Disaster & success (in that order)

[John]

Today was, hopefully, going to be a Red letter day for me as I was going to try and see a bird that I had travelled around both Britain and Europe to see, all without success. My quarrry were a small party of Penduline Tits and through a mate of mine had been granted special permission to a closed site in the hope of finding them, but first we had all decided (my two friends and I) to go after a Ring-billed Gull that visits Westcliff on sea (next to Southend) yearly for the last few years. I have always struggled to find this bird and as yet have not succeeded, after many attempts. Was it to be different today.

We arrived at 7am and and searched dilligently through all the gulls but couldn't find it. Whilst my mates continued to scan the flocks I went to try my luck with a fairly confiding Sanderling that was on the edge of the waterline. It was very windy and where the bird was situated was also dark (it was in a shadey area). I fired off a few shots and then bent down to get my 5 x tele-converter. It was then that the disaster happened. Just as I bent down a huge gust of wind picked up my scope and tossed it to the ground slightly denting my scope but more to the point smashing my camera, probably well beyond repair. This is a total disaster to me as I live to try and photograph everything I see.

I was totally dejected, and the mood quickly spread two my two friends as they tried to console me, but at the time is was inconsolable. We hung around for another hour but the Gull never showed so it was offto try for the next bird on our itiniary..

The next port of call was an Aldi store in Pitsea, near Basildon. There had been a report of some Waxwings over the last week and I must admit I never tire of seeing these little beauties. We needn't have worried due to the fact that they were above our head as we arriveed. As soon as we parked our car we were amongst them, (39 of them to be precise) some of them less than ten feet away. This really hit me hard as I could have taken loads of probaly my best ever shots of this species, but it was not to be. A touch of bitter sweet as it was great to see them but dejecting at the same time due to the fact that I couldn't film them.

That done it was off to Rainham Marshes, which is a new RSPB reserve, but as yet not opened to the public until towards then end of the year (i think). A friend of mine has a set of keys and had invited the three of us down and we greatfully had accepted his invitation. Arriving at the site he informed us that all 4 had been showing and we hurriedly made our way to the reed beds that lay alongside the busy main line to London. It was almost half an hour before my mate dan heard them, deep in the reeds then as if by magic all 4 appeared in front of us, and all right out in the open. At last I had seen my major bogie bird of all but again what should have been jubilation turned to a touch of sadness. These fabulous little birds were right out in the open and I had my scope on them and could have taken dozens of really good photos of them but it was not to be. these birds, moreso than the Waxwings, really brought it home to me how naked I felt without my camera at my side.

We stayed with the birds for a further 30 minutes before moving onto a public area of the marshes where found both Rock and Water Pipits. It was getting late and we bid farewell to my friend and it was decided that on the way home we would call into Napton Reservoir, which is only 12 miles from where I live, in the hope of finding another vagrant from America, a Ring-necked Duck. It had been present for a few days but hadn't been seen for the last two days so it was a bit of a gamble. We needn't have worried. As we climbed the bank the first bird we saw was the Ring=necked Duck so it was a succesful end to a very bitter / sweet day.

Now that I am home I have studdied an extended warranty that I took out on the camera and there is a possibility that it is covered for accidental damage. I will know more tomorrow when I take it back to Jessops, where I originally bought it from. Even if it is it could be a long time before I get the camera back so I have attached what could be some of my last photos for a while.

John

[glsammy]

Enjoyed the story but what a kick in the teeth John. Typical though isn't it? Smash your camera, you can guarantee to see everything you've always wanted to..

[digi]

John, I had a fall last year and damaged my video camera, the insurance company replaced it under the house contents accidental insurance cover.

Have you checked your insurance?

[John]

Originally Posted by digi

John, I had a fall last year and damaged my video camera, the insurance company replaced it under the house contents accidental insurance cover.

Have you checked your insurance?

Unfortunately we have no contents insurance but I feel relatively confident that the extended Warranty will cover it (fingers crossed).

John

[digi]

Best of luck John, I will keep my fingers crossed. At least you had some success today.

[Fourwings]

Really sorry to hear about your misfortune John, I know what you mean about being naked without a camera.
Fingers crossed that warranty sorts things out for you.

[John]

Well good news and bad news.

It looks like my extended warranty does cover accidental repair. The bad news is that Jessops think it is beyond repair. That throws up a problem as normally they would replace it with what they think is a good alternative, but there isn't one. The one that Jessops thought would be used I think was the 4300 which isn't the same as the 4500.

Jessops are at a loss at the moment how this will be conducted but there is a possibility that they will work out the cost of the repair, even though it is beyond the limit of the cost to repair it, and only offer me that cost if they can't replace the camera.

I could end up really losing out here as I even suggested that I would possibly accept a 2nd hand one as a replacemnet but they no longer even carry stocks of those.

John

[digi]

What about another model like the Sony W7?

From my knowledge of jessops John you need to stand your ground and if your not happy consult the manager. When I dropped my Camcorder Jessops offered me a settlement of £399 I argued that it was optically stabilised and should be replaced with an optically stabilised model. I was eventually given £899 in vouchers to buy what I wanted.

[John]

I must admit I have nothing but praise for Jessops in the past. I had purcased a 2nd hand CP990 and put my old SLR and other bits and pieces as part exchange for the camera. Over the following two+ years I had a lot of problems with the camera and twice they exchanged the camera without any problem. When something went wrong for the third time I had had enough with that camera and Jessops took into account all the problems I had had and did me an amazing deal. They allowed me my full part ex value I had received against my original camera against a brand new 4500. That meant I only had to find a further £99 for a new camera.

I just hope the service carries on the same way this time.

John

[digi]

They are normally very good, but if you don't think you are getting a fair deal then tell the manager since they can possibly make an alternative decision in your favour.