After spending more than a year being washed around the Pacific Ocean, a Canon EOS 1000D camera and the photographs contained on its SD card have been reunited with its owner.
As you would expect, the Canon EOS camera, pictured below, is no longer working. But the SanDisk Extreme III SD card inside of it was able to be washed, and more than 50 images were recovered. With a date stamp suggesting the camera had been in the salty depths for over a year.
The Discovery
The camera was found during a scuba trip by Markus Thompson, who was diving in Deep Bay just outside Vancouver. Deep Bay is known for its rich marine life and shipwrecks, making it a popular spot for divers. During his exploration, Markus stumbled upon the Canon EOS 1000D camera, which was encrusted with marine growth and partially buried in the sand. Intrigued by his find, he decided to take it back to the surface.
Upon closer inspection, Markus discovered the SanDisk Extreme III SD card inside the camera. Despite the camera’s battered condition, he was hopeful that the SD card might still be functional. After carefully cleaning and drying the card, he inserted it into his computer and was amazed to find that it still worked. More than 50 images were successfully recovered, providing a glimpse into the life of the camera’s owner before it was lost to the ocean.
Reuniting with the Owner
Determined to return the lost memories to their rightful owner, Markus took to social media. He published some of the recovered images on Google+, hoping that someone might recognize the people or places in the photos. The power of social media quickly came into play, and the images were shared widely across various platforms.
Through the collective efforts of the online community, Markus was able to track down the Canon EOS 1000D camera’s original owner. The camera belonged to a firefighter and his family from British Columbia. They had lost the camera during a family outing over a year ago and had given up hope of ever seeing it again. The family was overjoyed to be reunited with their photographs, which held precious memories of their time together.
This heartwarming story highlights the resilience of modern technology and the kindness of strangers. Despite being submerged in saltwater for over a year, the SanDisk Extreme III SD card managed to preserve the family’s memories. Markus Thompson’s determination to find the camera’s owner and the collective power of social media played crucial roles in reuniting the family with their lost photographs.
The incident also serves as a reminder of the importance of backing up digital files. While the SD card’s durability is impressive, it’s always a good idea to have multiple copies of important photos and documents stored in different locations. Cloud storage services, external hard drives, and other backup solutions can help ensure that precious memories are not lost forever.
Image Credit: Markus Thompson
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