A warning for all you low light, long exposure togs

[Donald]

Michael Kenna has just posted the following on his Facebook page.

"An incident in New Zealand


Last night, while photographing a tree on the shore of Lake Taupo here in New Zealand, I left one of my Hasselblad cameras out on a tripod for a twenty minute time exposure. During the exposure, I ran back in the dark to where I had been previously photographing, to see if I could find a lost cable release. It was a cold, wet and very windy night so I became a bit anxious that the tripod might blow over in my absence.

On my return, I was shocked to find that both my camera and tripod had disappeared completely. I saw a car accelerating away on the nearby road and feared the worst - that my equipment had been stolen. I remembered that the frame counter was on number 12 so my roll of exposed film from the day and night had gone also.

I searched all around the immediate area with my torch, just in case, but found nothing. Returning disconsolately to my motel, I reviewed my list of equipment so that I could report the loss, along with serial numbers, to the local police station. This I did, an hour or two later.

After questioning me about the precise make and type of tripod I use, which I thought rather strange, the police officer informed me that HE had the equipment!

Apparently, a man had been walking his dog earlier, saw the camera and tripod by the lake, in the dark, and assumed that the owner had fallen into the lake! He scooped up the camera and went to the police, who in turn came out to search the lakeside for a body. Somehow, our timing conspired so that we missed each other. All’s well that ends well! Thank you Mark Porter for finding my camera and taking it to the police.

Thank you to the Taupo Police Officer. Thank you New Zealand. Note to myself - in the future, always leave a message taped to unattended cameras...

As they say over here, cheers mate!"

[NorthernFocus]

I guess that's a classic "all's well than ends well" story, Donald. Though you did miss your shot in the bargain. I was smiling broadly through the second half of your recount as I imagined the comedy of errors that were conspiring there in the dark NZ night. I suspect the locals will tell the story for a while as well about the lunatic photographer that gave them all a fright thinking he'd downed.

Now that was one thread worth reading

[Mike Buckley]

Note to myself - in the future, always leave a message taped to unattended cameras...

That indicates that, sadly, he didn't learn his lesson. His note to himself should simply be to never leave a camera unattended, at least not when he's making only a 20-minute exposure.

[wilgk]

Nice blokes those Kiwis

[Kodiak]

…this means that Mark Porter has ruined a 20 minute exposure shot that you
would have posted here so we could admire a master piece!!! …and you thank him!!!

Ok, Donald, glad you got your gear back! …but damn, you should know better! ;-)

[Loose Canon]

But did he get the shot?

[Kodiak]

But did he get the shot?

Wait for it! the good news are coming…

[Cliff Roamer]

On my return, I was shocked to find that both my camera and tripod had disappeared completely. I saw a car accelerating away on the nearby road and feared the worst

Sounds like a 'Meldrew' moment!

[Loose Canon]

I'm on pins and needles Kodiak!

[dje]

Nice blokes those Kiwis

Yes indeed, I think that's what Quade Cooper said too !

I'll be in Queenstown tomorrow for a week, think I'll leave my Hasselblad at home

[Mike Buckley]

Ok, Donald, glad you got your gear back! …but damn, you should know better! ;-)

Donald only provided the online information. The errant photographer is Michael Kenna.

[Rita]

What a comedy of errors. Glad you didn't really drown

[Shadowman]

I think there might be more to the story than divulged. If you thought someone was drowning, wouldn't you at least call out to see if they were within reach, leave a marker (such as the camera) so you know which spot to return to.

[Colin Southern]

I have to admit that I leave the camera unattended on those 20 to 45 minute exposures; I've been known to wait in the car with a sleeping bag and/or a hot water bottle - the gear usually usually isn't out of sight though.

I've had nothing by good experiences with NZ Police though; it's quite funny to watch some of the police shows - most of the "youth" just don't get it -- if you treat them with courtesy and respect - co-operate - don't muck them around - HELP them do their job - they'll return the courtesy (just human nature really). Call them all the names under the sun - spit - fight - argue - and you'll likely end up in the back of the car wearing cuffs or holding a bunch of tickets. Just last night I got pulled over at a routine checkpoint; check for alcohol (pass) - check registration (pass) - check warrant of Fitness (pass) - check licence - FAIL - first time I've been asked for it in 5 years - and probably the only time I didn't have it on me at that time in the same time too! Further checks needed - last name - first name - date of birth - address - and "hey-presto" I pop up in their system all correctly licensed and up to date. I apologise for embarrassing myself for not having it on me - he informs me that there is a $55 fine for not having it on me ... but he won't be enforcing that tonight and "have a nice evening sir".

I had another occasion where I needed them to confront a dishonest person for me; it's kinda nice to be able to sit in the back of the police car (without the cuffs!) and have a gently-spoken young officer who's shirt is pretty tight over the mass of muscle in the shoulder and arms say "if it's OK, just let me talk to her - she's not a very nice person to deal with".

You get what you give in this life. Police are no exception (around here anyway).

[Mark von Kanel]

Hi guys, i dont think it was Donalds camera it belonged to a Micheal kenna. Now i know Donald would not leave 10K's worth of gear un atttended, he just aint that silly!

[AB26]

he just aint that silly!

Not that silly, Mark. From what I understand, you can do things like that in NZ. Those Kiwi's don't know how to spell crime.

30 odd years ago, you could do the same thing here in SA. Now you don't dare stop, to take a photo.

[Donald]

Donald would not leave 10K's worth of gear un atttended, he just aint that silly!

He ain't that rich! If only ...!

[Mark von Kanel]

Not that silly, Mark. From what I understand, you can do things like that in NZ. Those Kiwi's don't know how to spell crime.

30 odd years ago, you could do the same thing here in SA. Now you don't dare stop, to take a photo.

The cheapest hassleblad back i can find is 17K + lens + other gear... left un atttended long enogh for someone to walk off with it, report it to the police, for the police to come out, have a look around and then leave..... = stupid in my book, and im sure if he told the truth to the insurance company, they would think the same. local culture not withstanding, its just plain careless.

If you dont agree Andre thats fair enough, dont think ill be lending you any of my gear though !

[Mark von Kanel]

He ain't that rich! If only ...!

its ok Donald, you can borrow mine

[IzzieK]

We Aussies might be making fun of talking to a Kiwi but I have yet to encounter a disrespectful, dishonest nor annoying police in either NZ or in Melbourne. Even the TSA people are A-OK...