Back-up to a D700?

[Dunn]

So, I'm thinking of getting a D700 to do work with, but my question is what would be a good back-up for it?

I was thinking I could buy either an X100 or a Leica M8, if funds permit.
Or I already own a Leica M6, Nikon D50, Olympus e-p2, and Nikon F100

Should I mix film and digital? If so, M6 or F100? I love my M6 especially for it's size, but it means carrying more lenses. F100 is bigger but can use my Nikon lenses.

Or stick to digital? If so, use my D50 or e-p2 or try to fund an X100 or M8? Again, stick to Nikon or bring a smaller body but more lenses?

Not to mention different batteries and chargers.

What would you do?

 

[Pablito]

If you're really talking about back up, then another D700

 

[hxpham]

If you're really talking about back up, then another D700

Yeah, if this is for professional (not personal work/enjoyment), the only suitable backup is the same camera.

 

[fireblade]

"Leica M6, Nikon D50, Olympus e-p2, and Nikon F100"........these that you already have...no good for "backup" ???

 

[gavinlg]

X100, which is what I use to back up my 5d. Even for pro work, unless specifically needed I'd use the x100 as a backup - it's nice to have cameras with different strengths for different situations. I remember end of 2009 I was staying at a buddhist colony in the mountains of japan, and during morning prayers my 5d and 1n were far too loud to take photographs during... x100 would have been so perfect as it's barely audible.

 

[Dunn]

X100, which is what I use to back up my 5d. Even for pro work, unless specifically needed I'd use the x100 as a backup - it's nice to have cameras with different strengths for different situations. I remember end of 2009 I was staying at a buddhist colony in the mountains of japan, and during morning prayers my 5d and 1n were far too loud to take photographs during... x100 would have been so perfect as it's barely audible.

I agree about different shooting situations. That's why it's more of a secondary camera instead of two D700's. Also, I like having a smaller, lighter option. It's also why I would consider an M8 for it's size and quietness.

I'm just wondering if the X100 would be limiting because of it's fixed focal length.

 

[Dunn]

Yeah, if this is for professional (not personal work/enjoyment), the only suitable backup is the same camera.

I'm not really keen on carrying D700's. It's like I said in my last post, I want something that could be used in different situations and not have the load of a D700.

I don't see why I would have to use the same camera as a back-up.

 

[Steinberg2010]

Might be good to have something with the same mount – would save you carting around a second set of lenses.

~S

 

[gavinlg]

I'm just wondering if the X100 would be limiting because of it's fixed focal length.

I personally don't find it limiting at all, but I like the 35mm focal length. I could also do with a 28mm, but not a 40mm as I find it too long. Your milage may vary. Use a 35mm lens on your camera for a month or so and see how you go...

 

[Snacks]

Depending upon which lenses you have, you could just get a smaller cropped-sensor body. The D7000 has a lot of features of the full frame models, though it's not exactly small. The problem with other Nikon DSLRs is that you may run into lens incompatibility.

 

[gavinlg]

The G10/11, LX5 and I suspect the P5100 (I've never used one) can be configured to be silent. In a courtroom there can be a huge difference between barely audible and silent.

Trust me, there's no way you'd hear an x100 in a silent courtroom - when I say it's barely audible I mean that quite literally - the leaf shutter is quieter than a mouse. Indeed, When other people use the camera for the first time they end up taking multiple shots of the same thing because they don't realise the shutter is going off..

 

[yossarian123]

I have a D700, along with an F6, M3, and M5 for quote-unquote backup. I don't shoot professionally so backup carries a very different meaning for me. Most of the time when out street shooting I would never ever carry the weight of a D700+F6 combo so I leave one of them home and toss either the m3/m5 in the bag along with a couple of M-lenses.

 

[dave lackey]

So, I'm thinking of getting a D700 to do work with, but my question is what would be a good back-up for it?

I was thinking I could buy either an X100 or a Leica M8, if funds permit.
Or I already own a Leica M6, Nikon D50, Olympus e-p2, and Nikon F100

Should I mix film and digital? If so, M6 or F100? I love my M6 especially for it's size, but it means carrying more lenses. F100 is bigger but can use my Nikon lenses.

Or stick to digital? If so, use my D50 or e-p2 or try to fund an X100 or M8? Again, stick to Nikon or bring a smaller body but more lenses?

Not to mention different batteries and chargers.

What would you do?

Do you shoot professionally? Meaning for clients? If so, a second body exactly like or as near as possible as the first camera. Get a second D700. When working, I don't need anything different to keep up with as the camera needs to just be invisible and not get in the way.

If no clients, just a hobby, etc., then anything you want. Experiment with film, MF, POS cameras, Holgas...it's your choice. Just have fun.🙂

 

[hans voralberg]

What do you shoot mostly anyway? A camera for different situation is a second camera, a back-up should be exactly the same or very similar IMO, so you have maximum capability and minimum risk. Imagine doing a shoot with strobe and your only back up is a camera without sync port nor hot shoe 😉

 

[tbarker13]

I pair a D7000 along with my D700. I like that they can use the same lenses - albeit with a crop factor on the D7000. Still, they are close enough that it works for me. If I did more heavy wide-angle work, I'd be more hesitant to consider the D7000 a backup.
But for the vast majority of my shooting, the cameras are pretty much interchangeable.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Thanks for sharing your blog (tumblr), I've enjoyed it. With regards to a second camera...do you really need one? The chances of a digital Nikon which has been working fine breaking down is very slim. If you'd insist, I'd get something small and light. No one likes to lug gear around for no good reason.

 

[Frank Petronio]

I find a paid-off credit card to be the best back-up.

If it isn't a life or death assignment, why not let the problem solve itself organically? Wait until you need something specific.

I keep a couple of $8 Olympus Stylii around and honestly they would suffice for any non-assignment photo requirement ;-p

 

[Dunn]

Do you shoot professionally? Meaning for clients? If so, a second body exactly like or as near as possible as the first camera. Get a second D700. When working, I don't need anything different to keep up with as the camera needs to just be invisible and not get in the way.

If no clients, just a hobby, etc., then anything you want. Experiment with film, MF, POS cameras, Holgas...it's your choice. Just have fun.🙂

I will be doing some work for clients, journalism type stuff. I'm not the kind to have two D700's around me though. I'm young but it still kills me. Haha

I pair a D7000 along with my D700. I like that they can use the same lenses - albeit with a crop factor on the D7000. Still, they are close enough that it works for me. If I did more heavy wide-angle work, I'd be more hesitant to consider the D7000 a backup.
But for the vast majority of my shooting, the cameras are pretty much interchangeable.

I'll definitely look into the D7000. I haven't heard much about it. All of my lenses are compatible with full frame and my D50 though. I'll have a 24, 35, 50, and 85.

I personally don't find it limiting at all, but I like the 35mm focal length. I could also do with a 28mm, but not a 40mm as I find it too long. Your milage may vary. Use a 35mm lens on your camera for a month or so and see how you go...

I'm keeping the X100 high in consideration. I too like the 35 length a lot. I could probably make it work.

 

[Fraser]

If you are shooting 'journalism type stuff' the best backup is another body the same, I've been shooting for newspapers for quite a long time and it is so much easier working with two bodies the same, same lenses, flashes, chargers, batteries etc.

 

[Thardy]

Do you shoot professionally? Meaning for clients? If so, a second body exactly like or as near as possible as the first camera. Get a second D700. When working, I don't need anything different to keep up with as the camera needs to just be invisible and not get in the way.

If no clients, just a hobby, etc., then anything you want. Experiment with film, MF, POS cameras, Holgas...it's your choice. Just have fun.🙂

Good point. People pose this question all the time in wedding photo forums and the answer is ALWAYS backup a body with a compatible body. If your D700 goes down your D90 could fill in. They even suggest having a backup of your flash, lenses, etc. You can't miss a beat in a fast paced wedding. Plus money, and reputation is on the line. Also photographers have lost lawsuits for botched wedding photos. 😱