Oh my gosh, I never thought i'd be making one of these posts. There are only two groups: those who've dropped their gear, and those who have yet to drop it.
Well, I was celebrating my anniversary with my girlfriend down in San Juan Capistrano. Walking back to the hotel, we crossed a driveway entrance that was moderately slanted. The concrete had some wet patchy spots from cars that had driven though the gutter.
As we were chatting and crossed I must have stepped on a wet spot with my sandal(s) and lost traction. My legs slid out from under me sideways and I landed on my right side. I wear my gear with an r-strap when walking about, makes it easier. As I fell down, instead of landing on my hip, the camera and lens cushioned my fall.
I heard the lens hood scrape on the sidewalk then pop off the lens mounts. I felt my full weight bear down on the camera as I fell because I really had slipped and had absolutely no footing. Even trying to get up I was slipping and on my knees.
Upon inspection, I saw the lens hood hanging off the lens stuck on by the front lens ring. The front metal ring was severely distorted and bent. The lens cap doesn't even come close to fitting, its not circular anymore. The element was fine, 0 scratches. I attribute that to the lens hood being on as I always have it (i'm not a uv filter user). It was mounted on my GFs rebel t1i which was perfectly clean and functional(thank god). The lens still focused. The barrel felt slightly wobbly when the lens extended, and the zoom ring was binding by the 24 side and from 50-70 side.
I was absolutely mortified for the rest of the night. Tried to shake it off but felt sick to my stomach. The lens was barely 7 months old. We headed home the next day and THANKFULLY we have the Canon Factory Service center in Irvine. It was right off the freeway on the way home from San Juan Capistrano and we dropped off the gear there for repair.
Left the 24-70 with them paid the standard $158 labor fee (additional costs found after opening up the lens they will call me). Left the rebel t1i there for inspection and cleaning. Covered free under warranty. The tech looked at it and "this fell? there are no scratches or anything. Don't worry about the warranty being voided. We'll cover it free." SWEET!! I also dropped off my 1dmk2 for cleaning, paid the standard $30 fee, not free anymore.
So there we stand. Look at the aftermath pics and I'll post back when I get the lens back. *sigh* I still feel sick from hurting my poor lens but at least she'll get fixed...
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