2nd camera body??

[goodolimack91]

with the canon rebates in effect, is it foolish of me to even think about buying another body, when photography is a major, but also a serious hobby for me? ive asked my friends and they told me to stick with one body since its just a "hobby" and not something im doing that im getting paid for.

do any of you "hobbyists" own 2 bodies? and if you do, why?

im almost certain im picking up the 70-200 2.8 IS but im also eyeing the 40D. it seems like its too good to pass up. someone enlighten me

[elader]

I never felt the need for another body until I started shooting events under contract. Spend the $400 and upgrade your body if you have the itch. The 40D is a more responsive body than the 30D. I doubt the pictures will look any better though. Have you thought about an ultrawde lens?

Where in MD are you?

[goodolimack91]

southern maryland, prince georges county.

call my lazy, but i just dont wanna keep switchin lenses when i feel the need to change on a shoot. my friends recommended me gettin the 70-200 to complete the "ultamite" combo. 10-22 is next on my list after the 70-200

[perryge]

I've toyed with the idea of a 40D or 1DII for birding and as backup to my 5D - it'd be seriously nice to have a second body, since I basically shoot only with primes.

But I've never really felt the need. None of my paid work is demanding enough or high-stakes enough that I'd need another body either.

[Jim Neiger]

If you travel for photography vacations, a bkup camera is very nice to have. What would you do if you spent thousands on a big trip and your camera died on the 1st day?

[goodolimack91]

i rarely travel, but one thing is that ill be a second shooter for a wedding coming up in june. i plan to use the 17-55 and 70-200 on two separate bodies, and while i can borrow my friend's 30D, it just wouldnt feel "right" since it isnt mine. thats one of the reasons why im contemplating on a 2nd body. i totally agree that the 30D is a very well capable camera, but its nice to see what the 40D can offer, it might not be a significant upgrade, but im also not ready to FF and pull the trigger on the 5D.

[RPCrowe]

Two bodies are not just for professionals who are being paid for their images. Two bodies are a great way to enjoy your lens battery without having to make the decision regarding if you are going to switch lenses or not.

To tell you the truth, I would enjoy shooting better using two 1.6x bodies than if I were using one 5D. The monetary outlay would be the about the same.
In fact, a pair of refurb 30D bodies would cost only a little more than a new 40D.

Carrying two cameras is relatively easy. I will use an OPTECH Reporter Strap if I am using two cameras with shorter physical length lenses. If I am using one shorter lens such as my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and a longer lens such as the 70-200mm f/4L IS (which is my go-to standard kit); I will carry the 17-55mm around my neck and the 70-200mm in a Think Tank Holster Case with a screw-in lens hood and an OPTECH Hood Hat in lieu of the Canon hood and lens cap. I use a hand strap on the camera and can get this camera/lens into action a lot faster than I can tell you about doing it.

Besides avoiding the possibility of missing shots while switching lenses and avoiding the possibility of damage to the camera or lens; I can have a wonderful focal range of 17-200mm with top-notch imagery, fast auto focus, IS and a a constant f/2.8 aperture in my mid-range zoom. By the way, I don't miss the gap between 55 and 70mm at all.

I am often amazed at posters who have a large collection of great quality lenses costing thousands of dollars and who are still limping along with a single body. I am even more amazed at posters who declare that they want to use only prime lenses; yet use only a single camera.

There are people who have 20D or XT bodies and intend to sell or trade in the present camera to get a 40D or so... They will get only a couple of hundred bucks for the 10D or XT and that could very well be their extra body.

I still shoot with a 30D and a 350D with my older 10D either in reserve or with a third lens attached. The larger size of the 10D makes it nice to shoot with a long lens. There are posters who claim that they get better results from their 300mm f/4L IS lens on a 10D than with that lens on a newer camera such as the 40D. I haven't noticed this phenomenon but have never been angry with the 10D for lack of capability. The 10D, or XT are extremely viable tools and I don't ever feel that I have missed any images because of any lacking in my camera bodies.

The 350D uses a different type body from my other three cameras. Sure, I would rather have three cameras, all of which use the same battery type but, it just takes a bit of preplanning to have charged batteries ready for each type of camera. Generic batteries are fairly inexpensive. It would not be worth it to me to sell the 350D and get a newer camera.

Speaking of older cameras which are still doing great work. I have a Canon D60 which I have modified for full time IR use. The D60 functions superbly, privides very excellent imagery and since my primary use for this IR camera is shooting landscapes; I don't need a fast buffer or high ISO capability.

[goodolimack91]

thank you very much....i really wanted to see the opinion of someone who uses 2 bodies who isnt getting paid for taking photos. ive been fooling around with the idea of buying both the 40d and 70-200 2.8 IS for a while. the 70-200 2.8 is a definite purchase for me, but my colleagues have been tellin me to hold off on the 2nd body because they say its not needed at this point in time. i completely respect and honor their opinion, but i havent been so serious about something like photography for a while. im young, working, have no debts ( except credit card bills), single, and this is what im passionate about. i always see myself saving up for this, and i dont see this hobby as a waste of money nor time.


anyone else?

[Blue S2]

I had a second body as a dedicated IR camera. I also have some film bodies. Honestly though, I never carried a second body when not shooting for work. Sometimes if I go out of town for fun, I will take a long a G series, or A series camera just in case.

The reality, a second body means more weight, and more space needed to carry it. For me those are two things that don't appeal to me.

If you shoot pro, insurance covers your gear, and having a second body is just wise. If you shoot hobby, you can do as you please for yourself, so if it makes you happy, go for it. A 5D and a 24-105L has served me well as a solo rig when shooting personally.

[Berlotti Photography]

I say go for it. I mainly do portrait/model type photography which does not really require the need for 2 bodies. I am currently using a 30D with Sigma 24-70, and 70-200 2.8. I am going to be picking up a 5D, 24-70L and 70-200 2.8L IS so I can have a second body as well as back up lenses. Plus I am thinking about getting into wedding photography and the second body will help a lot. I will dabble in more lenses other than those 4 and the Tameron 17-50 I already own after I have the other body/lenses. I say go for it. You are obviously thinking about it enough, so you might as well get it. It can't hurt to have another body.

[goodolimack91]

ehhh yeah i know, i dont have a problem gettin the body. its just that a lot of people will think im crazy for doing it. and while i shouldnt worry about what others think, their impression of me buying a camera not significant reasons will get to me. alot of them will say , "wait till your good enough", "theres no reason why you need another body", and all of this other stuff. i know i should forget what they say, and i know its my money, but im constantly around these people. and knowing them, they will never give up the fact i bought another camera just for my own purposes.

[Berlotti Photography]

You are trying to please those people it seems to me. Take me for example, I suck at photography and I am going for the second body. ;) Dont listen to those people and who really cares what they think anyhow. Maybe its jealousy that you are able to get a second body. Who knows these days why people say the things they do. I say get the second body. Thats just my 2 pennies.

Edit: Another thought that just dawned on me. These people are saying "Wait til your good enough" and things like that. I can only assume they have knowledge of photography. My thought is do you think there is a possbility they dont want you to upgrade to better gear because they think you will be better than they are? I know its the photog who does the magic, but having great gear makes things even better in the right hands. Just another 2 pennies. *Disclaimer* I can be completely out in left field with that thought process, not knowing these people.

[Blue S2]

Tell them to go get their own hobby. People always talk. Don't let that stop ya from doing anything you feel right about.

If I listened to what everyone said, Ide drive a broken american car, have a crappy disposable camera, have some crappy office job with poor ventilation filing papers, wearing ugly clothing, be married to someone I didn't care for, and miss out on what life is really about.

Passion. Follow your passion and be open to wherever it leads ya! You never know what comes from it.

[DStanic]

I'm thinking of picking up a used 10D/300D/350D (something under $350) when I have some extra cash. That way I can have a camera in the car at all times (and also give me a good excuse to buy the 18-55 IS kit lens hehe) I REALLY like the feel of the 30D though, so maybe I'll wait and buy one and have my XTi as backup. Having my 24-60 and 70-200 on seperate cameras would be nice, not having to switch lenses all the time.

[wbm]

I've got a 5D on order. It was originally to replace my 40D, but I've now decided to keep the 40D. I'll use the 5D for wide-angle shots, e.g. landscapes, and keep the 40D for longer or faster shots where the crop-factor or better AF counts. Not having to change lenses all the time appeals lots.

[elader]

I've got a 5D on order. It was originally to replace my 40D, but I've now decided to keep the 40D. I'll use the 5D for wide-angle shots, e.g. landscapes, and keep the 40D for longer or faster shots where the crop-factor or better AF counts. Not having to change lenses all the time appeals lots.


+1:lol:

[elysium]

with the canon rebates in effect, is it foolish of me to even think about buying another body, when photography is a major, but also a serious hobby for me? ive asked my friends and they told me to stick with one body since its just a "hobby" and not something im doing that im getting paid for.

do any of you "hobbyists" own 2 bodies? and if you do, why?

im almost certain im picking up the 70-200 2.8 IS but im also eyeing the 40D. it seems like its too good to pass up. someone enlighten me
5D and 400D. Both have different uses. The 5D is more my everyday body and the FF gives me a nice wide look.

The 400D is a crop camera so gives me that bit of reach when I need it. It also doubles as a backup and if all goes well, a nice tool to teach other potential photography enthusiasts.

[smorter]

I got a 40D as a backup for my 400D, and now I can't imagine only using 1 body :)

[JCH77Yanks]

ehhh yeah i know, i dont have a problem gettin the body. its just that a lot of people will think im crazy for doing it. and while i shouldnt worry about what others think, their impression of me buying a camera not significant reasons will get to me. alot of them will say , "wait till your good enough", "theres no reason why you need another body", and all of this other stuff. i know i should forget what they say, and i know its my money, but im constantly around these people. and knowing them, they will never give up the fact i bought another camera just for my own purposes.

Alot of people don't understand why people like us would rather shoot with a dSLR than a p&s... I sometimes get "what do you need that for" or "I bet that I can get just a good a shot with my "little pocket camera" as that big ol' rig around you neck". When you try to explain how you have more room for creativity, they never understand b/c they think photography is all about "snapshots". Don't pay them any mind. You only have one life so live it. As long as you're being financially responsible about it, they should have no say about what you want to spend your hard earned money on.

[goodolimack91]

well one person who told me is actually the guy im learning from...so its not like i can disregard what he says, but then again i get the majority of my knoledge and ideas from this forum. life is short, let me go get this body! =) thanks

[Blue S2]

Yeah, but then those people say "why don't my pictures look like that!" When they see the work coming from our SLRs.

[DStanic]

well one person who told me is actually the guy im learning from...so its not like i can disregard what he says, but then again i get the majority of my knoledge and ideas from this forum. life is short, let me go get this body! =) thanks

Perhaps they are just jealous!! :D

[dave kadolph]

do any of you "hobbyists" own 2 bodies? and if you do, why?

I'm almost certain im picking up the 70-200 2.8 IS but im also eyeing the 40D. it seems like its too good to pass up. someone enlighten me


Yeah--My wife and I both own a primary and a backup.

We don't bowl--hunt--travel--ride motorcycles--do the club scene--you get the idea.

But we do shoot school sports @ no charge for about every parent that is a friend or co-worker.

Having your work posted on hundreds of amateur athletes facebook--priceless.

[bham]

I shoot with a 40D and 2 20D's and find having 2 or 3 bodies with lenses ready to go so nice compared to before having to switch lenses all the time. In some cases its a matter of convience, in some cases in saves a ton of time from when I had one body and would switch lenses back and forth. Not to speak of the with each change I was probably getting dust in the body. It's a luxury for some that becomes addictive. Kinda like a grip with extra controls for portrait position. One you have it and get used to it you then must have it. And yeah I have 3 grips. This is of course besides the fact that a good backup is sometimes essential.