Losing a camera, and some kindness to share

[Takkun]

So the other day, my Leica rolled out of my bag on the back of a transit bus. I'm sure you all know how heart-wrenching that could be. I've broken gear before, but that was out of my own stupidity.

Now thankfully, this wasn't a regular revenue bus (though as a non-driver, I'm frequently on those and very, very vigilant about my equipment especially after having been mugged outside my old office), but a preserved Seattle Transit System bus on an excursion out to rural King county. I didn't get much in the way of photos and took a short nap on the way back into the city. My bag fell over off the seat, and as I was leaving, I picked it up, seeing the strap of my Fuji hanging out, and thought all was well until I got on the train home...
So I trekked to the three garages they'd possibly park a 1968 antique bus and begged anyone in sight for it. "We're not responsible for the historic busses," everyone said. KCDOT lost and found said the same. I called the diner we had our lunch break at. Apparently 3 other riders left their cameras there, but no luck on an old film camera. "At least it's an excuse to buy a digital camera!" they exclaimed.
I called the historic bus association's hotline, expecting there to be a recorded message as usual, but a volunteer picked up. He is a retired engineer who took up photography and spotted it as something clearly of value to someone. It was whisked off to the transportation building, and all was well.
So I just wanted to share a story of appreciation of a fellow photographer and transit buff who helped me get my equally antique camera back.

And another quick story that you'd think would have taught me a lesson: Back at university, I was headed out for winter vacation, with a suitcase and camera bag in tow. Long story short, the airport was shut down for a massive snowstorm, and I managed to get the last train back downtown. I put my wallet and keys in with the camera, and in my exhaustion, left it on the platform while changing trains. It was only when I heard the 'see something, say something' announcement that I realized my mistake. Thankfully, I was reunited before the bomb squad showed up.

 

[leicapixie]

Was the Leica damaged in it's trip?
My Leicas have survived some knocks without a repairs..
You are one lucky guy!
i am looking at a better camera bag, that doesn't shout "Camera"!
Using a back pack is not the answer..
Now it's beginning to get cold, here in Toronto, time for change.

 

[zuiko85]

The most I've lost was a 105mm f2.8 Takumar, on the Ravenswood L in Chicago. About 40 years ago. At the time a large loss for me, a major purchase for my Fujica ST701 (remember those). Nice to hear a happy ending.

 

[peterm1]

Years ago I was on an interstate business trip with collegues from work. I developed a bad cold and dosed myself with various tablets and pain killers and then on the plane had a couple of red wines with dinner - this was back in the days whey airlines still actually provided service. On reflection I think the red wine was a mistake as it does not go well with pseudo ephidrene.


When I got off at the destination airport I picked up my suit pack - one of those folding thing-gummies and we headed off to wait at the long, long, long line for a cab and the half hour ride into the city.

By this time I was half out of it - unwell and fazed out by wine and painkillers topped off with cold medications. Standing in the cold night air, with half a thousand other people who had also gotten off planes and were waiting for cabs did not help.

Long story short, as I did not have a normal bag I could not put it on the ground next to my feet so instead I hung it on the handrail to avoid having to hold it. The cab came and we all piled in and in the rush to grab the cab before someone else did I left my bag hanging on the handrail. I think at some point as the queue inched along I left it hanging and moved ahead of it then just forgot. 😱

A suit, fresh underwear and shirts, toiletries a brand new expensive electric shaver other bits and pieces - but fortunately no camera. (This was in the days before I carried a camera with me everywhere). I never got these back.

Someone picked it up and walked off with my suit pack. Hope they liked my style in buisness clothes.

No great loss but it was a pain having to spend three days in a city without the essentials needed to keep comfortable and groomed - although I did buy fresh underware and some disposable razors and a toothbrush.

This kind of thing happens all to easily when distracted unwell or in a hurry, sadly. I have since heard many many stories like this. But its made me more cautious and while I know htere is still potential for it to happen again in truth its made me a little paranoid when getting off buses, out of cabs - not to mention when catching cbas at airports.