2 bodies?

[rluka]

There's an anecdote: have three items of the same thing. One for use, One for backup, One to keep in mint condition for bragging

Always bring two and a half camera when going out now.
The APS-C for most of the picture taking, the P&S zoom for when shooting something closer than 0.8 M or when the zoom outweight pixel quality. 🙂

 

[presspass]

With film, never fewer than 2; one M with a 28/35, the second with 50/90. Usually an F Nikon with a 180 as well. All with the same film - b&w 400 speed. That's with me today as well as the digital kit for work.

 

[valdas]

always at least two bodies with the same mount. M6+Bessa R2A, OM1+OM4Ti, FM3a+F2 and so on...

 

[Paul Jenkin]

Some years ago (early 80s) I used to shoot weddings and portraits to supplement my meagre income from my "main" profession. I used to use OM1n and OM2n cameras but was persuaded to "upgrade" to a Canon A1.

I couldn't afford two new bodies, so I plugged away shooting weddings with just the one. That was until it died on me, mid-shoot. Locked up solid and refused to play - at all. Thankfully, I had an old Mamiya C3, a couple of pairs of lenses and some Portra in my car - so I got away with it.

These days, I still carry two bodies - usually with different films to one another. We're off to drive the length of Route 66 in a month or so. I'm taking two bodies - probably my F6 and my F3.

 

[jsrockit]

how many of you use/keep a second body...either as a regular user or just for a back up?

I use 3-4 different cameras regularly. I just like variety. I could certainly get away with one camera.

i wonder how many of us just have one body and what happens if it craps out?

You buy another one.

 

[donkee]

I'll carry one with me unless traveling or if I am photographing something important, then 2 bodies go with me.

Once in a while I'll carry two bodies one with color and one with B&W, not often though.

 

[De_Corday]

I keep whatever I upgraded from as a backup camera. I carry two bodies if the event requires vastly different focal lengths or the weather will be such that I can count not wanting to change lenses.

 

[N.delaRua]

I carry two bodies but not so much as backups. I usually carry my Nikon FM2 with a 20 mm and my M6 TTL with 50 DR. I have a 90 in the bag. I feel I can cover just about everything I could possibly want with that setup.

 

[Lauffray]

Shot only one body one lens until said lens had an accident and spent all summer in repair leaving me with 0 pictures :bang:
Then I decided to get a second body, I keep shuffling that second body (Ricoh, M, back to Ricoh, back to M) but I never own more than 2 cameras at a time

 

[filmtwit]

I currently have two M-Bodies, each usually caries different speed film in them. I only rarely carry them around at the same time.

I usually have an M-body and the Fuji X100 as my carry with 1-2 extra lenses for the M.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Right now I only use two cameras but not interchangeably.
One is a Mamiya 6 and the other is a Nikon D3.

There was a time when I always carried at least two film camera bodies (Leicas) and one digital (Nikon.) Throughout the years, I've usually had a spare body in whatever 35mm lens mount I happen to be shooting, but never in 120.

I really want a second Mamiya 6 and really should get a second Nikon digital.
The Nikon is probably going to come first since it's what makes publication and gets paid. If that body goes down out in the field, I only have an FM and a roll of color film as my "In case of emergency, break glass" backup. I just can't use that on tight deadline shoots.

What I really want is for the Mamiya system to take over my workflow as it will mean that I'm doing longer form documentary photography instead of covering high school football games, awards ceremonies, elementary school storytelling, holiday fairs, etc.

Phil Forrest

 

[mdwsta4]

I have two M2's. One is always loaded with b&w film, the other alternates between color and b&w.

Lately when I've been traveling I find myself bringing one film body (M2) and one digital body (x100s). Typically the film will have a 50mm lens on it as the x100s has a 35mm lens so I can have the option of slightly different focal lengths.

 

[dblrifle]

I have always had 2 bodies with 2 lenses. I currently have 2 M8's one with a 21mm and one with a 40mm. Prior to that I had 2 M6's one with a 21mm and one with an 85mm.I even once had 2 Hasselblads though one was a 500c and one a 1000f. I just like one with wide and one normal or long lense. I greatly dislike changing lenses especially with digital.If I could not afford them I wouldn't have them. Money in the bank seldom gives me pleasure,maybe some degree of security but never pleasure.

 

[Mablo]

The ideal solution would be two more or less identical bodies and one set of lenses. Then again, photography is just a hobby for me. If my camera fails while I'm out shooting I'll visit the nearest cafe for a nice cup of coffee and then go back home.

 

[back alley]

it's a hobby for me as well…but i would be pretty upset if i could not do it, for any reason!
i just got a second xe-1 body…had the cash for a cheaper used body and i usually prefer an identical second body. i only carry one at at a time unless i'm shooting an event or out on a 'serious' shoot.

 

[Gid]

I have lots of cameras. If the one I want to use breaks, I go home and get another. I've never had a camera break while out using it..

G

+1 and extra chars

 

[Snowbuzz]

^^ +2 and extra chars 🙂

 

[DNG]

I have 1 OMD, 1 Nikon FE, 1 Konica C35, 1 Olympus SP-350,
No 2 body for the OMD or Nikon FE.
I can't afford 2nd bodies.. and I have no need either.
If a body goes down... I wait till tax return time to replace it.
Or I sell some lenses to get a used "in-between" camera till tax-return time.

So...
No... one body per system.

 

[hepcat]

The ideal solution would be two more or less identical bodies and one set of lenses. Then again, photography is just a hobby for me. If my camera fails while I'm out shooting I'll visit the nearest cafe for a nice cup of coffee and then go back home.

It depends on what and where I'm shooting, and whether I'm shooting digital (M8/M9P/GX1) or film (M4-P or R8). For most jobs where I've had a chance to scope out a venue before hand and know the focal lengths I'll be using, two digi-Ms and 4 or 5 lenses are more than enough. For weddings, I take the whole arsenal, three or four bodies and a full complement of lenses. It's nice to have manual lenses now as the failure rate is much lower without focusing motors. I've had lenses, bodies, and flashes all fail on the job at one time or another.

For vacations, I'll often just take two; the M8 or M9P as my main body, and I have a Panny GX1 for a backup. It's small and light, but competent enough and uses the M-mount lenses with an adapter.

I went out today with a single body, 3-lens combo (M8, 28, 35, 75) and didn't make an exposure.

 

[shootar401]

My main camera is a Rolleiflex 3,5. I do have a backup Eastar TLR, which is slowly becoming my go everywhere camera. I only take out the Rolleiflex when I'm going someplace to shoot.

I also have a very, very clean Speed Graphic with a mint 127mm Ektar which I take out when I want to shoot. I also have a crappy, worn out Speed with a 135mm Optar that gets banged around for times I want to just have it in my backpack when I don't feel like taking out the Eastar.

If I'm traveling I'll take out the Rolleiflex AND the Speed, maybe bring the 8x10 if I'm going someplace interesting.