Here's what happened...

I recently made a long-anticipated upgrade to my gear: the Canon R6 Mark II paired with the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. It was a big investment, and my first dive into the mirrorless world. Like any photographer making a major gear change, I was equal parts excited and cautious—testing it, customizing buttons, getting used to the EVF, and dreaming of all the shoots ahead.

Ten days in, I dropped it.

Cue the heartbreak.

No dramatic story. No epic shoot. Just one careless moment during a casual setup, and suddenly my brand-new camera was on the floor. I knew immediately it wasn’t good. The screen flashed an error message, and something felt… stuck. What I didn’t realize yet was that the lens barrel had been damaged in the fall, which caused some of the internal screws to back out. The real issue? The lens couldn’t detach from the camera body at all.

Mirrorless, Meet Murphy’s Law

The R6 Mark II was everything I hoped it would be—fast, sharp, lightweight, and intuitive. I was already noticing the difference in autofocus and low-light performance. Mirrorless felt like the future, and I was finally a part of it.

Then reality hit... hard.

It’s easy to think that gear will change your game overnight. And sometimes it does. But what I wasn’t ready for was the emotional rollercoaster that came with damaging something so new and vital to my work. It wasn’t just the financial sting (though let’s be real, that hurt too)—it was the frustration, the guilt, and the delay in momentum.

Sending It Off to Canon

I quickly contacted Canon Support and, to their credit, the process was fairly straightforward. I boxed up the body and lens—still fused together—and sent them off for evaluation. Canon confirmed that the fall had caused a lens barrel failure, which led to the screws backing out and jamming the lens in place.

The days without it felt long—even though I still had backup gear. There’s something about new equipment that makes you feel like your best work is just around the corner. Having it out of commission was like being benched after getting called up to the majors.

Lessons From the Fall

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

Get it insured. Immediately. Whether it's personal or business insurance, having your gear covered is non-negotiable.

Treat new gear like glass. I thought I was being careful, but clearly not careful enough. No shortcuts with straps, storage, or placement.

It’s just a tool. Painful as this experience was, it’s a reminder that cameras don’t make the photographer—you do. Even the best gear breaks. What matters most is how you adapt.

Keep creating anyway. I didn’t stop shooting. I just had to get resourceful and remind myself that great photos aren’t locked behind new tech.

A New Chapter—Just Delayed

The good news? I’ve since received the camera and lens back from Canon, and they’re in brand new working condition. You’d never know they’d taken a hit. Canon’s repair team came through, and I’m back behind the lens with a fresh perspective—and a tighter grip.

Sometimes the best stories come from the bumps in the road—not just the polished portfolio moments. If you’ve ever dropped gear, you’re not alone. And if you haven’t yet… hold on tight.

Is it golden hour yet?



Andrew