Dropped the 50D

Well it happened. I was readjusting the camera (50D) neckstrap (Optech) and I must have bumped the quick release. The camera came down on hard rock, and then fell another 3 feet onto some more rock. The grip is done, cracked pretty good, and the lens (thank god it was not my 70-200) front element is a little loose, it was the kit 28-135. I have not tried to diagnose if there are any malfunctions yet, although it does still seem to shoot fine.

My question is this, have you guys ever dropped your camera? What did you do? I need some advice because I have never been in this situation before.

Man I feel like such a tool right now

3 feet onto rock doesn't sound pleasant...ouch....may​be a good excuse for an upgrade?

haven't dropped mine(yet anyway). Sure it happens to the best of us along the way.

Good luck!

How long have you had it?

How did you pay for it? Most credit card companies give you benefits you might not be aware of. For example, AMEX gives a 90-day unconditional replacement for broken items. They also double the manufacturer's warranty.

But that's why you bought the 50D instead of a Rebel. The Rebel would have probably been dead now.

Sorry to hear about that whoodie.... bad luck.

The Optech has a quick release? I use a Tamrac I modified with the hand strap also, no releases at all. Just call me paranoid and conservative I guess. Hope things work out for you.

I always wrap the camera strap around my wrist a couple times before lifting the camera. I'm also paranoid about dropping cameras, and would rather lose a shot than lose a camera.

I dropped my 50D after only owning it for a month. There wasn't the slightest mark on it, but it wouldn't turn on.

I sent it into canon and two weeks later I got a brand new 50D back in the mail.
Felt a little bad as I didn't say I dropped it. Just that the camera wouldn't turn on.

melvinudawl wrote in post #9015868
...maybe a good excuse for an upgrade?...

We think alike!

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #9015878
How long have you had it?

How did you pay for it? Most credit card companies give you benefits you might not be aware of. For example, AMEX gives a 90-day unconditional replacement for broken items. They also double the manufacturer's warranty.

But that's why you bought the 50D instead of a Rebel. The Rebel would have probably been dead now.

I have had it since May, paid with a BB credit card. I'll look to see if there is any coverage.

sapearl wrote in post #9015880
...The Optech has a quick release?...

Yeah, you can remove the padded neck portion if you are doing say, tripod work. I like the feature, but not if I am going to drop another camera because of it.

ConDigital wrote in post #9015911
...Felt a little bad as I didn't say I dropped it...

This is what I am wondering. The lens and grip took most of the damage. There are only two very small dings on the body that I have found. I hate to scam them though. Karma you know.

Hate to here stories like this.

whoodie wrote in post #9015826
I was readjusting the camera (50D) neckstrap (Optech) and I must have bumped the quick release.

Takes more than a bump to release them, I would say it wasn't connected properly to start with.

whoodie wrote in post #9015826
The grip is done, cracked pretty good, and the lens ....front element is a little loose, it was the kit 28-135.

Trash the grip, shot without it for a while, then decide if you really want to replace it.
By front element do mean just the glass, or that the whole front barrel is loose?

whoodie wrote in post #9015826
I have not tried to diagnose if there are any malfunctions yet, although it does still seem to shoot fine.

My question is this, have you guys ever dropped your camera? What did you do? I need some advice because I have never been in this situation before.

My old 20D fell twice. Once about two feet onto a flat grass area. And once about five feet of my gun safe, but it was in the bag that time. No damage either time.
Just take some shots in all the modes and make sure it seems to work the same. Check the shots on your pc and compare them to previous shots. If something appears different, send it to Canon. Call them or contact them through their site first though.

It won't be covered by warrenty as you dropped it and it's not a manufacturing defect.

Eagle wrote in post #9015998
Hate to here stories like this.


Takes more than a bump to release them, I would say it wasn't connected properly to start with.


Trash the grip, shot without it for a while, then decide if you really want to replace it.
By front element do mean just the glass, or that the whole front barrel is loose?


My old 20D fell twice. Once about two feet onto a flat grass area. And once about five feet of my gun safe, but it was in the bag that time. No damage either time.
Just take some shots in all the modes and make sure it seems to work the same. Check the shots on your pc and compare them to previous shots. If something appears different, send it to Canon. Call them or contact them through their site first though.

It won't be covered by warrenty as you dropped it and it's not a manufacturing defect.

Thanks for the info. As far as the grip is concerned I shot without it in the beginning. I fell in love with photography all over again since I got it (I shoot 75% portrait). The problem is that I am in a delimma, if I upgrade to a 7D, I would want to get a 7D grip. The replacement grip would be "lost" money.

I plan on setting up the tripod tomorrow and take a bunch of shots, to see if anything is really different.

The lens barrel is what is loose, all glass is intact.

I am curious what Canon would charge to repair it (provided that I do find a fault tomorrow).

So far . . .only glass has crashed into the ground.
Great customer service from the NJ Repair Center.
I would be "suspect" and proably ship it to the service center for an eval . . .

I don't mean to take the thread off topic but what exactly is the point of a magnesium body shell if the camera can't even take a minor fall?

whoodie wrote in post #9016059
The lens barrel is what is loose, all glass is intact.

It is normal for the 28-135 barrel to become loose over time.

lonelyjew wrote in post #9016070
I don't mean to take the thread off topic but what exactly is the point of a magnesium body shell if the camera can't even take a minor fall?

Sounds like the camera is probably fine.

Eagle wrote in post #9016072
It is normal for the 28-135 barrel to become loose over time.

It was always there, even more so now. Also mine has an extreme case of zoom creep

THIS THREAD IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT PICS!!!