Thus far, this has been the saddest post I've ever made on FM.
Earlier tonight while I was shooting a wedding, my lens was taken from me =[
It occurred prior to the start of the ceremony. I had the lens sitting on the church pew and I left the room for 10 minutes. There were only a few people at the church but when I left, no one was in the room.
I came back and it was gone. I though someone might have moved it thinking it would be safer elsewhere...but no one came forth with such claims.
I'm sad.
I don't do this as an established legitimate business so I wasn't sure how I could go about getting insurance...this was my prior thought process. I had intentions of looking into getting insurance in the Spring of 2012.
So, if you kind folks could keep your eyes out on eBay and Craigslist for a Canon 70-200L IS MKII, let me know? Just the lens w/hood. No lens cap.
No date code. It's the newer batch where they utilized only numbers.
Lesson Learned...never leave your gear unattended...no matter what.
I just graduated from Temple University in December so hopefully I land a job soon so I can pick up another one =[
this happened to me as well 2,3 yrs back when i left my backup 50d+17-85+580ex2 for a 3,4min bathroom. Used to think Church is safe.. No more.
Tnguyen. provides the lens' serial # could help to identify stolen lens.
I am sorry for your loss. Don't be too hard on yourself; it's difficult to have to be aware
of potential thieves at a shoot, when you are busy. I wouldn't be surprised if the
person who stole it came to the wedding with just such a purpose in mind. Easy
cash for drugs, or whatever.
Anyway, I think a nice gesture would have been for everyone at the wedding to chip
in $20 and you'd have enough for a another lens. But that's neither here nor there, now.
That really sucks, and from inside a church no less. Just another example of how much our society has spiraled down the toilet.
It might be wise to notify Canon with the serial number of your lens and a proof of purchase...if the lens is ever sent in for service, they might be able to flag it. Not sure if Canon actually has a service such as this, but it wouldn't hurt to call and ask. Also, check your homeowner's policy for coverage/exclusions. However, if you were using the gear for commercial purposes, the point may be moot since it probably wouldn't have been covered under these circumstances. May as well exhaust all of your options, though.
One really wants to hope that people are better than that and perhaps just moved it somewhere. But unfortunately there are people out there who have no problem with just stealing another person's stuff.
I'm not really sure what a person would do with something like that...maybe take it to a pawn shop? If you noted the S/N perhaps you could visit the pawn shops in the area and see what's there? Or it might show up on craigslist.
I don't know, but the odds of finding it are pretty slim. I hope it turns up for you.
A church is not safe. Believe it or not, I had a bible stolen from the top of a coat rack after a service. One thing I would do immediately is let the pastoral staff know of your loss and see if they can make a general announcement pleading for the return of the lens. Sometimes a pastor can couch this in terms that will make the thief seek penance. They may even put a blurb in the bulletin that will do the trick. I hope you get this back. I would be sick.
