By Ross
I have some maintenance questions for my Olympus TG-5 camera. I bought it used a few years ago, prior to a trip to St. John. I skipped doing the seal job at the time. It has seen light use by me and its prior owner.
I contacted OM System to inquire about seal replacement, and received an e-mail response indicating it’s no longer on the list of equipment they service! I will be calling them Monday to confirm.
Is anyone aware of any other camera service shop that will perform a seal replacement on the camera, or know where the seals and instructions can be found?
Second question – I discovered a little corrosion around the screws, behind the lens ring. Anyone know the best way to clean that up?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Ross, we don’t know the answer to your first question, but for the corrosion around the screws, you can clean that up with some vinegar on a cotton swab. It is best to remove the lens ring/cover every time you soak the camera in fresh water so that the screws have direct contact with the fresh water after every salt water use.
Hi Ross, when you get the corrosion off as suggested above (I have also used an old toothbrush to get in the grooves etc.), you should treat the corroded area to try and reduce future corrosion. I have used a self-etching primer brushed in to key to the aluminum. Then top with a good top coat, I have used automotive subframe paint.
My tip would be to invest in the underwater housing for your camera. It saves me a bunch of effort with camera maintenance because of protecting it from salt water.
I have an Olympus Tough F2.0 camera (from 2017 I think? looks like the TG series) that I would like to send in for maintenance (and possibly for repair, it had humidity behind the lens last time I used it). Can anyone suggest a reputable repair shop, please?
Thank you.
Diane, when I needed to get my camera repaired, I took it to a local camera shop and they sent it off to Olympus.
Thank you.
So after every snorkel during the day, I run the camera underwater or keep it in freshwater in the basin and change the water once until I go out again that day. At the end of the day, I do the same thing then I dry it very well with a towel. I open up the battery compartment. Take out the battery and keep the lid open. Open up the SD card spot. Take out the SD cards. keep the slot open and rest everything on a clean dry towel until the morning. I have done this with my top five for a number of years.
I used to have an underwater film camera, which demanded a lot of attention as well. By opening up and keeping open the compartments, you should also check at the same time for any little bit of sand. Basically the camera should look brand new by the time you put it back together again in the morning. I worked as a professional cinematographer all my life and camera detailed care pays off.
Thank you for your advice! I am very reassured as I largely follow this protocol with my TG case. I don’t run the camera underwater though, since it stays dry in the case. I still open it up and let it dry overnight.
Might as well just run the case under freshwater you really don’t want a chance any salt lingering around and drying on the camera itself.