Should I try to get my camera repaired? - EOS Rebel T7 fell in a tide pool

[kizoku42]

I have an EOS Rebel T7 and on August 17th I fell into a tide pool with it.  I immediately pulled the battery and memory card and when I got home I vacuumed all the water I could, out of it.  Then I packed it and its lens, separately, in baggies with large bags of silica gel.  Today I tried using it, with a different battery and card, and got nothing.  I put a different lens on it and still got nothing.

So.  It is it worth it to try to get it repaired or should I just buy a new camera?

If it IS worth it to look up a repair shop, does anyone have a recommendation in the Ann  Arbor/ Detroit area?

Thanks,  Jack

[wq9nsc]

When electronics get immersed in salt water, the only possibility of saving it requires IMMEDIATELY flushing with large amounts of fresh (distilled and preferably deionized) water followed by drying with either reduced humidity warm air or desiccant agents which are regularly changed.

Once salt water enters electronic or electro/mechanical assemblies and is allowed to stay for even a fairly brief period of time, the resulting corrosion will make it unfeasible to repair.  Time to replace your camera.

Rodger

[kvbarkley]

They won't even *try* to repair it, just button it back up and send it back.

[ebiggs1]

"...  I packed it and its lens, separately, in baggies with large bags of silica gel."

Way too slow and doesn't work well for things that are already wet. "... even a fairly brief period of time, the resulting corrosion will make it unfeasible to repair."  And this doesn't consider the mechanical parts of the shutter.

Your best bet is to try the Canon Loyalty program. Call Canon 1 (800) 652-2666

[Tintype_18]

Time for a new camera? Saltwater corrodes very fast. I used to surf fish; rinsed off my rods and reels immediately when I got to the motel or parent's house.

[Tronhard · Accepted solution]

Your camera, once immersed in salt water, is no longer repairable.  As my colleagues advise, the salt (and even pollutants in fresh water) will immediately start a corrosion process that spreads like a cancer.  Drying it off as you did will leave the salt to continue to do its work, but it's not a matter of delay.  You camera is terminally impacted and no service centre will touch it because they know there is no fix, but they may charge you to find that out.  BTW, that also applies to any lens, battery or card that were attached.  The lens will likely develop fungus and the electronics will corrode. 

Your best bet is to check your insurance and see if the camera is covered for replacement, put in a claim and get a new camera.   The positive side is you can use any insurance money to invest in a mirrorless camera - something like the R10 or R50 with an R-series lens - like the RF-S 18-150 IS STM.  It will be a vast improvement over your current camera.

[ebiggs1]

"Your best bet is to check your insurance and see if the camera is covered for replacement, put in a claim and get a new camera."

I seriously doubt his homeowners policy would help if the OP is in the United States. Most all policies here have way too high deductible to cover an inexpensive camera like a T7. It isn't even likely a 1 series would get covered and even if it did it wouldn't be more than a very small percent. I've been through this several time with kids that lose or get stolen very expensive musical instruments. Homeowners policy is almost worthless. No on second thought it they are worthless. OP might check if there is a writer on cameras but here again not likely on a cheap camera.

[kizoku42]

Yeah.  I looked and I have $500 deductible and can buy a new one for less.  😞

[Tronhard]

Interesting!  In NZ we have different situations but it was worth asking. 

My insurance has a $200 deductible with a replacement with closest latest version and a limit of $2k per unregistered item.  If I register my cameras, they will replace them free of deductible with the latest version. 

[Tintype_18]

An insurance policy should be read at least for what is covered and the deductible amount. Also, how good is the company at honoring claims? We had to sue a company who said we didn't have the items on our claim. Cost them more than the original claim.