Carelessness, idiocy, disaster

This morning just before I left for work a flock of six or so bluebirds landed just off my deck amongst the fall foliage. The morning sun was lighting the whole scene beautifully and I thought I could just run out with my birding setup and hopefully get something good of a bluebird, since to date I have nothing I like.

In my haste (knowing I didn't have much time) I tipped my tripod over. My 800mm lens broke in half and the Mark III will not disengage from the lens.

A very expensive careless move, and the loss of my camera body during prime shooting conditions here in Minnesota.

I am sending it all to Canon to see if they can salvage any of it.

I don't have a good reason to post and share this other than to warn folks that would never be so careless to begin with, and to share the morning misery.

Peter

Geez Peter, that's just awful news. I can imagine how you must feel. You're saying that your 800 broke in half, literally? That must have been quite a fall. I'm very, very sorry. And thanks for the heads up for all of us to be wary of such potential mishaps. I know I'll be even more careful now.

Ron,

Yes it literally broke in half. I talked with the Canon rep and he held out some hope of repair since non of the glass broke. A bunch of electronic stuff was hanging out.

I never sold my other lenses so if I had a body I could enjoy the wonderful weather and foliage we are now having. The rain quit and the sun is out and the forecast is good.

I wouldn't mind having two bodies if Canon had already come out with their new stuff but I sure don't want two Mark III's

I am holding out hope that it can be repaired for some reasonable sum.

Oh Peter, how devastating for you! I hope that Canon is able to repair the lens & camera very quickly and get it back to you.

I'm so sorry this happened period, but even more so during prime shooting conditions up there.

My heart goes out to you.

A sad story to be sure. And a cautionary tale for the rest of us.

I've done some dumb things with my gear in 38 years of shooting, but nothing this serious. And I have always had a backup body since about 1972 and have had a few times when that kept me in the game when I broke my primary camera. There must be some local camera dealer who can rent you a body.

I hope you are back in operation soon.

I share your pain. A few years ago, I took my brand-new Zuiko 300mm f2.8 to Kodiak Island, Alaska. The second day, I slipped on some ice and landed on the lens, breaking the lens hood and two ribs. Each breath I took for the next four weeks reminded me of my carelessness.

My experience getting the lens wasn't happy. I wish you are much more responsive service center.

Hope you were insured Peter. Just got my body back from having the hotshoe replaced. No, I won't retell the sad story, but I'll happily report that insurance picked up the nearly $400 tab for the repair.

Peter, this is just awful news. I know too well how easily this can happen. Hopefully Canon can salvage something.
May

I can't imagine how that would feel but I will take the opportunity to put in yet another word for insurance. I have mine through State Farm, the same folks that insure my home and vehicles. It isn't cheap at something over $700 per year for around 40K of scheduled coverage but it's a no deductable, replacement cost, any hazard, personal property policy that gives me great peace of mind. I'm covered anywhere including when shipping items and travelling with equipment. I highly recommend it.

I will check with my State Farm agent tomorrow. I thought it did not cover damage but maybe I'm in for a pleasant surprise.

I'm sorry, but it must be covered with a rider at additional cost. I've insured with state farm too.

Peter,

To be blunt - that really sucks! I share in your pain as I've destroyed 2, count-em, 2, wood field 4x5's in similar fashion. Sorry to hear about this.

Lon

Don't rent a camera. Just buy a used 30D or something from eBay, then resell it when you get your other body back. If your lens had IS, that's likely broken too. IS/VR doesn't like to be dropped. Don't ask me how I know that.


Kent in SD

I did find out that I have no insurance coverage because I did not get the special rider from State Farm. One thing that I can pass along as advice is to get your equipment insured. It is not that expensive and it covers everything including clumsiness.

I should find out in a day or two if it can be repaired.

It is nice to hear in a "misery loves company" sort of way that I am not the only one.

Peter

I'm really sorry it worked out that way, Peter. Even in the mysery loves company context, it's hard to contemplate the pain and frustration. But if your experience convinces a few more people to take a hard look at their insurance coverage, it's not a total loss.

Oh, no, Peter! You are definitely not alone in the camera calamity or clumsiness categories. Personally, I think I should test the hardiness of all new camera equipment because I am so good at denting, digging and smashing it. Sigh… Then at least my disasters would hopefully contribute to the good of all of us who use it. As it is, I'm really glad I got insurance for all my stuff.
Losing an 800 and a Mark III is just really sickening. I feel for you.

One of the worst nightmares each of we serious photographers are always aware of is a falling tripod. And that is especially true for we landscape photographers that often set up on difficult sketchy locations or when the wind is about. I feel your pain and like many others have been there too. Best of luck Peter with repair and or buying a replacement.

Just a couple years ago, I had my Wisner with a 150mm Nikkor tip over while out in ankle deep shallows of a pond. An unusual gust of wind came up pushing the tripod feet in front deeper into soft mud which then tipped over. I was off out of sight in the distance with another person roaming about while waiting for some clouds to move out of my frame. Fortunately it didn't break though mud and water was in everything. Because wood LF gear is so basic, I totally disassembled the camera and lens, cleaned everything well with clear water and my lens cloths, and after drying out in the breeze and sun even managed the shot about an hour later. Just lucky it landed on soft mud.

Over nearly three decades of camera on tripod work I have almost had a tipped over tripod several times, but because I am very wary when more than grab distance away, had always caught it before it hit. And for many years I used a Benbo with my old 35mm SLR, one of the most notorious tripods for falling over. So maybe I was letting my guard down some. Then a few years ago, I cracked the main front glass on $900 lens that fell off my front standard onto rocks after not noticing the retaining screws on the board had worked loose. Just goes to show that sooner or later no matter how careful we are, our number may come up. But being very careful goes a long ways towards making that possibility small.

I am very happy to report that both the lens and camera can be repaired. The estimate from Canon is about $700 on the camera and $3300 on the lens. Very expensive but much cheaper than buying new.

An expensive lesson to both be more careful and to get insurance....