How do you keep your "back-up" camera in use?

[traveler_101]

Ever since I bought a Leica IIIf my first RF camera a Bessa-T has gotten little use. I tend to use my E-P1 digital camera for color, travel and snapshots, leaving the Leica for more serious b&w endeavours. I often carry two cameras--one digital, the other film.

Maybe i should sell the Bessa, but I like the camera. There are some advantages over the Leica--TTL metering and somewhat better contrast on the RF, but I still favor the Leica for its smaller size, nicer feel and quieter shutter. All my lenses are LTMs including 15, 25, 35, 50 and 90 FOVs. Maybe I should buy a good M mount lens that I could use only on the T (LOL). How do others keep their back-up camera in use?

 

[back alley]

use it...

take it out for some quality time alone...
put your least used lens on it and go for a walk.

 

[jsrockit]

I don't really have back-ups. I use 4 different cameras and am not so picky with what one I use on a particular day. I just use the one I feel like using or the one that will accomplish what I want to do that day. I do it for fun though...

 

[thegman]

I don't have "backup" cameras, I have several cameras, but none are considered my "user", and others "backup", I just use what I have.

My brother used to have a Bessa T, and I have currently have a IIIf, no question the IIIf feels nicer, but the Bessa T is so much easier to use. Film loading is much better and the RF is probably better too. Maybe shoot slide film in the Bessa, where it's meter is a real advantage? The Bessa T is a really nice camera, I still sort of hanker after one now, even though I hardly shoot 35mm any more.

 

[sepiareverb]

I just use 'em all.

 

[Gareth Rees]

Exercise it every two weeks, on each speed a few times.

 

[Rodchenko]

I just use 'em all.

That. I keep trying to finish the film in a given camera, then remember how much I like it, and load it up again for some more.

My G11 digital gets most use, followed by the Minox, but everything gets regular exercise.

 

[nikon_sam]

I threw it in my bag yesterday just in case something happens to my F5...shooting a local convention this weekend...

 

[jsrockit]

I rotate between them. When not in use for a time, I do a 10x each shutter speed monthly and store with lens mount up. I don't worry about the digital cameras.

I find that most of my photos are taken between 15th and 250th. So, I always exercise the other speeds. I'm in the lower range more that above a 250th.

With the digitals, I'm all over the place - I experiment a lot with the digital cameras.. just like I did with a Polaroid back.

That's a good point regarding exercising film cameras.

 

[traveler_101]

John; My camera repairman told me to be sure to store my spare cameras on their backs with the lens mount up. He said that this helps in keeping the lubricants from flowing to the bottom of the shutter/advance housing, where they won't provide any protection to the upper part of the housing where all the mechanics live.

I'm so glad i asked this question, if for no other reason than I found out that I have been storing my cameras incorrectly. Other points exercise and rotate. I have rotated some, but haven't found a reason to do it more. Exercise the different speeds: I must do that.

 

[mugent]

If you shoot slide film, use the Bessa-T, the Leica for everything else. If you don't shoot slide, and prefer the Leica, then sell the T. I'm of the opinion, if you don't use it, get rid of it, but then I'm like that with everything, I like the absolute minimum of possessions 🙂.

 

[traveler_101]

If you shoot slide film, use the Bessa-T, the Leica for everything else. If you don't shoot slide, and prefer the Leica, then sell the T. I'm of the opinion, if you don't use it, get rid of it, but then I'm like that with everything, I like the absolute minimum of possessions 🙂.

No slide film. I am trying my hand at colour film/developing now and maybe the more precise metering with the Bessa-T will make a difference there. But yeah, I agree, if it comes to the point of having the camera just sitting around I will have to sell it--and let someone else get use of it. On the other hand, what should happen if the Leica needs servicing?

 

[traveler_101]

I don't have "backup" cameras, I have several cameras, but none are considered my "user", and others "backup", I just use what I have.

My brother used to have a Bessa T, and I have currently have a IIIf, no question the IIIf feels nicer, but the Bessa T is so much easier to use. Film loading is much better and the RF is probably better too. Maybe shoot slide film in the Bessa, where it's meter is a real advantage? The Bessa T is a really nice camera, I still sort of hanker after one now, even though I hardly shoot 35mm any more.

Thanks. Yes, the Bessa T is a nice camera! And I really love the simple meter with its LED lights on the back of the camera. Using a separate meter with the Leica is its biggest limitation IMHO. Translating readings on the meter into settings taxes my brain (LOL): o.k., no reason to complain actually and I don't meter excessively anyway. I have become accustomed to the Leica's other eccentricities, even the film loading: you get better with practice. This narrows the T's advantage.

In what circumstances, besides with slide film is metering more crucial? Color film? Indoors?

 

[robert blu]

Before buying the m7 a Bessa R was my main RF camera with three lenses (12-35-75 CV). Of course after became a back up camera. I could sell it but I still "love" it and the market value where I live would be very low. I sometimes force myself to go out with this camera and one of its lenses and it is not bad at all. Interesting what PKR says about storing cameras, at my age I did not know it: always something to learn via RFF, what a great place!
robert
PS: I also like to carry in my bag a digital camera beside my film camera, now it is going to be a film camera beside my digital...hmmm not sur what does it means 😕

 

[FrankS]

Keep the Bessa for when the Leica, for whatever reason, is not available. Stick that superwide lens on it and dedicate the camera for its use. Unless you need some cash, the Bessa is not costing you anything to own it.

 

[traveler_101]

Keep the Bessa for when the Leica, for whatever reason, is not available.

Check.

Stick that superwide lens on it and dedicate the camera for its use. Unless you need some cash, the Bessa is not costing you anything to own it.

It's a good idea and to have two focal lengths on two cameras while walking around is great. But like Robert I tend to . . .

. . . carry in my bag a digital camera beside my film camera

I would then have to carry all three cameras!

Robert I know what you mean about attachment to a camera.

 

[traveler_101]

Reviving this thread:

What I did. I realized finally that the T has one absolutely incontrovertible advantage over the Leica: it takes M lenses. So I bought a Nokton 35/1.4 from the Head Bartender who served it up with a smile. I wanted a fast lens anyway and I mostly shoot 50s on the Leica so the 35 Nokton was perfect.

My first M mount lens: that alone made me want to bring the T with me on my recent trip. Also with the new lens, I was compelled to take the LTM-to-M-adapter off the camera; so I stuck it on my 15/4.5. Now I had effectively two M mount lenses. I found that, yes, changing M mount lenses is faster than screwing lenses in and out: another advantage for the T. I put 10 rolls through the camera in 13 days and on a couple of occasions I had to change rolls on the road--simple with the T, another Bessa advantage. Oh and taking photos inside is much easier with the T's built in meter (but I knew that already). So, yes, the Bessa-T is back in service, even though the Leica IIIf is still my take-with-me-everyday camera.

 

[Murchu]

My way is to make sure the backup camera is not only a backup camera, but rather than that offers something else too. With M's in the past, when I had a pair, I made sure one gave me a high magnification viewfinder for a 50mm lens, and the other offered a 0.72 mag viewfinder which I found perfect for a 35mm lens. 35mm lens lived on one, and 50mm on the other, so neither were ever completely gathering dust.

Likewise, when I had one M, the 'backup' camera was a compact, so both offered different things, and I was still covered by having a second camera should anything have happened to the first.

That was with film, with digital I rarely feel the need for a backup camera as an amateur, and rather than have a backup digital depreciating, I would instead rather keep the money in the bank for a replacement should anything happen to my main camera. Of course, when on holiday, I would always try bring a compact camera as backup, just in case.