I would like to get some feedback from people who have had photographic equipment whilst on tour and how they overcame them?

Specifically I am interested in knowing what can be (and have been) done if you have to replace your equipment with new stuff, like batteries (not the AA type), lens, filters, and worst case buy a new camera (if the one you are carrying craps out).

Thanks in advance.

Xponent - not sure that I fully understand what you are trying to find out. I did, however manage to drop my video camera when on holiday in New Zealand, which took out the camera completely. We had taken out travel insurance, but had not taken the option of insuring the camera separately, so we were not covered for replacement. As this was the second day of the tour, I walked into the nearest camera store, and bought another video camera by the same maker (a much cheaper model - but using the same batteries and memory cards), as I couldn't bear the thought of not having a video record of our holiday.

The insurance covered the cost of repairs to the camera, so I now have two video cameras, one a good quality one and one of lesser quality, which I now use as a replay device for downloading DV tapes shot in my better camera to my computer for editing and transfer to DVD.

Steve,

The insurance that covered the cost to repair your camera, was that the travel insurance you purchased or did you have different insurance on your camera?
I have at least $1000 worth of camera gear I'm taking so I should really look and see if my travel insurance covers something like this!

Kwintesenc, yes it was travel insurance - there was limited basic insurance on the camera up to as far as I remember, which covered the cost of repairs, in this case. But to be covered for theft or purchase of a replacement(being a fairly expensive one)I would have needed to taken out extra insurance with the camera as a separate item - that is how I remember it, but am not sure now.

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Steve, I know this question is rather generic and slightly hard for me to lay it down clearly. The event that I dread most is that "something" craps out and I am left to fumble around searching for replacements.

How difficult is finding an electronics store for these things (mem card, battery, filter, etc)? I know in many places you will pay a premium for certain things but it will be comforting to know that should the inevitable happen, help is available nearby.

quote:

Kwintesenc, yes it was travel insurance - there was limited basic insurance on the camera up to as far as I remember, which covered the cost of repairs, in this case.

I checked with my travel insurance and it appears that it would cover up to $500 for repairs (well it says damages and I would assume that repairs would follow the damage).

Xponent - of course it all depends where you are travelling to - you shouldn't have a problem in most places, I would think, though you might have to wait till you get to a large town or city in some countries. There are some countries, of course, where a digital camera would coat an absolute fortune to the average resident, and so stores selling photographic gear would be very scarce.

Really, it is not possible to even give you an educated guess, unless you know where you might ne going.

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I would assume that repairs would follow the damage

Very astute of you Kwintesenc!

On this occasion we chose not to insure our camera, but I was taking videos from a minibus at the very Northern tip of New Zealand, after a light plane flight. The bus stopped, I put the camera back into my bag, which was slung round my neck and sitting on my knee - on exiting the bus, I leant forward too much (I am tall!) and the camera dropped out.

The camera would have worked OK manually, but its diagnostic check told it that the optical stabilizer was out of kilter so it refused to turn on - I could have managed perfectly well without the stabilizer - but you know what computers are like - they always think they know what is best!

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on exiting the bus, I leant forward too much (I am tall!) and the camera dropped out

Well at least that's one thing I don't have to worry about as the only thing I'm too tall for is the kiddie rides at amusement parks (BARELY!!).

I am surprised travel insurance would cover camera repairs. I know it covers lost or stolen bags and replacement of its contents. I guess the policies are all different...the good ole fine print thing!

Purchase protection coverage offered by some credit card companies (Am-X Gold at no cost), provides replacement coverage for stolen and broken goods you purchased with the card...90 days from date of purchase only. I don't remember the time window, but surely you can't claim 5 items in one year.

In a previous post to another topic, I had mentioned/advised someone to carry an extra camera (P&S) in case your main camera fizzles out.

Something happened with me on my recent tour that (today) I find quite startling. The battery charger of my secondary camera (an older Nikon 3700) blew.

Today upon reflecting back, I can only imagine my frustration had my main camera's (Canon 350D) charger blown itself!

I don't have any more words on what should be done or would have been done had I faced that situation, but I am relating my experience and extrapolating it as food for thought.

That's why I bought a digital which uses AA batteries and if the charger blows, you go to any tobacco shop or where they sell souvenirs, phone cards, etc and buy a 4 pack and you're good to go. My main batteries are NiMH and rechargeable, but duracells get good life in a photog crisis.