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Camera fell out of backpack, lens damaged

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So get this: As you're walking in LGA airport to board your plane to your vacation, the dual zippers centered at the top of your camera backpack (Lowepro the Mini Trekker Classic) give way and your EOS-10D with EF 28-135mm (#2562A002) fall out of your bag from shoulder height onto the lens-crushing tiles.

Result: Shattered UV filter and a Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto lens that you have to shake in order to focus. Looking in the view finder, there is a haze in the 10 to 11 o'clock region. Extending the lens outward meets with pressure (only goes out 80% of its full length). Most photos are over exposed.

Just need your opinions / alternatives of what to do: Replace one ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=149629&is=USA ) for $409... Repair the lens-turned-maracas for $### charge? Get another lens size altogether? Get two other lenses? Sell the damaged lens?

Thanks in advance,

the clown who's taking your photo by shakin' the 10D like a spray-can =)
 
rcatungal said:
So get this: As you're walking in LGA airport to board your plane
to your vacation, the dual zippers centered at the top of your
camera backpack (Lowepro the Mini Trekker Classic) give way and
your EOS-10D with EF 28-135mm (#2562A002) fall out of your bag from
shoulder height onto the lens-crushing tiles.
Click to expand...
Lesson to be learned...

NEVER bring the zippers together at the top of a backpack... they can peel open and allow the items inside to fall out.

ALWAYS bring both zippers to one of the bottom corners.

--
All you touch
And all you see
Is all your life will ever be.
[k a i s h a k u @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t]
 
That is very good advice. I used to leave them centered myself and then I realized that was a problem.
JMF said:
Lesson to be learned...

NEVER bring the zippers together at the top of a backpack... they
can peel open and allow the items inside to fall out.

ALWAYS bring both zippers to one of the bottom corners.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for posting your experience. I've always kept my Mini Trekker AW zips together at the top of the bag and will now be sure to keep them zipped off to one side.

As for the lens, I'd get another new or used one or a different zoom if you've got one in mind. Somehow, I don't think lenses are quite the same after being repaired. You might get something for the broken one from a camera repair shop or on eBay.
 
and not only for the safety of your gear against fall, but did you only think about the potential thief, coming from behind, grabbing one zipper firmly, create a gap between the 2 zips then tear your bag open, and rapidly get away with the "take away for free" content? total time: 5 seconds...

man, I always make the zippers meet on one side... impossible to move them, that way...

Guillaume
http://www.at-sight.com
 
Thanks for this post. I never really even thought about this, and generally have the zippers together at the to of the bag. I think I'll go change that now. 8)
JMF said:
rcatungal said:
So get this: As you're walking in LGA airport to board your plane
to your vacation, the dual zippers centered at the top of your
camera backpack (Lowepro the Mini Trekker Classic) give way and
your EOS-10D with EF 28-135mm (#2562A002) fall out of your bag from
shoulder height onto the lens-crushing tiles.
Click to expand...
Lesson to be learned...

NEVER bring the zippers together at the top of a backpack... they
can peel open and allow the items inside to fall out.

ALWAYS bring both zippers to one of the bottom corners.

--
All you touch
And all you see
Is all your life will ever be.
[k a i s h a k u @ s b c g l o b a l . n e t]
Click to expand...
--
Steve
 
I suggest you use a small combination lock that fits the zippers. This will ensure the zippers stay closed and prying fingers stay out.

The lens sounds like it is pretty well trashed, but you could send it to Canon for an estimate.

--
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj
 
Excuse me for saying this, but it's a fairly rookie mistake to center the zippers on top. Always make sure to put them on one side at the bottom (in the trekkers case: also close the duraflex clips). Well, some learn it the easy, others the hard way. I'm one of the hardway learners too, by the way. But that was long ago on a fillm cam.

--
Warning: photographs steal your soul!
 
Never would have thought of zipper position past ease of access if it wasn't for this thread.

What to do... welll.. If you need a lense now, get it now. The other one can be repaired & sold if the cost isn't too high.

Is there another lense that you've been looking at?
 
JMF said:
rcatungal said:
So get this: As you're walking in LGA airport to board your plane
to your vacation, the dual zippers centered at the top of your
camera backpack (Lowepro the Mini Trekker Classic) give way and
your EOS-10D with EF 28-135mm (#2562A002) fall out of your bag from
shoulder height onto the lens-crushing tiles.
Click to expand...
Lesson to be learned...

NEVER bring the zippers together at the top of a backpack... they
can peel open and allow the items inside to fall out.

ALWAYS bring both zippers to one of the bottom corners.
Click to expand...
Since I used this kind of bag, I never, never thought that !

ThanK,s for this advice. Sad for you rcatungal that we learned from your bad experience.

I have a (stupid) question : Why two zips? The laptop section of the Computrekker - I think like Mini plus laptop section - has just one zip not two like the other section for camera. Is the 2 zips are more secure than just 1? (if we bring at the bottoms corners).
Daniel
 
it allows you to zip it on the side that is more convenient for you.

Out of curiousity, whre the two retaining side buckles in place when the lens/camera fell off?

dan
daniel marleau said:
JMF said:
rcatungal said:
So get this: As you're walking in LGA airport to board your plane
to your vacation, the dual zippers centered at the top of your
camera backpack (Lowepro the Mini Trekker Classic) give way and
your EOS-10D with EF 28-135mm (#2562A002) fall out of your bag from
shoulder height onto the lens-crushing tiles.
Click to expand...
Lesson to be learned...

NEVER bring the zippers together at the top of a backpack... they
can peel open and allow the items inside to fall out.

ALWAYS bring both zippers to one of the bottom corners.
Click to expand...
Since I used this kind of bag, I never, never thought that !
ThanK,s for this advice. Sad for you rcatungal that we learned from
your bad experience.
I have a (stupid) question : Why two zips? The laptop section of
the Computrekker - I think like Mini plus laptop section - has just
one zip not two like the other section for camera. Is the 2 zips
are more secure than just 1? (if we bring at the bottoms corners).
Daniel
Click to expand...
 
There have been many stories here just like yours. You'd think that Lowepro would put a warning sticker or note in with the Mini Trekker. You'd think too they'd put restrainig straps inside. There is a new version of it which is weatherproof - unlike the one I have - perhaps it has restraining straps too.

--
Dave
http://www.pbase.com/shootist
 
Dave Deacon said:
There have been many stories here just like yours. You'd think that
Lowepro would put a warning sticker or note in with the Mini
Trekker. You'd think too they'd put restrainig straps inside. There
is a new version of it which is weatherproof - unlike the one I
have - perhaps it has restraining straps too.

--
Dave
http://www.pbase.com/shootist
Click to expand...
Dave, The Computrekker has restraining straps outside (each side) and it is more difficult to access (zips open) the precious objects inside. But for more secure feeling, I will place the zips now at the bottom for to give any chance to the camera to fall down.
Daniel
 
While traveling, get a regular zip-tie, or for reuse and ease of access for you a velcro one. If you put the velcro one on there you will know for sure if someone is trying to get into the bag.

Sorry to hear about your lens. I think that you could get it repaired for less then the cost of a new one. Althugh this may be a perfect time to try a bit different lens then what you have.

Jerry
Doug J said:
I suggest you use a small combination lock that fits the zippers.
This will ensure the zippers stay closed and prying fingers stay
out.

The lens sounds like it is pretty well trashed, but you could send
it to Canon for an estimate.

--
Doug
http://pbase.com/dougj
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all your comments!

FYI: the battery grip was not attached at the time, just the lens w/UV filter which braced most of the impact (but sadly not enough!).

I sent the lens out for repair to the NJ service center... I'll post their estimate when I hear from them soon.

Also FYI I neglected to secure the two side clasps --I had opened the bag to get a $1.99 bottle of Dasani filtered water to hand to my wife which ended up being a $462 bottle of water (lens + UV filter + NYC sales tax). Rookie mistake indeed... the lens is only 10 months old.

I plan on picking up the LowePro DryZone 200 which has the weather zipper in addition to the the main zipper ( http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/dryzone/dzone.htm ) & two side clasps... I've done a few shoots in Central Park where I've got caught out in the rain and the top of the backpack got soaked. Any opinions on this back? It's $239 via UniquePhoto.com .

I'm also tempted to pick up instead the 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM ( http://www.uniquephoto.com/index.php?expand=5691&detail=CNL1071 for $1700). Any opinions on when to jump in to get this one (or the one without the IS)? Money is a factor, but I'm willing to invest if this is a good one to grow with.

Thanks in advance for your replies... I'll post Canon's quote soon!

r
 
That's what I hate about my Mini Trekker backpack. On several occassions, I've swung it onto my back without the main compartment fully zipped up. Fortunately, I've never broken or damaged any lenses, despite the many heart-stopping instances when a lens has flown out of the bag (knock on wood).
rcatungal said:
So get this: As you're walking in LGA airport to board your plane
to your vacation, the dual zippers centered at the top of your
camera backpack (Lowepro the Mini Trekker Classic) give way and
your EOS-10D with EF 28-135mm (#2562A002) fall out of your bag from
shoulder height onto the lens-crushing tiles.

Result: Shattered UV filter and a Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto lens
that you have to shake in order to focus. Looking in the view
finder, there is a haze in the 10 to 11 o'clock region. Extending
the lens outward meets with pressure (only goes out 80% of its full
length). Most photos are over exposed.

Just need your opinions / alternatives of what to do: Replace one

( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=149629&is=USA ) for $409... Repair the lens-turned-maracas for $### charge? Get another lens size altogether? Get two other lenses? Sell the damaged lens?

Thanks in advance,

the clown who's taking your photo by shakin' the 10D like a
spray-can =)
Click to expand...
 
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