Tripod head fell forward with camera on it...

[FlipsidE]

So, I was linin up for some macro shots today, and it seems that last time I was using my tripod, I left the head a little loose. So, I get my Dreb, kit lens, and 420EX set up to do some macro shooting on a table, when the tripod head (camera on it) fell forward and hit the table. Only the lens actually came into contact with the table. And, so far, I don't see anything that has been damaged (pictures still look ok...at least I think so).

Is this something I should be worried about? I mean...the entire tripod didn't fall, just the head tipped, so I'm hoping it's not that bad.

What should I be looking for if there is a problem?

Thanks

FlipsidE

[jobe]

Check for small dents or scratches, if you find any, a good french polisher should sort it out.
Hope this helps

[CoolToolGuy]

You might want to check the filter ring to see if it was damaged.

Have Fun,

[FlipsidE]

So, for something like this, I shouldn't be worried about something being wrong with the lens or the body? Just the filter? If that's the case, then I'm a happy camper. I can buy a new filter cheap. The body and lens are what I'm most concerned about.

FYI, it didn't slam down, but it wasn't a nice easy graceful tap either. It hit the table...didn't tap it.

Thanks

FlipsidE

[defordphoto]

A great percentage of the horror stories I hear occur when the equipment is attached to a tripod. It'd be a good practice to weigh the center rod down anytime your equipment is attached as this would eliminate most mishaps such as this.

You're luck Flip. Most people's equipment gets smashed by accidents such as yours.

[FlipsidE]

smashed? Not sure I follow. Mine didn't really travel too terribly far. And, so far, the pictures taken with it have been said to be "very clear" even after the fall. So, I think I'm ok. Usually the horror stories I hear are when tripods completely tip over (LONG way to travel before it hits the ground). Mine was just the head. So, I'm HOPING it didn't cause any issues.

Here are some pictures taken with the camera after the "fall."

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=45970

FlipsidE

[defordphoto]

Smashed? Pretty simple as you alluded to: Camera on tripod. Tripod falls completely over onto concrete, ashpalt, rocks. Camera and lens become smashed bits of horror.

[FlipsidE]

Yeah, I'm hoping that the very worst thing I have to worry about is the servo motor in the lens that controls the focus. It was on AF when the front of the lens hit the table. The focus was almost all the way out. When it hit the table, it pushed it probably 3/4 of the way back in. So far, I'm not seeing any issues though. I *hope* that's all that happened.

FlipsidE

[steven]

Most of the sorties of camera/lens getting smashed the damage was obvious and noticible imediatly.
The only thing that I can think of is if you have knocked something loose inside and then it later gets in the way of the mechanizim in the lens.
Does it rattle?
If not I would just count your luck stars and add that to your pre-shoot check list :roll:

[FlipsidE]

The only rattle is from the built in flash (which happens in most Drebs). So, I think I should count my lucky stars.

Edit: After checking more thorougly, the body has not rattle. The lens...well, I can't tell as it's always had a slight rattle. But, it is just the kit lens...which I hope to be replacing soon anyway.

FlipsidE

[scotgasch]

I dropped my 10d from about 3 feet on concrete once....luckily I had BIG-ED on it and it took the blow. The shutter release button broke off but that was all. So all that is needed is a minor repair or a new grip.

[FlipsidE]

Well that's good to hear. I'm going to hope that I just got lucky this time with this very short fall.

FlipsidE

[BrandonSi]

Jesus man.. if it weren't for bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all. :shock:

[ScottE]

I always like to keep a lens hood on my lense when in use. They have saved the front of the lenses from a lot of unwanted abuse in accidents like the one you describe. Lens hoods are also useful for reducing flare.

You may have been lucky this time, but protect you lens in the future.

[FlipsidE]

I really appreciate the advice. I will definitely look into some hoods.

FlipsidE

[FlipsidE]

Jesus man.. if it weren't for bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all. :shock:

- TELL ME ABOUT IT! It always happens to me with high dollar electronics.

I went through three iPods before I found one that worked. I guess the third time is the charm.

I bought an open box TiVo unit from Best Buy. They guaranteed me that it would have everything in the box. I get home...no remote. Of course, I would have lived w/out it until they got me a new one had it not been for the fact that nothing can be done with these ReplayTV/TiVo units w/out the remote.

I bought a Dell Inspiron 2650 only to have the speakers, keyboard, CD-RW/DVD Drive, and Floppy drive die on me almost immediately (literally w/in just a couple of months...and all have been replaced under warranty).

I bought a lot of new parts to upgrade my PC only to have my board be flaky on me (still hasn't quite settled down, but it's better than it was in Feb when I bought it). Plus, I bent a couple of pins on my processor when I was trying to put it together.

When putting my old board in new case (right around the same time as above), I honestly didn't know that stand-offs were required. I put it in, fired it up, and ended up burning out one of my DDR RAM slots on that mobo (metal touching metal like that is not a good thing).

My $300 receiver that I got back when I was in college made a clicking sound whenever any remote control was used around it...to this day I stll have that receiver and it still does it.

I'm on my third or fourth Xbox now (all replaced under warranty). The first one had Dirty Disc Errors, the second had a VERY audible vibration problem. My guess is that the DVD drive wasn't mounted properly. And, I *think* went though one more for Dirty Disc Errors (on brand new games).

I bought a 120GB Wester Digital HDD only to bring it home and find it was DOA. I took it back the next day and got a new one that's working just fine.

I could probably come up with a few more if I thought about it a bit more.

FlipsidE

[drisley]

Jesus man.. if it weren't for bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all. :shock:
I was just about to say the exact same thing!
Man, you gotta start rubbing your plastic Buddha's belly a little harder before bedtime to improve your luck!

Wait a minute, your real name wouldn't happen to be "Mr. Bean" would it?

[PekkaM]

After reading a few of these, I doubt I'll ever again leave my camera on tripod without being close enough to grab it. I used to keep my 20D + 70-200 f2.8 on a tripod as a nice decorating piece in my home... :shock:

(well, I have an insurance but...)

[ron chappel]

It sounds like it had little or no damage done to it.
One way to check the focus drive is to apply a little resistance to it (hold it or drag a finger on the filter ring as it focuses through it's range)
If there are any teeth missing you'll quickly find the spot
I suspect that no damage occoured at all though-i've heard much worse stories with good endings :) :) :)

Oh...and thanks for being such a top bloke-taking all the bad luck so that we get none :lol: :lol: :lol:

[PhotosGuy]

Pekka: After reading a few of these, I doubt I'll ever again leave my camera on tripod without being close enough to grab it.

Good advice! Get a quick release for the cam, & take the cam with you if you have to move away, even if it's only for 5 seconds. Kids, dogs, big birds, & your clumsy feet will eventually get you if you dont! :wink: