Testing an old Nikonos for watertightness

[Sirius Glass]

I'm grateful that this thread came up as my partner recently purchased a Nikonos V locally and we're trying to figure out what to do with it. It was used by a scuba diver that recently passed away and were told it was maintained well, but we don't know how much we can trust the knowledge of the friend who sold it to us.

It's planned to be used as a "barely under the surface" kind of camera, but we would still like to get it serviced. The two US businesses listed above don't seem to be a possibility now as the Southern site is down, and Narcosis comes up as not a secure site. The only other place I found is Viejita Vintage. Anyone have experience with them or know of another alternative?

If not, I appreciate the advice above, as we may have to do some DIY testing.

I now use it for my bad weather camera.

Welcome to APUG Photrio!!​

 

[skylight1b]

I now use it for my bad weather camera.

Welcome to APUG Photrio!!​

That will honestly be the most likely use. The idea of bringing a camera into water still stresses me out.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I'm grateful that this thread came up as my partner recently purchased a Nikonos V locally and we're trying to figure out what to do with it. It was used by a scuba diver that recently passed away and were told it was maintained well, but we don't know how much we can trust the knowledge of the friend who sold it to us.

It's planned to be used as a "barely under the surface" kind of camera, but we would still like to get it serviced. The two US businesses listed above don't seem to be a possibility now as the Southern site is down, and Narcosis comes up as not a secure site. The only other place I found is Viejita Vintage. Anyone have experience with them or know of another alternative?

If not, I appreciate the advice above, as we may have to do some DIY testing.

Buy a new set of O rings. All of them. Lens, battery compartment back, strobe light connector etc.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Buy a new set of O rings. All of them. Lens, battery compartment back, strobe light connector etc.

And remember to use the correct silicon grease on the O rings.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

That will honestly be the most likely use. The idea of bringing a camera into water still stresses me out.

That's how I felt the first time I brought my Nikonos down to shoot 50 feet under the surface. Especially with a strobe light. You feel so natural, you want to take your mouthpiece out and talk to the fishes.

I thought I heard them talking back. Nitrogen narcosis!

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I'm grateful that this thread came up as my partner recently purchased a Nikonos V locally and we're trying to figure out what to do with it. It was used by a scuba diver that recently passed away and were told it was maintained well, but we don't know how much we can trust the knowledge of the friend who sold it to us.

It's planned to be used as a "barely under the surface" kind of camera, but we would still like to get it serviced. The two US businesses listed above don't seem to be a possibility now as the Southern site is down, and Narcosis comes up as not a secure site. The only other place I found is Viejita Vintage. Anyone have experience with them or know of another alternative?

If not, I appreciate the advice above, as we may have to do some DIY testing.

Buy a new set of O rings. All of them. Lens, battery compartment back, strobe light connector etc.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I checked with B&H Photo but they have no O-rings or service for Nikonos. They did mention Phototech as a potential repair service.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I checked with B&H Photo but they have no O-rings or service for Nikonos. They did mention Phototech as a potential repair service.

I got bags of the various sized with the Nikonos grease from Amazon.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I got some from Germany that are special for the Nikonos IVa model.

 

[eli griggs]

Just change the O rings each season, with correct Nikonos grease or have a reputable dive shop show you how and then do a pressure test.

There's no good ground to stand on if you're testing and soaking the camera before taking care of basic,NEEDED, maintenance before hand, as you'll chance a leak, and need to retest once new service with new parts is done, anyway.

IMO.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Just change the O rings each season, with correct Nikonos grease or have a reputable dive shop show you how and then do a pressure test.

There's no good ground to stand on if you're testing and soaking the camera before taking care of basic,NEEDED, maintenance before hand, as you'll chance a leak, and need to retest once new service with new parts is done, anyway.

IMO.

O rings and Nikonos grease is not all that expensive. O rings wear and also get compressed just from having the lens in place.

 

[Steve906]

With a watch it is left pressurized in air above water for several minutes, it is then lowered into the water and the pressure removed. If there is a leak air bubbles OUT no chance of water ingress and damage to anything.

 

[ic-racer]

I believe the Nikonos V o-rings each had to be ordered individually from Nikon. There are about 25 total. Of course none are available from Nikon any more. Best I could do was match them up based on size and internet searching. I wound up only replacing a couple and left all the others as they seemed fine.

 

[KinoGrafx]

I used to dive with a nikonos V and can offer that if you don’t have the camera serviced (there are O rings you cant self service) you will flood the camera - period. Adding.. if using just as a bad wx camera dont worry, it’ll be fine!

 

[summicron1]

I have one of those and the same thought occurs from time to time. So far I've never dunked it.

Consider, however: The V is designed to withstand 100 feet of pressure (as per specs) with is triple the Nikonos I. The difference in pressure between 100 feet of water and five feet is huge -- a 100-foot column of water weighs a LOT.

So, even iffy seals should keep it dry inside for bad wether and maybe the occasional dunk to a coupla feet. Your new ones, properly greased, should handle anything your bathtub depth efforts throw at it.

The Nikonos takes amazing pictures, too. Great lens. Be sure to rinse off any salt water BEFORE opening it up.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Nikonos V is good to 160 feet (50 meters).

Nikon | Imaging Products | NIKONOS-V

This is Nikon Imaging Website.

imaging.nikon.com

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

With a watch it is left pressurized in air above water for several minutes, it is then lowered into the water and the pressure removed. If there is a leak air bubbles OUT no chance of water ingress and damage to anything.

I didn;t know that watches are pressurized. But this explanation doesn't apply for underwater cameras. The Nikonos is not pressurized.

When you close/ seal it for use, it takes the same pressure you're at, let;s say sea level which is 1 atmosphere of pressure (14.7 psi-pounds per square inch). When you dive, the water pressure outside the camera (or watch) increases one atmosphere for every 33 feet of sea water (34 feet in fresh water) you dive down. So at a depth of 33 feet, you have two atmospheres, three at 66 feet, and 4 atmospheres at 99 feet. If the o rings aren't holding, water will push into the camera where there is the original one atmosphere. (outside press is 14.7 x 4 = 58.8psi vs inside pressure of 14.7psi)

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I believe the Nikonos V o-rings each had to be ordered individually from Nikon. There are about 25 total. Of course none are available from Nikon any more. Best I could do was match them up based on size and internet searching. I wound up only replacing a couple and left all the others as they seemed fine.

View attachment 328665

Clean them off and re-grease with the proper type. Make sure there's no foreign matter, sand particles, etc on the rings or in the slots where the rings sit. Don;t over grease. Use a light layer, no goop. Check the manual for proper procedures.

 

[Steve906]

I didn;t know that watches are pressurized. But this explanation doesn't apply for underwater cameras. The Nikonos is not pressurized.

When you close/ seal it for use, it takes the same pressure you're at, let;s say sea level which is 1 atmosphere of pressure (14.7 psi-pounds per square inch). When you dive, the water pressure outside the camera (or watch) increases one atmosphere for every 33 feet of sea water (34 feet in fresh water) you dive down. So at a depth of 33 feet, you have two atmospheres, three at 66 feet, and 4 atmospheres at 99 feet. If the o rings aren't holding, water will push into the camera where there is the original one atmosphere. (outside press is 14.7 x 4 = 58.8psi vs inside pressure of 14.7psi)

With a watch this is only for the test, if it's sealed it will not become pressurized inside only if there is a fault with the seals. The air will then come out and be visible when it is submerged indicating the area where the air got in. Because the watch is never actually under pressure in water there is no chance of damage to the watch.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

With a watch this is only for the test, if it's sealed it will not become pressurized inside only if there is a fault with the seals. The air will then come out and be visible when it is submerged indicating the area where the air got in. Because the watch is never actually under pressure in water there is no chance of damage to the watch.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. You just reminded me that when I got batteries changed in my watch that was good to 300 feet, I didn't pay for the sealing tests. They just replaced the battery. Something to think about.

 

[Steve906]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. You just reminded me that when I got batteries changed in my watch that was good to 300 feet, I didn't pay for the sealing tests. They just replaced the battery. Something to think about.

No problem - Quite clever really, whoever thought how/designed the equipmet to do it that way

 

[perkeleellinen]

Hope this might be helpful.

There's a company that has an Instagram account @Narcosis101 which services and tests Nikonos cameras. Might be worth dropping them a line.

Also on Instagram, this girl called Katharine Kollman @casses0u, does great free diving photos with a Nikonos and I'm sure I've seen a post of hers about servicing / testing her camera. Perhaps reach out to her to see where she sent her gear.

 

[brenjoe]

I got some from Germany that are special for the Nikonos IVa model.

Would you be willing to share where you ordered the special O-rings for the Nikonos IV-A?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Would you be willing to share where you ordered the special O-rings for the Nikonos IV-A?

I found them on ebay or Paypal. They actually came from Great Britain although they were boxed in a Nikonos box with German label. I'll send you the shipper's name by PM and tel number. You have to check with him if he has more.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Would you be willing to share where you ordered the special O-rings for the Nikonos IV-A?

An internet search in a short time brought up several sizes of O rings. I order bags of 10 to 25 of each size.