Today was the big day. It was the most anticipated Muse concert. Say what you want, but I’ve not been to a proper rock concert before, so I was looking forward to it. It was at Pacific Coliseum. David had to buy the tickets right before from someone whom he had arranged previously. Of course, none of us knew the tickets were labeled with “no camera” until it’s too late. I carried my gigantic D200 thinking I could probably get some good shots. However, when we entered through security, they told me check in my bag during the concert. So I did. I dropped it at the service center within the stadium. When David and I were just leaving the counter, the security woman accidentally pushed my camera bag forward. It dropped like a rock, and this is what happened.
The top LED screen is totally borked and the side of the body is dented. On top of that, after some testing, the MODE and EV button also no longer works. None of my lenses were damaged. (Above photo shot with point and shoot triggering a SB800 via SU-4)
I knew the LED was broken right on the spot when I picked up the bag and opened it. The security woman was in shock also. She turned and gave me her manager’s card in case I want to seek compensation (which I fully intent to do). Although she mentioned that it’s very likely that PNE will not cover this, I phoned her manager right away and left a voicemail. So there, one careless mistake killed my D200. Unlike some other photogs, I don’t have a backup body (I’m not a pro shooter yet).
So what now?
As I said, I intent to follow up with PNE compensating for this. However, every plan needs a backup plan, because I still need to shoot. In case things go south, I will need to either repair this or buy a new camera. If I choose the latter, I’ll probably aim for a FX (full frame) camera so I can use it for the next five years or so which puts the price to almost $3k after tax. Where on earth will a high school student get that much money? Well, I’ve turned to the internet for help (and not just the internet, but everyone). If I plan for the worst, I need to raise $3k (and let’s hope that my D200 can be repaired and for less). The whole point of this blog was to document my progress (hence no ads), but it has been a tragic day, and my progress, unfortunately, has to temporarily stopped until this is resolved. Therefore, I’m asking you to donate any amount to help me, a high school student, so I can continue my creative shoots as well as to learn photography, my favorite hobby besides messing with my computer. If you can’t help financially, at least help spread the word by Tweeting. After this gets resolved, I promise you that I’ll be devoting even more time into photography!
EDIT: Disclaimer: I know this has arose some controversy (see comments), but I’m not trying to score a free camera. I know I have the option of purchasing a used D200 or D300. However, support me if you think I have the potential. And if PNE does cover this incident fully, the money that I received from the Internet will be donated to charity in the name of the Internet.
$839.82 raised so far
I will be updating how much you guys have raised. I’m also throwing in $500 myself to start.
Update 1: A big thank you to @thenetworkhub @AminPali @simon_li @mor10 @xploreja, and @danudey for spreading the word
Update 2 (April 4): Thanks to all of you who donated. I really appreciate it.
Update 3 (April 6): Dropped of D200 to Nikon Service Centre to see if they can fix it. Called PNE Guest Service manager again and left voicemail. Called their various other number and left voicemails. I have yet to talk to a human being.
Update 3 (April 7): Got in contact with PNE and they need to see the estimate from Nikon repair before giving me a firm answer as to whether they will cover it or not.
Update 4 (April 13): Nikon Canada replied saying that my camera is “economically not repairable.”
Update 5 (May 5): PNE replied after seeing my Nikon report giving me the choice between a new D300 or cash, I replied and chose D300.
Update 6 (May 26): It’s been a month and they still haven’t given me my replacement camera. I contacted them and instead of buying a new one, they “found” a way to repair my camera. The compensation was not what I had agreed to; however, I’d just like to keep on shooting.
Update 7 (May 30): As promised that I would donate the money received via internet since PNE is taking up the cost in fixing my camera, I started sponsoring a child through World Vision.
Update 8 (June 5): I picked up my repaired D200 from PNE and looked at the repair receipt. Apparently, Nikon Canada fixed it for them even though Nikon had said it was not economical to repair. Corporate relations? At this point, all I cared is that I have my camera back and ready to shoot (after a two month of hiatus).
What about the concert?
Since this blog is about photography, David Kim sent along some Muse concert photos. It was a great concert nonetheless. All of the following photos were shot on a point and shoot.
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650 will buy you another d200 in excellent condition. If your as desperate to go be able to take photos as you say you are, this would seem like the most logical decision for you. Rather then waiting around at a snails pace for donations to come in to get 3k for a shiny new 5d mkII. I can see asking for donations to replace your camera you have broke, i mean if people like your photos, and want to see you get more of them out there, i can understand why people would do it. However, asking for 2500 for a brand new camera which would be infinitely more advanced as the one you currently have, (keeping in mind you have stated yourself you aren’t a “pro shooter” yet, so you don’t really need anything much better than a d200 in the first place) is outright audacious. To think that you could use an unfortunate event such as having your camera broken, to score yourself a brand spanking new pro one at only 500 dollars to you. I find it borderline disgusting.
I know that came out a little strong, but seriously. You say you want to get back into shooting as fast as possible, but you already have the money to enable that. Not to mention the approximate 200 dollars you would have after you replaced the d200 for 650 dollars. I just find you trying to score an almost free camera out of compassionate people disgusting. I wouldnt even have a problem if you truly admitted to trying to get as much as possible so you could get the nicest camera you could, but your writeup is done so in such a way that it comes across as if you are some down on his luck, broke photographer who broke a 3000 dollar camera in the first place. But you didn’t. you already have the funds available to cover your top priority, which you stated is getting back to photography as quickly as possible.
I got my D200 back in the days when it was around the price of a FX camera. So there’s that. I don’t need the craziest equipment, but I do need something I can use for the next five years. That’s why I’m going to the lowest priced camera that supports FX (to take advantage of my lenses and full frame sensor for super wide). On top of that, although I don’t consider myself to be “pro,” I do shoot lots of crazy stuff (ie. strobist style). To be honest, I see myself going into photography full time if I don’t go down doing computer stuff. So yes, I am asking people to raise money for me to buy a new and EXPENSIVE camera. And trust me, there are always people questioning me and other high school students about why we need this and that. I even remember when I started my interactive agency, some of the clients doubted our ability.
As for buying a used body, I have a pet peeve about that since I don’t know how many shutter clicks have they gone through unless I bring it home and read the EXIF data. I’m fine with other accessories. In fact, I buy used flashes to save money all the time. Whether or not people online donate, I still have to get some of the money myself (working on that), so it’s really up to the reader to decide whether he or she would want to help. If they want to help, I don’t want them to donate just because some kid is whining because he lost his camera. I want them to donate because I want them to see that this person has potential so they should support him.
Anyway, point taken, my original post may have been misleading but it was written when I was the most furious. So, sorry if you were offended in any way.
PS: I’m already back shooting on a Nikon FM10 film camera! Going old school!
Hi,
I somehow stumbled onto your website and just finished reading this post and the above comments. I am sorry that your camera got damaged from a careless employee, but I have to agree with the first commenter. I think asking the public for their hard earned money in order for you to buy a brand new expensive camera is quite preposterous. Using people’s compassion is a half-ass way to achieve a goal.
I’m not trying to score a free camera. In fact, I budgeted the new camera myself before posting this already (it’ll take a few month for me to get), but I thought I could get some help from the Internet. Anyhow, I posted up a disclaimer before the donation button. I don’t want to mislead people.