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Back up camera
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Feb 23, 2017 09:11:30   #
catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway
 
I am curious why anyone would need a "back up" camera especially when the main camera in some cases is described as lesser model and the back up is described as a a middle grade camera.

The failure rate has to be extremely low for most DLS'Rs today and I wonder why anyone would have money sitting in a bag that could have been spent on a better body or lens?

I carry extra batteries and cards and have never had a falure. I have little fear of a problems that would end the shoot.

I sold a MKiii because it just sat in the bag and did not offer the same image quality as the 4.

I can see having two top quality bodies to accommodate two lenses but...


Maybe others have had issues or see a need?

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Feb 23, 2017 09:20:39   #
dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho
 
catchlight.. wrote:
I am curious why anyone would need a "back up" camera especially when the main camera in some cases is described as lesser model and the back up is described as a a middle grade camera.

The failure rate has to be extremely low for most DLS'Rs today and I wonder why anyone would have money sitting in a bag that could have been spent on a better body or lens?

I carry extra batteries and cards and have never had a falure. I have little fear of a problems that would end the shoot.

I sold a MKiii because it just sat in the bag and did not offer the same image quality as the 4.

I can see having two top quality bodies to accommodate two lenses but...


Maybe others have had issues or see a need?
I am curious why anyone would need a "back up... (show quote)


Without going into a long reply there are many people who want another camera and many who definitely feel the need for a back up camera. Professional photographers earn their money taking pictures. If for whatever reason a camera is dropped and broken or stops working in the middle of a shoot they are basically out of luck and possibly out of future jobs as well if the word gets out that Bob's camera broke right as the bride was walking down the aisle. When people take that once in a lifetime vacation to Europe or Africa many want to have an extra body for a different lens but also as a backup. Imagine that once in a lifetime lion kill and your one camera is not working due to dust.

Dennis

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Feb 23, 2017 09:22:30   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
For those that don't make images for a living, the term "back up camera" can be used to articulate a reason to buy a new body, irrespective of "need". I have a few.

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Feb 23, 2017 09:44:42   #
EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace
 
My back-up camera is the one mounted on the rear of my van so I can see what's behind me when moving in reverse.

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Feb 23, 2017 09:56:28   #
Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.
 
One reason is so that you can have another lens and camera ready to go. If I am shooting a large event I usually carry two camera with different lens and set up for the occasion so I do have have to change lens in the middle of a shoot. Most dslr cameras do a good job if you know its limitations and allow for that. Shooting social groups or small groups where lighting and other conditions vary, I find two cameras useful and you do not miss a shot. I have one on tripod I usually have the other one with me or near my main camera. The second camera usually has my nifty on it.

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Feb 23, 2017 09:58:25   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
I always have a 1ds mk3 with a 24-70, and a 1d mk4 with a 70-200, I don't have time to be changing lenses at a shoot. A couple months ago I began carrying a 1d mk3 with one of my macro lenses.

Several years ago I was shooting a college football game and one of my cameras had a problem with the shutter release. A couple of months ago my 24-70 quit focusing. Back ups are for the rare instances when for whatever reason a camera body or lens quits working because you don't have time to stop shooting and try to figure out what is wrong.

I am now keeping my old Hasselblad lenses in the trunk so if a lens quits working I have those on standby. I just wish they had auto focus.

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Feb 23, 2017 09:58:37   #
DaveO Loc: Northeast CT
 
My so called backup camera usually has a very different focal length mounted on it that can be readily accessed for different opportunities. For example when I'm set up on a gimbal,I have had closer opportunities and use my other set up.

Maybe secondary camera would be a better term...

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Feb 23, 2017 09:59:22   #
Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA
 
I always have a backup and with the Sony's having so much quality and size like the RX100 IV and the 6300 with small zoom or 55mm I have backup.

A backup can also be a great low light camera like the Sony a7s series which shoot in almost no light. the 6300 has great AF for fast moving not as good

as some of the DSLR's I love but really good but big and heavy. Still and video. Another backup solution. The RX100 series is an amazing backup. I found in Auto in very

little light like a Triathlon early morning setup of 1000 people I whip out the 100 and it boosts the camera for the dark video not quite sure why

the software I think. It just works. I guess it really depends if you are shooting for creative and fun or sometimes have to bring back results.

Good luck

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Feb 23, 2017 10:12:37   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
My take on 'back up' is the camera is employed and actively used, or at the minimum is onsite and available for use. Shooting concurrently with non overlapping focal lengths is one I use a lot. But those who have a camera(s) that sits on the shelf for the highly unlikely just-in-case emergency, they could have an attachment disorder for old equipment rather than a strategy for back-up equipment ...

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Feb 23, 2017 10:18:04   #
TJ28012 Loc: Belmont, NC
 
Years ago I shot weddings with B/W film. A wild child knocked over my tripod damaging my only camera. I shot the entire 200+ frame reception photos with a borrowed, handheld Pen 1/2 frame w/o flash. Always carried a backup since then, even when not working.

BTW, never used a tripod at a wedding after that - and always 2 cameras on straps.

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Feb 23, 2017 10:51:57   #
Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii
 
Most answers cover the subject well ... the exception .. the car back up camera ...., I liked the humor ... I use a second camera when doing a wedding shoot ..or air show ...when a lens change would mean missing the shot .. diff cameras and lenses on the ready .. that's why my second camera has such a low shutter count ...also when using a 2 foot wide tripod cross bar with both cameras set with dif lenses and electronic remotes catching a single event like the green flash of the sun setting on the ocean .. where with one camera one lens .., you would only get a single shot perspective ...at hat exact instant ..

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Feb 23, 2017 11:34:24   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
catchlight.. wrote:
I am curious why anyone would need a "back up" camera especially when the main camera in some cases is described as lesser model and the back up is described as a a middle grade camera.

The failure rate has to be extremely low for most DLS'Rs today and I wonder why anyone would have money sitting in a bag that could have been spent on a better body or lens?

I carry extra batteries and cards and have never had a falure. I have little fear of a problems that would end the shoot.

I sold a MKiii because it just sat in the bag and did not offer the same image quality as the 4.

I can see having two top quality bodies to accommodate two lenses but...


Maybe others have had issues or see a need?
I am curious why anyone would need a "back up... (show quote)


It all depends upon your NEEDs.
My primary camera is a Nikon D800E, my secondary camera is a Nikon D500 (literally a crop sensor version of the D800E full frame for all intents and purposes). My "backup" camera is a Nikon D810. My D800E has 288,000 clicks on it and been so trustworthy over the last 5 years that my D810 still only has 800 shots on it. But cameras do occasionally fail and if you don't have a backup then you will be scrambling to "make do" when it happens. Luckily I have not had a Nikon body OR lens fail on me in 29 years of using them (knock on wood). Twice I have had to send a Nikon in for repair in that time, but neither was for a failure, but were both for damage due to a drop or fall. I would never go out on a shoot without a GOOD backup.

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Feb 23, 2017 11:40:18   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
catchlight.. wrote:
I am curious why anyone would need a "back up" camera especially when the main camera in some cases is described as lesser model and the back up is described as a a middle grade camera.

The failure rate has to be extremely low for most DLS'Rs today and I wonder why anyone would have money sitting in a bag that could have been spent on a better body or lens?

I carry extra batteries and cards and have never had a falure. I have little fear of a problems that would end the shoot.

I sold a MKiii because it just sat in the bag and did not offer the same image quality as the 4.

I can see having two top quality bodies to accommodate two lenses but...


Maybe others have had issues or see a need?
I am curious why anyone would need a "back up... (show quote)


I would never show up to a job without a duplicate of EVERYTHING. Prime lenses that cover parts of the zoom ranges, a second body, lots of memory cards, batteries, duplicate speedlights, etc. I keep a bag of spare parts for my tripods, and a second tripod in the car, if it is that type of job, and of course, extra camera straps. Ya never know. In my 50 yr career as a photographer, I was bitten once by not having a viable spare, and it was early on. Since then I have always carried spare everything, and have made use of the backups when necessary.

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Feb 23, 2017 12:00:05   #
G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK
 
Where 'photography' is absolutely needed on time - then a back-up camera is absolutely needed. The 'once in a lifetime' opportunity likewise. Many people keep their 'old' camera and justify it as being their 'back-up'. I leave my old Canon in my car frequently. If it gets stolen by an idiot! nothing lost as it is worth about £50 now. I take more care of my Sony.

There are lots of 'Belt and Braces' minded people. They often double up on kit 'just in case'. Their money - their choice. How logical this is I have no idea.

I have two tripods (different sizes) depending on where I am walking PLUS a monopod 'just in case' ......it is catching.

have fun

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Feb 23, 2017 12:40:27   #
sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL
 
Would help if you went out like me with family and forgot a battery in the camera.

Sarge69

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