Digital Medium Format Thread

SFTPhotography said:
Jesus - had I known that I might have waited until now to go MF digital and just gone mirrorless.

I suspect the shutter issue is an early model thing. Buying one now seems less risky - they've made lots of them - and at this price they'll make a lot more.

I adore the 645z - but if I were Pentax I would be worried now there's a 100mp alternative for not a lot more money than a 50mp 645z. I'd be willing to overlook a lot of pitfalls for an extra 50mp for £600.

I'd also be terrified if I were Phase One, Hasselblad who offer only 150mp but for 8 fold the price.

The GFX100s is a bargain and one that has me rethinking my equipment line up. If there is no announcement by Pentax in the next 24 months re a 100mp 645z - I'll flog it all and move over.
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Since you love a megapixel or two, why not look at replacing one (or both bodies) and use an adapter for the lenses, that way you'd keep the focal lengths that you like, but have the benefit of higher resolution.

Quite a lot of Canon glass works well on the GFX as well (with a different adapter) including the EF100-400 - and this would then meet your telephoto requirements (that the 5DSR failed to meet) https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4471411
 
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Mr Perceptive said:
Since you love a megapixel or two, why not look at replacing one (or both bodies) and use an adapter for the lenses, that way you'd keep the focal lengths that you like, but have the benefit of higher resolution.

Quite a lot of Canon glass works well on the GFX as well (with a different adapter) including the EF100-400 - and this would then meet your telephoto requirements (that the 5DSR failed to meet) https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4471411
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Aye, except I sold the 100-400 last month.

I'd use the 28-45 adapted as it's class. The 45-100 and 100-200 I'd just buy along with a 23. I've read reviews re the 45-100 and I'd expect it to be at least as as good as the 45-85. Not sure on the 100-200 but I could always buy or buy an EF 100-400mm anyway.

Even if I sold both bodies the cost of change is a bit rich for me now, I'll leave it for a bit as Pentax might come through with a 100mp Z which would make life simpler. I'm very big on the actual camera. It just feels right and using it works so well for me. A 100mp version of has me salivating
 
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SFTPhotography said:
Aye, except I sold the 100-400 last month.

I'd use the 28-45 adapted as it's class. The 45-100 and 100-200 I'd just buy along with a 23.

I could always buy or buy an EF 100-400mm anyway.

Even if I sold both bodies the cost of change is a bit rich for me now, I'll leave it for a bit as Pentax might come through with a 100mp Z
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I admire your tenacity in the face of adversity - being realistic the last few years of Pentax 645 sales will have been down as Fujifilm have gathered pace in the market, and now they must be virtually on the floor. Even if they come to the market with a 100MP 645 in two years time, they will then be at least 4/5 years late, and most of the market will already have bought into Fujifilm, added to fact that Pentax are welded to the DSLR model despite their best selling camera the Ricoh GR series being mirrorless.

Also with the volume of secondhand GFXs now about the price will only go one way, and this will have a knock on affect on the 645z value. I suspect the cost to change will remain fairly constant.

A Wide Angle Zoom from Fujifilm and the final hammer blow may have been made...........................

If however they came to market with full size 645 sensor such as a colour version of the one Dalsa use in the 86MP Falcon camera (64mm x 48mm) then they may yet steal the show https://www.teledynedalsa.com/en/products/imaging/cameras/falcon4-clhs/ - obviously this would need a Bayer filter and a suitable processing engine but the 645 glass will cover that sensor size (the jury is out on the max sensor size for Fujifilm GF glass)
 
Mr Perceptive said:
I admire your tenacity in the face of adversity - being realistic the last few years of Pentax 645 sales will have been down as Fujifilm have gathered pace in the market, and now they must be virtually on the floor. Even if they come to the market with a 100MP 645 in two years time, they will then be at least 4/5 years late, and most of the market will already have bought into Fujifilm, added to fact that Pentax are welded to the DSLR model despite their best selling camera the Ricoh GR series being mirrorless.

Also with the volume of secondhand GFXs now about the price will only go one way, and this will have a knock on affect on the 645z value. I suspect the cost to change will remain fairly constant.

A Wide Angle Zoom from Fujifilm and the final hammer blow may have been made...........................

If however they came to market with full size 645 sensor such as a colour version of the one Dalsa use in the 86MP Falcon camera (64mm x 48mm) then they may yet steal the show https://www.teledynedalsa.com/en/products/imaging/cameras/falcon4-clhs/ - obviously this would need a Bayer filter and a suitable processing engine but the 645 glass will cover that sensor size (the jury is out on the max sensor size for Fujifilm GF glass)
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It comes to price. A ricoh GR costs nothing like a 645z or even K1 or K3 so that's to be expected.

What I heard, anecdotally, is that the D850 is still outselling the Z7. So there is demand for the more traditional camera. That might just be that a D850 gives the same 45mp for less cost.

If pentax bring a 100mp 645z to market, it'll have to be a 5 grand type of camera. Not a 10k plus one which 54mm MF starts. A full 54mm longside MF is a very rarified world - with only Phase One and Hasselblad playing there. A 150mp 645z would, even at Pentax prices, be comfortably north of £10k. I don't think they'll go this route - why - they've always made 44x33 digital, first the 645d, then the 645z.

My reason for being confident they will, the old K3 preceded the present 645z, and there's a new K3 released shortly. The 26mp APSC, 61mp 35mm and 100mp 44x33 MF are based around the same pixel density. I'd expect Pentax to release a 100mp 645z in 24 months or so, then a 61mp K1 in 36 months if we go by the last product cycle. A new K1 is badly overdue. Maybe more so than a 645z as Fuji haven't abandoned 50mp - and the 645z sits in and around the GFX50sII price point.

I could be wrong but the GFX100s range is going nowhere fast so the doors always open to me. My bank balance needs to recover a bit before camera gear is on my agenda again.

The GF can't take anything more than 44x33 and the lenses are designed around this. The pentax lenses bar the newest 55 2.8, 28-45 and 90 are capable of being used on much larger sensor
 
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I've had the refurbished GFX50S from Park Cameras for about a week and a half now, although unfortunately I haven't really had a chance to properly use it except to take some photos of our uncooperative toddler in the area around our house a few times.

If it weren't for a small sticker on the box that said "refurbished", this thing is indistinguishable from a new camera. As a big film lover (still and cine) who uses all old-school cameras, I wasn't quite sure how this was really going to go, but the camera is exceeding my expectations to this point and I think I'll be able to make good use of it. While most people would probably class the camera as quite large, for me it seems so small and light compared to my usual 6x6 or 6x7 medium format cameras, so loving how portable it is. I have a lot to learn though to (1) get the most out of the camera and (2) figure out/maximise a digital workflow (I'm used to doing minimal editing as my film lab is great).

The other big issue I have at the moment is lenses. I really just want a fast, manual-focus prime. Fujifilm's lineup is perfectly fine, but it doesn't really excite me, they're laden with features that aren't important for me (e.g., autofocus, image stabilisation in some cases), and generally fairly slow. It's not a big deal when lenses are a few hundred pounds to have a slight mismatch between needs/features, but I want to really be excited for a lens if I'm going to spend £1000–£2000. I would concede, however, that my interests may be a bit different than many other GFX camera users.

While I have been contemplating what to do with regard to lenses, I had been planning to use a couple of adapted Minolta 135-format lenses—which I had read do a good job with the 44x33 sensor—just to hold me over. The lenses (45mm and 58mm) do, in fact, cover the sensor fairly well, but field curvature is a big problem at wider apertures that I definitely did not anticipate (random things well behind subject start to come into focus). The 58mm is also especially soft at f/1.4 and marginally acceptable at f/2. I was a bit taken aback by this, as this is probably the first time I've ever found a lens is not sharp enough for my purposes wide open (and I use Holgas and what not occasionally); I'm not sure if this lens just isn't that great or this sensor is just that much more demanding than I'm accustomed. For shooting landscapes, my sense is that the lenses will probably work fine as I would typically employ narrower apertures.

At any rate, I'll look to bring my ramblings to a close, as I'm not sure how interested anyone even is in my thoughts.

I'll end with a few examples. Hopefully my efforts will improve as I get to properly use it and familiarise myself with the ins and outs of working with a digital camera.




 
OK this is post full of :eek:

There is a reason that I've not posted any pictures in the last 2 weeks, despite spending a week in Scotland (to which between my wife and I we managed to take 9 cameras!)

On the penultimate day, we went to the Hermitage at Dunkeld, I had packed in the car, the GFX50S, GA645, Bronica SQ-A and X-H1 (with 50-140mm lens) - At the Car Park I took out just the GFX, lenses and tripod and we walked to the Hermitage itself, it was a lovely morning, sun shining and my wife commented on happy I seemed.

Arrived at the Hermitage, set the camera up on the tripod at he viewing platform, took a couple of shots, repositioned camera on ball head, took a couple more shots, then I decided to adjust one of the rear legs of the tripod to take a tree branch out of the field of view, the next moment I looked up and saw the GFX falling from the tripod head, over the railings (which it was behind, but quite a bit higher than), and then watched it plumment into the rocks below, before disappearing into the river in lego format :eek: - I was mortified (understatement) and nearly beside myself, my wife thought that I was going to lob the tripod after the camera (Manfrotto 055 +Xpro Ball Head with QR head) - I managed to compose myself, packed up my remaining kit and sat on a bench 50 yards away, while my wife scoured the rocks below (from the Hermitage) for signs of the camera.

I'm Insured - including Accidental All Risks

I rang the Insurance Broker, explained what had happened, and they said take some photos of the scene (as Accidental and Total Loss scenarios are quite rare, usually there is a camera that might be repaired). I did that including walking back to the car and returning with the X-H1 and 50-140 and scouring the rocks again with the benefit of telephoto. I found part of the GF30mm lens, sheared off at the aperture ring.

There was no way of any form of recovery, those rocks are danagerous, the water fast flowing, and plenty of warning signs and barriers!

Subsequently checking the tripod head, I realised that the QR mechanism can't have fully engaged with the plate on the camera, and while it was alright initially, gravity probably had a big part to play in the camera's demise.

A few lessons, I've taken away:-

1) Always (double and triple check) make sure the tripod plate is fully engaged, I've sinced purchased a new (non-Manfrotto) head, the Manfrotto one is for the bin!
2) Put a neck strap on and around camera when working at height!
3) Backup nightly images on the memory cards, Yes the previous days images were backed up but onto the second card in the camera!!!

I submitted an insurance claim on Monday, and amazingly by 6pm Thursday, the funds to purchase a replacement camera were in my bank account - Thank you to "Glover and Howe" (brokers) and Covea (The Insurance Company) for such a fast service - and hopefully now I can stop re-living in my mind the falling camera - its been like a car crash on repeat in my brain.

So I now have to decide how to spend the money, another 50S or a 50S II or something else :)

qurIj7k.jpg


and the broken GF30mm lens, if you closely at the image you can see a mobile phone (not mine in the foam as well!)

DAHVvhRh.jpg


Oh and yes it rather ruined the holiday!
 
Again David. Bloody Hell !!!
 
Well at least the insurance company coughed up.
I never trust QR’s and always used the “screw” type these days.
 
trevorbray said:
Again David. Bloody Hell !!!
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Thanks Trevor
Peter123 said:
Well at least the insurance company coughed up.
I never trust QR’s and always used the “screw” type these days.
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The Manfrotto one is a click and screw, but I think you can fool it - in that it thinks its gripped over the QR flange when in reality its butted up against it.

I've bought a Benro as a replacement which does seem to have a much more effective locking mechanism
 
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I had that happen, once in Wales. I was attaching a filter to the holder, but the holder wasn't on so well and it ended up knocking the camera over and breaking the lens. It was a D5000 and 18-200 and I was ready to upgrade so I wasn't too sad.

Lesson learnt from you re regular back ups of files though to an external drive or something or other.

I do check the QR carefully but advice I give out, on workshops, is to hold the strap for two reasons.

1. In case of tripod failure.
2 To stop the strap moving during exposure - especially on a windy day.
3. If a dog approaches rapidly, you can protect your gear.
 
That's a proper bummer David but the silver lining is the insurance paid up so you can set yourself up again.

It makes me shiver when I think about it though I've shot in some precarious positions myself thankfully without incident (touching wood).

IMG_20170616_191213_913.jpg
 
I'm at a crossroads here, I have money in the bank to buy new (replacement) kit, but for once I'm completed stumped:-

I love the output of the GFX50S, but struggled with the weight especially when the bag contained MF film equipment as well. I want to be able to shoot handheld (mostly) - I don't mind tripod work, but I don't want to be tied to it all the time. I love the resolution, colour and tonality out of the GFX50S, but it lacks that MF 'look' compared to larger film sizes. Generally my sweet spot in focal lengths is 24-50mm (FF equivalent), but most of those are in the 24-35 category. I still have a GF45mm lens, GFX50S spare battery and the Tilt EVF.

I have for some time had a hankering after a Leica Q2, some of my best images (IMO) and most enjoyable photography has been with the Fujifilm X100 series, and I see the Q2 as the next step up here. I also have lust for MF film cameras (currently own Fuji GA645 and a Bronica SQ-A), I could go for something like a Mamiya 7, but this would take a significant chunk out of the budget.

So my options as I see today (and I know this is a real first world problem)

1) Forget the Q2, buy a GFX50S or 50S II and a bunch of lenses, man up about the weight and enjoy the IQ

2) Buy either a replacement 50S (use it with the 45mm I have) and buy a Leica Q2, add more GFX glass when funds permit

3) Buy a 50S II with 35-70mm, sell my GF45mm and buy a Leica Q2 - just within budget

4) Buy a Q2, use it and forget about a GFX for the moment (concentrate on MF film), consider one again in the future - leaves budget left over

5) Buy a GFX100S (I really don't need the resolution), use it with my GF45mm and add one more sub 2K GF lens

Thoughts?
 
@
Mr Perceptive said:
I'm at a crossroads here, I have money in the bank to buy new (replacement) kit, but for once I'm completed stumped:-

5) Buy a GFX100S (I really don't need the resolution), use it with my GF45mm and add one more sub 2K GF lens

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Option 5 - for hand held you get the IBIS, the 100mp, the phase detect AF (and I've re-examined GF100 files and you cannot see banding or striping).

It'll future proof your digital set up for years and you can top trumps me.
 
SFTPhotography said:
@

Option 5 - for hand held you get the IBIS, the 100mp, the phase detect AF (and I've re-examined GF100 files and you cannot see banding or striping).

It'll future proof your digital set up for years and you can top trumps me.
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I thought you'd go option 1 or 5, IBIS has its uses, but all too often its not the be all and end all, its no good on any moving target and that includes wind, and it isn't usually as effective with wide angle shooting as telephoto shooting. That said there is an appeal to the 100S, even with the 45mm lens, I'll be able to crop significantly.

But GFX100S + say GF23 (refurbed) or GF30mm is the same money as refurbed 50S + GF23mm (refurbed), GF30mm (refurbed) and GF63mm (refurbed) (keeping the GF45mm in the equation as I have that)

Isn't glass supposed to be king?

You'll always win on the weight category in Top Trumps, my puny shandy drinking southerner wrists would struggle to get a 645z out of the bag :ROFLMAO:
 
I recently carried my GFX kit 50S tilt adapter, 23, 32-64 and 100-200 (used them all) plus a Bronica SQ-Ai with 40, 50 and 80mm lenses (used the 40 and 80) I know what you mean about carrying the 2 kits. I only did 3.25 miles altogether but the first 1.25 miles was uphill. I've found that for those kind of trips I need to use my f-stop Tilopa it has great padded straps and spreads the weight well, my bag usually weight about 50lbs.

If I were you given that you've enjoyed the 50S with tilt adapter, I'd be looking to replace that facility so the new gen GFXs would be out and AFAIK the original 100 is bigger and heavier so it'd be another 50S for me. That said I almost always use the trpod when using the GFX or Bronica and I'm happy to do so. I have a friend who has the 50R and he hand-holds quite a lot without issue but no tilting EVF and only 1 derection tilting screen won't do for me. FWIW I don't think the 6x6 film scanned is as good IQ as the GFX 50S files but they have a different quality.

Good luck with the choosing, real 1st world dilemma. :ROFLMAO:
 
Mr Perceptive said:
I thought you'd go option 1 or 5, IBIS has its uses, but all too often its not the be all and end all, its no good on any moving target and that includes wind, and it isn't usually as effective with wide angle shooting as telephoto shooting. That said there is an appeal to the 100S, even with the 45mm lens, I'll be able to crop significantly.

But GFX100S + say GF23 (refurbed) or GF30mm is the same money as refurbed 50S + GF23mm (refurbed), GF30mm (refurbed) and GF63mm (refurbed) (keeping the GF45mm in the equation as I have that)

Isn't glass supposed to be king?

You'll always win on the weight category in Top Trumps, my puny shandy drinking southerner wrists would struggle to get a 645z out of the bag :ROFLMAO:
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I don't find the Z too bad. Even with the Manfrotto 507 with 80-160 on. Mass doesn't bother me much. I really like the deep hand grip of the camera too.

Way I see 50S II and 100S - there's £1.5k in it for an extra 50mp. Per MP the 100s looks the better buy.

E Infinity now sell them, for under £4250....

Fujifilm GFX 100S Medium Format Mirrorless Camera (Body Only)

£4,179.00 - 12 Months<br />Warranty - 14 Days<br />Money Back - 100%<br />Brand New - Free<br />Shipping - Import Tax<br />Included
www.e-infin.com www.e-infin.com

Stupendous bargain. E Infin carry GF glass too.

None of this re-furbed carry on either. Brand new.

If I hadn't got the 645z - I'd be buying that and if I broke mine tomorrow, I'd probably buy the 100s at this price.
 
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@Topsy I do like the tilt adapter, and I agree about the 6x6 negatives - either of these I have more than enough resolution for A2 prints

@SFTPhotography I'm not one to buy grey (I have my reasons for it), from my man-maths I would only need to add the GF23mm if I went for the 100S as I still get big files when cropped (ignored aperture settings, I'm mainly stopped down) :-

GF23mm 101.8MP
GF30mm (using GF23mm Cropped) 73.1MP
GF45mm 101.8MP
GF63mm (using GF45mm Cropped) 57.1MP
GF80mm (using GF45mm Cropped) 36.9MP
GF110mm (using GF45mm Cropped) 20.2MP

Slippery slope is beckoning......................................................
 
Mr Perceptive said:
@Topsy I do like the tilt adapter, and I agree about the 6x6 negatives - either of these I have more than enough resolution for A2 prints

@SFTPhotography I'm not one to buy grey (I have my reasons for it), from my man-maths I would only need to add the GF23mm if I went for the 100S as I still get big files when cropped (ignored aperture settings, I'm mainly stopped down) :-

GF23mm 101.8MP
GF30mm (using GF23mm Cropped) 73.1MP
GF45mm 101.8MP
GF63mm (using GF45mm Cropped) 57.1MP
GF80mm (using GF45mm Cropped) 36.9MP
GF110mm (using GF45mm Cropped) 20.2MP

Slippery slope is beckoning......................................................
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You can alway's add lenses later. I have no issue with buying grey but if you do, fair play.

I'd also consider the spec of the PC. I've played with the 100mp files and my machine is fine...but it's a dual CPU high end GPU power house. 200mb RAWs are demanding. Storing them is one thing but getting snappy resposnes when viewing a 100% is another. I have 128gb RAM and RTX4000 and 2x 7282 CPU's...and I think that copes with these files but I might add in another 128gb of RAM if I moved to 100mp.
 
SFTPhotography said:
I'd also consider the spec of the PC. I've played with the 100mp files and my machine is fine...but it's a dual CPU high end GPU power house. 200mb RAWs are demanding. Storing them is one thing but getting snappy resposnes when viewing a 100% is another. I have 128gb RAM and RTX4000 and 2x 7282 CPU's...and I think that copes with these files but I might add in another 128gb of RAM if I moved to 100mp.
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My PC should be good enough, I'm not seeing a lag of the 50S files, graphics card could probably do with updating (currently running 2 x 4K monitors) and storage is not a problem (PC has over 10TB - Fuji lossless compressed RAWs are about 100Mb) and there is a 4 bay NAS drive in the corner of the room.

I'm really not sure on the way I'm going yet, I've got an afternoon with a Q2 on Wednesday, I just want to rule that in/out of my head. I certainly not going to rush this decision, I have plenty of other cameras film and digital knocking about so its not like I can't take pictures!
 
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Mr Perceptive said:
@Topsy I do like the tilt adapter, and I agree about the 6x6 negatives - either of these I have more than enough resolution for A2 prints

@SFTPhotography I'm not one to buy grey (I have my reasons for it), from my man-maths I would only need to add the GF23mm if I went for the 100S as I still get big files when cropped (ignored aperture settings, I'm mainly stopped down) :-

GF23mm 101.8MP
GF30mm (using GF23mm Cropped) 73.1MP
GF45mm 101.8MP
GF63mm (using GF45mm Cropped) 57.1MP
GF80mm (using GF45mm Cropped) 36.9MP
GF110mm (using GF45mm Cropped) 20.2MP

Slippery slope is beckoning......................................................
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No tilt adapter on the 100S........... o_O Just saying. ;)
 
Topsy said:
No tilt adapter on the 100S........... o_O Just saying. ;)
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I know and £2,499 Refurb GFX50S v £5,499 GFX100S is however you look at it a big leap! (and more so since I already have the tilt adapter and a spare battery :) ) and the EVF is smaller 77% v 82% on the newer cameras

@SFTPhotography I know you have a 'a thing' about Refurb, but I (and many others) have not had anything previously from the Fuji Refurb store that doesn't look like new (with the exception of packaging - and I already have a GFX50S box!) - All Refurb items carry a full 1 year Fujifilm UK Warranty
 
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I've had a few refurb items from Fuji over the years and always been absolutely satisfied with them. Often they are just items that have been sent back from online sales with almost no use but still need to be gone through by the techs at Fuji so as when they go back out they can be guaranteed. I was a very early adopter for the GFX but would have happily bought refurb if they were available.
 
David. It’s looking more like option #2 don’t you think.
You know the sensor is good enough. You’ve still got the 45 and Tilt EVF.
Q2 is a great all rounder.
I’m not you but I’d be considering ditching Digital Medium Format altogether. Big neg film 6x9 maybe 6x7. Didn’t I see a Pentax 67 in the classifieds...
 
trevorbray said:
David. It’s looking more like option #2 don’t you think.
You know the sensor is good enough. You’ve still got the 45 and Tilt EVF.
Q2 is a great all rounder.
I’m not you but I’d be considering ditching Digital Medium Format altogether. Big neg film 6x9 maybe 6x7. Didn’t I see a Pentax 67 in the classifieds...
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You are an evil man!!! I sold my GSW690III to fund the Bronica- the big Pentax is mighty heavy especially with glass - but a Manila 6 or 7 is a possibility - there is definitely something special about ‘proper’ MF

Got to put the Q2 through its paces first!
 
Mr Perceptive said:
You are an evil man!!! I sold my GSW690III to fund the Bronica- the big Pentax is mighty heavy especially with glass - but a Manila 6 or 7 is a possibility - there is definitely something special about ‘proper’ MF

Got to put the Q2 through its paces first!
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Haha. I’ve had a couple P67 and Texas Leicas. I’ve even had the huge Fuji GX 680. Probably won’t ever shoot film again but I’ve fond memories and files of big negs.
 
SFTPhotography said:
They're tiny. I have a D850 - light as bloody feather. 24-70 isn't that large either.
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Come on Steve. You’re missing the point. Or just winding David up for fun.
 
trevorbray said:
Come on Steve. You’re missing the point. Or just winding David up for fun.
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Honestly - I am not nor intending too. A Q2 seems a very expensive bridge camera, good sensor and all that...but no.

Bare in mind I got rid of a 5ds for being too small and cheaply made feeling. That and the DR.

Ok - if wanting a full frame mirrorless - what about a Z7 or Panasonic S1R - the nod being to the Panasonic for not being small and silly feeling. Or a Sony A7R thing - and lenses galore to stick on it.
 
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Mr Perceptive said:
OK this is post full of :eek:

There is a reason that I've not posted any pictures in the last 2 weeks, despite spending a week in Scotland (to which between my wife and I we managed to take 9 cameras!)

On the penultimate day, we went to the Hermitage at Dunkeld, I had packed in the car, the GFX50S, GA645, Bronica SQ-A and X-H1 (with 50-140mm lens) - At the Car Park I took out just the GFX, lenses and tripod and we walked to the Hermitage itself, it was a lovely morning, sun shining and my wife commented on happy I seemed.

Arrived at the Hermitage, set the camera up on the tripod at he viewing platform, took a couple of shots, repositioned camera on ball head, took a couple more shots, then I decided to adjust one of the rear legs of the tripod to take a tree branch out of the field of view, the next moment I looked up and saw the GFX falling from the tripod head, over the railings (which it was behind, but quite a bit higher than), and then watched it plumment into the rocks below, before disappearing into the river in lego format :eek: - I was mortified (understatement) and nearly beside myself, my wife thought that I was going to lob the tripod after the camera (Manfrotto 055 +Xpro Ball Head with QR head) - I managed to compose myself, packed up my remaining kit and sat on a bench 50 yards away, while my wife scoured the rocks below (from the Hermitage) for signs of the camera.

I'm Insured - including Accidental All Risks

I rang the Insurance Broker, explained what had happened, and they said take some photos of the scene (as Accidental and Total Loss scenarios are quite rare, usually there is a camera that might be repaired). I did that including walking back to the car and returning with the X-H1 and 50-140 and scouring the rocks again with the benefit of telephoto. I found part of the GF30mm lens, sheared off at the aperture ring.

There was no way of any form of recovery, those rocks are danagerous, the water fast flowing, and plenty of warning signs and barriers!

Subsequently checking the tripod head, I realised that the QR mechanism can't have fully engaged with the plate on the camera, and while it was alright initially, gravity probably had a big part to play in the camera's demise.

A few lessons, I've taken away:-

1) Always (double and triple check) make sure the tripod plate is fully engaged, I've sinced purchased a new (non-Manfrotto) head, the Manfrotto one is for the bin!
2) Put a neck strap on and around camera when working at height!
3) Backup nightly images on the memory cards, Yes the previous days images were backed up but onto the second card in the camera!!!

I submitted an insurance claim on Monday, and amazingly by 6pm Thursday, the funds to purchase a replacement camera were in my bank account - Thank you to "Glover and Howe" (brokers) and Covea (The Insurance Company) for such a fast service - and hopefully now I can stop re-living in my mind the falling camera - its been like a car crash on repeat in my brain.

So I now have to decide how to spend the money, another 50S or a 50S II or something else :)

qurIj7k.jpg


and the broken GF30mm lens, if you closely at the image you can see a mobile phone (not mine in the foam as well!)

DAHVvhRh.jpg


Oh and yes it rather ruined the holiday!
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I feel your pain and had almost the exact same thing happen to me. I lost a D810, lens and filters. That one last shot and lifting the tripod up to find the plate wasn't secure and the camera falling 20 foot onto the rocks before rolling down the next set of falls is engrained in my memory. It was slow motion stuff and fairly ruined my day. My insurance company, AXA, were brilliant though and hopefully you get some nice new kit and don't have too big an excess. Make sure you claim for filters, memory cards etc
 
wookie6262 said:
I feel your pain and had almost the exact same thing happen to me. I lost a D810, lens and filters. That one last shot and lifting the tripod up to find the plate wasn't secure and the camera falling 20 foot onto the rocks before rolling down the next set of falls is engrained in my memory. It was slow motion stuff and fairly ruined my day. My insurance company, AXA, were brilliant though and hopefully you get some nice new kit and don't have too big an excess. Make sure you claim for filters, memory cards etc
Click to expand...

Simon, claims been settled in full without quibble (less small excess), and yes I claimed for memory cards, L-grip, etc
 
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