Hi,

I was a Army photographer in Vietnam during the war.

Some of the cameras really got banged up, doused, muddied, sat on, thrown (and broken) on helicopter floors. In the fullness of time, all of them got rust. They were all scarred up a lot. I don't know how many I went through or broke and had to turn in.

Later in life, as an officer in charge of units that included photography, some of my guys managed to leave an F3 in the path of tanks. The tanks won.

My best,

Mike

You know, to tell you guys the truth, I nearly went with Olympus when I was considering my first DSLR purchase. I kind of liked their completely weatherproof design. I'm pretty clumsy sometimes, so I thought it might be handy.

But to the extent that I use my camera, I wouldn't have needed to use the weatherproofing to the extent of the Olympus cameras. And I'm glad I didn't, they dropped the 4/3 and went micro 4/3 not so soon after.

And as I noted earlier, the worst my camera has been through was a light drizzle and some pretty cold weather. Not the worst, but to say the least, it held up just fine.

Who didn't bring a tripod and loves weather sealing?

I would gladly take that job :P

That rocket shot was worth it BTW

Note to self......if kyoshinikon ever offers to sell me some of his used equipment, just say no! ;-) Nikon should get you to test the weather sealing on all their new cameras kyoshi?

You're right, when you look at it initially you just think "wow that's a nice shot", I would like to see some of the following frames just before the lens became DOA!

SkintBrit said:
Is this the one you were thinking of Jerl?

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=636

Was it worth frying your equipment for?

Yes, that's the one! Actually, the picture is more impressive than I would have thought. I mean, I know it doesn't look like much at first, but when you think about it some more, it's an insane setup.

That is typically where my cameras are used...

Yes, that is my camera.

I also don't use lenscaps on any of my lenses (but my prized 14-24mm and one of my 300mm's)

Worst abuse I've done is time I (complete accident) dropped my D200 down a Rock wal (12 ft too).... It still works too.

jerl said:
I seem to recall someone sticking a camera and an ultrawide (I'm thinking an F4 with a 14/2.8) under the space shuttle to take pictures of it just before it launched. I don't really think you can get worse than that.

Is this the one you were thinking of Jerl?

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=636

Was it worth frying your equipment for?

scoobysmak said:

@msmoto- The drag raceing camera just makes my heart sink but it was an accident, not like they set it up in the middle of the track. I chalk this up to stuff happens.

I change lenses as you do, so the junk falls to the ground rather than into the lens. However on the NIKON Digitutor video, the big 600mm lens was upright, front element to ground, as the fellow changed the teleconverter.

Re: the video above.... I shoot a lot of race cars, most of which cost about $50,000 and up to over a million dollars. These folks almost routinely in the heat of competition turn these into junk. At least three or four each weekend at Road America, the fastest road course in the US.

And, I will guess most of the NRF participants take care of their equipment much better than average.

@SkintBrit- I usually keep the camera and lens just the same as you would shoot (level with the ground) when I change lenses. I understand pointing the camera down but figure that leaves the lens exposed to the "floating gravity dirt" that I don't want. With the lens and camera level both are protected as much as possible from that, plus the metal shavings that the process creates would hopefully fall to the ground Vs possibly falling into the lens. If its windy I can adjust accordingly and usually use my body to block the wind. Is this overkill, 99% chance yes, if I saw someone mount a lens of mine pointed down it would not bother me but if I saw them throw it to the ground after they used it I would have a problem.

@Jerl- I forgot all about the space shuttle cameras that have made the ultimate sacrifice (moment of silence). I do not have the desire to have that shot enough to use one of my cameras but if they thought they wanted/needed it bad enough I understand it.

@msmoto- The drag racing camera just makes my heart sink but it was an accident, not like they set it up in the middle of the track. I chalk this up to stuff happens.

Sometimes when we do not own it we think it is free... or we might be unaware of the costs of the equipment we are allowed to use. In other cases, the desire to get "the shot" is high enough to put the equipment at risk.. This may have been posted here before, but this is the ultimate "unfortunate" accident of a piece of equipment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7SxrVMNR_Y

And, sometimes those "Pros" are just so arrogant they have very low regard for anything except themselves. If one looks at the PAD photo I put up today, this was after a brief discussion and talking about something the subject was interested in. Our attitude with our equipment will show up in our photos in many cases. I think this is something unique on NRF. A very positive atmosphere is present, this being a direct result of the excellent work of the ADMIN and helpers. (Gosh I hated to admit this)

So, maybe our whole demeanor in how we treat equipment is reflected in our photos... what in interesting study this would be.

SkintBrit said:
The worst treatment I see of equipment is every time I attend an NPS event.

Those NPS members are the WORST!

We have occasional briefings down here in the Great State as we are so far away from New York (LOL) and some reps are even worse than those darn NPS members.... Had a 'gathering' at a local hotel a while back and one rep (he is a rotund middle aged individual with glasses) from a particular NY based company (you know the one) was doing the T shirt cleaning thing on the back element of a lens. Seems he was not alone either. SIGH...

I seem to recall someone sticking a camera and an ultrawide (I'm thinking an F4 with a 14/2.8) under the space shuttle to take pictures of it just before it launched. I don't really think you can get worse than that.

Check also those posts: http://nikonrumors.com/category/why-nikon/

The worst treatment I see of equipment is every time I attend an NPS event. Dozens of photogs trying to examine and mount some very expensive lenses with one hand, whilst juggling a provided coffee and sticky bun in the other. By the time the lens/camera has finished the rounds, you couldn't put it down even if you tried!

@scoobysmak, I use your lens changing proceedure (except for removing the battery), with the addition of something else which maybe you do but didn't mention, which is always to mount the lens with the body facing down. I don't know if it actually makes any difference, but I always think it makes for best practise?

@msmoto, the thing that disturbs me the most about your 300mm story, is the fact that the lens was left alone at all! My equipment is insured for all risks which includes theft, but ONLY if force was used, so if they break in to my car or a cupboard I'd be safe, but if I left something on the floor and it got damaged or stolen, I wouldn't. That is one of the first things I consider when attending a shoot........how close can I park, or where am I going to securely leave my equipment while out of my sight. Does anyone here feel safe with leaving it with other photogs? Some have asked me at big events to keep an eye on their stuff for them, which if I can I always do, but it amazes me that someone who has never met me before, would have the confidence to do that.

Yup, the front end of the lens, with the protective UV filter sometimes has no cap for days on end. I will lose the caps for the front, then find them somewhere later. I also leave my camera on all the time. This gives me the ability to shoot almost instantaneously. And it makes it so I do not forget to turn the camera on.... which I have done. Thanks all for the great posts on this thread. I saw the lens on the floor, and dust was being kicked into it as folks walked by and it was just upsetting. Really hard to clean the rear element of some of the telephotos, and the dirt which may get into the action...

While I have seen worse I am probably one of the worst when it comes to treating my gear... To me there are Camera Collectors (people who excessively baby their gear IE: most amateurs) and then there are photographers (vary how they treat their gear but don't baby it too much)

Leaving a lenscap off a 300mm isn't abuse and neither is setting it on the floor (I and most sport/event pros are guilty of this). Laying it on its side however is where this kid got it wrong. Stuff could have been kicked into it or even worse it could have been kicked its-self...

Many people think it is abuse to not have a uv filter or store most of your lenses without caps in the bag/holster (most non studio pros do this during a shoot).

Well if the camera equipment isn't my property, I probably wouldn't treat it as well as my own gear.

Not to say that I'd abuse it, but I wouldn't treat it with as much care as my own.

The D300s is somewhat splash proof, and the 105mm macro is weather sealed. So a splash shouldn't hurt it. I personally wouldn't risk it though.

The D40 and the 35mm 1.8 has been in light rain, it was fine. I was always wiping off the drips though, especially by the mode dial where water tends to pool.

It has also been in cold weather conditions, back last year when we had the major blizzard.

@msmoto - nice bag, but I don't like to carry too much with me, just bare essentials :)

I guess I went overboard with my post, I totally understand accidents. Even I have my own share of going uh....oops, that wasn't good. I have been outside in the rain, got bombed by a bird, and dropped a few things here and there. I haven't loved my camera enough to take a shower with it but try not to soak it with salt water either.

I just don't understand people treating equipment like it couldn't break. I understand getting stuck in the rain or even shooting in the rain to get the image you were looking for. To leave the dust cap off and risk possible problems later for no reason is where I scratch my head. I have protective filters on all my lenses all the time, probably spent over $200 on them and so far I don't think I would have damaged a lens yet (knock on wood here). I will remove one and risk the possiblity if I think removing the filter would provied me a better image but once I am done I will place it back on the lens. I guess my stance is if it will provide a better picutre or give me an advantange in shooting go for it but where the reward for taking a risk is none, I don't understand.

msmoto said:
Oh, Adamz..... I just received from B & H, an ewa-marine U-B 100 which is supposed to fit the D4.... do not want to take a chance at the ocean in a couple months.

Maybe you should leave it in the U-B 100 to guard against those coffee spills! :)

msmoto said:Second confession..... Adamz... I also have filters on the front of all lenses. T-shirt and spit. Good lens cleaner unless..... you have been eating chocolates....

But convenient if you've forgotten an ND filter! :D

Also, while I don't do anything too crazy to conceal my camera, I will in questionable circumstances keep it on the blackrapid strap under my jacket. I also can take the appearance of a scraggly, lanky hobo (even was one for a short time!) so then when I pull out the camera / jump out of my truck for shots I am a scraggly, lanky hobo with a nice camera! On that note, my truck is old and very beat up, so while I cover my stuff with odd bits of clothing and any paperwork I might have lying about the truck, I am not too concerned about people thinking there's worthwhile stuff in there. :P

bjrichus said:
Not talking about me as the university photographer were you? ;)

Nope, not in Texas....

But, true confessions...... had an old 24-120mm (I think) and in Wisconsin, on the motorcycle, unpacking, dropped it onto the blacktop, about 3 1/2 feet. Oh, s... I said. Picked it up and it had landed on the lens hood, bent it a little, but no damage to the lens. (Sold this lens to local shop who ended up cheating me out of lots of money)

Second confession..... Adamz... I also have filters on the front of all lenses. T-shirt and spit. Good lens cleaner unless..... you have been eating chocolates....

Third..... always have the camera and lenses blacked out with gaffer's tape. That is OK, but when in car, camera is on floor covered by blanket. Coffee has been known to have accidentally spilled onto the camera. In my motorhome, in a moment of poor judgement, I had a fresh 20 oz coffee in a cup, and when I turned the motorhome and went over a large bump, off it goes on the floor. Right next to the D90, which was by then sitting in the puddle on the carpet. Well, you cannot just stop and clean up the spill, but while driving I am throwing all the towels I can get my hands on to the floor, still trying to control 40,000 pounds of motorhome. Finally, got to a stopping point, and by then the D90 was only a bit damp on the battery case, no real damage. And not a drop on the lens.

So, guilty of all the dropping, spilling, abusing while using, but NOT guilty of allowing dirt into the equipment....

Oh, Adamz..... I just received from B & H, an ewa-marine U-B 100 which is supposed to fit the D4.... do not want to take a chance at the ocean in a couple months.