A nightmare come true.

A nightmare come true: Yesterday I was hiking in the Washington Cascades. Had my camera in hand, crossed a stream, slipped, and fell into the water with camera in hand. Results: a frozen camera & lens in the repair shop hoping they can fix it. Otherwise I'll have a very expensive paper weight.

I insured all my gear just before leaving for 13 days in Glacier this month. I hadn't bothered to insure it when I was just starting out but when I added up the cost of all the gear I haul around it made sense to insure it. Now when I fall in the stream both my gear and I are insured.

EEK. So sorry - That is everyone's nightmare - at least it was fresh water rather than salt, so there is hope.
I second the insurance idea. A small price to pay for peace of mind and protection of something very important to us.
Sandy

Lost my new D4 with a 500mm Nikon in lake Livingston in May. State Farm Paid 100% in 2 weeks. Not over it. Probably never will be.

Insurance is a must but be careful on your choices of insurance. I had my photo laptop workstation stolen from our car on moving day from MA to NH. While it was covered by Homeowners Insurance, there were questions on whether I was a professional or not due to my website and moderation here. I had to provide tax returns before I was reimbursed. I now insure through NANPA. They also cover out of the USA that most plans do not. They also cover damages like the event you described.

Danny----- been there---a miserable feeling..... I hope all works out. If you are Nikon guy and you sent this in to Nikon shoot me an email.
JG

Oooh, that's too bad.

Shoulda stayed in California!

About ten years ago I was out in our mountains to the west. It was cold. Very, very cold! I came to a mountain stream I've crossed a dozen times before with no problem and was surprised to find it was still open water. It flows very fast though. I took my small camera bag off my belt and held it in my hand. I took three steps out into the stream and suddenly found my feet were slipping all over the place, and I fell on my butt with a big splash. I held my camera bag high and it stayed dry. I tried to get up but my hand kept sliding all over the bottom of the creek. I finally got up and out, my feet slipping wildly. Once on the bank I took a close look at the bottom of the stream bed and could see it was completely covered with a thick blanket of ice! I didn't linger to ponder this though, as it was around 20 below zero. I dashed back to my car, my pants freezing to my legs and rattling as I ran. I later asked around and learned that when it's that cold, the frost goes deep into the ground and goes under the stream bed. The water was flowing too fast for ice to form on the top, but ice was forming on the bottom. This is called "anchor ice." The upshot is this. Any time I cross a stream I now set my camera gear down, cross the stream, and then go back and get my stuff once I've seen it's safe. And, I am wary when I see a creek with open water when it's below zero.


Kent in SD

That's bad. I know the feeling. Luckely I was insured for this.
Hope it al ends wel for you.

Whenever I have my camera and gear with me and when I am over water, or on the edge of it, I get that uneasy feeling in my stomach, the same as being near the edge of a high place. I don't have insurance. I wonder if that would calm that angst.

Hope they can make your gear good as new.

My heart goes out to you! Here is hoping they can fix your beloved gear.

Egad. It is a nightmare.

I miss the 2-gallon ziploc bags that were available for a couple of years. I'm still hoarding a few, because they're big enough to seal up a body with a lens mounted, at least anything shorter than a 300 f/4. Saved my bacon a few times, yet compact enough to always carry in a camera bag or pack.

Careful, careful, careful then also have insurance. I have used NANPA for years. Fortunately I have never had to make a claim but I am confident I would be treated fairly. Problem is price escalation. The 500 F4 that was $5500 in 2005 is now $11,000. Even with a full replacement payment I would have to come up with $5500!..So careful, careful, careful.

That is a nightmare for any photographer! Good that you are alright after the slip. I'll cross my fingers that your camera gets fixed!