OPENING THE MMII & MMII -EX

Figure1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Okay, so the o-rings are blue ( Figure 1 ). We have spoken to the manufacturer and they are here to stay. (Their first choices were originally Taupe and Seafoam.) And you know you have to use ONLY the blue-capped o-ring grease with the blue o-rings. The blue-capped grease can be used with black o-rings but, at $7.00 a tube, it is best to economize. In fact, the manufacturer states that the blue o-rings are superior to the black at surrounding trapped hair or bits of sand and still keeping the camera watertight.
So, why the article? Why the fuss?
As with all new products/parts there is a learning curve, and here's what we have discovered about the infamous"Blue O-Rings":

1. THE BLUE O-RINGS ARE HARD TO CLEAN The black ones you can wipe clean with a towel, grease them up, and youíre done. The blue o-rings, however, need a different cleaning regimen. Here are two methods weíve found that work well;

A. After first wiping off the o-rings, wash, or just swish, the blue o-rings in a container of fresh, cool water and perhaps a mild detergent. Then flip the small o-rings with your fingers or thrum the long ones like a guitar string. (Being careful not to stretch them too tight.) As the water drops fly off the o-ring they usually take dust and dirt with them. Then just regrease.

B. With no fresh water available (at $7.00 a tube itís best to use water) wipe the o-ring with a clean cloth, then grease it up. Then carefully wipe all the grease, and any attendant particles, off with your fingers before wiping them on the towel. With the o-ring now clean and dry, grease it again and use. Serves six.

2. THE BLUE O-RINGS REQUIRE MORE GREASE. Not clumpy, but close to it. Grease it as you would a black o-ring, i.e. smooth, like a trout, then add about 30% more grease, like an adolescent trout.

3. IT HELPS TO LUBE THE O-RING SEATS. Run a slightly greasy finger around the body and the battery door o-ring seats ( Figure 2 ). You'll like it!

4. IT'S BEST TO STORE THE O-RINGS OUTSIDE THE CAMERA. In a closed camera the o-rings tend to get sticky in a day or two. This causes the back door to stick and possibly crack ( Figure 3 ), which leads to the FL word. It can also make it tough to impossible to open the battery compartment. When storing your camera for more than a couple days put the o-rings in a zip bag and rubber band it to the body.

5. THE BACK DOOR O-RING CHANNEL NEEDS PERIODIC INSPECTION. If you worry about #4 above, as all good citizens should, run a gentle fingernail, you know which one, around the channel and feel for a crack or separation in the outer channel rim.

If you pay wise heed to these suggestions you should enjoy years of underwater photography with your MotorMarine II, II-EX, MX-10, or MX-5.