"Backup" cameras

[Flying Fish]

I see lots of people talk about keeping some camera as a "backup" camera to some other camera, say keeping a 40D as a backup to a 7D, and so on.

My question is whether you actually use the backup camera, and if so, how and in what circumstances? I have a Rebel XSi/450 and I've been keeping it as a backup for my 7D but don't find myself using it that way. If I want to use a DSLR, I use the 7D.

FF

 

[Chris R-UK]

Two years ago I went to Hawaii to photograph whales. I took 600 shots of humpbacks including probably 30-40 breaches. When I got home I found that there had been something wrong with the lens (the zoom lock had broken and pushed the lens slightly out of alignment). None of the 600 is good enough for anything larger than a 4x6 print.

Now I always travel on long trips with a backup body and backup lenses - two of everything critical. I shoot the main camera, my wife shoots the backup. I also carry a laptop or notebook to monitor the shot quality.
--
Chris R

 

[Jerry-astro]

Depends on a couple of things. 1) how much stuff can you tolerate hauling around with you when you're out shooting, and 2) how picky are you about the quality of the shots you're taking if you actually need that backup due to camera failure. If #1 isn't an issue, by all means, keep it and use it when you need it. Some people use them with a second lens to avoid having to change lenses all the time. If #2 is an issue and your primary camera fails, then you can be confident that you'll have decent quality shots from a credible DSLR rather than a more portable P&S which could also be used as a backup.

For my purposes as strictly an amateur photographer, I've never used a DSLR backup and have no interest in hauling a second DSLR around most of the time. For vacations and other times where the failure of my 7D would be a big deal, I'll at least have a decent P&S available which can easily be tucked away without being too large and cumbersome. I'm willing to trade off some versatility and IQ in those cases and live with having somewhat subpar results. So far, I've been lucky and haven't gotten bitten by this. My cameras have performed flawlessly on trips and I've never had one break or be stolen.

One caveat... my wife does have a 450D which she only uses very occasionally. I think if I went on a once in a lifetime trip (say an African safari), I might bring that along since a P&S simply is no substitute under those circumstances. So, yes, there are cases where having a second camera might make sense and be worth the burden. In my case, I'd only use it in cases where the failure or loss of my primary camera would be more of an issue.

Really very much up to your own needs and priorities.

I see lots of people talk about keeping some camera as a "backup" camera to some other camera, say keeping a 40D as a backup to a 7D, and so on.

My question is whether you actually use the backup camera, and if so, how and in what circumstances? I have a Rebel XSi/450 and I've been keeping it as a backup for my 7D but don't find myself using it that way. If I want to use a DSLR, I use the 7D.

FF

 

[Brian D. Schneider]

I see lots of people talk about keeping some camera as a "backup" camera to some other camera, say keeping a 40D as a backup to a 7D, and so on.

My question is whether you actually use the backup camera, and if so, how and in what circumstances? I have a Rebel XSi/450 and I've been keeping it as a backup for my 7D but don't find myself using it that way. If I want to use a DSLR, I use the 7D.

FF

when traveling I shoot with a 7d with 10-22 and/or a 18-135 and a 50d with 70-200 f2.8 and/or 400L. This allows me to minimize lens changes. My 40D sees almost no use but it's there in case one of the others break down.
--
Brian Schneider

 

[willvan]

I have a 40D and since I do a fair amount of birding my 100-400 is on the camera about 75% of the time. Whether I am at home or on my usual 3-4 hour nature walks I would like the ability to grab a camera with a wide angle/walk around (17-55) or macro attached and take a few shots. I am not good at changing lenses on the run and whenever I stop, change lenses to take a landscape shot, I invariably miss a good creature shot. I have in mind to get a 60D with video and articulated screen. I view this as a compliment to the 40D rather than a back up. Should also work out when travelling in a vehicle. For walk around only I would probably take the 60D without battery grip and 17-55. This would also give protection against camera failure when travelling.

I think a lot has to do with each persons situation and this may not be quite what you had in mind but my thoughts anyway.

Bill

--
http://www.pbase.com/willvan

 

[zoooming]

.. you may understand.

When cameras either break, are faulty, or things become desperate. It helps to have a spare(s).

What would you do if you were being paid to cover an important event and your 7D suddenly spat its shutter?

I would imagine most pros would have 2-3 bodies as a minimum.

Zoooming

I see lots of people talk about keeping some camera as a "backup" camera to some other camera, say keeping a 40D as a backup to a 7D, and so on.

My question is whether you actually use the backup camera, and if so, how and in what circumstances? I have a Rebel XSi/450 and I've been keeping it as a backup for my 7D but don't find myself using it that way. If I want to use a DSLR, I use the 7D.

FF

 

[dhuffjr]

I've got a T1i. I'm wanting a 7D myself. I'll keep the T1i for when I'm on trips to keep a wide angle lens on and the long lens on the 7D. That way I don't have to change lens while out and about in parks and lose time and maybe a perfect picture.

 

[Raptor4857]

Well, I can tell you this. I have a 50D and a 20D and I keep a telephoto on one and a wide angle on the other. I hate having to change lenses to try to get a shot. So, much easier to just grab a body and shoot.
--

Keep your eyes to the horizon and your goals in front of you and your blinders always on.

 

[Flying Fish]

I'm not a professional but the answers make sense otherwise. Part of my problem is that my "backup camera," an XSi/450D, never has produced images as sharp as I now think it should. I'm going to see if Canon agrees, and if so, then it will make a good backup for non-wildlife-action shots.

FF

 

[Phil214757]

A pro uses a back up to prevent being sued. I'm sorry we need to reschedule your wedding because...

And it's not just the body. You need a ranges of lenses with enough overlap that in a pinch you can do without any of them and keep going with very little loss of quality. Multiple flashes, light modifiers, batteries, transitor packs, stands, clamp brackets, etc.

And yes a 40D is a good back-up to a 7D. You do have to modify your style of shooting, I mean remember the limitations of the 40D (any back-up camera). There are AI-servo shoots, like a broken field runner coming head on from the end zone, a 40D may not be able to stay up with so you move to a sideline location and shoot a less taxing panning shot.
--
Phil Agur

7D - 5DMKII - Dual Body Bag - Go 'L' and don't look back!

Got 7D? See http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=3167

 

[c.hammett]

I always have a backup camera with me on trips. For city trips like Rome or Paris, I take my little p/s (a 4-5 year old Pro 1 with a nice little L lens). It's lightweight and has super IQ though leaves much to be desired with shutter lag, but on those trips most of what I shoot is not moving so it's not a big deal. It also gives me a little extra reach on the long end as I prefer a w/a zoom for my "one travel lens" on city trips.

For safaris, I'd never leave home without two similar (or identical) dSLR's, one with w/a zoom and one with long zoom. This gives me the ability to not have to change lenses in a dusty environment as well as not missing a picture when the action is fast, and I don't have time to change lenses. It also gives me the comfort of having an extra body and lens in case I have either camera or lens failure. On destinations like a safari, there is no option for repair or replacement.

So for me a backup has two purposes.... both for destination as well as for situation.

I never carry a laptop or storage device. Don't want the bother of the extra weight or bulk. I prefer multiple CF cards which weigh nothing. Just my preference.

carolyn
--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'

 

[Christoph Stephan]

when traveling I shoot with a 7d with 10-22 and/or a 18-135 and a 50d with 70-200 f2.8 and/or 400L. This allows me to minimize lens changes. My 40D sees almost no use but it's there in case one of the others break down.
--
Brian Schneider

Why would you not do it vice versa, use the 50D for your wide angle and normal shots, and the 7D for the telephoto pictures with 70-200 mm LIS or 400mm? This way you would have more resolution and hence, more cropping power, should the focal length not be sufficient.
What is the reason for doing it the other way around?
--
Chris
-----
http://christopher363.redbubble.com

 

[CameraCarl]

Well, there was the time when I was in France on vacation and the wind blew over a lightweight tripod and my camera and lens took a major spill. Then there was a second trip to Europe when I had an electronics failure in one body. Fortunately on both trips I had a spare camera body along to keep shooting. Even when I am not unlucky, I often shoot with two bodies. Especially when I am shooting sports or birds, I like to have one body with the 500 f4 on it and another body with a shorter zoom on it. When I am at Bosque Del Apache shooting cranes and snow geese, I often wish I had three bodies: one with a 500 f4 for birds in the distance, a second with a 100-400 for birds flying overhead and a third with a 17-40 for the blast offs when thousands of birds are spooked and fly overhead. Then at times I am just lazy and like one body with a long zoom on it and the other with a wide angle zoom on it.

 

[rudyr]

Ricoh GXR's seem to be available for cheap on the used market. Picked up one with the A12 (50 f/2.5 APS-C macro) ,P10 (28-300 small sensor zoom) and extra battery for $700. The camera definitely has compromises over something like my 7D (e.g. focus speed on the 50mm) but for the size, I'm not sure you can buy something this small with this large of a sensor.

 

[Fabian628]

rather stick another lens on it so that i dont need to change lenses

for example i may use 35L on 1D and 10-22 on the 7D or if im using a tele on one camera i use a wide angle on the other and just keep it in my back pack, much easier than changing lenses
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41942460@N04/sets/

 

[Brian D. Schneider]

when traveling I shoot with a 7d with 10-22 and/or a 18-135 and a 50d with 70-200 f2.8 and/or 400L. This allows me to minimize lens changes. My 40D sees almost no use but it's there in case one of the others break down.
--
Brian Schneider

Why would you not do it vice versa, use the 50D for your wide angle and normal shots, and the 7D for the telephoto pictures with 70-200 mm LIS or 400mm? This way you would have more resolution and hence, more cropping power, should the focal length not be sufficient.
What is the reason for doing it the other way around?
--
Chris
-----
http://christopher363.redbubble.com

For scenics I generally use live view & the 7d screen is easier to see outdoors. The 50d screen anti reflection is not nearly as good. The difference in resolution is minor.
--
Brian Schneider

 

[larsbc]

I see lots of people talk about keeping some camera as a "backup" camera to some other camera, say keeping a 40D as a backup to a 7D, and so on.

My question is whether you actually use the backup camera, and if so, how and in what circumstances? I have a Rebel XSi/450 and I've been keeping it as a backup for my 7D but don't find myself using it that way. If I want to use a DSLR, I use the 7D.

My backup bodies are lighter than my main body, so I use them for when I want to travel lighter. I also sometimes shoot weddings or events. Having a real backup is important. Having a tele zoom on one body and a wide-normal zoom on another is very convenient and allows for quickly switching between focal lengths.

larsbc

 

[Steve Balcombe]

I see lots of people talk about keeping some camera as a "backup" camera to some other camera, say keeping a 40D as a backup to a 7D, and so on.

My question is whether you actually use the backup camera,

No, it's a backup. The 7D has never let me down so I've never needed it.

Actually I'm seriously considering selling the 40D while it still has some value. Originally I kept it until I was sure the 7D was ok. Then it didn't seem worth selling it - it wasn't worth much and I figured it was worth keeping on the shelf for the security of having a backup. But now I'm leaning the other way - I might as well sell it, because if the 7D ever did fail I could pick up another body within a few hours if I had to. My backup would be having the cash in the bank, you could say.

 

[40d_dane]

I see lots of people talk about keeping some camera as a "backup" camera to some other camera, say keeping a 40D as a backup to a 7D, and so on.

That's me ;-)

I still like my 40D. It has about 80.000 clicks on the shutter I gather, so it has about 20% of its rater shutter life left. Shutter replacement isn't that expensive so it's not a major deal. But if I were to sell it in good faith, I wouldn't ask a lot of money for it even though it still works and takes great pictures (well provided that I do the right thing with it of cause). So I gather that keeping it as a backup makes more sense even if I don't use it a lot.

I've had my 7D for a little over a month. This month, the shutter has had about 8.000 clicks, so if I keep on at this rate, I will need my back in about 1½ years time. Most likely, I will not keep on shooting at this rate (the swallows that I've been BIF'ing has left the country for the season).

Anyway, I have often found my self in a situation where I could have used a second body with an other lens mounted. And if I travel to photograph I will likely bring the 40D along just in case something bad should happen to my 7D.

 

[40d_dane]

But now I'm leaning the other way - I might as well sell it, because if the 7D ever did fail I could pick up another body within a few hours if I had to.

Good point - years ago I used the failure of my EOS50E as an excuse to get an EOS 3 !
Great camera even though it's major flaw is that it is a film camera.