Event Photography with Three Bodies?

I'm considering using 3 for covering the Newport Folk Festival this summer, but they'll all be full frame. One for a wide - 16-35 or 24-70, one for 70-200, and one for an 85L for more artsy shots. I love the 85L but feel I never use it because I rarely bother changing lenses.

panicatnabisco wrote in post #14544785
Seems overkill, sell the t2i to buy more glass

+1 !!! Sell it for something else you need or don't have.

7d use the 17-55
5d3 use the 70-200
t2i use the 24L

but realistically your gonna screw yourself up worrying about your gear instead of immersing yourself in your visual imagery.

7D with 17-55 (24L on your waist)
5dmk3 with 85mm.

Since your shooting an event you "OWN" the floor. You can go virtually anywhere you like. You can toss your 24L between the two bodies for shallower dof for low light work.

Use the 70-200 if you want "in your face" closeups of human emotions or if your limited in where you can stand.

I carry at least 3 bodies. My two main 7ds are out the third is just a body in the bag. In two years I've only had to got it twice. For sports I carry one or two more but end up setting up remotes.

I kept my old T2i in the family when I upgraded to a 7D and 5D2 by giving to the wife. Good job I did as I had to borrow it back for about a week when I sold the 7D and 5D2 and went with a 5D3 instead. I was going to use the T2i as backup but I was so used to using a body with a back dial that I couldn't get used to it again, so I got myself a 60D as a compromise and the wife got her T2i back again. I really wouldn't want to be carrying an extra body as I doubt I'd use it, but the wife usually accompanies me on most shoots anyway, so she brings it along anyway.

jwcdds wrote in post #14544956
I shot my last airshow with 3. 7D w/ the 100-400, 5D3 w/ the 70-200, and the 5Dc with the 50mm around my neck. The 7D/5D3 were on the Black Rapid double holster. Worked well.

I agree with Julian, at least when it comes to air shows.

I took my 7D, 17-55, 70-200 f2.8 II, and 300 f2.8 to an air show. What a pain it is to change lenses often, especially when tcs are involved. And being concerned about dust entering the body. Now that I bought the 1DMKIV, there will be less lens changing to do. I might get a T3i and mount the 17-55, just for static shots.
Perhaps the Cotton Carrier (holds 2 bodies) and a Black Rapid might do the trick.
I'm sure I'd be bizarre looking

If it were me I would hang onto the body. If for nothing else but a body to hand to an assistant or for a back up. I kept a Canon XT around for a while to pass off to an assistant to help with some shoots and it paid off. I finally traded it for a T3i for the same reason but to include video.
I keep a 7D and a 40D for my cameras and the T3i if I need it.

Yeah, I'll probably end up keeping the t2i. For a backup if anything. Now that I think about it, I probably won't bring three bodies to an event.

When I say bring three bodies, I didn't really mean carrying all three around my shoulders and whatnot at the same time. I meant carrying one in a backpack on me and the other two on straps. That way, if I see the conditions changing, or a possible shot coming up, I can take it out of the backpack and get the shot. But I imagine that will be pretty rare.

Here's me at an event with 3 bodies,

C1: 1D3+70-200 II IS (the "customised" white lens hood is just visible in the photo)
C2: 5D + 35L
C3: 5D2 + 200 IS

Was pretty cumbersome but usable

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I would sell the body and add the money to some new accessories

I'd vote strongly for keeping it as a spare. Many times it is useful and practical to have 2 bodies in use, it simply allows less lens changing, chances of dust entering, etc.... but the day will come when a body fails and you'll regret not having a fast solution. Leave it in the bag, and be glad you know it's there.

My first AF was an EOS 630, then I added a second EOS 630. Eventually I added an EOS 3, and never regretted the setup I had.