More than one camera

[Carol Chan]

Having more than one camera is a dumb idea for most people. Another camera will mean you're less productive, spending too much time on the gear, added workflow, maintenance, than you did before you got two cameras.

Agree?

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Nope, love two cameras. Zoom on one and wide on the other. works great to get the photos especially in sports.

[KABeach]

I shoot sports (also some PJ) and having multiple bodies is a requirement - I generally don't have to time to change lenses to get my shot - I have to be able to switch without thinking about it - going smoothly from one camera/lens to another.

In addition - If I'm doing studio or theater work (or any other assignment) I may generally only use one body, but I feel very uncomfortable if I don't have a second (and somethings a third) body available as a backup in case of failure.

To be honest, I can't image NOT having a second body.

Cheers!
Ken

[Frumious Boojum]

The most cameras I've carried at one time is 6.

I like to have on hand several cameras to fit several kinds of jobs. Therefore, I might have a stereo camera, an SLR film, a dSLR, and a few pocket/toy cameras on hand. Always need to have some kind of a camera ready, even if that means a micro 110 film camera or the cell phone.

[jfrancho]

Not really dumb at all. I have a DSLR and a point and shoot. Both get a fair amount of use. I'd like to add at least another DSLR and possibly a MF film camera. The workflow isn't really that much different between digital formats.

[Carol Chan]

But there's got to be a limit somewhere, no? How many cameras is "too many"?

[jfrancho]

Think of it like food. Too many wouldn't matter, some just wouldn't get used. Not enough is always a problem.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Originally Posted by Carol Chan

But there's got to be a limit somewhere, no? How many cameras is "too many"?

Depends on what you need them for. Two has always been plenty for me. It is always nice to have a backup as well. So I could see me with possibly 3 to keep one backup in the car or truck.

[Frumious Boojum]

I agree... it all depends on your usage. Usually, when I take along 3-6 cameras, it's usually stuff I'm doing for myself. If I have 1 or 2 cameras, it's for something a bit more serious, a time where simpler is better.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Carol Chan

Having more than one camera is a dumb idea for most people. Another camera will mean you're less productive, spending too much time on the gear, added workflow, maintenance, than you did before you got two cameras.

Agree?

Nope, 2nd camera is essential as backup, workflow is 99% equal (shooting RAW), the added flexibility to have 2 bodies and lenses ready during an 'event- shoot' works for *me* (20D main + 17-55F2.8, 350D backup +10-22 or 70-200 )

...just *my* opinion, *my* €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[JohnC]

Disagree. I have many cameras. Don't carry them all at the same time, though. Most serve different purposes. I have three DSLRS, 2 digital compacts, a 4x5 view camera, an underwater 35mm camera, etc. Except for th dslrs, they serve very different uses. But they're all cameras and work similarly. Not sure where you are going about spending too much time on gear or added workflow. Maybe some extra maintenance in cleaning, but not much.

[E]

"But there's got to be a limit somewhere, no? How many cameras is "too many"?"

Welll.... I got some place in the neighborhood of 40! I must add that many are vintage with some dating back to the early 1900's.

I have 2 dslr's (Canon) and 2 film 35mm's (Nikon). Having two of what ever medium I'm using doesn't slow me down at all.

[ohenry]

Disagree completely. Most of the reasons have already been coverd

[p.chura]

Does a carpenter have more than one saw?? Camera's are just tools. different camera's for different jobs...

[cyclohexane]

Disagree. I have six cameras (three DSLRs, one digital P&S, two 35mm SLRs). All, except for one of the film SLRs which is more of a project camera that needs some parts and work, get used with some degree of regularity.

I usually have at least two cameras on me. My grab-and-go day bag contains two D2H bodies (one is a D2HS) with a 17-35mm f/2.8., a 70-200mm f/2.8, and room to drop flashes/raincover in. This lets me cover most things- news, impromptu portraits, sports, anything- at a moment's notice. Just yesterday, I was shooting a basketball practice within minutes of getting the message on my voicemail. I don't always shoot with both at once, but I often do. If I only want to have one body out, the other body and lens stays in the bag, and the body serves as a back-up in case the one in my hand fails.

In addition to the two D2H cameras, I also have a D70 I keep in a holster bag (with 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 and 50mm f/1. as a grab bag for simpler stuff, and the D70 also serves as a back-up should either of the D2H's fail. Also, if I send one of the cameras in for service, I will still have a second body for events and news. The D70 also comes out when I don't feel like hauling the D2H cameras around, or for social stuff.

My Fuij F30 P&S is almost always on me unless I'm carrying one of my SLRs.

Film-wise, my FM2 is basically my one camera, and it gets used for whenever I work with film, which is increasing in frequency thanks to class. My F3, when it gets the missing parts and I've confirmed that it's working, will be pressed into service as the second body. 20mm on one body, 105mm or 70-210mm on the other.

[Athena]

I have 2 different DSLRs, 1 film SLR, and 3 compact digitals (for the fam). The only one that doesn't get any love anymore is the film camera - poor lonely little guy spends all his time in the cupboard.

[JohnC]

Oh, yeah. I forgot that I have some 35mm film SLRs, too. Obviously they don't get much use.