G3 Cameras Don't Bounce... or DO They?

[KarlJones]

Hello all. Well as some of you may remember, one of our G3 faithful testified right here that G3's will not float. Well, I should have you all note that G3 cameras don't bounce, either. Or so I thought.

My G3, take a nasty drop from about four feet onto a textured concrete surface. The sound of impact was sickening, I can tell you that. The camera appears to have hit twice: first on the rear corner by the battery cover, followed by the left edge just in from the LCD hinge. Two minor scrapes about the size of the tip of a pen. The battery ejected on impact, but all else was intact. Re-inserting the battery, it wouldn't power up. So I resigned myself to further inspection back at home, hopeful that a cooler head could make sense of it all.

On closer review, it seems that the battery cover is ever so slightly out of alignment and not providing a strong enough push on the battery to make contact. A slight press on the cover and viola! Powers up, telescoping action appears normal, dozens of test shoots in various modes, focusing is okay. I'll still have it checked out to be on the safe side and of course for the battery cover replacement. I love this camera even more, now that it has a "battlescar" on it. I think I'll squeeze it just a little tighter from now on.

Take care folks... and be careful!

[NILOLIGIST]

KarlJones,

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I will make sure I hold on real tight, I don't want to have anything to add to your story.

I hope everything checks out okay with your camera.

Big Smile,

[Derfel]

While my camera is a G1, I think I'll add a story just the same:

I was touring Ottawa one cold December night, and my hands were getting so cold I could hardly keep the camera steady when taking shots. Then, as I was turning a corner, a strong gust of wind blew down the street and my hands just gave up and let go of the camera.

Now, the next few moments replay in slow motion: it fell from my hands, from about 4 feet up or so, and tumbled towards the concrete. It landed on the sidewalk, *lens first* and then flipped over off of the sidewalk onto the side of the road into a bit of snow that was piled there.

I almost fainted.

I brushed it off as quickly as possible, but I noticed one important thing: the power was STILL ON. In fact, I took a picture with the camera which I later found turned out.

Back at the hotel, I did a thorough inspection. Absolutely nothing wrong, at all. Just a small scratch on the outside of the lens barrel, and another one on the bottom left of the camera body. The camera is still working fine, 4 months later.

Goes to show you they aren't as fragile as one would think!

[dovbaer]

I dropped mine on concrete. Fell on the lens cap, which now has a big nick in it. No damage that I can determine, and I've used it quite a bit since then.

[Dougery]

Although I haven't dropped mine yet (knock on wood) on another board I read a posting from someone who dropped the G3 about 5'. They did have a lensmate adapter on and the camera landed right on the lens when it was fully extended. The lensmate took all of the impact and there was no damage to the camera at all. My first purchase after reading that was a a new lens converter from lensmate. (BTW, I do not work for lensmate) :0)

[DNHayashida]

After years of using expensive film SLRs I have developed few habits that has saved me from the same accident many times. I put the neck strap on the first thing I do when I pick up the camera. Even if it is only for a few seconds. If I put the camera down on a table or counter I make sure the strap is not hanging off the edge. I keep the camera in a case - I got the fitted leather case for my G2, and even though I can't use the top portion because I have a Lensmate, I leave the base portion on all the time. It protects the edges and some of the other surfaces, and in the event of a fall it will cushion it a little bit, maybe just enough to avoid damage. When hiking I use a Lowepro Nova Mini and it stays in there until I take a picture, (neck strap on!) or a few pictures, then it goes right back in - no putting it on a boulder or tree stump "for just a few seconds", or "I'll leave it around my neck while I stroll over to the next place I want to take a picture". Likewise the lens cap is always on except for the actual picture taking. I take the cap off, take the picture, then it goes right back on - this is easier to do if you have a Lensmate or other adapter.

If you get in the habit of doing this with all your cameras you will avoid many accidents like you experienced. I have not dropped a camera in 25 years - Knock on wood.

--
Darryl Hayashida