Rent a camera when you only have one for a week long trip?

I only have one camera, in good working order with limited miles. I'm pondering renting a backup, but it's hard decision. Almost $300 for something I'll probably not use.

On one hand, It would be horrible to have a camera failure on a trip I'm taking specifically for photography, to which I may never visit again; but on the other, I really don't see my camera failing.

Anyone ever had the same situation?

Seriously?

Never has anything ever been further from my mind than renting a 'backup camera' for a vacation. I think your paranoia is creeping in.

Now.....consider what I just wrote and check this out.......

My friend and I went to Death Valley and southern Nevada specifically to shoot pictures. We stayed at Mandalay in Vegas....went there, checked in, threw our junk in the back of the rental and headed down Frank Sinatra Blvd. At about 50+ mph, the lift gate somehow opened enough to allow my camera to roll out the back and onto the street. These cameras do not pass the impact test.

On the bright side....Las Vegas has a very nice and very complete Canon store where I was able to get.....umm....resuppl​ied.

I still wouldn't do it. Especially now....because the lightning has already struck me.

Not really.

I visited New York last month, my first trip to USA and I took only one of four DSLRs that I have, my 5DIV. I didn't ever think it would fail and it didn't.

My biggest problem was which lenses to take and how I would carry them around the city!

Damn... I already made my rental and I think it's too late to cancel. I'm going to be in a place with no camera store for hundreds of miles.

I did grab a 5DIV over the 5DIII that I own, so at least I can play with the newer model. I am paranoid. I don't travel much, and I'm a nervous wreck. It's really hard for me to make good decisions on unknowns, especially being a nervous wreck.

I will rent things I like to try for vacations. Longer/wider lens comes to mind. No wrong or right answer on this one. If it gives you peace of mind, I see no problem.

It is piece of mind, but it's very expensive piece of mind.

Thank you for all the opinions!

Buy a really good point and shoot as your back up. Gives you a lot more flexibility when you don't want to, or its not appropriate to be bringing an SLR... assuming your prime is an slr. Something small and pocketable so you can enjoy your trip without even thinking about your camera gear. A Sony RX100 mk IV is a great camera with excellent low light performance.... full manual control, a clean lens, RAW and 4K video. Since it has a big brother now you can get them reasonably priced.

Thats my approach. No backpack. No "lenses" to lug.

Another option. Too late now, but there are lots of decent cameras out there for well under $300 that would be perfect for a spare. Just a peek at Adorama's used equipment site shows several 50Ds, a couple 7Ds, T3i, T4i, a 5Dc and other bodies. These would make perfect backup cameras.

I have a 50D, but the top wheel is completely dead - after I bought new batteries for it of course.

I am the worst with money. I can save well, because I rarely buy anything or do anything, but when I do open the wallet, I make huge mistakes.

I rented lenses on my last trip two years ago, and it seemed economical. the camera price surprised me quite a bit. I've been all looking at all the new cameras coming out and thinking about adding a camera, but my "piece of mind" is going to delay that a bit.

I think camera failure is quite unlikely. Card failure on the other hand at least seems possible (never had it happen to me, but still have it in mind). I tend to use several cards when I'm on a trip, I don't wait until they are full to swap them out, figure if one does fail at least I've got the pictures from the other cards. If you have dual card slots that won't be an issue.

saea501 wrote in post #18720688
Seriously?


My friend and I went to Death Valley and southern Nevada specifically to shoot pictures. We stayed at Mandalay in Vegas....went there, checked in, threw our junk in the back of the rental and headed down Frank Sinatra Blvd. At about 50+ mph, the lift gate somehow opened enough to allow my camera to roll out the back and onto the street. These cameras do not pass the impact test.

A fair number of cars have a button on the fob to open the hatch, you probably hit it by accident.

patrick j wrote in post #18720843
I think camera failure is quite unlikely. Card failure on the other hand at least seems possible (never had it happen to me, but still have it in mind). I tend to use several cards when I'm on a trip, I don't wait until they are full to swap them out, figure if one does fail at least I've got the pictures from the other cards. If you have dual card slots that won't be an issue.

Don't even get me worked up on cards. I take a stack, and swap between two at each attraction, or place I intend to take pictures. Travel photography opportunities are rare for me; if where to lose or miss out on pictures of some place I'll probably never return, I'd be heart broken. I try to think of every scenario and plan. It's probably a big reason I'm stuck traveling alone. I don't think I'm a lot of fun when I fuss over everything in such a way.

Once I get back to my room or whatever, I dump them to computer, backup hard drive and online storage. This also keeps me out of the backpacking gig, because I need that point of backup every day. It almost drives me to counseling. But realistically, I have a ton of money into everything, including mild to cold weather hiking clothes and related gear, so it's a huge investment to risk not getting pictures. \sometimes photography is way too much.

patrick j wrote in post #18720844
A fair number of cars have a button on the fob to open the hatch, you probably hit it by accident.

Those buttons are non functional when the car is not in park.

The old song by Buffalo Springfield:

"Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid"

Put a different lens on the backup camera and use them both. One for landscape and the other for wildlife.