Who
hasn’t fallen over in the past 12 months? If you didn’t, then you are lucky. The
statistics puts it about every 10 months. However, avoiding falling over is
probably the most important lesson. It is always better to have a fence at the
top of the cliff, rather than an ambulance at the bottom! So let’s begin by
thinking about all the disasters, how you can avoid them and what to do if the
ultimate disaster does occur.
The first, and often the most common, is dropping the camera.
Cameras are very complex devices full of electronic trickery and mechanical
movements. The shutter on even the cheapest camera can open and close in 1/500th
of a second. It doesn’t take much to knock the delicate shutter around. The
camera is also a lightproof box, dropping it and distorting the case will soon
let light in.
So what should be done beforehand? First is to have a decent
padded camera bag. My own one cost over 1000 baht - but it will keep the camera
safe in the situation of it falling out of the car or slipping from the
shoulder. If you have one of those leather cases, you should throw it as far as
you can. And do it today. It will not save your camera from any hard knocks.
Another important point - always loop the camera strap around
your neck. OK, so now you have the camera hanging on the strap around your neck,
what can go wrong here? Well the strap can slip or the eyelet rings can break,
and the whole lot hits the floor unless you have lightning reflexes. Answer?
Check and make sure that everything is correctly attached and not worn. Replace
regularly. Especially the eyelet rings.
So it did hit the floor, what now? Turn it on. Is it still
electrically OK? If no power, take the batteries out and then put them back in -
they may just be jolted out of position. Unscrew the lens and put it back on.
Look through the viewfinder - if it looks normal, then try to take several shots
at different shutter speeds and apertures and carefully look at each one,
blowing them up if necessary. Pray a lot. You may be lucky.
After dropping, the next disaster is water. Cameras are not
like children, you cannot “drown proof” them. They stay drowned. In the rain you
must take precautions. A plastic bag wrapped around the camera with just the end
of the lens poking through, and held on with rubber bands is the way to “safe
photography”. Even then, as soon as possible you should take the camera inside
and dry the outside of the case thoroughly. Take the lens off and dry carefully
around the lens mount too, making sure you do not touch the mirror. Take the
batteries out and thoroughly dry the battery compartment and the contacts.
Batteries and moisture do not go well together.
Now we should think about the great shots you can get on
board speedboats and similar situations. Resist the temptation to take your good
camera - you can buy a waterproof Kodak for very little money and you can relax
with peace of mind. Or even one of the disposable ones. Do not take your good
one!
So what do you do when you drop the whole lot in the drink?
If it is a modern electronic camera you have probably just lost your investment
- especially if it is salt water you drop it into. One camera technician’s
advice was, “Leave it there!” However, you can try flushing the camera in
running tap water for at least an hour, then drying it and taking it to the
repair shop. An audience with the Pope would be a good move as well.
Drowning the camera in fresh water is not quite so bad, but
you have to pull it apart as much as you can and then dry it out as thoroughly
as you can - a hair dryer set on “No Heat” can help, but again your chances are
slim.
The message is first aid is possible, but prevention is much better!
