Swede Loc: Trail, BC Canada

Haven’t been around awhile, pretty much gave up on photography after our hose burnt down 6 months ago and took everything we owned with it. Here’s a picture of about $17,000 in Nikon’s. This included a D2x, D200, F5, F4s and a 801s can’t remember what the lens where but a couple 2.8’s, VR’s and some older ones. Also gone is all the other trinkets that go along with 25+ years of having a blast. Starting to get the itch back and to start all over. The lucky part of the fire was I had 90% of those 25 years of photos on an external hard drive which somehow made it and the computer didn’t, and they were right beside each other. Real bad thing everything uninsured, medical has kept me from working for over 2 years (just started going back) money was very tight and we decided we would rather eat than keep paying money on insurance which we never made a claim on in 15 years.
I just thought I’d share this with you and just remember this can happen to you. What I don’t need is any should of, could of, would of, because I’m pretty sure I’ve thought about them all and then some.
I also lost a 1918 Kodak View Camera that was in pristine condition.
Sorry about the picture it from the only camera I have now it it’s attached to a phone.
Thanks for your time

(Download)

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

the camera's are a great loss, but at least you and yours got out. You can always get new cameras and replace those lost Items. Emotional it does take it's toll. Sorry to here about your hard times.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I am so sorry that you had to go through all of that. I am glad to hear you and your family are safe and getting things back together. You will be in my prayers.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Sad story Swede, my sympathies.

10MPlayer Loc: California

++ glad your family is safe. I'm sure you know more and I that things don't really matter in the long run. It's the people close to us.

Losing all your gear is a loss and maybe you won't be able to replace it all. You were fortunate to come away with your pictures.

For the rest of us ... investing $6 per month in cloud backup is cheap insurance against losing all your images and other important documents.

I notice a lot of people on the hog mention a lot of old gear they've replaced with newer. For some reason they hang onto it. It sure would be cool if someone cleaning out their closet would help out a fellow hogger in need.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

A crying shame.

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

I cannot imagine what you have gone through..all I can say in thank God you are alive! Things can be replaced..lives cannot.Good luck to you!

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Hurts to see your photo.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The only thing there I can actually recognize is the Nikon 80-200mm F2.8D lens on the upper left, all others are too far gone to ID from that pic. I lost all my gear to a house firs in almost 30 years ago, except for the body and 2 lenses I had with me at the time. I hope you had some insurance, mine allowed me to upgrade all my gear, was actually a blessing in disguise in some ways.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Very sorry about your misfortune. I just hope that you and your family are ok. The other things can be replaced. Lucky that you still have your photos. All the best to you and your family.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I'm glad you and yours are safe. We tend to think that nothing will ever happen to us and that's just the way we are. I'm sorry for your loss for I know it's heartbreaking.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Hey Swede, the phones have pretty good cameras in them these days.
Its a place to start anyway.

anotherview Loc: California

Your story illustrates why a photographer should have a backup protocol for all his photographs, including storage of one hard drive offsite which rotates back to the computer in the protocol cycle.

The gear one can replace but not the photographs if they go up in a fire.

BTW: Backing up image files to the cloud may work for smaller collections of images. But this alternative did not work for me, even though I have a fast Internet connection. The cloud backup had not finished after a month so I quit it. Maybe something better will come out in the future.

GrandmaJoy Loc: North Carolina

However difficult it may be, try to concentrate on what you do have, not what was lost. You said that you have most of your pictures. That is a good thing. You don't need expensive equipment to build good memories. I am sorry for your loss but glad that you are getting back in the mood to go shooting again.

Kristoes

Hi Swede,

So very, very sorry to read about your loss. You have been so personally helpful with your advice, sharing ideas and photos, and even more.

I wish I could win the lottery and set you up with something to help get you back into the playful spirit you've shared with us all.

Many, many hugs!!;)
Kristoes