Dropped my camera...

First, let me say that I really didn't drop it, it came off of my lens and fell.

I have a problem... I have a 1D mkIV, 400mm f2.8 lens, Canon 1.4, 2.0 vIII converters, and a Lens Coat.
After my camera drop, of course I am paranoid, thinking that won't happen again, but I almost lost my new 7D mkII replacement the same way!
Now, I know, you're thinking that I did something stupid, but I can (almost) say without a doubt that I didn't, at least the last 3 times that I either did lose it, or almost lost it.
I was in my kayak twice last year and picked up my 1D and 400mm to shoot, and the camera fell off in my hand, another time that same day, the same happened, but I was getting out of my kayak and it fell off into my hand... (Thank God!) I was out shooting last week with a friend and it happened to me 3 times, and it's happened more than that in-between all of that time.

Here's what is weird, I sometimes use my 1D with the converter, and sometimes I don't, but that was my main camera and lens, but now that I have a new camera, it does it too, or, the lens does it too, whatever... The weird part is, with all of the different ways I can connect them together, it does it, so the ONLY logical remaining thing is me.
Like I said though, I check my camera, a LOT, one time is all it takes to crash and kill it, and I know that, and I was paranoid after the first incident, and I try my best to keep my hands away from all of that.
It has happened while it was on a tripod standing in front of me, (when I went to grab it) it's happened when I have carried it on my tripod, trying to carefully NOT do that. It's happened while I was hand-holding it too, any combination of things, it has happened, it's only actually fell on the ground that one fatal time. It's crazy, and I know the only thing it could really be is me, but I am pretty sure it's not, but that doesn't make it true, no matter how careful I am, I guess.
That button that you use to remove the lenses is fine on all of the stuff, and there's more than one, so it can't be just that. I try my best to avoid that area, especially after the fact, but still, it happens. I was walking a few miles when it fell and crashed, I had been on grass for most of the way, then I walked onto the concrete, then it happened. I was VERY conscience of that area, you could say I was babying it out of fear. Matter of fact, just not 2 minutes before it fell, I thought to myself, I need to get back on the grass, I swear, then it of course fell. (I have a foot problem, Plantars Fasciitus, so I try not to walk on uneven ground, hence my walking the concrete, sloped areas really kill my foot)

Yes, my lens has some play when I attach it to my camera, it's been that way since the beginning, but, I barely have any slack at all when I connect my 7D mkII to my 400mm lens.
I was just trying to think, has this happened to me while it was attached to my Tamron 150-600mm, and to be honest, I can't say, I don't think...

Really, I'm trying to see if ANYONE out there has had this happen to them a few times, trying to put it to where it can make some sense out of this. I'm not a newbie at all, and really, this only started back in around June of last year, that was my kayak trip, so... When this last it fell, of course, it fell on concrete, and I am NEVER on concrete with my equipment, never, but of course, that's the way it goes. heheh

Honestly, I don't mind the blame being on me, I'm not saying I don't think that it's me because trying to hide the fact. I am just trying to see if this has happened to anyone else, and if it has, PLEASE tell me how it happened, and if you know, how it was caused, and of course, how to stop it from happening.

To help prevent this again, I am starting to use my Black Rapid Strap on my camera, so if it does fall, it'll dangle.

The GOOD NEWS is, had this not happened, I would now not be the owner of a new 7D mkII, I really do love this camera, I might even love it more than I do my 1D mkIV, maybe.


1D mkIV
400mm f2.8 lens
Canon 1.4
2.0 vIII converters
Lens Coat

7D mkII

Thanks for looking, and I am sorry I was so long in telling my saga!

Randy

I'm new to DSLRs only having one since the end of July, but I haven't had this happen. I do however keep my strap around my neck just in case something crazy happens. I somehow lost a EF-S 10-18 out of my jacket cargo pocket at the top of a trail passing over a small waterfall. Guess where that lens went...It bounced about ten feet down the trail, into the creek, and down the waterfall I replaced it with a 10-22 lens, and keep it in a bag.

Thanks Beekeeper, I thought I was alone on this forum. heheh

I don't wear a Canon strap, I can't stand them, but like I said, I will wear the Rapid Strap from now on. For things like your lens, I use a vest, I have about a million zippered and Velcro pockets on it too, I take my 1.4 and 2.0 extenders along with all kinds of other things, it gets heavy, but it stays put. I also have two fanny packs that are identical, I keep a LOT of stuff in there also.
You're right though, if I had a Canon strap around my neck this wouldn't have happened, but with a tripod too, it would be too cumbersome and awkward.

Sorry about your lens, I'd hate for that to happen.

Thanks Beekeeper!

Randy

Yeah, no lens in pockets anymore. If something bad can happen it will happen to me.

Sorry to hear this Randy.
I know it can happen to anyone.
Im fortunate to have not had this happen YET.

Im glad you have a 7d2 now and really like it. Its good to hear from a 1d4 owner.
That seems to be a great new body.

I know what you mean, if something bad happens... heheheh

Thanks Beekeeper!

Randy

Thanks, Jeremy, dropping camera stuff can happen to anyone, but can what happened to me happen to anyone? heheh

Yeah, you would think that I would be unhappy, being a 1D mkIV owner and now I have a 7D mkII, but I'm pretty happy about it, I was needing a new back-up camera anyway, and this forced me to make a decision, when my 4D comes back, maybe they'll make it better than it was.

Thanks, Jeremy!

Randy

I recall having something like this several years ago.
My lens locking pin stayed in retracted position sometimes making it not possible to lock the newly mounted lens at all times.
I believe I did some cleaning and eventually it would pop out again at all times
you might have to play with the lens release button before it gets out properly.

I be that you are 100% correct!
To be honest, I am embarrassed to say that I did not even think of looking at the camera, I don't know why, I guess I am just slow... heheh Right now it's at Canon, so when they call me to tell me how much it will be, I will (hopefully remember) to tell them this tidbit, I am sure that this is not the first that they have heard about.

THANK YOU ALYX! Whether or not this is the correct answer, I don't know, but this sounds exactly what it should be, it sure makes sense, and would explain it ALL actually. The reason I guess I didn't check the camera is it happened with too many lenses, and extenders, so I was thinking more of a ghost or goblin, I guess, rather than use my brain and try and figure it out.

I can't thank you enough for commenting on this, I was hoping that someone had a reasonable remedy, and hopefully this is it.

Now I am excited about getting it back... heheh
When I know something, I will let everyone here know, but in the meantime, I would suggest that EVERYBODY check their own camera for dirt, grime, or stickiness, or, whatever 'might be' preventing their lenses and cameras from attaching correctly.

Randy

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. I guess I unconsciously developed this habit of back-twisting the lens after it clicks to make sure it doesn't come loose - most probably due to OCD. But I've never had a lens / body drop like that. No shoulder strap here, just a peak design wrist strap when I shoot with non-collared lens; with collared lens I just grab the tripod foot. -alex

I'm so sorry to hear about your misfortune! I've been shooting casually for 40 years and have never dropped anything even in the most difficult situations but then being just a hobby shooter I don't carry a lot with me. Maybe 2-3 lenses and a tripod.
Good luck on the repair

Yes check the locking pins on the camera and the extender as well. I had to send an extender in for this problem and Canon fixed it. If I was you I would send in your camera body or bodies that have had the problem along with any extender and lens. Canon will fix any and all problems and send everything back.

Hi Rent,

Like you, my OCD prevents me from NOT checking things out like you said, I do, and did check the camera to make sure it's on good, that was my main point, it's been checked, but it still finds a way to loosen and, in my case, fall off. I also grab hold of the foot on the collar, but, that is not the camera, the camera can still fall off no matter how tight you hold onto the foot. I promise, I check, and re-check to make sure that my camera is on there tight, 'something' makes it loose, whatever that is is still a mystery.

Thanks, Rent!

Randy

In the 34 years I have been shooting, this is my first camera to drop, I did drop my 100-400mm lens once, and of course it was on concrete, which again, I was only on for 30 seconds... heheh
I carry the bare necessities when I go, the more you take, the more that can go wrong, or lose.

Thanks for your comment, itsallart!

Randy

Well, I would've checked this out, and also sent in my extenders, but the camera's already at Canon, so I will see what the camera shop that I sent it through can do, they do smallish repairs, and if not, I'm sure that alcohol (done right) can me a difference.

Thank you for your helpful comment!

Randy