How many of you guys have a back up camera?

I have many cameras, by fortune many of them of previous generations (I do not follow easily the hype surrounding brand new models); tend to have backups of all cameras.

As main dSLR have an "old" Fujifilm S5 pro, backup a Nikon D70;

for micro 4/3 have my latest purchase, an OM-D, backup is an E-PL1.

And E-PL1 is an excellent choice you can buy for nothing, as long as you are not buzzed by a all-buttons interface.

Ciao!

I'm currently running with a GH3/GX1 combo as main and backup, though the latter does double duty as my compact camera.

Any second hand camera will do reasonably well, though you may want to stick to Olympus for more consistency in interface options.
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A photograph is a creative interpretation of reality.

I use my E-M5 for professional work, so I have to have a back-up and it is another E-M5 (one black and one silver). I also have an Olympus E-5 DSLR system.

Since you are using an E-M5, I assume you are using primarily Olympus lenses and you need to consider image stabilization -- since the Pany GF-3 doesn't have IBIS.

I would highly recommend considering the Olympus E-PL2. I had one and it is a really great little camera (below are just a couple images from that cam). With the E-PL2 you'll have IBIS and the option to add a VF viewfinder if you desire. KEH, Adorama, and B&H usually all have some very clean ones with kit lenses for very low prices -- not to mention eBay.

God Bless,

Greg

www.imagismphotos.com

www.mccroskery.zenfolio.com

www.pbase.com/daddyo

Back in the days of film I had a nikon f6 and f100, they went to the deserts of egypt at 130F and to the rain forrest of Bali, never had a problem although my nikon flash died in Bali after a lot of vibration in a landrover and high humidity

If I picked up a camera I picked my best one, the f6 and left the other at home or in my bag, I did really like the f100 but it never got used much after I bought the f6

When I went digital I first bought a EP1 and then a GH2, I always reached for the GH2 and rarely the EP1 (although I thought it was cute). My GH2 worked in temp below -6 degrees C and soaking wet with dew

Maybe I'm lucky or careful but I never had a decent camera die on me, I only take pics for myself not for money (good job)

If it were my job I guess it would be prudent to have a second body, but for a hobby spend the money on something else ie lens or other hobby. You can always pick up a decent s/h bargain for < 100 on the internet. One reason I moved to m4/3 was I got fed up of carrying a bag of lenses, filters, 2 camera bodies and tripod around.

Recently I just damaged my GH2 (my own fault) but I've bought 3 GF1's recently (£100, £50, £80 respectively) which all take decent pics

I guess it depend on how you want to spend your money and your priorities. Do you really need 2 bodies or is it peer pressure?

maflynn said:

maflynn wrote:

I have an OMD as my main camera and a canon G12 point and shoot. The P&S camera isn't bad, but after using the OMD, I feel rather constrained by the canon.

I recall back in the day when I was vacationing with the wife, my Nikon DLSR bit the big one, and failed on me. I was miserable since I was unable to take any pictures other then those cheap disposable cameras. Since then I have a back up.

How many of you have a spare camera in your bag for just in case situations and what camera do you use. I'm thinking of getting another M 4/3 (probably a used cheap model) to replace the Canon G12 since I can then take advantage of my existing lenses. Something like a Panasonic GF3. I see them going for about 230 with the kit lens on ebay and much less for body only. I'm thinking that the GF3 may be a decent fit since its a bit smaller then the OMD so I may use that on occasion but the size difference isn't that huge

Any suggestion on model, and/or price for that model, i.e., 200 is good for a used GF or its over/under priced.

Thanks in advance.
Mike

Click to expand...

I don't travel anywhere without a backup camera because I'm convinced that the day I get reckless and do that, the camera will fail.... I have an OMD and EPL2, but also can use LX7 or Panny FZ200 for backup....LX7 is good for low light especially and FZ200 for the gorgeous Leica 2.8 lens, although the sensor is pretty noisy....

Of course, it all depends what "backup" really means, and each user may have a different take on the meaning.

Now what I mean by backup camera is a model that has similar characteristics to your main camera, which in your case is the OMD. So I would have to highly recommend the E-PL5, which is the cheap man's OMD. And in the event something go's wrong with your OMD, you then have a very similar camera with regards to IQ, color tonality, and number of MP's. Otherwise, IMO, just getting another camera is...well, just getting another camera (and there's nuttin' wrong with that).

I wanted a backup to go with my OMD E-M5, so looked for a very small Olympus. The cheapest one I found was the Olympus PEN E-PM1 12.3MP Interchangeable Camera with CMOS Sensor, 3-inch LCD and 14-42mm II Lens currently for $279 at Amazon. The 14-42mm II Lens is a nice, tiny, sharp lens.

Ben Herrmann said:

Ben Herrmann wrote:

Now what I mean by backup camera is a model that has similar characteristics to your main camera, which in your case is the OMD.

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I won't disagree but budget is an issue, particulary for a camera that won't get used much. Of course if I get a higher end one, then I'll start using both interchangeably

Elemental Photography said:

Elemental Photography wrote:

Any second hand camera will do reasonably well, though you may want to stick to Olympus for more consistency in interface options.

Click to expand...

Good point on the Oly vs. Panny choice. I guess I was thinking that panasonic would offer an alternative so I wouldn't be relying on one platform but as the other poster mentioned. In camera stabilization vs. lens stabilization with panasonic. Looks like I'll be looking at Olympus cameras.

Mike

I use a Fuji x10 as backup for my OMD.

But I also has a GF2 and a G2.

I just bought a new open box gx1 on amazon(Roberts) for $200. It would make a perfect back up.

In my main camera bag (canon) my OMD is my back up. I bought the gx1 for my glove compartment.

ToM


www.kachadurian.com
Call me crazy. I happen to like photos of cats.

I don't normally carry a 'backup' camera, but I do regularly carry an alternative one...

I have a few different systems (phone, compact superzoom, mft, aps-c digital SLR, 35mm SLR, medium format film...) and will often carry two complimentary systems when I am out to plug holes and even out the downsides of any particular system.

Last time I went travelling for example I carried my mft system alongside a compact superzoom, which gave me a high quality option with a limited selection of lenses, and a lighter weight pocketable alternative with a more convenient lens. This lets me switch between the two depending on what I am doing and what made sense. If I go out shooting one of the film bodies I will then carry the mft or aps-c SLR as an alternative (different focal lengths, different feature sets).

If I were to settle on one system then I would be tempted to get a backup/alternative of some form, but at the moment I prefer being able to make use of the different benefits and abilities of a range of different systems. Eventually I will reach the point where I will be doubling up on some camera types as I upgrade, but even then I think I would rather carry something different rather than duplicating what I already have.

The one caveat would be that nothing I am shooting is particularly important - were I to be in a situation where getting the shot was essential (paid work - weddings, events, etc) then having a duplicate of my main gear would be more of a priority.

Thomas Kachadurian said:

Thomas Kachadurian wrote:

I just bought a new open box gx1 on amazon(Roberts) for $200. It would make a perfect back up.

Click to expand...

I have a GF2 but yes, GX1 is great suggestion, especially for that price.

maflynn said:

maflynn wrote:

I have an OMD as my main camera and a canon G12 point and shoot. The P&S camera isn't bad, but after using the OMD, I feel rather constrained by the canon.

Click to expand...

My backup is always the last generation body I was using. Today, that means an E-P3 backing up my current E-M5. I always take both, hoping I never have to go to the backup. Hopefully my next body will use the same batteries as the E-M5. That's one crimp in my current setup.

I had a GF3 as a companion to my GH2. Sometimes a tiny camera is a better choice for some situations, and that worked for me, except I wanted a better sensor than the GF3's some of the time, so I ended up selling it after a year.

Currently, I have just recently picked up the EPM2, and I am very impressed with it. I had tried the EPL5, but didn't care for how it sat in my hand (and I kept knocking the mode dial accidentally into the wrong settings. ) The EPM2 is a bit slimmer and I think the grip is nicer, so it works better for me ergonomically, and the picture quality is terrific.

Earlier this year I moved to a GH3 briefly from the GH2, but decided it was not the right main camera for me for a number of reasons, so I sold it, so right now I just am using the EPM2 as my temporary primary camera. Later this year, when the EM6 comes out, I will take a good look at that for my primary, and the EPM2 will stay as my tiny take-with camera when I do get a new primary at that point.

(I also have a several year old Canon SD870is Elph, which used to be my carry with camera to supplement the Nikon gear I had at the time. The Nikon gear is long gone since I moved to M43s, but I have the Elph set up now to do my Ebay photos when I have things to sell there. Very handy for that, actually...nice little camera if you could live within its limitations, too).

Have you considered getting one of the EPM2 kits when they are on sale? Mine came with kit lens for $425...if you didn't need the lens, you could sell it for somewhere between $75-100 on Ebay, which would mean an EPM2 body would run you under $350 by the time you were done...and you'd get the benefit of the same sensor as in your OMD....) Just a suggestion.....

-J

maflynn said:

maflynn wrote:

I have an OMD as my main camera and a canon G12 point and shoot. The P&S camera isn't bad, but after using the OMD, I feel rather constrained by the canon.

Any suggestion on model, and/or price for that model, i.e., 200 is good for a used GF or its over/under priced.

Click to expand...

The EPL5 is dropping in price, so that would make sense. Using different brands of camera with different interfaces can be a nightmare. Once I traveled with a Nikon, Canon and Olympus. What a headache.

I have a GH2 and a GX1 as a second camera. The GH2 is my "real" camera, while the GX1 I got as a casual camera that I could use my AF and pancake lenses on (14mm, 15mm BCL and 20mm). I'm mulling whether to get an Oly 45mm just to round out the kit. My girlfriend is really interested in using it, but needs a longer lens than the 20mm. I'm waiting for the black one to be released.

I also have an Olympus TG1 tough camera for biking, snorkeling, bad weather, etc.. I rarely use it for much else.

Always. And when I travel, I always have a way to make two copies of my images. Depending on where to and if I have to fly, sigh, it's card and Picture Porter or Picture Porter and disk or Notebook which has two drives then also on external portable drive. I'm not paranoid!

Years ago in Turkey I slipped on a rock that turned on me and broke my ankle. My ankle did not survive. My Sony Mavica with mini DVD survived a fall directly on a rock. However, the trip was over at that point even though we had some camera as a backup because I always do. Actually, I've never had a camera fail. I think actually not at all, but at least not on a trip away from home. And that isn't the only time a camera has been dropped!

Usually I have two cameras so one camera has one kind of lens and the other some other. Which lens depends on the destination. I hate lens changing, I hate dirty sensors, and I'm impatient.

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Judy
http://nichollsphoto.com/

Narcosynthesis said:

Narcosynthesis wrote:

I don't normally carry a 'backup' camera, but I do regularly carry an alternative one...

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Why is that not a backup camera? Mine are frequently not interchangeable with the primary camera.

I bought an RX1 as a backup. Love it. But I still like the OMD better.
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