Terrible First-Outing with my New D3300

TedG954

Senior Member
I received my new D3300 yesterday, so I went out early this morning to get some shots on my new camera.

I went to a nearby spot that has some interesting subjects. I was doing fine until I came to a bridge where there was a small waterfall beneath. I had been shooting with my Tokina 12-24/4 and decided to change over to my 55-200VR. Well, I removed the Tokina from the camera and set it on my bag. As I was mounting the 55-200VR, the Tokina rolled off the bag, over the guardrail, and down the embankment.

The embankment was made up of very thick brush, small trees, bushes, root systems, and rocks. I heard a couple of crunches as the lens rolled down the hill.

Hmmmm.... what to do, what to do.

As any deranged old man would do, I climbed over the guardrail. I could see the lens resting up against the base of a small tree and the brush all around it. It was about 30 yards down the hill. When I say "hill", I'm talking about a 60 degree embankment, and I'm not exaggerating.

My plan..... slide down the slope and hopefully grab on to a nearby branch to stop my descent. If I missed an opportunity to grab a branch, I'd be writing this from a hospital bed. Beyond my precious lens was a dropoff to rocks and the river below. I let go of the railing and rapidly slid down the slope.

Of course I managed to hit every branch, rock, and dead stump along the way. And, every branch seemed to have sharp prickers. I straighted out my right leg and my foot hit the tree with my lens at its base. I grabbed on to some young branches nearby. I picked up my lens, which didn't look bad at all, and put it into my LowPro bag. OK. Retrieving my lens was a success. Ahhh... well kinda.

I hadn't really planned my exit strategy. The slope was really way too steep to crawl up. The dirt was loose and there was no way to get any footing. I could see the local headlines, "Remains of Dumb Old Florida Guy Found"

As I rested, I figured my only way out was to grab on to branches and sapplings to pull myself up the slope. Either that or call out for help...... and there was no way I was going to do that.

On my hands and knees (in shorts) I grabbed and pulled. And grabbed and pulled. My feet kept sliding out from under me. They were worthless. Eventually I made it to the guardrail and pulled my self up. After catching my breath, I climbed over and on to the sidewalk. My hands, arms, knees and legs showed signs of some blood and pain. BUT, I did retrieve my lens.

Well, to make a long story a little bit shorter..... I now have the address for the Tokina Repair Center in California.

Pictures to follow. :black_eyed:
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Should have mounted the D3300 on a tripod, pointed down the hill, put it in video mode, and pushed the record button.
Would have made a much more interesting story.

Glad you're ok.
 

aroy

Senior Member
Hope you are recovering from the ordeal.

On a lighter note, this is why some want a 10-500 zoom, no changing under any condition! Even at home when I change a lense, I make sure that it sits in the bag, if it rolls off the table on to marble floor it is ruined.
 

dh photography

Senior Member
Glad to hear you didn't miss the stopping part on the way down! No matter what the pics look like; they will always have a great story attached.
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
I dropped a lens cap in Ostia Antica and nearly did the same thing. Instead I dragged my wife around Rome to a camera store to buy a replacement. I don't know which option was worse. ;)
 

Roy1961

Senior Member
Contributor
first of all Ted, Sorry, i laughed so hard at this, probably because i would have done the same thing.

Hope you are not to banged up and everything is ok.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Just speculating... But i'm guessing hearing aids don't pick up that little voice inside our heads? :)

Glad you're still alive and the people next to me waiting for the train all thank you for the laugh that brightened their day.
 
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TedG954

Senior Member
OK. First things first, and to get it out of the way...........

Where I went over..jpg
 

TedG954

Senior Member
Here are examples from my new D3300. I started out with the 12-24/4, switched to the 55-200VR, and finally to the 18-55VRII. Everything was hand-held (except the Tokina when it jumped off the ledge). I will post in the order the photos were taken. None are masterpieces, just targets of opportunity. I'm very pleased with the entire KIT.

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RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Great pics Ted! I'm taking it that since you're posting pics, you shouldn't be bruised or scrapped up too bad.

Have you had a chance to check out the dropped lens for any damage?
 
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