Back-up body

[-doomed-]

Hello All,

It's been some time since I've stopped to post here and I figure I'd ask. Having obtained a position within a local newspaper in New Jersey's lovely capital city of Trenton (sarcasm) I have been allowed the freedom to shoot and write for the paper. On one occasion I was down a camera with no backup, not good.
With that in mind, I am considering a back-up to my 5D and wonder what I should look at.
I contemplated a 10D or a 20D, they are older but my 5D is not a "new" camera either.
The 30D and 40D are out based on prices for the used bodies being a bit more than I am willing to spend on a body that will get used only sparingly. My 5D is really the key workhorse body for me.
With that said, should I spend for a DSLR or look at an upper level point and shoot such as the Canon G9 or G11. These seem like a decent idea if my 5D acts up or dies on the job. I have spare batteries and such that will fit the 10 or 20D but the extra bulk and weight may also be a concern.
So, with those ideas in mind what are your thought RFF users?
Budget be damned, what ideas would you also throw out there? I figured it'd be fun to see what you'd suggest in that regard, bear in mind that we are talking strictly digital.

For those curious about what newspaper I work for at this time, here is a link: http://www.trentonian.com/. We're the more colorful tabloid.
Search: Scott Ketterer if you're interested in anything I've done for the paper. Most of my shots have ended up in print and I often write under the Staff Report byline.

 

[finguanzo]

This being RFF, you should get either an M8 or an M9...😀

I think a 20d would be fine, since you cant do a second 5d or 40d...
Same batteries, same lenses, sort of, crop factor and all..
I dont think a body w/out lenses / batteries would add much bulk..

 

[segedi]

Grab a 50D if you have the funds. Should be lower shutter count than some of the older models (wouldn't recommend getting another 5D for that reason). 7D would be a great backup. Actually you might like it better than the 5D, except for the cost.

Wouldn't recommend the G series point and shoots. They are great little cameras, but the shutter lag and overall use will disappoint you after using a DSLR.

But stick with Canon as you probably have a few lenses for it.

 

[-doomed-]

True, most of the older bodies that weren't used by pros are usually pretty low on the shutter count too. The 7D would be nice, but most assuredly out of my low buck beater body price range. Crop factor isn't so much of an issue, I can work around it if I have to.

 

[presspass]

We've had a 20D since it came out and use it regularly for a group of weekly newspapers. Right now, it's being used by someone who's not real careful with equipment - she took a Fuji underwater on one assignment - and the 20D is holding up just fine under her less than careful care.

 

[-doomed-]

I had a 20D a while back. It was a great camera but I sold it to fill a need with regard to rangefinders, then I had a 10D I picked up for $50 and sold it for $275. After shooting film for fun, I was allowed to shoot paid work for the paper and I swapped out my M4-P and lenses for a low mileage 5D, basically new with the box type low mileage. Budget and sense be damned I'd buy an M9 and a few chunks of fast glass. If I ran around with an M9 with a 28, 50, 90, 135 I could easily shoot much of what I've been doing, but realistically it's not the best or most cost effective system for my needs.