need to find is a piece of flat metal wrench that will fit on the port ring groove. See pixs below.

Insert the edge of the flat metal and turn the ring counter clockwise to loosen it. You can unscrew it with your hand once the ring is loose. Put the ring aside and clean the front port glass with fresh clean water. After rinsing the port, dry it up with a lint free cloth or chamois. You can even use compressed air to blast those stubborn salt particles embedded on the port glass o-ring groove.

Completely dry the housing and remove the port glass o-ring. Clean the o-ring and re-apply the grease. You can use a non silicon base grease for the port glass o-ring because it's just a regular BUNA type o-ring.

Clean the port glass o-ring groove and install the o-ring back. Wipe off any excess grease, clean the port glass and install the port ring back by carefully screwing back the ring by hand until it's snug.

Insert the edge of the flat wrench and tighten it by turning it clockwise until it's tight and snug. Upon completion, don't forget to TEST THE HOUSING WITHOUT THE CAMERA.

hope this helps...

Allan

After this operation, be very careful the first time you remove a lens underwater. Even if you tighten the ring as much as you can on the surface, it can come loose under pressure. When you remove a lens, make sure that this ring is not turning!

Herb

Oh and YES, you have to replace your damaged port ring if you want to use an add on lens like the INON UWL-100, UCL-330, Sea and Sea & Sea.

Allan

C4040Z in a FIX4040, INON D-180 and INON Z220TTL, and a bunch of add on lens

Actually, 67 mm close up filter for normal camera can be used on PT010 housing with good result. It is cheaper than Sea and Sea or Inon lens

Interesting approach. I guess for shallow dive like 25 feet to 30 feet it'll work but on deeper depth I think it'll fail and probably crack. Just a thought...

My friends have used it at around 12 metres, and no problem is found on the filter.

I think most of the marco pictures are taken not so deep. So it should be well enough.

If the lens is just a single element filter type lens, pressure underwater shouldn't be a problem as the pressure on both sides of the glass is the same.

The holder, not being designed for sea water, will probably corrode quickly though.