Field Report

[Shadowman]

Like Dave, haven't been doing much shooting lately; mostly editing old files. Planned an outing today after work, stopped off at a pub and upon leaving dropped my backpack on the floor, thought nothing of it as the pack has survived many drops in the past; not always when leaving a pub. Pulled out my camera with 70-300mm attached, removed the lens cap, cut my finger and watched as shards fell from the end of my gear. Luckily it was only the UV filter that shattered, the lens performed as expected although I haven't really looked at the images yet. My thoughts are the UV filter probably didn't really save the lens glass, just a rare angle/weight load/velocity luck of the draw; but oh the feeling of relief to know it didn't cost me anything yet.

[Dave Humphries]

Ouch

Did your injury put an end to the intended shoot John?

Hopefully not as you say the lens still seems to work (phew!)

I'm intrigued as to whether your shots will also be of a field (as arguably mine were) given this thread title.

[JBW]

always nice to ave just a touch of good luck.

[george013]

About three month ago I bought a Tamron 15-130. Within a week the camera bag slipped of my shoulder with camera and lens. At the top of the stairs. Lens broken. Was insured lucky. Lens back but the combi didn't focus on infinity at 15mm. At last camera to Nikon, small adjustment and everything ok. Camera adjustment did cost me €80.00.

George

[Shadowman]

Ouch

Did your injury put an end to the intended shoot John?

Hopefully not as you say the lens still seems to work (phew!)

I'm intrigued as to whether your shots will also be of a field (as arguably mine were) given this thread title.

Hi Dave,

Excursion went on as planned, images were a mixture of themes. My favorite used as a test is below. I snapped this one mainly to test the lens but also because I am envious of people who can still enjoy life's simple pleasures. f/5.3, ISO 100, 1/400sec.

[Shadowman]

always nice to ave just a touch of good luck.

luckily it didn't affect the camera as well, it is rare that I travel with only one lens but have been doing so somewhat lately. I did have another lens with me so if the 70-300 was damaged I would've had another option.

[Shadowman]

About three month ago I bought a Tamron 15-130. Within a week the camera bag slipped of my shoulder with camera and lens. At the top of the stairs. Lens broken. Was insured lucky. Lens back but the combi didn't focus on infinity at 15mm. At last camera to Nikon, small adjustment and everything ok. Camera adjustment did cost me €80.00.

George

Good that damage was only minor, I may start taking a backup camera with me again; haven't done so in a while but would definitely do so if shooting a special event.

[Manfred M]

You are lucky that the broken glass did not damage the front element of your lens when it broke, something that has happened to me. It's a small nick that has no impact on image quality, but it seems that the filter glass was harder than the glass in the front element of the lens.

I've also had the lens mount on a cheap kit lens shear off when my camera bag fell down. The lens was definitely garbage, but the replacement was not expensive. The biggest issue was finding all the tiny bits of plastic and removing them from the mirror chamber.

[Shadowman]

You are lucky that the broken glass did not damage the front element of your lens when it broke, something that has happened to me. It's a small nick that has no impact on image quality, but it seems that the filter glass was harder than the glass in the front element of the lens.

I've also had the lens mount on a cheap kit lens shear off when my camera bag fell down. The lens was definitely garbage, but the replacement was not expensive. The biggest issue was finding all the tiny bits of plastic and removing them from the mirror chamber.

Hi Manfred,

Agree, this lens has seen quite a bit of abuse in the last ten years, the drop must've been at the perfect angle to both damage the filter and also save the camera/lens. The bag has adequate padding at the bottom but not so much where the zipper/flap connects, I'm thinking that particular spot was where the impact occurred.

[Mike Buckley]

A relatively happy ending to a story that could have had a far worse ending.

[Shadowman]

A relatively happy ending to a story that could have had a far worse ending.

Agree, at the moment of discovery the cut finger was less important than the feeling of potential loss.

[rpcrowe]

Different gear stands up to different levels of abuse...

I fell one time with my Canon 40D and 70-200mm f/4L IS lens around my neck. The lens hit the cement lens hood first. I was using a screw-in lens hood which broke but, neither the 70-200 lens nor the camera was damaged...

ON THE OTHER HAND

I was passing through a doorway in my house and gently clipped a 50mm f/1.8 Mk-II lens against the wooden door frame. The result was that the front element of that lens was spinning on the floor, completely detached from the rest of the lens.

However, if I had to break one lens, I am glad that it was the 50mm f/1.8. That was a lot less expensive than the 70-200mm f/4L IS lens and that was the only lens that I ruined in well over 50-years of photography...

[Shadowman]

Hi Richard,

Yes, I've been lucky over the years, I've dropped the 70-300mm quite a few times over the years and only had it repaired once when it was still under its 5 year warranty.

[DanK]

Different gear stands up to different levels of abuse...

I fell one time with my Canon 40D and 70-200mm f/4L IS lens around my neck. The lens hit the cement lens hood first. I was using a screw-in lens hood which broke but, neither the 70-200 lens nor the camera was damaged...

ON THE OTHER HAND

I was passing through a doorway in my house and gently clipped a 50mm f/1.8 Mk-II lens against the wooden door frame. The result was that the front element of that lens was spinning on the floor, completely detached from the rest of the lens.

However, if I had to break one lens, I am glad that it was the 50mm f/1.8. That was a lot less expensive than the 70-200mm f/4L IS lens and that was the only lens that I ruined in well over 50-years of photography...

The 70-200 f/4 is a tank, if my experience is any indication. I had mine mounted on a tripod with my old 50D at a height of perhaps 5 ft when a gust of wind knocked it over. The lens hood shattered--perhaps it absorbed some of the energy of the fall--and the filter ring was bent. Other than that, the lens tested fine at a good local repair shop, and I have used it for years since then with no problems.

[IzzieK]

Now this thread will make me careful of my camera and gears....thanks guys. 'Went to a July 4th with fireworks event yesterday but I ended up putting my camera away and decided not to shoot anything at all. I wasn't sorry. I don't know why...wrong location perhaps?