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I wanted to share my disastrous morning with you wonderful ladies in hopes that perhaps I can make a difference for someone else out here in cyberworld who has a brand spankin' new heavy camera or someone who has just purchased a tripod to use with their fabulous heavy digital SLR's.
I had my brand new Nikon D80 securely mounted atop a fantastic Manfrotto tripod that has a pistol grip, ball mount head. This feature allows me to turn my camera vertically and still have it be stable (or so I thought). Unfortunately I apparantly didn't take physics into account. The weight of the tripod was not enough and when I thought I had everything totally secure and in a safe place I walked away from it to get something else that I needed for my pictures.
To make a long story short - the weight of the camera and lens toppled the whole thing and it is now in a ton of little pieces. I'm pretty sad about it right now, but thought I would share my story in hopes of helping others avoid a similar error. If someone else would have told a story like this I know I would have never made the mistake that happened this morning. So hopefully I'll save someone else from such a major disappointment.
If you want a longer story you can read it on my blog - I just wanted to make certain that no one elses camera bites the dust so soon after leaving it's pristine little box.
I can't relate any similar disasters with my camera, but I did manage to lose my memory card. Fortunately I misplaced it when I took it into Wolf Camera to get prints and a photo CD.
I am so very sorry! I can almost relate - I loaned my good 35mm SLR to my daughter a few years ago and it was returned broken. Happy ending - I got a new digital camera (this was several years ago when digitals were relatively new and very pricey; it's since been replaced!)
Sorry to hear about this, Ellen. I know how you feel; although my camera fell because I *wasn't* using a tri-pod (balancing it on top of books is a definite no-no). I now have this cute little pocket tri-pod. And a new camera. *sigh* (We did end up getting it fixed when we found a "reasonable" cost...'twas the lens that was damaged.)
Perhaps your home-owners' insurance might cover your expenses? It's worth asking!
How terrible! I know kind of how you feel, my camera is my baby. It's not an SLR, a just a 'little' Canon S2-IS. I feel so bad for you.
I was looking for a tripod back in July, to get one for my birthday. I was told by a number of buffs to make sure the thing could hold the weight of my camera, and for the money I was spending it better. It really wasn't an issue, considering I don't have an SLR but it was something to consider for the future, if I ever get another.
Your insurance should cover it. I'm sure your deductable is less than the camera, I'm only guessing, because I know right now that ours is. How do I know? Because I dropped my camera on the ceramic tile floor. I did buy extended warranty when I bought it and it was fixed for free. So glad I paid the extra. And I cried and cried. I was so mad at myself.
I hope things work out for you and your camera.
Kelli
Ellen,
I am soooo sorry! I am such a camera nut and I would cry if that happened to me. Thank you for sharing with us to help protect us. You are always so giving, even in your time of peril! I hope your homeowners will somehow cover that for you.
Gina K.
__________________ Be polite to those who are rude to you. Not because they are nice, but because you are.
Owner- Gina K. Designs
Ouch! Sorry to hear of your mishap. On a maybe brighter note, if you charged your camera, check with your cc company. Some of them have warrenties on items that most people aren't even aware of. My girlfriend had her brand new glasses a week and somehow broke one of the lenses. The cc company replaced them - free - no questions asked.
Happy New Year!
__________________ Jac-ee Former FSJ Founding Coach and SU! Demonstrator, now crafting for myself. "There is a fine line between 'HOBBY' and 'MENTAL ILLNESS'"
Ellen,
Thanks for sharing your story. I purchased a D70 for my husband 2 years ago and I never thought anything like what happened to you would ever happen. You may have just saved me. He is always getting after me about the camera.
I feel so badly for you. I hope you can get it replaced.
Thanks for sharing your story - we've had our Canon for about 2 years now and are planning to purchase a tripod this summer. I'll definitely be very careful with that baby!!
I'm so sorry for you. I have a Canon 20D and a big zoom lens on it and I made sure my tripod is rated to fit both. Is yours? I ask because I wonder if mine *really* is???? I always mount mine and walk away...makes me nervous. I've been told that my renter's insurance covers it, up to a certain point, but you still have to pay your deductible. Again...so sorry. I would be devastated. Please let us know how it turns out.
__________________ ~ Mandi ~
Interested in my life outside of stamping (is there such a thing?)? ~ Check out my blog
Ouch! Sorry to hear of your mishap. On a maybe brighter note, if you charged your camera, check with your cc company. Some of them have warrenties on items that most people aren't even aware of. My girlfriend had her brand new glasses a week and somehow broke one of the lenses. The cc company replaced them - free - no questions asked.
Happy New Year!
We too have a friend that dropped a new camera that shattered into little pieces. They had bought it w/their AmEx card, which gave them Buyer's Assurance protection for 90 days.
I am hoping that you have insurance.....maybe your home owners will cover it??
I just got the New Sony SLR and now I am thinking I want to call the insurance company in the next few days to take out coverage on it.
((((HUGS))))
__________________
Shelley
The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.
My heart goes out to you... I have the Nikon D80, among others. I think I've done three shots with it because my husband took it over as soon a I bought it... He's afraid I will destroy it!!! Yes, its mine, not his!!!
OH MY!
I WOULD DIE!!!
i used to have a very heavy very professional tripod.. but it weighed so much that my poor back couldnt carry it any longer.
i now use a small ambico that has been good to me the last 4 years or so.
but, when shooting with it, i dont leave it in a vertical position alone. i just flip it over to walk away.. so i cant speak for the sturdiness of it in that situation.
i would be so sick to my stomach if it happened to me. i feel for you!
My tripod is also a Manfrotto, but in an endless effort to avoid accidents like Ellen's I've gotten into the habit of using my neckstrap and supporting myself on something for steadiness or just using my momopod instead. I am always afraid that my husband will drop it or set in on an unsteady surface. I can only hope for the best!!! I hope Ellen was able to recover from it!!
Major Camera Mishap
