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Red
4th of July 2005 (Mon), 06:44
It may sound like a sappy, hippy sentiment, but the wind really can change things.
On a day when I had 3 shoots to do, I was shooting outdoors in some rather harsh lighting that was making it really hard to see anything on LCDs. This meant a lot of take card out, put in Espsom, find shade to check shot. I like to talk to the models and catch them with off-guard natural expressions, so I use a tripod and remote a lot.

One time when I was hunkering in the shade conflabbing with Ian on the need for reflector adjustment one of the guys who came with one of the models came over to me with a very worried look on his face, and my camera attached to the tripod still, but half the lens in his hand!

A gust of wind had knocked the tripod over and it had gone down face first. Luckily it was the nifty fifty, so it's cheap to replace. It was also the last shot of the day, and Ian kindly let me use his 1D, before I even asked (top man). Remember him making a comment at the start of the day about how I should move over to hand-held. Seems more significant now!

The back half of the lens is stuck on the camera and will only rotate half way to where it should. Camera still operates and takes shots with the front half of the lens hald in place, so no mirror damage, and I'll be checking the pics for sensor damage.

Anyone with repair places that have a quick turnaround would be helpful!

http://www.pixelsstudios.com/brokenlens.jpg

David1943
4th of July 2005 (Mon), 08:49
Oh dear, that's such an awful sight to see. I'd hate that to happen to my camera and lens. I do hope you manage to get matters sorted out quickly and smoothly.

Regards, David :)

PhotosGuy
4th of July 2005 (Mon), 08:56
Sorry about the lens! In high wind conditions, if the tripod isn't HEAVY, try adding weight to it. I carry empty 1 gallon plastic containers to fill with water & hang from the tripod. You can also cut a hole near the top & fill with sand, etc.
Another alternative would be to stake the legs down.

Red
4th of July 2005 (Mon), 09:02
Neither Ian or I heard it fall or the few yelps from the people that saw it. First I knew was when they came over!

You'll be glad to know that it's now the time of "The Screwdrivers Of Change" :twisted:

http://www.pixelsstudios.com/revenge.jpg

Got the lens off by myself with carefull prying and un screwing. Tested the camera with another lens and all seems to be well. Lens goes on and off just like before. Shots are as expected, if not as sharp as with the fifty. Think I've gotten off lucky.

On a completely seperate note, not related to the above at all, I have a nifty fifty that I'm putting up on ebay. Never been dropped and broken in half, one previous lazy owner, includes warranty up until you get it. :wink:
http://www.pixelsstudios.com/ebayniftyfifty.jpg

cowenbecky
4th of July 2005 (Mon), 09:06
That is indeed a sad sight.

DwightMcCann
4th of July 2005 (Mon), 09:13
That sucks ... I'm still waiting word from Canon on what they'll charge me for repairing my 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM that fell, in camera (that wasn't hurt), about four feet from the top of a speaker being driven by the Tower of Power. At least you can probably afford to replace it, sigh.