PeterBergh

Murphy is a very powerful man. If anything bad can happen, it eventually will. You have to decide whether the loss of an entire shooting session costs more than an additional body. Personally, I'm in favor of wearing belt and suspenders.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

If you are shooting for somebody else then get it.
This is from personal experience shooting classical music concerts.
Nowdays I shoot with two identical (except one is black) m4/3 bodies.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Robert, FORGET the second body. If your only camera stops working and you'll get sued because you don't deliver, you need a backup body! Amateurs don't get sued.
It's a waste of your money, like having two cars in case one breaks down but you're retired and no longer drive to work!!!
Use the money to get something that will make a DIFFERENCE in your photography, like a faster or wider lens!!
Cameras eventually can no longer be sold and become worthless, then you'll have TWO worthless cameras.
Unless, of course, they are making you MONEY, but then you wouldn't be an amateur!!!
Take yourself a nice photo trip instead!!! Good luck
SS

TBPJr Loc: South Carolina

I still have a Canon 20D, but I never take it with me anywhere, and haven't since I took delivery of a Canon 5D Mark III in 2012. I use only my 5D III; I have considered buying another body more advanced than my 20D (whether a second 5D III, the 5D IV, or something else), but have not done so. In October, I went on a river cruise along the Danube, starting in Budapest. On my first afternoon of the trip, I was walking and taking pictures in the city; I got to one of the sites/sights I had hoped to photograph and decided I needed a wide-angle shot. I cleverly turned loose of my camera body while trying to change lenses--of course, I had taken the strap from around my neck, too. So, my 5D III dropped to the concrete sidewalk from just above waist height. There was no visible physical damage, but the LCD carried the message, "Err 20 Shooting is not possible due to an error. Turn the camera off and on again or re-install the battery." Of course, nothing helped. So, for the next eight or nine days, I either had the camera and lenses in my room or shuttled the gear from hotel to boat to bus--thus, no pictures. A second body would have left me with a better choice for pictures than my cell phone (but, in reality, I would have trouble carrying another body without getting rid of something--that limitation does not apply when you are in your own vehicle or just traveling in your own locale). The day after I got home, I went online to get Canon repair; I shipped it that same afternoon (on a Monday); by two days later, I had an estimate and I paid by credit card. My camera was supposed to be delivered to me on Friday afternoon, but I finally got it Monday morning (don't ask)--it had to have a new shutter assembly installed. So, although I got only a few pictures on my trip, I now have a 5D III with essentially no shutter actuations that also just has been checked by Canon factory service (I have taken a couple of hundred pictures since I got it back).

The point of this is that unforeseen events occur--to the extent that you are obligated (or even just determined) to get the pictures you need/want at your events without fail, you need to have a backup, whether it's a second body just like you are using, a previous model from which you have upgraded, or some other camera altogether. My waiting to get another body only leaves me disappointed when I lose the use of my camera--I am not breaching a promise or a duty to anyone else. Of course, if you are not obligated to someone else to get the pictures, then it is your choice/preference; if your are obligated to produce the pictures, you need to plan for damage to or failure of your primary camera and prepare an alternative.

I want to get a new camera--six years have produced some good advances--and I would be inclined to get the next 5D iteration (or perhaps a mirrorless when the Canon pro version hits the market) or even a 5DS r. But in any case, I would keep my 5D III (unless I get two newer ones) to be the backup/other choice, especially if I were operating as a photographer for hire.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

You don't discuss your shooting style or the subjects of the photographs you take at your events. I do an occasional event, usually staged presentations. I find having two identical bodies with different lenses very helpful...one for the entire stage (or a major part of it) and one set up for individual performers or soloists. I can leave one set for overall stage framing and lighting and the other for the follow spot, which generally has a different color temperature. I can switch quickly between cameras. And is one should fail, I can fairly quickly make any necessary lens changes.

Your events and your approach may not favor using two bodies this way. But having the option might be very helpful lfor you.

robertcbyrd Loc: 28754

Thanks for all of your advice.

I went ahead and got the second body. It has a lower shutter release count and came with two batteries. Glad to have it!!

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Do you make any money doing this?? I think common sense would be your guiding light. That would be a greater value than anyone here would give you. Just to have something for the sake of having something does not make sense.

delottphoto

Get it!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Is there a second lens that you'd like to be able to switch to quickly quite often? If so, get the second body for that purpose as much as for a backup. Never having to change lenses is a luxury. There are some nice straps out there designed for two bodies. Somehow I hope that if you're taking that many shots as the de facto photographer for several music groups that you're receiving some kind of remuneration. If you're doing this totally as a volunteer you might go to them and indicate that while you're providing photos for FREE....you do need some help in the cost of equipment. Hopefully these groups will be willing to come through for you.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Find a way to put it off, when the 90D or the 7DMkIII comes out you will again experience a new bout of GAS... There is no reason to purchase two of the same bodies, if you really can't get over it consider a Sony or Fuji mirrorless and explore the wonderful world of old cheap vintage lenses.

ELNikkor

Usually in that situation, I would suggest getting the used 80D in excellent condition for a good price. The 80D is all the camera you need for your type of shooting, but it might help if you plan to pay for it with the money you make from shooting, that way, it justifies the cost.

tmehrkam Loc: Houston,Tx

I had a back up camera in the film days. I ended up with the backup when my primary camera needed some warranty repair "Canon A1". I dropped it off for repair and there was a nice used AE1 in the case. I purchased that and had my backup camera. Neither camera gave me any problems after that and both are in my office just in case I need to shoot film.


In the film days backup camera made a lot of sense. I kept them both loaded with different film and used both all the time. With digital cameras ?

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

kdogg Loc: Gallipolis Ferry WV

I have used two bodies since my film days both 35mm and medium format. I use one body with a prime lens and then other with a zoom. Never liked fussing with changing lenses in the field.
Now I use a 7D and a 7DII, I guess old have die hard.

badapple Loc: Twin Lake, Michigan

Never steal money from your retirement budget! It will come back to bite you later in life. Save till the funds are available for the the backup you desire but don't tap into your future comfort.