Early yesterday morning, my girlfriend and I were hiking about ten miles
into the backcountry of Oregon's Eagle Creek. Eagle creek is
actually a swift-flowing river about 30-feet across that cascades
towards the heart of the Columbia river gorge. I, of course was
spending considerable time photographing in my usual rugged style
which involves doing practically anything to get the shot. We had
scrambled down to the base of a large waterfall and I had made my
way out into the middle of the river, hoping along across large,
mossy boulders to get the perfect composition that complimented the
waterfall.
I took several exposures from an apparently solid spot, standing
split between two large rocks with tripod in the middle braced on a
little make-shift bridge I had placed to secure it. I've done more
dangerous things before, but this wasn't to be one of my finer
moments.
I finished my exposures and released my camera to transfer it to my
sealed bag in which I would use to carry it back to shore. When I
moved my right foot off the rock I had been standing on to get my
bag, it suddenly rolled over into the swift current and plunged me,
with camera (EOS 5D) in hand, in to the icy waters that were well
over my head at this point. I was carried downstream for a moment
and when I surfaced, never relinquishing hold of the camera, I noted
I was flowing towards some large rocks and logs, which I was able to
grab hold of one-handed and pull myself onto shore.
Of course, I immediately took the battery out of the camera and
powered it off. After changing clothes (into my girlfriends extra
pants too) I began a half-hour long drying process (the camera) with
some extra towels. My immediate feeling is that the camera is
toast. It was underwater for perhaps 5-10 seconds and not having
much experience with highly sensitive electronics and sensors, I can
only expect the worst. Best case is Canon tells me it will be $1500
to have it cleaned and replace the LCD. My 17-40L lens also
suffered serious water damage on the interior elements and will need
cleaning.
One problem with pro digital cameras is that $4000 really hurts to
spend once, let along twice in the same year! One serious dent in
the trip plans for me anyway, but no trips with no camera so it will
have to be replaced or repaired. Anyone know a number I can call to
talk with a Canon repair specialist?
The whole ordeal brings into perspective the risks we all take to
get the shot. It actually amazes me this was the first time I've
fallen in over my head into a river (I spend countless days hiking
along them) and only second camera that has met it's end in a
stream. We must always be careful to evaluate the risks we are
taking, as the lure of a great shot can be just a bit too
irresistable at times.
BTW, Sorry to here this. I have been there, done similar things several times. My 1Ds2 broke on the first day of a 10 day photo vacation to the SW. I always carry a backup, but it still hard to take. Hope it can be repaired and quickly.
Also, my advice is join Canon's Professional Services (It is free, but you must prove you are a working pro). Your responce time is much quicker and they have loaners for situations such as this.
Did the LCD actually sustain damage, or did it just get immersed. In my other photographic life I shoot underwater, and I've seen bodies survive that duration of water exposure and be fine with a good drying. Indeed, if you flood in salt water we'll remove batteries (as long as they have not exploded ) and rinse with fresh water, then dry and see if there is any life in the beast. Usually do at least 24 hours of drying.
So all may not be lost, but the prognosis is guarded at best. I hope it turns out OK for you.
Philip, thanks a lot for the info. I'll call Canon very soon here. I wanted to dry it fully before sending it in. Perhaps even do a test of my own when it's dry. Nothing in the body was damaged, just emmersed for a few seconds in fresh water, but still I have no reason to expect it will work again. I will look into joining Canon's Professional Services as well. I doubt I'll need a loaner unless it's a long repair or something. If I find out it's toast, I'm getting another one - allbiet very painful in the wallet.
That would be at least $600 under what I bought it for, which is encouraging. I can wait a few weeks this time of year. I'm glad it didn't happen a month later at the start of wildflower season in the mountains or before a big trip or something!
My 20D went through 3 hours of heavy downpour in January. Some internal glass got wet too. Eventually the internal readings and external readings stopped working though I could still shoot on automatic. I got home and opened everything up for three days. It all came back several days later, haven't had a problem since. I almost panicked and wanted to drive it down to Irvine immediately but thankfully I waited to be sure.
Marc: Your description is exactly why I have full coverage insurance as a rider on my house policy. I have to list all equipemt, declare the value, and so on; however, the policy covers everything except nuclear and acts of war. I'm not sure how this would have played out if I had a claim while in Iraq.
I'm claimed several times before, like when I jumped into the water (scuba) with my 15mm incorrectly mounted to my Nikonos - toasted both the camer and lens with saltwater (>$3k). Clearly my fault, but they covered it. I also had some stuff ripped out of my car. The camera rider offered more coverage than the auto policy. Look into this with you home owners policy. As I recall, I pay about $10.00 per $1k of value per year. My company is USAA. They are a private company offering insurance only to military Officers; however, there are others I am sure. For those NIKON folks, Nikionious Org offers a simular policy if you are a gold or silver member although they have a upper limit of $20k (if I recall details correctly).
sorry to hear about your gear, Marc. I know a pro photog that swears by Peach Street Camera Repair in Atlanta. He dropped his 17-40 in the water, and they had them seal it (wet) in a ziplock bag and send it in that way. Don't know what the charged to fix it though.
Come shoot with me. I'll show you lots of exquisite views that require no scrambling acrobatics or immersion; the only limitation is the operator's technique.
I'm sorry to hear that Marc, It's a good reminder to us all to be a little more careful out there. I've had some close calls, and done some pretty stupid things, but I've been lucky so far, I'll definitely be more cautious from now on.
I hope it's not too expensive and you have a camera back in your hands ASAP.
Mark,
Must have been a scary few moments. At least you came out of it in one piece. I dumped a canoe on a fast moving cold river a couple of years back (Nooksack river) and was swept into some trees and logs. At the last second, I lunged up and on to a large log. When I hit the log, I heard a loud "crack" and broke some ribs. It took all I had to pull myself up onto the log. The current was so strong it wanted to pull me under the log and into a tangled mess of branches and logs. I had to sit there and wait until the rescuers found me. Ever since that ordeal, I have great respect for any kind of flowing water. Has for your camera, you may want to try and drying it with a hair dryer. I dropped a digital camera in a lake once. After I fished it out., of course it didn't work. When I got home, I took it apart and dried it out with the dryer. I did it for a couple of days and it finally worked with no problems again. Good Luck!
Hi Marc, First and foremost I'm glad YOU are alright!!! A camera/lens is just a thing, albeit a spendy one but nothing compared to the loss of a great human!!
That being said I agree on the insurance thing. Nancy & I did the same thing as Randy Hanna in that we got a rider on our home insurance that provides the same level of coverage as Randy mentioned. This give both of us HUGE piece of mind as we venture forth into the back country.
Eric, wow! I'm glad I tumbled into a deep area of Eagle Creek and not the Nooksack river! That's quite some story and I'm sure you're feeling very lucky to still be here!
Richard, yes I am planning to investigate a variety of insurance options and will pick one up before venturing out with a new camera.
The problem with this riders on your home insurance is they do not cover you if you are a pro. If you sell your work, these riders will not cover you. They are for hobbists only...
Their is a guy on FM which had to be helicoptered out off the beach at Ecola state park a couple of months ago. He got caught in the dark when the tide was coming in. John L can comment on that one :)
I have a couple myself while scuba diving on the north coast of CA with heavy current. Water can be very powerfull and hostle. You never master it, you just work with it :)
As all others have said, the important thing is your health. Material goods can be replaced and in time the $$$ pain will be forgotten, but not injuries to your health...
You might think about baking the camera with all doors open in a oven at a low value. Not too hot though. Plastic canmelt and over 130 degrees will harm the silicon or bonding of the silicon to the packages/solder bumps.
Thanks Phil. That's one of the first things I realized today when looking into insurance options. I now intend to open a policy through my buisness account.
Marc, so glad you are OK - given the risks the gorge can put up and the amount of scrambling required I hope that your camera and lens come out of this OK (BTW, 5D rebate is only 300.00, not 500.00)
The CF card survived. It was a full 4GB card too, so a good thing there. I burned it to DVD today. Too bad I didn't get any decent shots from the spot where I went in! You would think I'd at least get something for taking a $4000 dollar risk.
Marc sorry to hear that. I had a similar experiance with D60 long time ago, and decided that I will only buy 1 series for thier better protection. It was much more money, but in the long run, I have been pushed into the sea, deep creeks,and worked in really cold and wet conditions, and the only thing I ever had to do for my 1 sereies camera was to oil the CF card doors so they open better. I feel your pain, it is not easy, and certainly not cheap to replace a cameras like that. Hope it will work out for you.
I stand corrected on the 5D rebate. The PDF now states $300. I have a printout at home which I used for my 24-105L which states $500. I printed it on 4/1 when I ordered the lens - I swear. They changed it. Wow I wonder if I can use it
IF you're looking for a new 5D, www.canogacamera.com from CA, with a good rating on resellerratings.com, will sell them to you for a little over $2500. I think that's the best legit deal I've seen so far.
But, if I remember correctly, you just won a 30D? At least you have something to shoot with, right?
Our State Farm Insurance rider covers our gear whether we're pro or not. It really gives us peace of mind for sure.
And I've had a few VERY close calls pushing myself to the edge and a few times beyond. So far other than a few cuts/scrapes/bruises/bruised ego, no camera damage has been incurred... Although Nancy swears I must be brain damaged!! DOH!!
Marc, I am glad to hear you are ok first and foremost. I can only hope that by getting it out quickly and drying it you may come ok. I know when I drowned my 24-135M I expected the worst and was pleased that a good cleaning and $200 later the lens was good as new. I too have some close calls and feel fortunate that my fall of a granite boulder off the Australia coast into a trough only resulted in a few scrapes for me and nothing worse. IT did wake me up to the fact that working alone as we all often do and pushing the envelope some needs to balanced with safety. You probably push the edge more than any of us so I am glad you are ok.
The camera is insured against property theft but not swimming in a river. I expected the lens to undergo a $200 cleaning but nothing more. I think it should be fine due to watersealing the AF and USM that L glass has. Kevin, yes the 30D could be used while I wait and it just might. I'd like to sell it to help offset my costs soon also. I could get more for it if sold as new. Additionally, I have a film body I could use.
My take is shoot what you want, when you want, how you want.
As a LF guy, all I can say is Go Canon Digital. I bought stock in Canon 3 years ago and with everyone upgrading, buying the next best, converting from Nikon, dropping things in water...etc, the stock has gone up where the money I have made due to it is funding my LF film costs.
Did I tell everyone how great digital is? And how much fun I am having shooting LF because of it.
Very interesting and unique take on things Jim. Keep doing what works for you. I love LF actually. I plan to pick up an 8x10 someday if I can. It will never be my primary system though. I go too far, too fast and take too many shots.
Geez louise Marc...Sorry to hear about this, but I'm glad you are OK. Gear can be replaced, but we cant.
BTW...do you have a will? I wouldn't happen to be in there somewhere...would I? You know...the part where you give me the rights to all of your images
Discussion
29 repliesinto the backcountry of Oregon's Eagle Creek. Eagle creek is
actually a swift-flowing river about 30-feet across that cascades
towards the heart of the Columbia river gorge. I, of course was
spending considerable time photographing in my usual rugged style
which involves doing practically anything to get the shot. We had
scrambled down to the base of a large waterfall and I had made my
way out into the middle of the river, hoping along across large,
mossy boulders to get the perfect composition that complimented the
waterfall.
I took several exposures from an apparently solid spot, standing
split between two large rocks with tripod in the middle braced on a
little make-shift bridge I had placed to secure it. I've done more
dangerous things before, but this wasn't to be one of my finer
moments.
I finished my exposures and released my camera to transfer it to my
sealed bag in which I would use to carry it back to shore. When I
moved my right foot off the rock I had been standing on to get my
bag, it suddenly rolled over into the swift current and plunged me,
with camera (EOS 5D) in hand, in to the icy waters that were well
over my head at this point. I was carried downstream for a moment
and when I surfaced, never relinquishing hold of the camera, I noted
I was flowing towards some large rocks and logs, which I was able to
grab hold of one-handed and pull myself onto shore.
Of course, I immediately took the battery out of the camera and
powered it off. After changing clothes (into my girlfriends extra
pants too) I began a half-hour long drying process (the camera) with
some extra towels. My immediate feeling is that the camera is
toast. It was underwater for perhaps 5-10 seconds and not having
much experience with highly sensitive electronics and sensors, I can
only expect the worst. Best case is Canon tells me it will be $1500
to have it cleaned and replace the LCD. My 17-40L lens also
suffered serious water damage on the interior elements and will need
cleaning.
One problem with pro digital cameras is that $4000 really hurts to
spend once, let along twice in the same year! One serious dent in
the trip plans for me anyway, but no trips with no camera so it will
have to be replaced or repaired. Anyone know a number I can call to
talk with a Canon repair specialist?
The whole ordeal brings into perspective the risks we all take to
get the shot. It actually amazes me this was the first time I've
fallen in over my head into a river (I spend countless days hiking
along them) and only second camera that has met it's end in a
stream. We must always be careful to evaluate the risks we are
taking, as the lure of a great shot can be just a bit too
irresistable at times.
Canon tech support:
800 828 4040
I have the direct line for Irvine if you need it.
BTW, Sorry to here this. I have been there, done similar things several times. My 1Ds2 broke on the first day of a 10 day photo vacation to the SW. I always carry a backup, but it still hard to take. Hope it can be repaired and quickly.
Also, my advice is join Canon's Professional Services (It is free, but you must prove you are a working pro). Your responce time is much quicker and they have loaners for situations such as this.
Did the LCD actually sustain damage, or did it just get immersed. In my other photographic life I shoot underwater, and I've seen bodies survive that duration of water exposure and be fine with a good drying. Indeed, if you flood in salt water we'll remove batteries (as long as they have not exploded
So all may not be lost, but the prognosis is guarded at best. I hope it turns out OK for you.
The repair probably will be at least two weeks. All three times I sent mine in they took two weeks and one was just a checkout after I dropped it :(
at least you're not injured. Good luck.
I'm claimed several times before, like when I jumped into the water (scuba) with my 15mm incorrectly mounted to my Nikonos - toasted both the camer and lens with saltwater (>$3k). Clearly my fault, but they covered it. I also had some stuff ripped out of my car. The camera rider offered more coverage than the auto policy. Look into this with you home owners policy. As I recall, I pay about $10.00 per $1k of value per year. My company is USAA. They are a private company offering insurance only to military Officers; however, there are others I am sure. For those NIKON folks, Nikionious Org offers a simular policy if you are a gold or silver member although they have a upper limit of $20k (if I recall details correctly).
Best of luck
Randy
Kevin
I hope it's not too expensive and you have a camera back in your hands ASAP.
Must have been a scary few moments. At least you came out of it in one piece. I dumped a canoe on a fast moving cold river a couple of years back (Nooksack river) and was swept into some trees and logs. At the last second, I lunged up and on to a large log. When I hit the log, I heard a loud "crack" and broke some ribs. It took all I had to pull myself up onto the log. The current was so strong it wanted to pull me under the log and into a tangled mess of branches and logs. I had to sit there and wait until the rescuers found me. Ever since that ordeal, I have great respect for any kind of flowing water. Has for your camera, you may want to try and drying it with a hair dryer. I dropped a digital camera in a lake once. After I fished it out., of course it didn't work. When I got home, I took it apart and dried it out with the dryer. I did it for a couple of days and it finally worked with no problems again. Good Luck!
That being said I agree on the insurance thing. Nancy & I did the same thing as Randy Hanna in that we got a rider on our home insurance that provides the same level of coverage as Randy mentioned. This give both of us HUGE piece of mind as we venture forth into the back country.
Richard, yes I am planning to investigate a variety of insurance options and will pick one up before venturing out with a new camera.
Their is a guy on FM which had to be helicoptered out off the beach at Ecola state park a couple of months ago. He got caught in the dark when the tide was coming in. John L can comment on that one :)
I have a couple myself while scuba diving on the north coast of CA with heavy current. Water can be very powerfull and hostle. You never master it, you just work with it :)
As all others have said, the important thing is your health. Material goods can be replaced and in time the $$$ pain will be forgotten, but not injuries to your health...
You might think about baking the camera with all doors open in a oven at a low value. Not too hot though. Plastic canmelt and over 130 degrees will harm the silicon or bonding of the silicon to the packages/solder bumps.
Did you save the CF card or is it toast also ??
IF you're looking for a new 5D, www.canogacamera.com from CA, with a good rating on resellerratings.com, will sell them to you for a little over $2500. I think that's the best legit deal I've seen so far.
But, if I remember correctly, you just won a 30D? At least you have something to shoot with, right?
Sorry for the loss, good to hear you're OK.
Kevin
And I've had a few VERY close calls pushing myself to the edge and a few times beyond. So far other than a few cuts/scrapes/bruises/bruised ego, no camera damage has been incurred... Although Nancy swears I must be brain damaged!! DOH!!
I thought you had the camera insured?
Good luck with the repair.
Mike
My take is shoot what you want, when you want, how you want.
As a LF guy, all I can say is Go Canon Digital. I bought stock in Canon 3 years ago and with everyone upgrading, buying the next best, converting from Nikon, dropping things in water...etc, the stock has gone up where the money I have made due to it is funding my LF film costs.
Did I tell everyone how great digital is? And how much fun I am having shooting LF because of it.
Thanks everyone.
Marc, be careful, eh, man. Photography is great and photography is good but being dead sucks!
BTW...do you have a will? I wouldn't happen to be in there somewhere...would I? You know...the part where you give me the rights to all of your images