$18,000 worth of photography gear destroyed!

I don't think blaming the victim is never the 100% answer, but it does play a role.  Common sense is always part of the equation.   80/20 rule.  Your example - If a woman is wearing provocative clothing and is in a bad part of town, poor judgment/common sense put her in that situation.  Is getting raped her fault?  Absolutely not, but better judgment (20% of fault) would have made this situation avoidable.  With this photographer, same rule applies, not his fault, but a little more common sense could have prevented this from happening.

Sandy Smith Photos wrote: I don't think blaming the victim is never the 100% answer, but it does play a role.  Common sense is always part of the equation.   80/20 rule.  Your example - If a woman is wearing provocative clothing and is in a bad part of town, poor judgment/common sense put her in that situation.  Is getting raped her fault?  Absolutely not, but better judgment (20% of fault) would have made this situation avoidable.  With this photographer, same rule applies, not his fault, but a little more common sense could have prevented this from happening.

Yeh a little more common sense from the people who pushed him in.  He should be able to do his job unmolested. 

If it's not their fault, then they aren't to blame.  Nuff said. 

BTW your 80/20 rule is extremely insulting to rape victims.  Suggesting it's even partly their fault is plain wrong.  Plus you contradicted yourself by saying it's not their fault, but it's 20% their fault.  It's 100% NOT their fault.  Don't make rapists out to be victims who couldn't help themselves because the temptation was too strong.  

Horrible situation for that photographer!

Well that's a learning lesson!  Boy that is a time I would just cry.

I just watched this 3 times,  first time watching was the worst.  Disbelief! 

Stealthy Ninja wrote: Funny enough, if he had a 1Dx his equipment would have been fine (just kidding).


I wonder if his gear is totally ruined. The D3/4 series of cameras has pretty good sealing... I mean usually you don't dip them into water, but people have washed them with a hose and they weren't destroyed.

Still, stupid move on those kids behalf and I'm glad they had to pay to replace the gear. If my gear got destroyed in a similar way I'd have the police there asap and seek legal advice on who to sue.

Well in reality the only thing most likely ruined would be the lens, and then that is not entirely true either, if you send it to Nikon for a complete tear down service. If you take the batteries out immediately then dry the camera out, it will work for years. The key is to take the battery out as quickly as you can.
Well I am glad to see that the photographer will get new gear either way because of their actions.

I have no where near $18,000 worth of gear and this would make me cry.

Joves wrote:

Stealthy Ninja wrote: Funny enough, if he had a 1Dx his equipment would have been fine (just kidding).


I wonder if his gear is totally ruined. The D3/4 series of cameras has pretty good sealing... I mean usually you don't dip them into water, but people have washed them with a hose and they weren't destroyed.

Still, stupid move on those kids behalf and I'm glad they had to pay to replace the gear. If my gear got destroyed in a similar way I'd have the police there asap and seek legal advice on who to sue.

Well in reality the only thing most likely ruined would be the lens, and then that is not entirely true either, if you send it to Nikon for a complete tear down service. If you take the batteries out immediately then dry the camera out, it will work for years. The key is to take the battery out as quickly as you can.
Well I am glad to see that the photographer will get new gear either way because of their actions.

Yeh and that depends on the lens itself. Some lenses are quite well sealed, some (like the Canon 16-35 2. need a filter on the front to completely seal it.  

Like you said, remove the battery and dry it out, maybe it would be ok.

I don't know what I would have done there.  I think cry!  

Kayce wrote: I don't know what I would have done there.  I think cry!  

I think I'd fly... into a rage.

Stealthy Ninja wrote:

Kayce wrote: I don't know what I would have done there.  I think cry!  

I think I'd fly... into a rage.

Well that would come after!  I hope this photographer was reimbursed for the lose of his gear.  This is horrible.  

Now, I know I am late to this party...but I couldn't help but say a word: Ouch!

Kayce wrote:

Stealthy Ninja wrote:

Kayce wrote: I don't know what I would have done there.  I think cry!  

I think I'd fly... into a rage.

Well that would come after!  I hope this photographer was reimbursed for the lose of his gear.  This is horrible.  

Apparently those kids (or their parents) are being forced to pay for the new gear.

Painful to watch!

That's a shame, I wonder if the gear was fixable.