Back-up cameras:
We use them because just one camera doesn't cover the gaps.
Larger camera travels in a backpack with a tripod and accessories. It takes time to set them up though. The second 18 megapixel camera and a zoom from 24 - 700mm travels in a shirt pocket - always ready to shoot.
For social events where cameras do not quite fit to the attire, the smallest 16 megapixel marvels with a zoom from 24 - 150mm can provide good quality prints - the telephones can't.
So there you are - whether you go to your nearest park or fly to Europe or Africa.

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...


I was shooting in New Mexico with a group and a member suddenly said "My camera won't work." And it did not work; we figured out later what was wrong and fixed it but he used his back up until then. In Oregon my camera suddenly quit as did my friend's camera and we both thought we were going to have to share my back up camera (she did not have one) but we finally got them both working. On a trip to Hwy. 395 for fall color a young lady dropped her very new nikon into the stream when it fell off her tripod. All of this can be filed under the "Shit Happens" saying. Always have a back up camera handy and take it with you on the shoot, don't leave it in the hotel room. Some people use the last camera they had prior to the new one and some people actually use the same kind of camera for both. It varies on an individual basis. If the getting the shot is important to you take two cameras. I also take two long lenses as I've had a long lens fail and would have gotten no shots if not for the second long lens. Just my thoughts on the question.


Maybe others have had issues or see a need?