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Dave Beedon | all galleries >> Photography >> Joe Tripod and Ralph Tripod > Camera "death" cuts short a road trip to Utah
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5-OCT-2006 Dave Beedon

Camera "death" cuts short a road trip to Utah

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I left for Utah on Tuesday (10/3/06) and reached the Oregon-California border on US 199 at noon on Thursday. At the border I wanted to duplicate a photo of the "Welcome to California" sign (previous photo) I took in 1966. During the photo stop my camera died. What had been an intermittent problem for a few months became an unending nightmare: the camera would not respond to any exposure settings I used. Most images were way too light or too dark. Manual mode, my favorite shooting preference, was of no help. Bummer!

I spent an hour trying to get a decent photo of the sign, which is across the road from this driveway pavement (one of a zillion test shots). Finally I accepted the fact that this was actually happening, that my trip was in jeopardy, and that I was wasting my time fooling with the camera. I returned home and compiled technical details about the D70s, D80, and D200. On Saturday I bought a D80 and I loved it from the start!---it was much better than the D100. With the D80 I resumed the trip to Utah.

In spite of this disaster, the three days had some nice moments: a pleasant afternoon sail on the Columbia River with PBasers Dan Dunn and Warthog2100; a nice lunch chat with PBaser fotabug; discovering a neat use for an LED headlamp; and watching two raccoons foraging for food at night in a canal in Eugene, Oregon.

Joe Tripod is partially visible in the photo: in addition to the shadows of his legs, one leg is visible at right (the strap of the case goes around his foot).


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Dave Beedon03-Nov-2006 06:55
Joe Tripod, my trusted personal assistant, was on duty during the Death of Camera episode. His support was unwavering, as always. I am shocked and appalled by the implication that he was somehow to blame.
Guest 13-Oct-2006 11:51
Dave, I am really touched by the stance of Joe T in the face of this tragedy. What a stand-up guy! Such solidity in the wake of your camera's demise. Not to sound suspicious, but were you using Joe T when the camera conked out? I've heard that computer speakers sometimes get jealous of a mouse and try to crush it when no one is looking. I have a photo of this phenomenon, which I will share with you later.
Guest 08-Oct-2006 04:44
Look at this as not a loss but as an opportunity for the future... an opportunity for a whole new assortment of gadgets, gizmos and widgets for the New Camera!

(can't believe you missed the pun on Canonization! :-))
Dave Beedon08-Oct-2006 02:32
To answer comments: the D100 was no saint, so the chance that it will be Canonized is one gazillionth of a nanominiscule. It is not dead; it is in an intermittent vegetative state. Jokes did not jinx the device, but maybe California did. Correction of camera type noted. I bought a D80 and it is "wicked worth it" for its nicer arrangement of buttons, easier method of using some buttons, much better menus (with built-in help), and a larger viewing screen. However, the shooting mode dial is so short as to be difficult to grasp and I don't like the harder-to-handle SD card. Thank you, chempilot for the stirring news release: it made me cry. Joe was witness to the whole episode and let me lean on him for moral support: his loyalty, like his stance while on duty, is rock-solid. Thanks for shuttering, Lee. Temporary burial took place at the Cabinet Next To My Desk in Renton, Washington. A decision on a burial has yet to be made; re-incarnation is a possibility.
Lee G08-Oct-2006 02:02
I am shocked and stunned at the news of this digideath! My camera shutters for your loss. I hope T. Joe was not witness to the tragedy. After the funeral, I want to know about the new use you have for LED headlamps!
1moremile07-Oct-2006 21:11
I will definitely stay tuned. And let me know how the D80 is if that's what you buy.
Guest 07-Oct-2006 21:08
21:25GMT October 5, 2005 Renton Reporter, Renton, Washington
"Sudden and Tragic End to Local Camera Leaves Man Bereaved, Baffled, Bereft and Beyond Words"

Local photographer Dave Beedon was left suddenly alone recently when his bestest traveling buddy, a Nikon D100 (aka Mr. D, or nikey), gave up the ghost without warning. Somewhere on the Oregon-California border the two got out to capture a sentimental picture that Dave had first taken in 1966, that of the "Welcome to California" sign. The excitement was soon met with sullen silence. After a moment of setup Mr. D was called upon to snap the shot, but was semi-responsive. "He seemed confused," says Dave, "like he wasn't sure of himself, and rather sluggish." Dave went on to try other modes of capture but to no avail. Standard CPR (Camera Picture Resuscitation)on Mr. D was met with no response. Mr D was gone. "I've lost a good friend. I just can't go on without him...." Dave commented, holding back tears.
Burial services are pending. Mr. D leaves behind Mr. and Mrs. Beedon, his other best friend Joe Tripod, also of Renton, and various other lens mates.
Gary Winters07-Oct-2006 17:08
This is soooo tragic! Did you give the camera a proper burial out in the desert?

My Canon 300D is on life support now, so I got a new 400D and all i can is WOW the upgrade is sooo wicked worth it, as my daughter would put it.

The D80 looks like a great cam.
Guest 07-Oct-2006 13:58
Correction--the Nikon D200 (not 200D).
Guest 07-Oct-2006 13:56
Sorry to hear about your camera, Dave. I hope I didn't jinx it by joking about wanting your camera if your attempt at the speed record failed. I'm considering buying a Canon 30D. It's several hundred dollars less than a 200D, and reputedly the pictures it's capable of are just as good. Some of the pbasers have been using it with good results. Or, I may wait for the price of the Canon 5D to come down (it would be nice to have a full-frame sensor).
John Cooper07-Oct-2006 12:54
Is it dead or just very ill.
Guest 07-Oct-2006 08:53
Sorry your camera died Dave...but it led a saintly life..maybe it should be Canonized...
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