i dropped and damaged my SLR a few years ago when i was sitting on the pit wall at a race. never once have i thought, "geez, if i only hadn't used my camera to take pictures..."
stuff happens. if you buy a camera like that and are afraid to have it with you when you have your best picture opportunities, you'll never get good pictures. nothing worse than saying.."damn...shoulda brought the camera!"
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"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo daVinci