It was the late 1970's.
I was living in Sweden at that time.
I spent most of my "free-time" working for the Swedish Judo Association, as a coach and as a producer of instructional material.
I had just bought an Akai portable VTR and b/w camera with an optional zoom lens.
At that time the highest tech around a judo tournament was in the form of 8mm cine cameras.

The weekend in question,  I drove to the Swedish National Judo Championships and, because of my status within the Association, was allowed to set up my new equipment by the edge of the contest area.

I had been given my own table for the Akai VTR.
As I set up my tripod many eyes turned to watch me.
As I mounted the camera body on the tripod, even more eyes fixed themselves on me.
I was feeling very important!

I connected the cable to the VTR.... all eyes were on me.
I opened the carrying case for the zoom lens.
It was EMPTY!
(The night before I had been checking everything...... I had forgotten to put the lens back in the case.)

As I had that sinking feeling, the first match of the day started and all eyes left me and focussed on the contest area!

Guess who quickly unmounted everything and slipped into the shadows?

(Below is the offending VTR and camera body - Minus the Zoom lens)

Regards,
Douglas

Ah yes, 1/2 inch EIAJ - I remember it well! I had the Sony Camcorder version - pistol grip camera and a suitcase sized VTR slung over your shoulder.