Workshop Requirement: I've signed up for a workshop this spring. I just received some info from the organizers that lists a requirement that participants must bring two camera bodies.

gr810r Loc: Richmond, VA

I've signed up for a workshop this spring. I just received some info from the organizers that lists a requirement that participants must bring two camera bodies. I only own one and have no plans to buy another any time soon. Should I borrow one? Any suggestions?

BebuLamar

Cancel the workshop if you can. If they tell you to bring 2 cameras they expect you to have 2 cameras after you're done with the workshop. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to do a lot of things they teach you.

anotherview Loc: California

You could rent one.

gr810r wrote:

I've signed up for a workshop this spring. I just received some info from the organizers that lists a requirement that participants must bring two camera bodies. I only own one and have no plans to buy another any time soon. Should I borrow one? Any suggestions?

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

gr810r wrote:

I've signed up for a workshop this spring. I just received some info from the organizers that lists a requirement that participants must bring two camera bodies. I only own one and have no plans to buy another any time soon. Should I borrow one? Any suggestions?

In my experience, workshop leaders don't make requirements like that unless they think there is a good reason for it. I'm a little curious about the subject and location of your workshop. And...if they require a second camera, do they give you direction about a lens for that camera? Or is it just that they want you to have a spare body in case one fails?

My first workshop was for night sky photography. There were specific camera and lens requirements, and we were required to take a laptop with at least LightRoom installed. The camera and lens requirements were valid. The two or three folks who came without proper equipment struggled through the entire time and were not able to achieve the results that everyone else took home.

Your first step is to understand the requirement and understand the risk to you if you choose not to comply with it. Ask questions. Listen to the answers.

I'd second the notion that renting a camera like yours would be a viable approach if you decide that the requirement isn't unreasonable and you still don't want to purchase a second camera.

dsnoke Loc: North Georgia, USA

I would ask the workshop organizers about the requirement. I often take two bodies in order to have a backup, but I have never had a requirement to have two bodies. I've been doing this for 20 years. If the "requirement" is just for backup, then it ought to be up to each student IMHO.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar wrote:

Cancel the workshop if you can. If they tell you to bring 2 cameras they expect you to have 2 cameras after you're done with the workshop. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to do a lot of things they teach you.

I'd ask "Why two cameras?".

fredfinke Loc: Denver

The first “requirement” should’ve been for the organizer to state CLEARLY at the first announcement of the workshop that two cameras would be required! That way they would probably have fewer hobbyists send in their down payment.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Live on the edge and ignore this nonsense. It sure would suck to go to the workshop and have your 1st and only camera fail. But, having to borrow and rent for this very unlikely event, that is even more foolish.

Better approach: make friends with everyone with the same brand as your lens(es). Shake hands, smile, glowingly admire their equipment, buy a round of drinks. If you suffer a camera failure, borrow their 2nd body.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

CHG_CANON wrote:

Live on the edge and ignore this nonsense. It sure would suck to go to the workshop and have your 1st and only camera fail. But, having to borrow and rent for this very unlikely event, that is even more foolish.

Better approach: make friends with everyone with the same brand as your lens(es). Shake hands, smile, glowingly admire their equipment, buy a round of drinks. If you suffer a camera failure, borrow their 2nd body.

gr810r Loc: Richmond, VA

This makes a helluva lotta sense.

Jim Bianco

CHG_CANON wrote:

Live on the edge and ignore this nonsense. It sure would suck to go to the workshop and have your 1st and only camera fail. But, having to borrow and rent for this very unlikely event, that is even more foolish.

Better approach: make friends with everyone with the same brand as your lens(es). Shake hands, smile, glowingly admire their equipment, buy a round of drinks. If you suffer a camera failure, borrow their 2nd body.

I agree

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I'd go with one camera and then when they reminded me that I was to bring two cameras, I would say, "I did bring two cameras. My other camera is my cell phone and it is mirrorless!"😜

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

gr810r wrote:

I've signed up for a workshop this spring. I just received some info from the organizers that lists a requirement that participants must bring two camera bodies. I only own one and have no plans to buy another any time soon. Should I borrow one? Any suggestions?

Borrow or rent. If you rent, rent one you might like to actually purchase in the future.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

sippyjug104 wrote:

I'd go with one camera and then when they reminded me that I was to bring two cameras, I would say, "I did bring two cameras. My other camera is my cell phone and it is mirrorless!"😜

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

What kind of photograhy is the workshop about?

I could understand the requirement for a spare camer if it is going to take place over an extended period of time, perhaps a week or several days, and possibly in a remote location. Perhas somethg about wildlife or nature photography.

If the especially is something like photojournalism or fast action shoot where e photographers routinely use multiple bodies rather than taking time to make lens changes.

At the end of the day, YOU have to make the decision whether to rent, borrow, or purchase a second body in order to partake in this workshop or NOT- is it worth it? If the kind of work you are pursuing requires two bodies, it may be a wise investment. If there's no logical reason for this acquisition- find another workshop or seminar!