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Related: About this forumYou guys MUST read this story. "D4 Grizzly-Proof"
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1114874So, I just got my D4 yesterday. Attached it to the 600VR today here in yellowstone and went out shooting. I was hiking back into the woods after a coyote when I heard some teeth popping, and a growl. A grizzly stepped out of the brush about 35 feet from me. I started backing up with the tripod and camera over my shoulder as the bear continued to walk towards me. I got to a pile of logs that I was afraid I would trip over if I tried to lift the tripod over it. I thought to myself, screw it, the gear is insured and it's not worth dying for. I left the gear and backed up to about 75 yds. when the bear stopped to sniff the tripod. I had my D700 and 70-300VR over my shoulder so I started to shoot. What I saw before me made me want to cry. The bear stood up, pushed the tripod over with one paw, then proceded to gnaw on it and jump up and down on it. I left the area, went back to my car, waited an hour, then hiked back into the woods to retrieve what was left.
I got there and the gear was covered in mud, and slobber. The hoods were off of the 600, the padding on the tripod was ripped to shreds. I couldn't see if there was any damage to the gear, because it was so muddy. When I got back to the apartment, I looked at the front element and there was a perfect nose print on it. I cleaned everything up, and apart from a tooth mark on the battery cover of the D4, a few scratches to the lens hoods, and the knobs chewed off of the wimberly, everything seemed ok. The tripod, was not so lucky. I am not sure if it was a result of chewing, or stomping, but the carbon fiber was splintered and broken. I took some test shots with the camera and lens and everything is still in perfect focus and calibration. I cannot belive after a hard fall, and a mauling by a 500lb grizly, that everything still works.
The good thing was that I was ok, got out of there safe, and even though I had bear spray, I think Imade the right decision to leave the gear instead of risking trying to haul it out with me and fall down crossing logs.
And now, for the pics!
Amazing pics are at the link. This guy is LUCKY.
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You guys MUST read this story. "D4 Grizzly-Proof" (Original Post)
Blue_In_AK
May 2012
OP
Solly Mack
(90,769 posts)1. Damn.
Scary.
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)2. Did you look at the pictures?
OH MY GOD. I can't even imagine how freaked out I would have been. This guy did exactly the right thing, and it's amazing that he had the calmness to continue shooting with his other camera.
ManiacJoe
(10,136 posts)4. He knew needed proof for the insurance claim.
Solly Mack
(90,769 posts)5. Yes! I wouldn't have gotten any pictures. I would still be running/hiding...becoming bear poo.
Celebration
(15,812 posts)3. Wow!
That is an experience for sure.
Makes me want to go to Yellowstone.
RC
(25,592 posts)6. A good reason some of us have been perfecting the "Inside" for thousands of years.
The Outside can be just too scary.
NV Whino
(20,886 posts)7. Wow!
Just wow.