55-200mm lens gone :-(

A tragedy befell yesterday morning.

It was around 9AM when I reached home from BTM. Alvin, my friend, and I were supposed to head to Shivasamudram for a photo-trip. I had my camera in my hand with the 55-200 lens attached (as that is how I always kept it in my camera sling-bag) and was checking the battery charge. I then realized that I needed my polarizer filter which was in my old camera bag, on the top of my cupboard.

Without realizing that I had my camera in hand, I tugged at the bag from the top of the shelf. The bag fell and while trying to catch it, I lost control of the camera. It fell on the floor, with the lens and the body separated from each other. I stood motionless.

When sense finally prevailed after a few seconds, I inspected the damage. I tried putting the lens back but it just wouldn't "stick" to the camera - it was always popping out. My heart shrunk. I quickly put on another lens and checked if the camera was OK. Thankfully, the camera switched on, focused, and took pictures.

Although that was partly relieving, I was still saddened because my 55-200mm lens was now no longer functional. Well, at least I couldn't use it much now, could I? That lens cost me about INR 17k! :-(

I had to use my 50mm prime and my measly 18-55mm lenses in the photo-trip. They turned out OK but still I terribly missed having the power to zoom till 200mm! Man, now the Tamron 18-270mm is what I'm aiming for.

I just hope that I don't get nightmares of my 55-200 lens.