When did YOU decide a second body was mandatory?

Doesn't matter if the equipment is new or old.

Whenever it isn't possible to reshoot and the images are important, then it's vital with spare equipment.

Just taking the heat from missing photos would probably feel like a million dollars of embarrasment - besides the possibility of being taken to court.

Rent a second body and lenses. I have used LensProToGo for years. They are great! They even have packages.

I have finally become extremely serious about my photography and although I cannot afford a FF, I am Renting the 5D mkIII with three lens kit. I will still have my 60D as a backup.
https://www.lensprotog​o.com/rent/packages/

Appreciate the input. Looks like I'll be scouring kijiji and craigslist for a little bit. I do like the idea of two cameras with 2 lenses. My fiancee is going to kill me when I tell her I need some kind of holster on top of a second camera.

Others have covered it well and I agree that a second body is a must for weddings.

I would also just like to add: Congratulations on your upcoming marriage.

I don't shoot weddings as my day to day gig, I have assisted on a wedding and have portrait experience. When asked to quote for a wedding, not having wedding gear, I included my rentals into the total estimate quote. Needless to say the couple decided to go for another budget photographer whose quote wouldn't even cover my rentals Do it right or don't do it all.

rebelsimon wrote in post #16772493
Would you trust a camera to get you through your first 6 or 7 weddings before having a backup

Paid weddings... as in providing a professional service? Absolutely not. It would be insane and professionally negligent to shoot a paid wedding without backup equipment.

rebelsimon wrote in post #16772493
A few pro buddies have all told me they'd just stick to the one camera for the summer, that that's how everyone starts, haha.

They are hacks... I'd find some new pro buddies who have more of an idea as to what offering a professional service really means to take advice from. Surround yourself with peers of better standards and you'll naturally begin to raise your professional standards to theirs. Surround yourself with peers who are prepared to take unnecessary, avoidable and professionally negligent risks and you'll contemplate doing the same (hence your original question being posted).

I think most people have covered it well. I decided to go to a second body so I can begin the process of starting my own business in photography. And that will be next week when I receive my second body. I have friends who have asked me to shoot engagement, party and even possibly their wedding shots. There is no way I am going into any of those shoots with a single body. If that body fails, I am up the proverbial creek at that point.
Once you got your first wedding and it was successful, your next step should be to get a back up body for the ability to not have to change lenses on the fly and to also have a back up in case of failure.
While I won't be a full time pro anytime soon, the fact that I am getting a second body allows me to consider going into making money with the hobby I love.

When someone hired me. I can't imagine shooting for pay without a backup in place.

Get another crop body. Save up until you can get all the FF glass and Two bodies that you need. A degree of professionalism involves controlling our wants and doing what is needed.

A second camera body is like insurance and a business license: you can't do business without any of them.

You do have the other two covered as well, correct?

John

60D bodies are going for good prices now. A New SL1 will be the same price as a refurb 60D, but your fps will be slower.

For your upcoming wedding, will you hire a photographer who has only one camera body? Your customers do not want to hear your reasons for NOT getting the shots they paid you for. At an affair that can't be repeated.

Remember Murphy's Law.

marchboom wrote in post #16815028
For your upcoming wedding, will you hire a photographer who has only one camera body?

I was preparing to ask the same question. Ask your fiancee if she wants her photographer to not have any backup gear. You're in a rare and lucky position to be able to use your own wedding to convince her you need more gear.

You should never do something as important as a wedding without a backup. Not even one unless it is a freebie for a friend and you already told them that you don't have a backup.

For me a second body became important when I was on vacation and got swept down a river destroying my camera. My only backup was a small Canon 8mp camera. So I upgraded my camera, then two years later upgraded again. It was then I had my 60D and my 40D as a backup. I didn't wait for the 40D to die as I had previous models.