Sharing Lenses with POTNers

[PhotoJourno]

I have no doubt the mods will be looking closely at this thread, but I want them to rest assured I will remain true to the code of these forums, and follow ALL guidelines.

I just need to vent.

It does not matter who -I hope anyone who posts names will be caught in time by the mods, because this is not about one person in particular- but I just feel really disillutioned.

I let someone borrow a lens. Just take it, use it, when you are done, bring it back. My way of helping others, of trying to build a stronger photographic community in which we're not just trying to undercut each other's prices or hijack their events, etc.

The only thing I ever ask to those whom I lend gear to, is that they keep in touch. Once a week, or so, give me a ring and say "Hey, I exist, I got your lens, I will shoot one more ops and then return it". Maybe even a PM, an Email.

Well, in this case nothing. Never heard back from this individual. It wasn't a 400 L 2.8 IS, but still, it was a lens I loved, and that served me well.

My attempts to contact this person are futile.

Before anyone starts with the usual cliche warning (happens always) I'd rather say it myself. One does these things at one's own risk, and POTN is not responsible. I get it.

I guess I just feel bad -for now- that there are other people who are willing to look like crap just to get away with a little lense. I find that sad.

I am contemplating a course of action, but for now I am just hoping my little lens will come back to me.

Could I go after this person and rain fire and damnation upon them? Absolutely. But I guess it bothers me that you try to be courteous and kind with others, and one out of three people, are looking for an opportunity to who knows, move to Alaska before being able to return your stuff (you know, they left in such a hurry ;) ).

Anyhow.

[eddarr]

You can't change the way you interact with people. That would change who you are fundamentally. Just remember that the wrong people come in and out of your life quickly, the right people stay as long as possible.

I have to admit to having a poor memory for those things sometimes. I borrowed a battery charger from a neighbor once. He had to ask for it back 6 months latter. It wasn't intentional it just skipped my mind. I brought it back cleaner than it was given to me and I loan him tools whenever I have what he needs.

As far as getting your lens back it is simple. Ask nicely once (everyone deserves nice the first time), if you have to ask a second time don't be nice.

[crn3371]

That just sucks! We all like to think that we're a tight knit little community around here and that there's a certain degree of trust. Hopefully the member who borrowed it just went on vacation and isn't able to be contacted. Keep us updated.

[Mom27andblessed]

That really does suck. It doesn't matter if it was a $3000 lens or a $50 lens...it is YOURS.
I hope whomever has it does realize their error and return it.

Meantime, you are left to feel like you held the door open for someone and they slammed your fingers in it...not very nice.

Don't let it change who you are tho...because you are a fair, honest and decent person. Don't let them have that too.

HUGS

[PhotoJourno]

You can't change the way you interact with people. That would change who you are fundamentally. Just remember that the wrong people come in and out of your life quickly, the right people stay as long as possible....As far as getting your lens back it is simple. Ask nicely once (everyone deserves nice the first time), if you have to ask a second time don't be nice.

I think you are right. I appreciate this comment in particular, as the basic reaction is "oh, yeah?.... Fine, no more socializing, no more being friendly.." like a little kid in the school yard who's had his first bad experience.

And as far as being nice and then less nice, well, I don't even want to consider the alternatives. It's about the principle, not the lens, or the person, or nothing else.

:)

[PhotoJourno]

That just sucks! We all like to think that we're a tight knit little community around here and that there's a certain degree of trust. Hopefully the member who borrowed it just went on vacation and isn't able to be contacted. Keep us updated.


There is trust and good people in this forum. This is why there will be no speaking of regulations, and names, and other such things. I start by saying it was my fault if anything, for being the way I am.

On the other hand, if any POTNer called me tonight and asked for help, I would yet again bend over backwards trying to be of assistance.

Is not the morons that drop along the way what counts in life, but rather the kind hearted people you associate with. And the only way to reach out to those, is to be who you are, to show no guile, no angle. (Some goofiness sure, specially when the Forum is the After-hours place of hangout :p ).

Thanks for the comment :)

[PhotoJourno]

That really does suck. It doesn't matter if it was a $3000 lens or a $50 lens...it is YOURS.
I hope whomever has it does realize their error and return it.

Meantime, you are left to feel like you held the door open for someone and they slammed your fingers in it...not very nice.

Don't let it change who you are tho...because you are a fair, honest and decent person. Don't let them have that too.

HUGS


Thanks Cindy.

I love this forum. Thanks for your words, I do feel encouraged to just let go of the frustration and move forward. Can't afford -today, in this world- to hang with more negative feelings. It just won't help. Thanks for the hugs :)

I did need to vent, I shared one lens that was part of my small working set, and at this point I could not even replace it.

He he, like my crazy father would say "Well, that'll teach you not to do that again". :)

[Nick Pro]

Is it possible that he never got the lens, or it was shipped to the wrong address?

Good luck!
Nick

[PhotoJourno]

Is it possible that he never got the lens, or it was shipped to the wrong address?

Good luck!
Nick


Nah. I wish. No need to get into details though... (it would make the thread take a dark turn, sort of gang up on one person or something - this would be absolutely unacceptable, I wouldn't want it in these forums- ).

Thanks though, Nick.

[greg20d]

I have always gone out of my way to help others and in being a nice guy I have been pooped on plenty of times in my life but I still think most people are good and try not to be sinicle (spelling isn't my strong suit) that being said it has cost me thousands of dollars over my life time probably close to 200k even but I still am a giving person and enjoy helping people
good luck mario (a few things I dont loan out is my camera and my wife) I used to say my car but I have loaned it a few times

[asysin2leads]

I agree that POTN is not the place to crucify someone. Your post was tactful, respectful and well thought out. I'm sorry that you haven't gotten your lens back. I've had this happen with other things, but never my camera gear. I'm sure we've all had this happen....and very well may be on the other side of this coin, too. I can assume that this person is local to you. You were friendly enough to loan something valuable and holds sentimental value. I'm not familiar with NV laws, but I'm sure you can file a stolen goods report. Even if you loan someone something, not returning it after attempts to recover property is stealing. Here is my advice...

I would make reasonable attempts to contact this person. I know you already have. Especially by e-mail. There's your paper trail. Outline the exact date you loaned him the lens and when you expected it back. Give him/her a couple of weeks to respond and to get the lens back to you. If by then, you don't have a lens or a response, file a stolen goods report. Then, if my humble opinion, Pekka needs to know who this person is and needs to be banned. If they are dishonest enough to steal your lens, they are dishonest enough to post an ad for sale and not deliver on the product. I agree that the general POTN community doesn't need to know who this person is. This person's actions can and have affected the integrity of POTN community.

[asysin2leads]

a few things I dont loan out is my camera and my wife

Party Pooper!!!

I'll loan out my ex-wife. Hell, y'all can keep her. She's got a lot of mileage on her, though.

[coralnutz]

Wow, that's pretty nice of you to borrow out lenses like that. I get nervous even letting someone hold my camera.

I've had a couple people ask me if I wanted to borrow one of theres as I only have 1 lens atm. I've declined just on the risk that I could some how damage it and I couldn't afford to fix it.

[calicokat]

Its becoming harder and harder to trust your fellow man these days......hope this all works out for you

[jeptranport]

MJ seems I remember archive posts where you put yourself out there to help a lens deficient photog wannabe..
Believe in Karma cause you got a mad case of the good kind..
If the lost lens cost you $500 it will cost bad karma guy $5000.
You da man and life is good cause you are here.
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
You are golden don't let some douche change that.:cool:

[PhotoJourno]

Its becoming harder and harder to trust your fellow man these days......hope this all works out for you

You know how it goes, Sh-- happens, and then someone keeps your lens.

:p

[deadpass]

no good deed goes unpunished. Hell i'd loan out my wife before my camera because she can get home on her own, my gear can't.

[PhotoJourno]

no good deed goes unpunished. Hell i'd loan out my wife before my camera because she can get home on her own, my gear can't.

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[lemminglover]

no good deed goes unpunished. Hell i'd loan out my wife before my camera because she can get home on her own, my gear can't.

I'm guessing your wife does not read this forum or you've got to a stage in your life where sex is no longer important :D

[Maureen Souza]

I have loaned out my lenses, P&S cameras, etc. on several occasions without any problem. But I have been persnickety as to who gets to borrow them.

[S.Horton]

When I read this, I think you've encountered a thief.

There's nothing you can do about that.

But, I might recommend calling the police.

[greg20d]

I will give someone my ex wifeand you dont even have to take over the payments( the payments are over) there are 2 maybe 3 people i know that I would loan equipment to (or borrow from)

[Stefan A]

I don't want to ruin the spirit of your thread - and I AM sorry that this happened to you. It's really nice that you have this positive outlook about other people. In my own (not internet) life, I like to also think that people are inherently good. I will lend things to people with no problem. However, I just cannot have the same outlook when it comes to the internet - including POTN. I do not consider POTN a "close knit community." Sure, there are a lot of good people here and many who regularly post. But anybody - absolutely ANYBODY can join POTN and create for themselves any persona that they choose. Unless I personally know somebody, I would never lend something valuable. I think there would be some instances where someone I know from the internet would earn my trust in some way. There are some people on another site that I have known for years and their character comes through. I would consider that.

Stefan

[Permagrin]

I'm sorry this happened to you Mario.

Sometimes I lend out my gear to people...but really it's to those that I know will return them (or I know where they live ;) ). I hate to borrow gear because I'd hate for anything to happen to it (so I'm neurotic about returning it). But in this day and age (the "all about me" or "I want it, I should have it by rights") I'm pretty careful anymore and lend to only those I trust and even then with the "I hope I get it back in one piece but if I don't..." mentality....just because things should never come btw. friends.

I'm really sorry that this person didn't respect you or your kindness more.

I have to agree with Stefan though, as giant as POTN is...I would never just lend because someone is a member (just too cynical I guess). But I have to say that I admire you greatly because you did.

[20droger]

I'm guessing your wife does not read this forum or you've got to a stage in your life where sex is no longer important :D
Is there such a stage? I've not heard of it.

[20droger]

And Mario, you should send your pal "Guido" (the very large individual who has a REAL mug shot) to meet with the person and retrieve your lens. Appropriate persuasion can be applied to suitable body parts, if required.

[PhotoJourno]

I have to agree with Stefan though, as giant as POTN is...I would never just lend because someone is a member (just too cynical I guess). But I have to say that I admire you greatly because you did.


Thanks Perma. And also thanks Stefan for your accurate comments.

Yeah, I did not mean to say anyone posting in this forum is automatically a member of my family, though sometimes I take my chances (and willingly so) to help out someone who is in need of a lens, just like I could be.

I am certainly not one to love the unity of the internet, specially when the prime minister of Nigeria wants to send me 10 million dollars, some Diedre Votabara guarantees that I can get an extra two inches, and a credit card company tells me I am a week past due (wait, that last one may be true).

:)

[PhotoJourno]

And Mario, you should send your pal "Guido" (the very large individual who has a REAL mug shot) to meet with the person and retrieve your lens. Appropriate persuasion can be applied to suitable body parts, if required.


He he... I have had these 'macho' thoughts. You know -well, wives are speciallists as they get to hear every one of them- "honey, tomorrow I will go to my boss, and tell him he is a bastard for what he did, hang him by the foot out the window, and have him beg for mercy before pulling him back up"... "Or I could shoot him in the foot -with a pillow as a silencer, don't make me out to be a dummy yet- and let him bleed slowly till he begs... I betcha the police would understand once I told them how he screwed me off my promotion for no reason"...

After the estosterone clears a bit, we oughta realize that getting five to fifteen for a stupid piece of glass (I am saying stupid by comparison), is not really that feasible. Though I must admit I have as many 'macho' thoughts as the next guy, and they do help reaffirm a sense of power, of can-do attitude. If it came down to it, we could pop some eyeballs out. Somehow, that silly thought brings us some sense of reassurance.

In the end one grows to realize that though others may go over the line, the true power is in staying within the boundaries. Sounds conceited, or selfrighteous somewhat. But I would hope in second thought not. "Hey, remember Mario? Yeah, he's such a nice guy, helped me get started in photography. Yeah, where is he now? Folsom or San Quentin?"

In all honesty, it would be unfair that anyone else in the future with a real need for help, be shut off because of one single idiot who kept my lens for no reason.

Thanks everyone for the support.

[Foxgguy2001]

This really isn't that big a deal... I've loaned out equipment before, not photography stuff, but stuff I use for work, you just need to understand that avenues exist for you to get your stuff back, and by not returning it, he's mandating that you take action. Feeling guilty for taking it to the next level would be misplaced compassion. After being here a while, I wouldn't worry too much about letting a POTN member barrow something of mine, I'd make sure we were more than acquaintances... but you know... live and learn right :)

[PhotoJourno]

This really isn't that big a deal... I've loaned out equipment before, not photography stuff, but stuff I use for work, you just need to understand that avenues exist for you to get your stuff back, and by not returning it, he's mandating that you take action. Feeling guilty for taking it to the next level would be misplaced compassion. After being here a while, I wouldn't worry too much about letting a POTN member barrow something of mine, I'd make sure we were more than acquaintances... but you know... live and learn right :)


Very good point. I appreciate that.

[S.Horton]

Look, it won't take much. Pop by where the guy works, go ask for him, ask him for the gear back in that public place.

Didn't work?

Pop by work at lunch, take him for a bite to eat and, on the way, just stop by the house to pick up the glass.

Basically (ex bill collector) just showing up will probably shake it loose.

[PhotoJourno]

Well, after some research and Luck (Thanks, Luck) which came to aid me at the right moment, I was able to get in touch with the person involved. Apologies were given galore, and the lens should be on its way to my place before the end of the week.

I hope this is the end of it. Perhaps a very interesting misunderstanding, but again, perhaps worth the benefit of the doubt.

I shall make it the end of this chapter. With lens or not, I just have to let go of the frustration, as it was not doing me any good. :)

[joeseph]

good result. must say I've loaned stuff to a variety of POTNers and not had any problems but there's always that sort of possibility.
great thing to be able to put this episode behind you - keep smiling! :-)

[Contivity]

Mario,

I don't know what's your original relationship with the borrower; however I really commend on your courage and niceness (such word exist?). I'm glad that you finally able to get in touch with the person.

I personally will allow people to borrow my stuff if and only if they have proven worthy. For example, Jojo can borrow almost all my electronics as long as I'm not using it. Other members i barely know & have good enough reputation, maybe... if they're local and if I meet at their house then they have higher possibility...