Takkun
Ian M.
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.
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.