There were some gear casualties during the 3rd Annual Belly Dance Photography Marathon, alas. I have (2) EOS 1D Mark III cameras, a 1Ds Mark II camera, and then (2) older EOS 20D's, which are called the Armageddon Backup cameras. I mainly use the EOS 1D Mark III's, because they are much faster cameras, have more dynamic range for color, a larger LCD preview screen, and easier user-interface; I call them Camera 1, and Camera 2, respectively, or The Twins. The EOS 1Ds Mark II definitely still has a place in the studio. It's esp. useful when we're doing certain kinds of for-print work. Also for location work, where cropping could be beneficial, because it's higher 16.7 Mpixel resolution (the 1D Mark III's are 10.1 Mpixel cameras). But normally, I use The Twins as Main Cameras.

Previously, Camera 1 was sent back to the Canon Factory Service because it had been damaged, and was on a voluntary recall list for a focus problem. In a completely freak accident during the Marathon, Camera 2 fell a short-distance off a step-stool, and completely cracked it's LCD screen. Ugh! It's completely damaged, though I suspect it does still work as a camera. But one cannot use the LCD itself for any menu settings. Made me sad, but now and then, belly dance is rather tough on gear.

Well, I was using Camera 2, because (mostly) sitting in storage, Camera 1 developed a problem where something lose was "floating around" inside. It works exceptionally well, though there was a mild distortion problem in the viewfinder, after it came back from it's first repair. I speculated at the time this had to do with the fix Canon produced for the focus problem, and it was mostly notable with a 50mm prime lens on the body. It seemed that perhaps something involved in that fix came loose? It was used somewhat less heavily than Camera 2, because at a some older belly dance show, the rubber button on the multi-controller somehow had gotten lose and then lost. Only a little annoying for studio work, and not really an issue for show work. But just sitting around, Camera 1 definitely has some kind of "plink" going on inside, and that just cannot be a good thing.

Since Camera 2 is likely in need of a expensive repair, and I'm utterly reliant on both these cameras, I decided to call Canon Factory Service to learn what to do about them. Well, it turns out that with the first repair Camera 1 is STILL under warranty, because Canon extended the warranty a full year after the repair date! Yay!

So, yesterday I sent my baby, Camera 1, back to CFS, insured via FedEx. Was sad to send it, :-(. But in a way also glad, because while it works, the thing moving around inside it would seem to be a portent for a catastrophic failure later when I can least afford it.

Camera 1 was my first extremely fast camera. I had researched this camera, and then had to wait for months for it become available. Then, one day, my local dealer called, and said they had my unit. I was so overjoyed. I immediately hopped on Caltrain, to head to the dealer in Palo Alto to pick it up. Had lunch there, then headed back home. On arrival, I showed the box to my wife as happy as a little kid on Christmas morning. The 1D Mark III is an incredible machine!

I'll have to address poor Camera 2's likely more expensive repair at some later time. The Twins will soon enough be back together.

Gear maintenance is a fact of life; I discovered this also checking in with other belly dance photographer friends. I'm going to join Canon Professional Services, and just start a regular maintenance window for all of this gear.

Cannot wait for Camera 1 to return. Lots of work coming up to do.