Back up camera (Page 7): I have one too many lenses and only one body. I'd like another body just to park the extra lens. Then too, I might interest the spouse in going out on...

dzn1

I have one too many lenses and only one body. I'd like another body just to park the extra lens. Then too, I might interest the spouse in going out on walkarounds and she could use the secondary. I've been thinking about the upgrade to the D3200 so I wouldn't have useless lenses or an empty bank account.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

SteveR wrote:

Ever been in Monument Valley and switch between a wide angle lens and another lens constantly....exposing your sensor to dust....not to mention the inconvenience? That's when it will dawn on you why a second camera would be handy. Ofc, what you do is when you buy a new camera is to keep the old one, which becomes your second camera. In my case, it became the dedicated wide angle lens camera, esp. since the wide angle lens was a 10-24mm Tamron dx and the new camera was an fx.

Steve, anything is possible. I've change lenses in dust, rain and mud and have NEVER seen anything on my sensor!!
Keep in mind that the sensor itself is ONLY EXPOSED WHILE THE SUTTER IS OPEN, not while the lens is off.
Now if you own one of those little toy mirror-less thingys...., all bets are off!!! LoL(just kidding ML owners!!!).
SS

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

When I shoot outdoor Sports Action, my primary camera is a D5, usually with a 400/2.8 and perhaps a 1.4TC. That's on a monopod, but, around my neck, is my D500 with a 70-200 2.8 or F4. When the play moves close, the D500 comes up. In my younger days, I had a third camera with a wide angle on me somewhere for those venue shots. Today that is a D810 with a 14-24/2.8 in a nearby bag. Damn, sports action requires tons of gear! Call it second, back-up, whatever you like, but it's with me for every paid shoot I do. Camera bodies, lenses, flash, whatever! A couple more years and then I'm done! Best of luck!

LEWISHINE

What happens if I'm on a back road somewhere and a UFO comes down, opens the door, and they offer me my check ride... and my one camera, for whatever reason, doesn't work.... you get the idea....

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

Hsch39 wrote:

If you think a smart phone is a good enough back camera, you are not much into photography.
The only time I take a photo with my iPhone, is when my wife sends me to the store to pick up an item.
I just want to make sure I picked up the right thing.

Wooooow, that is amazing that my sarcasm went undetected!

No...i said a cell phone should have a "back up" if you use the same rationale...it was a joke.

If you can't see the difference between your mk2 and mk4 image then maybe a cell phone could be a good main camera for you.

...again a "back up camera" has little to due with an actual failure.

No one is demonstrating actual incidents. I think that is a good thing.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Backup camera for me is a misnomer. I have 6 cameras from a Canon S110 -> G16 -> SX60 -> Sony a6000 -> 6d -> 7d2. Depending on what I plan to do (walk, vacation, landscape, sports, BIF, etc), one of those is the one I grab. On vacation, the combination is almost always the Sony a6000 and the Canon SX60. The Sony is the default, light, reasonably fast. The SX60 for those long shots from a boat or high/low looking in the opposite direction. And I like them all for other reasons.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

catchlight.. wrote:

I am curious why anyone would need a "back up... (show quote)

Pros need backup DEVICES. Can you imagine being at a wedding and having something malfunction? I can tell you horror stories customers at our lab told me....

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

burkphoto wrote:

Pros need backup DEVICES. Can you imagine being at a wedding and having something malfunction? I can tell you horror stories customers at our lab told me....

Was that in the film days?...

I guess the real point I am trying to convey is the fact that the newest DLSRs just very reliable.

I have heard many times the warning to "always have a back up".

After 40 years I still am waiting for the first failure...Knock on wood!

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

For me just 2 simple reasons. Main camera goes out for repair I can still shoot. If I am shooting an event such as a civil war reenactment I don't have to keep changing lens.

Don

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

catchlight.. wrote:

Wooooow, that is amazing that my sarcasm went undetected!

No...i said a cell phone should have a "back up" if you use the same rationale...it was a joke.

If you can't see the difference between your mk2 and mk4 image then maybe a cell phone could be a good main camera for you.

...again a "back up camera" has little to due with an actual failure.

No one is demonstrating actual incidents. I think that is a good thing.

Did you read all the comments? There were a number of incidents where a backup was necessary.

Kuzano

catchlight.. wrote:

Not very mobile unless you keep everything in the car or are in a studio...4camera bodies?

Looks like most all failures are due to clumsiness and not actual camera failures...

One day shipping to replace and then sell the repaired camera?.. or an insurance policy to cover droppage?

Hmmm - Ya Think....

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ2TwCIhpN0[/ulr]

Quantus5

[quote=catchlight..]Was that in the film days?...
I guess the real point I am trying to convey is the fact that the newest DLSRs just very reliable.
quote]

I don't think anyone disagrees with you. Yes, modern DSLRs and MILCs are extremely reliable.

I also have never had a failure, however I always carry a backup for events just in case. It only takes one failure...

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

catchlight.. wrote:

Was that in the film days?...
I guess the real point I am trying to convey is the fact that the newest DLSRs just very reliable.
quote]

I don't think anyone disagrees with you. Yes, modern DSLRs and MILCs are extremely reliable.

I also have never had a failure, however I always carry a backup for events just in case. It only takes one failure...

Yes, DSLRs are quite reliable. However, accidents happen and they're not always the photographer's fault. For someone getting paid for their work, failure is not an option. For a casual photographer, failure is not a disaster.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

catchlight.. wrote:

Does any one have an actual failure that the back up camera saved the day in the last recent years?

What was the issue and camera?

Yes. About 10 years ago I had a Nikon D2H fail. No warning. Took an image fine, Then zip. Nuthin'. Turns out there was a known issue and it was repaired free even though out of warranty. Picked up my backup and finished the job for the client.

Then about 5 years ago a similar fail with a D3. No warning - just stopped. This was near the end of the estimated life of the shutter, so not a big surprise. Used the backup to finish the assignment for the client.

I remember about 6-7 years ago Canon had a model that had the mirror just fall off. These are man-made devices and they WILL fail eventually. Like hard drives.

Last year I dropped my D800. My fault. Camera was destroyed. Picked up the backup and finished the shoot for the client.

Anyone doing professional work that does not have a backup for EVERYTHING is not a professional.

steve03 Loc: long Lsland

EdJ0307 wrote:

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.

🙃🙃🙃