I sometimes refer to myself as the Camera Whisperer. Remember who is writing this and take this paragraph with a grain of salt. When folks brought malfunctioning cameras into my work, depending on the condition I could occasionally fix the problem. Crooked lens barrel? Don’t look while I see if it’ll snap back into place. It won’t turn on? Tests were run with your battery in my camera and my battery in your camera. The camera’s lens won’t extend? Let me get my industrial strength air blower and try to blast out any loose particles such as sand. I saved many a customer over $100.
However, there are seriously damaged and misbehaving camera that need professional help. Broken LCD screens, blown pixels, internal miscommunications, busted sensors, missing buttons, broken battery doors, etc… Shall I go on?
Unfortunately for the consumer some cameras break down due to poor quality, design, and parts. More often than not repairs are needed due to accidents that one may not be conscious of when they happen. Here’s one of the leading causes of cosmetic, mechanical, and internal damage.
When I see someone doing this, I grab my chest, my eyes bug out, and I gasp in horror.
Let your camera dangle and/or swing and I can guarantee you it will be bumped, banged, and bruised whether you realize it or not. Dropping a digital camera even while it’s in a case can cause problems. Fluids and electronics don’t mix. Keep your camera out of your back pocket. I can’t imagine they’re comfortable to sit on.
Digital cameras are far more delicate than any film camera and they contain computer parts. They’ve also gotten much lighter over the years just like major appliances are now made from cheaper materials.
The bottom line is, be very careful. Love your camera or give it to me.
Written while listening to the “Grease 2” soundtrack. It’s such a bad attempt at being like “Grease” that it makes me laugh. I enjoy it for a whole other bunch of reasons like Adrian Zmed sliding down a bowling lane and rock screaming.
Just had to write to say that I too love Grease 2 way better than Grease because I think the guys are cuter! I never really got into John Travolta. 🙂 And I thought Michelle Pfeiffer did a great job.
Lisa responds: :gasp: I LOVE John Travolta. Maxwell Caulfield and Adrian Zmed are hot too, but in different ways. I’m glad we can have this discussion. LOL
Just had to say I love Grease 2! Yep, it’s super cheesy but that’s why I love it. I’m happy to report I am not one of those that would make you gasp. My camera is well taken care of!
Lisa responds: Good to hear your camera is being respected. Rock-a-hula luau, ah huh, it’s a rock, a rock-a-hula luau.
Lisa,
Just a quick note to say “Thank You!” for the post card you sent my son from California. He LOVES it. Thanks for making his day and mine.
Stacey
I love reading your blogs. I must tell you that I was getting a little queasy when you were describing the seriously damaged cameras and then you threw in that picture. I’m like you, my heart can’t take that kind of camera abuse! Thanks for the valuable information!
Lisa responds: I love hearing from readers. What I’ve seen happen to cameras just makes me sad.
I thought my sister and I were the only Grease 2 fans out there. It’s so cheesy, but I love it – especially Michelle Pfeiffer singing “Cool Rider”. I bet she’s so proud of that movie! Thanks for the smile on a blah Wednesday!
Lisa responds: I need a c-o-o-l r-i-d-e-r.
I am very protective of my camera, my friend makes fun of me because I always have it in its case whenever I’m not taking a picture. However, on my first vacation with my Sony Cybershot DSC-W, I was handing it off to someone to take a picture and dropped it on a cement sidewalk! Miraculously, there was nothing wrong with it, and that happened 3 years ago. It still works great. I don’t know if it was the quality of materials used, but I’m not taking the chance of possible damage again!
Lisa responds: Which “W” model do you own? You’re a very lucky girl. 🙂