Equipment Catastrophes

So I was thinking last night right after I got off the forum, I wonder what the worst catastrophe's have been with people and their equipment (cameras, lenses, gear, etc).

I always think to myself that it would be such a pain to wreck some equipment and buy it again just because I would be paying for something I already have.

So I ask you all, what are the worst catastrophes that you guys have had with your gear?

Pics are encouraged

Modern cameras are electronic.

Always remember, electronic equipment runs on captive smoke. If you do anything to let the smoke out, it stops working.

5DIII with 85L. Let it dangle on a black rapid strap when going to pick my daughter up. It swung into a brick wall lenses first. Fortunately only cosmetic damage only. Will need to look into micro adjustments though.

Learnt a good lesson that day.

I'm more than old enough to remember when electronics used vacuum tubes (valves for some of you). We had a saying back then that is still germane to camera lenses:

Glass tubes dropped onto a concrete floor seldom bounce.

I can report on a bit of a catastrophe I witnessed, and just barely avoided myself.

The Wedge, in Newport Beach California, can receive some ridiculously large surf - not only does this draw in the brave souls who ride the waves, but also hoards of observers, most of which have photographic equipment of some variety.

It was one of those days with large waves. About 100 yards north of where most of the surfers catch the waves is a spot that photographers with longer lenses congregate - it's a great vantage, as you can see into the tube of the breaking waves due to the angle of view. So, you have a crowd of photog's with lots of expensive equipment standing at the waters edge...and huge waves coming in.

A sand berm had formed, most waves didn't come over it, and those that did were enough to wash your ankles and shins with cool ocean water - no threat to those standing (as most of us were). This, however, became the device which brought about the disaster heading toward us.

There stood a half dozen people with equipment of value that could easily be traded for new cars, and in some cases, small houses. I'll admit, I was vaguely embarrassed to be shooting with a T1i and a Canon 75-300 (5.6) lens...an older, entry level DSLR at best. A few of these guys make some or most of their living selling surf photos to the magazines. Serious, serious equipment. Almost none of it protected against the incursion of salt water. Some of it in open cases and duffel bags.

Oh, the horror.

A particularly large set had come in, and the waves were phenomenal - everyone was focusing their shots down the beach toward the surfers, and almost no one was looking at the ocean right next to us. That's when it struck.

A wave hit the berm with such velocity that it was launched well over 10 feet into the air, creating a suspended lake of evil salt-infused water above the heads of all those at the waters edge. I saw it happen out of the corner of my eye, and somehow had the presence of mind to turn, curl my body over my camera and lens, tuck my elbows in and pray that it would be enough to protect my poor little camera. It was. Just a hint of dampness on the furthest end of the barrel, and nothing near any joints or on the body.

Not so for many others. The carnage was nauseating.

An open Pelican case was floating in a newly formed inland lake, with water sloshing about in the recesses, some edges of lenses visible above the water. Duffel bags were adrift in that new lake, one of which was being pulled aloft, endless amounts of salt water pouring from one end, as a woman was reaching in and pulling out a camera body - I didn't get to identify the brand of the victim. A large number of photographers were rapidly attempting to dry off and rescue their cameras they were holding at the time - long lenses, large bodies, attached to tripods and monopods, all in a complete panic.

For some, this put an end to their day - I overheard a number of people commenting on contacting their insurance companies, and many others had moved far back from the water, up the beach, laying out their equipment on towels, shirts, whatever was dry.

Ironically, my meek little rig turned out to be the right item to survive that catastrophe.

So the lesson to be learned is...
Eh, I didn't learn one. I'll go back and do the same, stupid thing with my new body and lens, and just hope I survive the next attack.

^great story above, I was imagining the whole thing as it happened haha

^^ I was totally gripped reading your story!

Bryan

Thanks guys - hope I'm as lucky next time.
(could consider rain gear for my rig, but that would indicate I had a brain - I don't want to muddy the waters with conflicting behavior)

I have three...

First was in Arches NP. I had on a hoodie with one of those pockets in the front where your hands can touch... I had a friends 10-22 in there he has asked me to hold. I was climbing up to get in an arch after we shot sunrise at turret arch... I got stuck and had to climb down. On the climb down, my knee hit the pocket of the hoodie, knocking the lens (I forgot it was in there) out, bouncing down the rocks to a sickening crunch at the bottom. He used my rented 10-22 for the rest of the trip. I bought him a new one and I had his repaired by Canon Irvine for ~ $250

Second was at the Miramar Airshow... I had my 1Dmkiv and 16-35 on my belt rig, and a man chasing after his kid knocked me into the concrete barrier, bending the filter ring of my 16-35.

Third was at Disneyland... leaving the Pirates of the Caribbean... a guy's camelback caught my handstrap and my 16-35 (again) + 1DMKiv spun out of my hands and hit the concrete. the 16-35 split in two pieces, half still mounted to the camera, the other half rolling away from me.

So yeah; Canon Irvine has been a good friend of mine.