When You Don't Have a Backup
So a couple of weeks ago I was setting up for a newborn session in a family home. I took out my camera and took a couple of test shots. I noticed that on my second or third shot the shutter seemed to be slow. Then, all went black. And there was a little noise of something jingling in my camera.
It was not Santa.
"OH CRAP"
The mirror in my 5D was just floating around in the camera - not attached to anything.
Luckily I knew the mom well enough to just fess up and say "I can come back in two days and get a rental for the newborn pictures."
I've always considered my Digital Rebel my backup. But since it is not full framed it would actually force me to take pictures DIFFERENTLY than I normally do. And, yes, I recognize it is not a good backup for a 5D but I've been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the new 5D to come out so I could use my OLD 5D as a backup.
So I immediately went to the LensProToGo website and found that to my absolute JOY they had a 5D body in stock. A few clicks later and I requested it with overnight shipping. I called the three other clients I had over the next two days to reschedule since I would probably not get the camera in time for either of my sessions the next day.
A short time later I got a call from Paul at LensProToGo verifying that he was ready to ship the camera and to make sure I was ok with the extra fee for the overnight shipping. YES, YES, YES!
He was nice as can be and I felt good knowing the camera was on its way.
The camera arrived the next day as planned. I opened the box and found the return shipping label all ready to go, and the pelican case holding the camera. Inside was the camera body with the battery grip, the two batteries, and a charger. I was very happy.
Since I'm still waiting for my camera to get back from Canon, I still have the rental and it has been working out great. Since it is the same camera body I'm used to it was super easy for me to go in and set it up with my custom settings. And knowing that I just put it back in the case, tape the box backup, and slap a label on it helps me to not feel like I have ONE MORE THING to do when it is time to send it back.
So check them out. I'm totally happy with them. And if you are a NAPP member you get a discount (yeah, love to work my member discounts).
I just heard about this happening to someone else on OSP. I wonder why the mirrors are falling out. Glad it worked out for you to get a rental so fast!
Posted by: Lydia | October 22, 2008 at 05:28 PM
The same thing just happened to me two weeks ago and it was during the cake cutting at a wedding!
I just got it back from the repair shop. I've been hearing about this more lately.
Posted by: Dianna | October 22, 2008 at 09:12 PM
>>I've been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the new 5D to come out so I could use my OLD 5D as a backup
Uh, my thoughts exactly. I hope my 5D keeps up some more months... :-)
Hope you get your camera back soon...
Posted by: R. Kneschke | October 23, 2008 at 03:06 AM
I am in love with Paul at lensprotogo.
He is absolutely the best.
Love your blog, you have given me so much information that is so useful.
Thanks and best regards...I am your next big blog stalker!!!
Posted by: Maria | October 25, 2008 at 11:35 AM
I've rented from them a few times and HIGHLY recommend them too. Their availability is great, and the service couldn't be better!
Posted by: Kristin Merten | November 03, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Yikes I don't have a back up for my 40D and dread this ever happening to me. I will totally remember Paul.
Posted by: Regina | February 04, 2009 at 10:52 AM