brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

I shoot a Nikon D610 and love it. There's hardly a week that goes by that I'm not out shooting with it. On occasion, we take road trips to warmer climates, which provide even more opportunity for me to "go shooting".

For a long while, I've given thought to acquiring a second body, but this has not been an easy decision for me. Questions that come to mind during my thoughts:

- Do I really need a second body?
- What if, on a road trip, my D610 malfunctions?
- Will a less expensive cropped sensor model work okay?
- Should I pursue another D610? D700? D600?

I'd appreciate your thoughts on the subject. Your justification for the second body? Your justification for the model you purchased?

Guess I just have a little GAS and trying to find a remedy.

Thanks.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Hi Bruce, I have the D800E and the D600 as a back up.
I have owned Nikon's for 40 yrs and never had one go bad so I don't carry a Back-Up for that reason.
I do have different lenses mounted on both and use them for that purpose. If you can afford and like the D6xx get another.
If an D8xx could be in the budget I would definitely do it again.
Craig

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

As a hobbyst who sometimes has "clients" I often shoot with two bodies.

I have a backup body in case one fails (i havn't had one fail while shooting, yet).
When covering classical music concert with fast primes it is very convenient to just pick up another body instead of changing lenses in the dark, and less of a distraction for the audience.

Even with motor racing (some drivers are my "clients") it is convenient. You can have a real long tele zoom on one and a standard zoom as well on the other. Besides I don't like changing lenses in the rain.

On vacations I still take two bodies. One will have a standard zoom and the other a tele zoom or wide angle zoom.

For seascapes I sometimes take two bodies. It means I do not have to change lenses when there is spray around.

Having simiar bodies, especially if they use the same battery, makes it a lot easier logistically wise and reduces confusion.

Crop bodies are fine.
After my first entry level DSLR (Canon 350D (Rebel)) my main body was a Canon 40D (crop body), the additional body was a Canon 5D (full frame). The main reason I purchased the 5D was becuase of the 24-105 F4 lens (which is a great vacation/travel lens on a full frame body)

Nowdays I have a pair of Olympus E-M5Mark II bodies for covering the concerts etc.
One has a 40-150 f2.8 lens (80-300 in 35mm FOV terms) and the other a 12-40 f2.8 lens (24-80 in 35mm FOV terms)
They make for a great combination.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

You mentioned..."Hardly a week goes by that your not shooting with it" your not shooting enough that you would need two major bodies. What are you shooting that's so important that your worrying the camera might break down? My thoughts are, get an advanced point & shoot, there's plenty of them out there that will produce great looking photo's (maybe not as good as a D610) but who's gonna notice? A second body that's not as big and heavy might be an advantage.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

First if you have a business, you would not be very smart if you didn't have a backup camera. I for instance shoot the D800 and have a D7000 as a backup camera. The d7000 can do all the D800 can except it's not as good in low light.

Beyond having a business it's just a matter if you can justify having one. If you can justify it and can afford it, why not have a backup. There is nothing wrong with a APS-C as a backup either.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

No justification needed, and no reason to struggle any longer. Buy a second full frame body and enjoy it. A second body might not be a necessity, but having one is nice. Life is short.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Craig, thank you for your insight. There have been many times when I wished I had the ability to carry two bodies, with different length lenses. While it isn't so much an issue of what I can afford, I try to remain prudent. The decision would be much easier if I were earning money from my efforts. :-)

Thanks again.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Thank you Richard. You make a lot of sense, and have provided great food for thought.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Cjkorb, I certainly understand your position. At one point, I purchased a Nikon P330, which will even produce raw files, but I was simply not satisfied with the resulting photos. Plus, moving from one camera to the other meant I had to stop and think about the location of different controls. Not a major issue, but I had to deal with it just the same. Still, I appreciate your logic. It's sound.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

I really appreciate your post. I had strong feelings that if I pursued a second body, it had to be an FX. You've convinced me that ain't necessarily so.

Thank you for your insight!! Incidentally, I do not have a photography business, however, retirement is coming this next year and my thoughts have taken me in that direction as a means of staying engaged.

Thanks again.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

:-) I like your style.

Thank you.

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

Nice to have so get that second body full frame if cost is not a problem.

Wendy2 Loc: California

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

You really have to decide what is the reason for your second body. If you want the convenience of using two bodies at the same time with different lenses, then you should get another D610. Switching quickly from one body to another can be a problem when the controls are in different places and the menus are different. If you want the second body as a backup in case of breakdown on a trip etc, then it is not that important, but I would get another FX camera to save your brain from the struggle of having to quickly adapt to another format. Otherwise, if you just want to have a replacement camera in case of need, then anything will do.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

I need a second body as mine is slowly wearing out. Sorry, I think you mean a back up body.