Using 1 Body OR 2 Bodies for 2 lenses

just wondering if anyone (hobbie wise) uses two bodies for two lenses particularly 1 for long telephoto and 1 for wide angle. i was out shooting and had to switch lenses quite often. sometimes having to do it fairly quick to get that shot. i was starting to get quite irritated having to switch lenses so often .

will carrying 2 350D's make for a heavy set-up? i mainly use a 70-200 f/4L and a sigma 17-70 which will be getting replaced by a 17-40L.

i shoot a wide variety from landscapes to peoeple to motorsports which requires me to have a variety if lenses.

i know this has been asked before, but my searching skills aren't up to par.

I used to "shoot double barrelled" then I started to travel light and use one camera now.
Not changing lenses is nice, but don't know if it's worth the cost of another body/flash/CF card and the weight to carry around. Only you can decide if it's worth it or not. For certain shooting like events and stuff, saving the time by not switching lenses could mean getting the shot vs. missing a shot. So it's all an individual thing.

I run around primarily with a 17-55 on one camera and 70-200 on the other. But I am a wedding photographer and need the two bodies. If I wasn't a paid pro then no, I would not think two bodies were worth it unless I found one for super cheap.

I'm lucky. I bring a son with me and we mix and match the EOS 3 FF and 20D. I don't switch lenses, just cameras and it really makes things smoother. When I am alone, I find the 24-70 perfect for the 20D and the 17-40 on the EOS 3 is truly wide angle and catches everything. I alway scan the negatives now and PP at home.

I always thought having a body for each lens would avoid any dust problem. But, with 13 (I just ordered another) lenses........

I used to do that all the time with 35mm, as bodies were much cheaper. It always bugged me with the 20D having to keep swapping lenses, I do a lot of car shows / air shows etc and often need / want an extreme wide angle either for effect or if I don't have much room, but much of the time I am on a less extreme lens.

As my 20D is getting towards the point where I might expect it to let me down with a shutter failure (around 70,000 shots taken so far), I talked myself into upgrading to a 5D and using the 20D as a backup / second body. It is great to be able to walk around events with a dual body setup again (typically 20D with 10-22 & 5D with 28-135). Many other occasions also benefit from twin DSLRs also, possibly with my other common combo of 28-135 & 100-400.

At a recent airshow, there were a lot of amateur photographers wandering around with dual DSLRs so it certainly isn't rare. As has been mentioned by others above, it probably isn't worth buying a second body (for a non-pro) just to save lens swapping. However, hanging onto the old body when upgrading makes life more convenient and provides backup in case of a camera failure on a shoot.

I use the 2 body method, lately the 17-55 and the 70-200, and carry the 10-22... Partly due to "being ready for most shots" (mostly, I think, due to laziness...)

I've spoken to a couple of people here to swear by the vests or the belt attchment when there they just don't know which lens is best for the event. I am leaning toward the vest sometime instead of depending on two bodies alone. I have found that some zooms work well no matter what, but I always regret not having the one lens in my arsenal that would have done the job much better. So, 2 bodies, 2 lenses are not even close to what I need in the events I am shooting this year.

when i was in Lebanon i was lucky to get 2 bodies otherwsie i will miss many important moments, so i can say that i need 2 bodies for sure. I can change lenses all the time but it is really bored to do and then i feel i hate to take shots all the time changing lenses. For that reason i will take 2 bodies when i travel and detach 2 different focal length lenses on each one and enjoy my time.

i'm waiting for the 5D rebate so I can have my 17-40 on there and the 70-200 ISL on my 30D. I'm not a pro by any means, but I am a stickler for quality....while the 30D is great for action stuff, it doesn't stand a chance against the 5D for landscape, portraits, etc....

I think it would be great to have an extra body, but if you are worried about carrying around all the extra weight, maybe you should consider the "Do it ALL" lens. For a fair amount more than the cost of getting an extra 20D/30D and L lens, you can get the Canon EF 28-350mm L IS. If you are going to be outdoors, and having to cover that range a lot, it could be perfect. It's not a truely "WIDE" lens, but 28mm is wide enough for A LOT of stuff.

I haven't used the lens before, and couldn't afford it if I were to actually want it, but it looks like it COULD be a good lens for someone who doesn't want to carry an extra body or spend all day swapping lenses. At least something to consider, or maybe try out as a rental sometime.

jevidon wrote in post #2085350
i'm waiting for the 5D rebate so I can have my 17-40 on there and the 70-200 ISL on my 30D. I'm not a pro by any means, but I am a stickler for quality....while the 30D is great for action stuff, it doesn't stand a chance against the 5D for landscape, portraits, etc....

thats why i feel very confusing in this forum, alot says that no difference in IQ and then again some tend to say that 5D or 1-series is another world in IQ, so if that 5D and 1Ds2 are great for landscape and portraits or studio works then why alot of people keep saying that it will not have a big differences in IQ? and if that is true then why you want 5D when 30D is great for landscape, portraits as well? Guide me.

I use the 30D for telephoto because of the crop factor and the 5D for wide angle due to full frame. The wide angle is a true wide angle on the 5D and with the 1.6 crop on the 30D, don't have to crop so much.

At most outings I carry two bodies, Have a telephoto lens on my 30D and have a WA on my XT which is small n light. I only keep a starp on the 30D. The XT is usually in my bag, so I can just grab it and take the landscape shots while out hunting down birds and other critter with the telepho on my 30D. At times I only take one body, when I know exactly what I'll shoot, usually take my 30D, as it has better AF.

I definitely use two bodies, especially for events where I know I'm going to want to switch between wide angle and long telephoto. It's just easier and I don't risk missing a shot while I'm changing lenses.

Mark