SteveR Loc: Michigan

My first digital camera was a D7000. Then I bought a D800. There are times that I use the D7000 instead of the D800, but when vacationing, I keep my Tamron 10-24mm wide angle lens on the D7000. I eliminates lens changes.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I switched from Canon to Nikon a few years ago. I bought a Nikon D750 which I love but then got concerned that my lenses that I bought for the Nikon would be useless if the D750 went belly up. About a year ago, I bought a refurbished D5100 from KEH as a backup although it is a DX sensor compared to the FX sensor in the D750. I have used the FX lenses on it, different magnification, etc. but I have a backup and the pictures are good. I suppose ideally, I should buy a Nikon (D610?) with a FX sensor for a backup, but the D5100 is light and adequate for the job.

In you case, you might want to buy another D610, refurbished or used.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I don't have a back up camera, I just have a bunch of cameras. When I go out on a shooting expedition I usually have two cameras, depending on where I'm going. If I'm going somewhere like say, Conowingo Dam where you park just a few feet away from where you set up, I'll bring 3 cameras. If hiking will be required to reach the shooting spot or I'm traveling on two wheels, then just two cameras will go along, 1 full frame and one crop frame. The full frame is almost always my EOS 5Dsr but sometimes my 6D. Crop body is usually either EOS 7D II or D500. Lenses vary depending on situation , EF 28-300L or EF 100-400L II or Sigma 150-600 Sport or Nikkor 200-500 with Nikon 1.4 teleconverter.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

Your setup is exactly as it should be. The FX camera for landscape, stills, and portraits, and the DX for the added reach when shooting wildlife and sports.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I always have at least 2 camera bodies when I go shooting (but most times I take more)! When I go on long hikes, I keep it down to 2 (5D MII& 5D MIII).

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

GB, c'mon, you're fooling yourself if you really don't think that a better camera will not take a better pic. It may or may not make your photography better but it will certainly give you a better photograph. To many, the holy grail is DR, and better cameras have better DR. More fps and a better focus system will ALWAYS trump outdated systems when it comes to sports, BIF's and even portraits and that will easily enable you to take better photographs. I will NEVER again shoot portraits with a camera that does not have a full array of selectable focus points! Focus and re-compose is for beginners that don't know better or are told otherwise by those that don't know any better! Or, all they have is old gear.
Sure, plenty of people have way more gear than they can properly use. But they couldn't use it when they shot in the film days either!
Get a lens before the body because glass is forever..., is an old film throwback, wives-tale. Back when the camera was merely a box to hold the film. Want a better pic, just get better film or lens. Well, now-a-days the camera IS the film..., you want a better film, get a better camera!!!
SS

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

If you are getting paid to shoot, you need a back-up camera. You either use it with a different lens or you carry it as a back-up.
If you are NOT getting paid, why would you even want to carry two cameras? To look like the guys that are getting paid? So what if you miss some shots, you won't get sued. Just take that hike another day, maybe the weather will be better!
I carry my phone as a back-up if I'm not getting paid. I have two cameras and neither is a back-up. They both have their specific uses.
To keep an older camera as a back-up is to just have another door stop. Who has ever needed a back-up? Who has ever actually used one as a back-up? Sell it and use the money for a lens. Keep an old camera long enough and it's only good to make a lamp out of it. That's a pretty crappy investment. Even if you only get $200 dollars out of it. When's the last time you took your wife out for a $200 dinner? Maybe she would reward you for it!!! LoL
I'd be more worried about whether or not you have enough batteries and memory with you. If the course syllabus requires 2 cameras, then think about it, or you're doing some kind of photography that would demand using two cameras, otherwise forget it! I personally think that keeping old cameras are a waste of time and money, but that's just me!
SS

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Likely few. Most people have extras from upgrades. I use my first DSLR as a back-up for my second, now main camera. I also have a third even older model that I purchased to have converted for full time IR use. Obviously that one only gets used for Infrared shooting. At one point I had five film SLRs but sold two so now I'm down to three SLRs. In total I have 3 DSLRs, 3 SLRs, 2 4x5" View Cameras, plus a couple vintage 35mm rangefinder cameras. Read my tag line.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

When I did wedding photography, I had two backups for cameras and flash. Now I have a full frame and crop sensor. No need for back up per say because my Nikon's, starting with my 1969 Nikon FTN, have never broken down. I find that I like wide angle and telephoto use so I carry both cameras now.

CEJ Loc: Cresson,Pa

I have three cameras not as back up but from upgrades, take all three when I go out to shoot. I plan my shoots days ahead of time, charge batteries chose lens for the shoot place them on the bodies pack bag in the morning grab and go. never thought of a bachup.

Robeng Loc: California

Steve,

If you check my website you will notice I travel a lot. If my primary camera goes down I have to have a back up because I may never be at that location again.

Rob

pete-m Loc: Casper, WY

When I shot film I had several cameras in different formats (still have them). Now, just one.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've been using two cameras since I got a D7100 when I had a D7000. I use an OP/TECH double strap, so I can have a tele on the right, and a W/A on the left. Right now, I have two D750s. As I buy a new camera, the old (previous) one goes on ebay to defray the cost. If you get a second, it's important, in my opinion, that they have similar controls and are setup the same. If you have BBF on one but not the other, it will drive you crazy. It also helps if they use the same batteries.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right. Never go on vacation with just one camera, although I prefer compacts to DSLRs for traveling.

Dan De Lion Loc: Montana

-----

Right on! Less is more.

-----