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A Horror Story
Dec 17, 2020 11:05:19 #
Always good to read these stories. I have not had an incident other than breaking a not-very-good kit lens early in the hobby. But these stories reinforce in me the need to be ever vigilant, especially now since all my lenses are pricey.
Dec 17, 2020 11:08:06 #
[quote=Gene51]I recently took a trip and had a 150-600 Sigma Sport mounted on my D800. It was on the back seat of the car I was driving. I rounded a corner a little too fast, and the camera and lens rolled over to the door. I was happy it didn't roll onto the floor of the car.
One thing I've learned about accidents with camera gear and computers too, is to keep them at the lowest possible place. So I keep my camera gear on the floor to start with. Although I drive a mini-van keeping the camera cases between the seats on the floor is the safest place. My lights, stands etc ride in the back usually.
One of our photographers was involved in a car accident, his BMW had become a sandwich of sorts. The 4 x 5 Sinar camera case made it nicely, but a old suitcase like affair containing a powerpack and light heads became about half it's size!
Once on location shooting a new computer monitor for a client, she positioned the computer itself on a box and the monitor on a table above. I suggested that she put it on the floor so it would fall off if my lights or the art director bumped something. She didn't want it on the floor, but sure enough it got bumped. No damage, but when you're dealing with a prototype you don't want things to fall and shut things down.
One thing I've learned about accidents with camera gear and computers too, is to keep them at the lowest possible place. So I keep my camera gear on the floor to start with. Although I drive a mini-van keeping the camera cases between the seats on the floor is the safest place. My lights, stands etc ride in the back usually.
One of our photographers was involved in a car accident, his BMW had become a sandwich of sorts. The 4 x 5 Sinar camera case made it nicely, but a old suitcase like affair containing a powerpack and light heads became about half it's size!
Once on location shooting a new computer monitor for a client, she positioned the computer itself on a box and the monitor on a table above. I suggested that she put it on the floor so it would fall off if my lights or the art director bumped something. She didn't want it on the floor, but sure enough it got bumped. No damage, but when you're dealing with a prototype you don't want things to fall and shut things down.
Dec 17, 2020 12:17:13 #
My habit, too.
jerryc41 wrote:
I'm always nervous, cautious carrying anything expensive, delicate. As soon as I pick up a camera, the strap goes around my neck.
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Dec 17, 2020 12:28:54 #
Thorny Devil wrote:
Looks like you have done your homework flip1948, Lightning Ridge indeed is famous for its black opals which are more likely to be found there than most other opal fields in Australia.
Gemstones are one of my other hobbies. I saw a feature once about Lightning Ridge. Apparently it's so hot there a lot of the residents live underground. Some of the subterranean dwellings were quite nice.
Actually that might be Coober-Pedy, the opal capital of the world and quite hot.
Dec 17, 2020 12:32:38 #
Often on eBay a seller will include "never been dropped" in his description. I always assume that means it has definitely been dropped. 
Dec 17, 2020 12:35:31 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
AzPicLady wrote:
A LONG time ago, I read an article on the construction of cameras and lenses. I recall that one of the tests was being dropped. Now how far and onto what, I don't know. And I don't know if it was being done to all of them or an occasional one. I have dropped my camera. I recently fell while on a hike and my camera hit lens first. I've also had them slide off the seat and hit the floor of the truck. No damage.
I have found that for most industrial equipment and ruggedized measuring equipment and the like, the standard "drop test" calls for a "three foot drop to concrete." There may be additional specifications around which side, corners, faces, etc. strike the surface, but the three foot drop is generally a standard.
Obviously, very few of our cameras are designed or intended to withstand such a drop. My D500 suffered an 18 inch or so fall from a gym bleacher seat to the floorboard when a child knocked it from its resting place. No visible damage, but over time, the entire flash system quit working. Repair cost was between $400 and 500, and involved replacing the main circuit board and several other parts.
Dec 17, 2020 13:31:19 #
You sure got lucky. Early Christmas gift from life!
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Dec 17, 2020 13:50:56 #
Around 1976 while working in a camera store in Ann Arbor, MI, some of the old guys that had worked at the closed Argus Camera Co. described how they would test their products and packaging by dropping it from a 3rd floor stairwell. Perhaps such testing today has become as sophisticated as the equipment?
Dec 17, 2020 14:10:10 #
Cameras come with straps. The first thing I ALWAYS do, is put the damn strap around my neck, pain as it is, it has been supplied for a reason. Back in my youth, I dropped a rifle, and it landed,, of coarse, telescope sight down. That "learned" me... There are lessons in life which bear remembering, when I wuz in college, I lost $3.50 playing cards, that was in the fifties, my Dad only gave me $5 a week to eat lunch then.. Best damn bet I ever lost, I have not gambled since...
Dec 17, 2020 14:11:11 #
Dec 17, 2020 15:23:00 #
Two things, my first SLR was a used Nikkorex F and a 135mm preset Vivitar. I bought a chain type neck strap, that I hope is no longer made. The darn thing broke and camera fell flat on the concrete. Camera did fine but the Vivitar was messed up. The cost was $30--big money for a high school student.
A few years back I had a importer of Chinese made model railroad items as a client. I received several prototype models that were shipped in 'trial' shipping tests. It took about 3 tries before they designed the proper shipping packaging. We also had to replace plastic parts with metal versions. I think they used a 10 ft drop as their usual test. I had to repair these models as they were also used in product ads. Employed some smoke and mirrors, I did! <G>
A few years back I had a importer of Chinese made model railroad items as a client. I received several prototype models that were shipped in 'trial' shipping tests. It took about 3 tries before they designed the proper shipping packaging. We also had to replace plastic parts with metal versions. I think they used a 10 ft drop as their usual test. I had to repair these models as they were also used in product ads. Employed some smoke and mirrors, I did! <G>
Dec 17, 2020 15:24:36 #
I would have your lens inspected. It may look okay on the outside, and may even seem to be working well, but you won't know if something is off unless you have it looked at.
Dec 17, 2020 15:25:27 #
I am a trained, licensed, certified, full-time, natural-born klutz. (Kids, don't try this at home!) So as I descended a steep path leading to an Oregon waterfall, I had my camera strap around my neck and also was holding the body to keep it from swinging and bumping. I stepped carefully over some exposed roots and rocks, reached a fairly smooth although steep area and promptly fell flat on my face. And my camera. I bumped along a few feet with my nose in the dirt, twisted onto my shoulder for a few more yards, and fetched up against the metal guardrail post. Belly-first, of course, mashing the camera even more.
Damages: One petal on the tulip hood snapped off, a big crack on the other side, a small scratch on the glass protective filter, the black paint scuffed off parts of the body. When we got to the waterfall I sat down, took everything apart, used the little blower and brush that I always carry, dabbed lens cleaner on the smudges, put it all back together, brushed dirt out of the various cracks and crevices in the body, crossed my fingers and took a picture. Turned out fine.
In case it matters to anyone, the camera is a Pentax k-100 and the lens was, I think, a Pentax 70-250. Still works like a charm!
Damages: One petal on the tulip hood snapped off, a big crack on the other side, a small scratch on the glass protective filter, the black paint scuffed off parts of the body. When we got to the waterfall I sat down, took everything apart, used the little blower and brush that I always carry, dabbed lens cleaner on the smudges, put it all back together, brushed dirt out of the various cracks and crevices in the body, crossed my fingers and took a picture. Turned out fine.
In case it matters to anyone, the camera is a Pentax k-100 and the lens was, I think, a Pentax 70-250. Still works like a charm!
Dec 17, 2020 17:21:02 #
baron_silverton
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
Thorny Devil wrote:
From time to time I have read horror stories of pe... (show quote)
Good reason to insure expensive gear.
Dec 17, 2020 17:39:08 #
Vietnam 1969. Working as an army photographer with my tank of a Nikon F. Banking sharply for a tight landing, my camera slid off the metal grate flooring and out the open side of the helicopter landing on paved tarmac at least 60 feet below. Cursed my carelessness as I walked over to retrieve what I was certain would be the shattered remains. To my surprise the only damage was a bent handle on the film wind. A pliers resolved the problem and the camera remained my primary for the rest of my tour. As much as I love it, I am certain my 850 would never survive that type of punishment and sometimes I miss those indestructable old tanks.
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