Possibly ok after dropped?

[ck5dmkiii]

So at a wedding this evening a very drunk man stumbled into me as I was putting my camera away into my bag in the trunk. I was backed into the parking space and when he walked into me the 1DX dropped from my hand and fell right on the parking curb edge. Everything seems to work fine, obviously its not weather sealed anymore but other than cosmetics do you guys think it will be alright until i have a week or two off of weddings to send it in? I also have insurance though PPA but I am not sure if they will cover it since its so far just cosmetic damage. Thanks in advance!

 

[leolol]

As the weather sealing is a feature it's not cosmetic. Should be good to go for the insurance..

 

[lintoni]

I have to say, looking at the photo of the damage and then reading your post, I admire your equanimity.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Will your insurance pay for a rental while its being repaired? If they won't cover the damage, I'd sure hunt for different insurance.

The damage definitely goes beyond cosmetic, water and light are going to pass thru that hole, Cameras have light barriers, but not for holes punched in them.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi ck5dmkiii.
Congratulations, it seems that you were very professional about this, but then I guess a bad reputation would cost more than the camera, not easy to think like that in the heat of the moment though!

With respect to what Mt Spokane has pointed out, I would test the camera in bright light to be sure that it is not compromised before trusting it for another wedding!
I know that the 1D range are reputedly built like tanks, but a severe shock that would be required to cause that much damage may have jolted the focus sensor or other critical components out of alignment. I would do some very thorough tests to check critical focus and displayed focus point position with respect to what you actually focus on at the very least.
I always thought that big bulge was there to house the pentaprism, is that ok, no signs of chipping, cracking?
If the camera really is ok after that it would serve to highlight the robust nature of the build of this machine.

I would hope that your insurance would cover repair without quibble, and the cost of a rental if yours is injured in the line of duty, if not, unless it was openly specified in the agreement, I would want them to explain why I should continue to give them my custom.

Cheers, Graham.

 

[ck5dmkiii]

Will your insurance pay for a rental while its being repaired? If they won't cover the damage, I'd sure hunt for different insurance.

The damage definitely goes beyond cosmetic, water and light are going to pass thru that hole, Cameras have light barriers, but not for holes punched in them.

I have to call first thing in the a.m. to see. Hopefully though, I have the insurance through PPA but the upgraded Photocare +

Hi ck5dmkiii.
Congratulations, it seems that you were very professional about this, but then I guess a bad reputation would cost more than the camera, not easy to think like that in the heat of the moment though!

With respect to what Mt Spokane has pointed out, I would test the camera in bright light to be sure that it is not compromised before trusting it for another wedding!
I know that the 1D range are reputedly built like tanks, but a severe shock that would be required to cause that much damage may have jolted the focus sensor or other critical components out of alignment. I would do some very thorough tests to check critical focus and displayed focus point position with respect to what you actually focus on at the very least.
I always thought that big bulge was there to house the pentaprism, is that ok, no signs of chipping, cracking?
If the camera really is ok after that it would serve to highlight the robust nature of the build of this machine.

I would hope that your insurance would cover repair without quibble, and the cost of a rental if yours is injured in the line of duty, if not, unless it was openly specified in the agreement, I would want them to explain why I should continue to give them my custom.

Cheers, Graham.

thanks Graham! Yes unfortunately keeping my cool ensures I keep food on the table, the last thing I need is for them to only remember me flipping out on a guest that knocked my gear onto the ground. As far as testing goes, I shot with it a little today, its raining all day where I am so It was just some indoor stuff with different ISO and Fstops on various lenses. Everything seems to be working as usual. As far as the pentaprism I looked at a few online diagrams of some 1DX insides and it looks like the area that cracked actually has nothing in the immediate area other than a electrical ribbon and no there is no signs or damage to anything in there that I can see. I am really hoping insurance pulls through with this one and doesn't screw around.

 

[Tabor Warren Photography]

I would definitely send it in to insurance. Only two of my items have been dropped, (17-40 and 70-200ii) they both seemed to work fine for about a month, but as time progressed the 17-40 has shown me that it does not manually focus anymore and there is a slight separation near the zoom ring. The big tele still works like a champ though. Even if the 1DX is great now, it may have a glitch that hasn't shown its face yet.

I'm sorry to hear about what happened.

Cheers,
-Tabor

 

[tiger82]

Most venues require liability insurance in case guests damage private property. The wedding party provides that insurance. You have to document the incident and the bridal party's insurance should cover damage done by an inebriated guest.

 

[Chisox2335]

Most venues require liability insurance in case guests damage private property. The wedding party provides that insurance. You have to document the incident and the bridal party's insurance should cover damage done by an inebriated guest.

Never heard of this. I just got married and no where were we required to carry insurance.

 

[tiger82]

I had to provide proof of liability insurance for my son's wedding reception venue and I was just requested to provide one for my daughter's

 

[TeT]

Most venues require liability insurance in case guests damage private property. The wedding party provides that insurance. You have to document the incident and the bridal party's insurance should cover damage done by an inebriated guest.

Again back to damaging your reputation.... I would pursue it through your insurance first. While the brides insurance might cover it, they will possibly be anywhere from hesitant to peeved at using it on your account.

 

[JonAustin]

Most venues require liability insurance in case guests damage private property. The wedding party provides that insurance. You have to document the incident and the bridal party's insurance should cover damage done by an inebriated guest.

Again back to damaging your reputation.... I would pursue it through your insurance first. While the brides insurance might cover it, they will possibly be anywhere from hesitant to peeved at using it on your account.

I would check with the newlyweds first (or parents, if they're already off on honeymoon), to see if they have this kind of coverage. I can't imagine why they would be peeved; it's one-off coverage, not ongoing like car insurance. If I were the groom and my photographer came to me with this kind of claim and I had purchased the insurance, I would welcome a claim (unless I was liable for any deductible), because then the price of the premium wasn't wasted.

If I inquired and the bride & groom did not have this coverage, I would just tell them OK, thanks, and then take it up with my own insurance provider.

 

[Tabor Warren Photography]

Most venues require liability insurance in case guests damage private property. The wedding party provides that insurance. You have to document the incident and the bridal party's insurance should cover damage done by an inebriated guest.

Again back to damaging your reputation.... I would pursue it through your insurance first. While the brides insurance might cover it, they will possibly be anywhere from hesitant to peeved at using it on your account.

I would check with the newlyweds first (or parents, if they're already off on honeymoon), to see if they have this kind of coverage. I can't imagine why they would be peeved; it's one-off coverage, not ongoing like car insurance. If I were the groom and my photographer came to me with this kind of claim and I had purchased the insurance, I would welcome a claim (unless I was liable for any deductible), because then the price of the premium wasn't wasted.

If I inquired and the bride & groom did not have this coverage, I would just tell them OK, thanks, and then take it up with my own insurance provider.

I like this advice the best. Be civil (as you've already shown you are), and simply explain that a guest ran into you while you were loading out and it caused you to drop your incredible camera. I imagine it will be received well.

Cheers,
-Tabor

 

[WillThompson]

It is the drunks responsibility to pay!

 

[Bennymiata]

I admire you for keeping you cool.
If it happened to me, the drunk may have ended up looking like your camera!

Seriously though, just go through your insurance.
They will chase any insurance that the wedding party or venue may have.

 

[ck5dmkiii]

Thanks everyone, I contacted the bride and groom today and am waiting for a response. I appreciate everyones opinions as I was really unsure about how to go about it.
Worse comes to worst I have the insurance and all will be OK.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Jon.
I suspect in this day and age of near complete computer integration that a claim on this policy would somehow affect their risk rating. Try missing a credit card payment then check your credit rating! Just a thought.

Cheers, Graham.

I would check with the newlyweds first (or parents, if they're already off on honeymoon), to see if they have this kind of coverage. I can't imagine why they would be peeved; it's one-off coverage, not ongoing like car insurance. If I were the groom and my photographer came to me with this kind of claim and I had purchased the insurance, I would welcome a claim (unless I was liable for any deductible), because then the price of the premium wasn't wasted.

If I inquired and the bride & groom did not have this coverage, I would just tell them OK, thanks, and then take it up with my own insurance provider.

 

[JonAustin]

Hi Jon.
I suspect in this day and age of near complete computer integration that a claim on this policy would somehow affect their risk rating. Try missing a credit card payment then check your credit rating! Just a thought.

Cheers, Graham.

Hi Graham,

You may be right; I have no personal experience or industry knowledge about this -- and there isn't much that surprises me any more -- but if the scenario you describe is true, it argues strongly against taking out wedding insurance in the first place.

 

[Don Haines]

I believe that the hall will have insurance bundled in as part of the rental agreement, but that the insurance is for damages to the hall and liabilities (guest slipped and hurt themselves). It seems doubtful to me that it would cover damages to your gear, but you never know until you ask.....

 

[pedant]

it's possible that your camera will soon develop some issues from the shock, but then again, it's possible that it will be fine.

hey, just a thought... you could use some black silicone sealant on there to block light and water. functionally, it would be as good as new if the chassis is truly the only thing that got damaged.

look for black 'RTV' sealant in a big hardware store like home depot or perhaps an auto parts store.
(possibly first take some ~400-600 grit sandpaper if some of the paint is peeling off around the damaged area)

a slightly ugly fix, and there will be the looming timebomb feeling. it's hard to say that there is not an increased risk of sudden failure from that drop. but if you have a second camera that could work in a pinch on a job, this could be a suitable fix if you want to save your insurance for the next time some drunk guy bumps into you.

but yeah, if you want to use your personal insurance on this but need to keep using the camera to finish up your current jobs, you could apply the fix if you think you might be shooting out in the rain or something.

you could also just put a piece of duct tape on there... better than nothing.