SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

What a day I have had! This is going to cause some big headaches!

2570 views
21 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2004
What a day I have had! This is going to cause some big headaches!
Posted by snapdragonxxx on Sunday, July 7, 2019 4:28 PM

This weekend I have been at the Yorkshire War Experience Which has had wonderful weather and re-enactment menbers from all over the country.


While of a photographic excursion around the huge site I took a tumble and landed on my camera and lenses. My long lens(Sigma 150-500) just doesn't works any more, or at least the sensor isn't picking up an image and the Nikon 24-70 main walkabout expensive lens took a major hit to the glass at the front and is scratched to hell and there is no way I can take any photos as although the body seems fine mechanical wise and the Nikon lens works Everything needs a stripdown, check and refurbishment/maintainance/repair.

I will have to do this under my insurance and god knows how long it is going to take etc. You all know what these people are like.


This means that I won't be able to post photos of my builds for a while but I will still be working on the Lancaster so there is going to be a gap in progress!

 

Sorry about this, folks!


James

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Far Northern CA
Posted by mrmike on Sunday, July 7, 2019 4:38 PM

Sorry to learn of your mishap, and while your equipment may have suffered, I hope that you are physically OK. 

  • Member since
    November 2004
Posted by snapdragonxxx on Sunday, July 7, 2019 5:22 PM

I am fine. The camera and lenses broke my fall!

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Sunday, July 7, 2019 6:43 PM

Glad you are OK. Check with Nikon, alot of their stuff has a lifetime warranty.

My late F-in-L had a favorite pair of Nikon binoculars. After decades of use, although cared for, they just weren't in very good alignment any more.

I sent them to Nikon. They wrote me back with the news that the pair we sent was a treasure trove of hard to get parts, and would we consider a new pair in trade?

A very good pair too. It was a bit of a hard sell, but he went along with it. I have them now.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    November 2004
Posted by snapdragonxxx on Monday, July 8, 2019 2:51 AM

Thanks for this information. I will email Nikon UK right now!

As possible information for other members I will update this thread as things go along.

 

James

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Monday, July 8, 2019 6:51 AM

Sorry for your loss,I can relate a little,I dropped my $400.00 camara on vacation a few years ago.

But cant you still post your build updates with your phone while you wait.Granted they wont look as good but you will still be in the loop

  • Member since
    November 2004
Posted by snapdragonxxx on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 3:52 AM

I don't have a mobile phone as I have no real need for one and don't want the distraction or costs.

However, I did find, still in it's carry bag etc, an old Fuji S500 with a card, last used in 2013 according to file dates from photos still on the card. Some new batteries and fiddling about with date and time settings and I do have a useable camera.

However, on looking at the photos on the card I cannot remember at all where the hell I was or what I was doing!

Go Brain, Go!!!

  • Member since
    November 2004
Posted by snapdragonxxx on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 10:43 AM

I have decided to go through my insurers.

the body and lenses will be collected and taken for assessment and repair or replacement.

Looking at the current ranges if they decide to replace the body (I have had it since July 2008) then I would be really happy with the D850 which is the equivalent today.

I do think that the Nikkor 24-70 VR lens is fixable but I have no idea what has happened to the sigma 150-500 lens. It's replacement would be the 150-600 sport version.

I did spend a lot of money when I originally bought them as I intended them to be a lifetime one off purchase!

 

Let's see what happens

  • Member since
    December 2018
Posted by Tosh on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 1:21 PM

I’m sorry to hear of this misfortune.  All the same best of luck my friend.

Your Friend, Toshi

Reside in Streetsboro, Ohio

 

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Chicago area
Posted by modelmaker66 on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 2:23 PM

snapdragonxxx

I don't have a mobile phone as I have no real need for one and don't want the distraction or costs.

 

really?????

  • Member since
    November 2004
Posted by snapdragonxxx on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 3:02 PM

Yes. really!

I am very old school and have no real need for a mobile phone.

If I am travelling abroad I do purchase what is essentially a really cheap pay as you go phone for emergencies only.

Phone home. Boots on the ground. Arrived safe.

Phone home. Just getting on the aircraft. Back at Airport (Time).

 

That's it! I don't run my life of these smartphone things that people can track you on etc. No need to. My life is my Panzers and my workbench. Sad really but it works!

  • Member since
    November 2004
Posted by snapdragonxxx on Sunday, July 14, 2019 5:21 AM

All equipment is with the insurers for inspection, repair or replacement.

the D700 body I think is mostly cosmetic and needs a clean, replacement grips and a proper service inside and a check for shock damage.

I have been cheeky and slipped a note in from the camera pleading to be replaced by a D 850!

The Nikkor 24-70 suffered a very nasty scrape across the front glass and several chunks missing from the filter mount and the grip is loose. This should be repairable and also needs a clean and check over.

the Sigma 150-500 isn't made any more and when I bought it 11 years ago was the top of the range. It is a very nice piece of glass and despite a 5-6.3 is a very sharp and fast lens. It is heavy, but a solid bit of kit. No idea why it has stopped autofocusing and transmitting an image to the sensor. It is almost like the lens cap is on.

The current like-for-like replacement would be the Sigma 150-600 OS HSM sport version.

when I get on my PC I will post some pictures taken with that lens.

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Sunday, July 14, 2019 7:59 AM

Aw,James ;

 I feel for you. Just before they confiscated my film at the Challenger Disaster, I realized that the subtle but felt shock wave, knocked my Camera off the platform, The Body was the only salvageable part !

 The lense system was toast. In those days It took forever for insurance to get the job done and the NASA folks took their sweet time sending my camera back too. $2.600 bucks later It worked again. All 35 Millimeters !

 Gotta remember this too.Those were the days of that stuff they called Film .

  • Member since
    November 2004
Posted by snapdragonxxx on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 2:30 PM

spent part of the morning conversing with the insurance people.

Now the people who inspect these things tell me that the Nikkor 24-70 lens is beyond economic repair to the damage must be more that a couple of chunks out of the filter holder, a scratched front glass and some loose rubber grips so a replacement is in the offing for that.

They say that the Sigma 150 -500 is repairable but I am still in the dark as to what is wrong with it, unless something inside is out of alignment or something.

The D700 body can be repaired. I thought this was the case as it still fires up and just needs new rubber grips and a good clean and service.

Of course, they have passed all the stuff along to their repairers which is an authorised Nikon/Sigma repair place and they will carry out a further inspection and effect replairs etc.

It seems that for the Nikkor lens I might have slightly more replacement options than I thought. It was mentioned that I may choose a different lens and pay the differernce but I already had a £200 Excess to pay!

I might look at getting another coin jar going for some new camera stuff or maybe a go fund me site!!! Trouble is that the pro stuff is expensive!

I may treat myself to a new camera bag!

  • Member since
    November 2004
Posted by snapdragonxxx on Thursday, August 15, 2019 2:24 PM

Spent the last 4 days chasing this.

Yesterday the camera body and Sigma 150-500 lens was returned. The camera looks cleaner but still has one of the grips not reglued back in place and one grip is missing. It should have been replaced, but wasn't.

Also, the body doesn't look as if any repairs was done at all but just a clean. The button that shows the pictures taken on the screen doesn't function, as neither does the menu button. Nothing comes up on the screen. There are other issues too!


I should also have received a written report on the work that was done to the camera and lens but there was nothing in the box. Also not included was the replacement Nikon lens. The Lens is being sent by Wex Photo and Video (warehouse Express) and should be with me tomorrow!


The Sigma lens is making a lot of noise when in use and there is the same focusing issue.


I spent this afternoon yelling (well, not exactly) ad both the insurance people and their valuers/repairers. THe body will be returned on Monday and so it starts again!

Insurance is truly the white mans burden!

Does anyone know just exactly what I can demand the insurance people do?

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Thursday, August 15, 2019 4:31 PM

No idea on demands, depends on the language in the policy. 

Here in the states, each state has an insurance commissioner office.  When you run out of options and hit the proverbial stone wall, that's who to file a complaint with.  Usually gets some action, as the insurance companies don't want the state inspectors nosing around in their business.

I'm sure GB has something along those lines as well.

Good luck in getting your losses repaired or replaced.

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Friday, August 16, 2019 4:09 PM

Consider yourself extra lucky that the camera is the one that got damaged. I took a spill on my bicycle last week and banged up my right leg. Nothing broken but just banged up. Nothing happened to my bike but only wish that it was the one to get the worse and not me.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Philadelphia Pa
Posted by Nino on Saturday, August 17, 2019 3:07 AM

Hi James.

   I'm curious about your insurance.  Was this extended warranty insurance with "full-coverage",  ( For Nikon that is the "DOP"  Accidental Damage coverage) or did you have a separate "full-coverage" insurance policy on your gear thru another source like the camera shop where you bought the gear?

I imagine your yearly "insurance" cost was in the £150  range and well worth it if you get a perfectly repaired or NEW camera Body and lenses!  

Did you mention your "Excess" (or what I call your "deductable"),  is £200 and had to be paid up-front?

A replacement Full format D850 would be fantastic. That's a £2000 Camera!  I don't think that will happen though. (Maybe a D800e?). I have a PM on the way with some thoughts.

Good Pictures keep this forum popular and informative. Hope your excellent gear gets back in perfect working order ASAP.

Keep us updated on your repair progress.

 

   Nino

  • Member since
    November 2004
Posted by snapdragonxxx on Saturday, August 17, 2019 10:26 AM

I am covered under my house and contents policy with a maximum of £5000.

The Nikkor lens arrived yesterday and instead of sending the correct replacement lens wich should be the 

AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR

I was sent the

AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

I was on the phone and after a promise of a call back this is the email I recieved:

I apologise for the delay in reply. Our system has been down which means I have been unable to contact you.
 
I have arranged a collection for the lens that is not working for the same day that the camera body is being collected (Monday 19th August). This means you will receive two pink swap it boxes on Monday. They may arrive at different times. Please package lens securely to place inside the box.
 
I have spoken with our camera specialist. I have been advised that the lens that was sent to you as a replacement is correct. This is due to the replacement matching the specifications for the previous lens. We were unable to supply the exact same lens therefore this has been the replacement. We work on a like for like replacement service. The replacement that was sent should have been explained on our offer call.
 
Please contact us on if you have any further questions.
 
Kind Regards,

I replied by email:

Thank you for your email.
 
I would like to point out that I am sure that the lens that you said could not be repaired was a AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR. 
 
Your supplier sent the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED which doesn't have the VR system.
 
You say this replacement is correct, but you also say that you are unable to supply the correct replacement lens too. Both these lenses are in the current Nikon Catalogue and the VR version is readily available.
 
As a decorated veteran and retired officer I am very much a hands on man and always keep my eye on what is going on and track of things. I suppose it is because of 26 years of front line active service and also Royalty protection duties.
 
This claim seems to have degenerated into a complete farce and I am seriously considering putting in a formal complaint both with the insurance company and also the financial ombudsman.
 
I have already cancelled plans to travel abroad on a motorbike tour of Italy to stay on top of this as it seems that there is much confusion going on as to what has been repaired and the quality of the repair done. When the repaired D700 and Sigma 150-500 lens was returned to me there were immediate issues as the body seemed to work fine with another lens I use in my work room and then suddenly refuse to do anything. the focus system and the entire body seems erratic in it's behaviour with both lenses, including the returned "repaired" one.
 
Also, one of the grips which had become unstuck had not been repaired and refitted as well as a grip on the rear of the camera has not been replaced.
 
I originally spent about £4,500 on this camera and lenses when I first bought it in July/August 2008 intending it to be a once in a lifetime purchase.
 
If your valuers or repairers are unable to correct and fix this to my satisfaction then I would expect a replacement that would be the current equivalent of that camera in the Nikon range which currently is the D850.
 
Yours Faithfully
 
Major Sir James Goddard, MC & Bar, KT LG, Rtd. 

 

Lets see what happens on Monday Morning when I get on the telephone with them to follow this up!

  • Member since
    November 2004
Posted by snapdragonxxx on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 2:10 PM

Finally a result

I did push for a D850, but they said it was not close enough to the original D700.

Settled today for a Nikon D750 body a Sigma 150-600 C lens and because I saved them money by pointing out that the voucher for a sore to get the body was £300 more than their supplier was charging and the fact that the body does not use Compact Flash cards a 128Gb SD card.

So, I have ended up with all new stuff:

Nikon D750 (an upgrade on the D700)

https://www.nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/digital-cameras/slr/professional/d750

Nikon 24-70 lens

https://www.nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/zoom/af-s-nikkor-24-70mm-f-2-8g-ed

Sigma 150-600 lens

https://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/lens-item/150-600mm-f5-6-3-dg-os-hsm-c/

 

128Gb SD card

 

I was hoping they would have been super nice after all the hassle, but the policy is like for like or the closest to the original.

Still, it is a nice upgrade to the original body and sigma lens. It should be with me within 2 days!

 

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Chicago area
Posted by modelmaker66 on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 1:40 PM

Wow! Great news!

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Philadelphia Pa
Posted by Nino on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 4:41 PM

WOO HOO!Bow Down   You got REALLLLLLY lucky.

  Great policy.  Sure glad they worked with you on it.  Like-for-like or not, I think you made out.

   When you get it, Post some stuff, Full size. Tiff files would be great.   You can make'em 640 wide when posting but when we click on'em  they will open to their full glory.

   Worth the wait I suspect.

        Nino.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.