Second Body

Almost two years now since I posted that original thread.
Maybe I have changed somewhat since then considering that last weekend one could find both a Contessa 35 and a Leica M3 in my camera bag 😉
 
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For me, 2 focal lengths. Last week I shot several rolls at sunset. The light was changing 1 EV per minute. The winds were howling, and I had hiked out many many yards.

I quickly shot one roll trhough the ultra wide angle. Then I shot a roll through the medium focal length. The focal length on camera 1 is not available on camera 2. Changing lens on camera 1 would have slowed the creative process... 😉

Also, I will be carrying 1 camera for a while simply for a meter, it may not even have film in it.
 
Rich Silfver said:
Almost two years now since I posted that original thread.
Maybe I have changes somewhat since then considering that last weekend one could find both a Contessa 35 and a Leica M3 in my camera bag 😉

That's good to hear Rich. Your original post was rather "black and white, this is wrong/silly and this is the way it should be." Rarely are things as simple as that. I became less brash with age too. 🙂
 
FrankS said:
Rarely are things as simple as that. I became less brash with age too. 🙂
You are wrong! Black and white is absolute! Contradiction is always never the affirmation that one is wrongly right! You are with me or ... 😀

I'm just a-foolin', Frank. Wisdom is a long path. A happy trigger is a short one. Photography is one means to learn how to observe, take in, and when to snap that trigger.
 
FrankS said:
That's good to hear Rich. Your original post was rather "black and white, this is wrong/silly and this is the way it should be." Rarely are things as simple as that. I became less brash with age too. 🙂

Well...I still think certain things are silly...but on this topic I think I may have flip-flopped somewhat. 🙂

(Having said that I still prefer the simplicity of ONE camera body though) 🙂
 
I only have one camera... but I don't think it's totally useless to take more than one. I've always seen equipment as golf clubs or some kind of tool. Maybe you can have the work done with only one, but sometimes more tools give you variety. For example, I play the bass. And I have two basses that sound totally different and that feel very different in my hands. Of course these instruments are pretty big and since I'm young and don't have a car, I can't take both at the same time. But I would if I could!
I also like to paint, and I can use only one brush to paint a whole canvas... but sometimes it's easier with more brushes.

I don't know if this can be applied for camera bodies since I've never had more than one... but it's just a thought.
 
I have never had a ‘fear’ of two cameras. I have several GSN’s one BW and one colour. Sometimes one 35mm one 47mm camera and both with colour film. Sometimes BW at 200 and one at 400 ISO.

Interesting that you think carrying one of each will detract from your photography. I have never thought about it. One thing I found an interesting comment was regarding BW and colour

you can never truly excel in both colour and b&w photography if you keep going back and forth between them.
The reason for that statement is that when 'seeing' b&w images one focus on pattern, shadows, contrast, etc and when 'seeing' colour one look at complimenting or conflicting colours, colours isolated, etc. Two ways of seeing that is so different so that if one is really intertested in honing ones photographic skills one shouldn't mix too much


One of the things you learn when using media is to do value sketches, these are BW sketches for upcoming colour painting or printing, maybe even photography. So the idea that it is not possible to move from colour to BW and back is a self imposed limitation. I often see shots that don’t work as colour but will work as BW. I carry a second camera for that reason so it’s BW in camera one and colour in camera two.

Bags, no domke because I use a second hand store canvas bag. It carries film, table tripod, cable release and sunglasses. I don’t have a case for my cameras I used Ziploc bags. They actually do the job of protecting. I carry them in my hand, no strap, no nothing.

I also see you have changed your mind about two cameras, you must be getting out more! Good to see you have broadened your horizons. I also would point you to on of our RFF’ers Joe Friday his current byline is ..... “Beware the man who has one gun camera. He probably knows how to use it.” Sometimes solo does give an edge!
 
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Rich Silfver said:
I would honestly be really interested in hearing people's argument for getting a second body - maybe there are good reasons and I've simply missed them.


Actually i've got 3 extra bodies and when i get the M8 well that will be 4.
Usually i shoot with two at a time and its good to have the others as spares - i don't always carry them all with me but on a long term project the others are always close at hand just in case something breaks down. Dust and high humidity and 10-30 year old cameras can be a risk so i'd rather have the extra weight than have to make another trip.
 
It is very simple- I spend six weeks a year in rural Africa. The nearest camera shop is in Jo'burg, usually more than 2000 km and two days journey away. If there is a post-office around they will think Fedex is some kind of fastfood....Remember these are places where a local bank refused to cash my Amex cheque because it hadn't "specimen" printed over it in red, like the one in their book. So what am I going to do if a solitary body breaks down??? I already had to cobble two Leica R bodies together once to end up with one working camera....
 
Yes, that's always best. 🙂

(Thanks for being a good sport about this. After posting I worried that you might not appreciate the humour.)
 
This reminds me of highschool when my buddy used to get all the chicks! 🙂 I was just beginning to get over that too. This'll set me back.
 
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