Everyone saw on NBC social media a photographer’s Camera tumbling down a snowy course here at the Olympics in Beijing. It’s always strange to me what goes viral on the web, but this freefalling Camera on the day before the opening ceremonies became a viral event.

I have seen this happen a few times in my career in ski courses around the world, not only cameras but lenses and even photographers careening down a racecourse. It is hazardous for those below and highly embarrassing for the photographer involved, as this is a significant point during photo safety briefings leading up to the events. Depending on the venue, crampons and safety helmets are required to prevent falling photographers, and camera straps are clipped with a carabiner to a photographer or fence to prevent a rolling camera.

Since the NBC video clearly showed it was a Sony camera, my brand of choice of 2017, I wanted to learn more about the photographer and especially about the Camera and how they fared after the incident. 

At the Scene

I tried to find out who had dropped the Camera and who stopped the Camera at the end of its run, or anyone that saw the incident live but came up empty. It was a long shot as the photographer would want to play the incident down as much as they could. 

So, I was left to try to put the pieces together based on only the social media posts from NBC.

I know the incident took place on the Beijing cluster at the Big Air venue on the day before the opening ceremonies for the 2022 Winter Olympics, but I had to refer to NBC Twitter coverage of the event.

The Camera involved was a Sony Alpha 1 with a 24-70mm f/2.8 GM lens attached.

How far did the camera tumble? In the footage, it appears to have traveled over 200 feet, tumbling in ice and then snow bouncing hard more than thirty times. 

You can see a part come flying off as the Camera tumbles which I assume was part of the lens hood. The Camera is eventually stopped funnily enough by another Sony Photographer. The video at last check had nearly 500,000 views on NBC’s Twitter feed.

Sony Pro Service

At the Sony Service Depot in the Main Press Center, here at the Olympics, I talked with the staff to try and find out more. The suspected Camera was not functioning after the fall, but the images that were recorded were fine according to Sony Pro Service.

Did you receive the Camera? 

“Yes, we suspected what Camera it was from NBC’s Social media coverage, but we don’t routinely ask photographers what happened to the gear unless they offer an incident report. We immediately loaned the photographer a replacement Alpha 1 and 24-70mmGM lens so he could continue to his next assignment, while we assessed the damage.”

What was the Camera’s condition when you received it?

“The Camera and Lens were not severely damaged. The lens was in fine shape other than a broken lens hood and the rear LCD of the Camera needed to be replaced.”

How long did it take to repair and clean the Camera?

“Sony has learned a lot about the damage to cameras in the hands of photographers covering worldwide significant events. So here in Beijing, many of the parts needed to service cameras like this one are stocked here. The repair was quickly done and took under an hour to complete, and the photographer and his Camera were reunited the next day.

Covering Winter Sports

Winter Olympics are probably the hardest of all sporting events to cover as a photographer. Below freezing temperatures, icy outdoor courses, special safety gear. This combined with long hours and little sleep makes it hard on equipment and photographers alike. I have seen slips and crashes break the arms and legs of photographers, lenses separated from camera bodies, smashed lenses, and cameras destroyed. 

I am glad this story had a happy ending for both the photographer and Camera, as no one was hurt was easily repaired, and I assume they are still out making great images together here at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games someplace.

I know I will be hanging on to my cameras a little tighter for the rest of these Olympics.

Update: A follower of NBC put the tumbling Camera to the Olympic Theme song and it is pure gold. See it here!

-30-