ruben said:
TO ALL CHAMPIONS LEAVING ALL CAMERAS AND LENSES BEHIND:
I have stated you have time to do what you have to (meaning in this case your negs, in other case the laptop, etc. ect) BUT I SPARED ONE OR TWO SECONDS TO CHOOSE AMONG YOUR EQUIPMENT, AND MANY OF YOU ARE CHOOSING TO RUN AWAY WITHOUT ANY.
First: Don't even think about it. Get out!
Second: Follow Bill's lead, but be over insured. Most of us don't realize how much we have in property of all kinds. Damaged or lost in a fire and it all has to be replaced. Don't think in terms of that pair of jeans or camera are old and now only worth $__.__. If gone, they have to be replaced at current market value, whether you can/wish to get used or new.
I came home from church one day with my family, to find many fire trucks in front of my home, and smoke coming from inside. I lost many cameras, and all my negatives and slides were damaged. Some 8 to 10 thousand slides, and I don't know how many negatives. Fortunately, my Fujica ST 901 bag and lenses, and my Super Press 23 and accessories, were saved, along with my Rolleiflex. It turned out more economical to rebuild than repair the house. Most property inside had to be replaced, but that said, you would be surprised what can be saved sometimes.
My family and I were lucky as far as I am concerned, not to have been inside. I/we might have been foolish and tried to save things. Actually, we might have been able to put it out in time, if we had discovered it in time. However, it is always best advice to assume you cannot unless very, very positive you can. Get out and save yourself and family. Any thing else can either be replaced or will not be missed as much as loved ones.
OK, I will get off my soapbox now. It's just that I have been there and it isn't hypothetical to me. I feel strongly about it. Especially the part about being overly insured. We weren't as far as personal property was concerned. There was much that couldn't be replaced because were weren't properly insured. I would hate to see anyone else get in that situation.
Like I said, I will get off the soap box now.