When did you have to use your backup camera?

[Narsuitus]

AlbertP’s recent poll on backup cameras made me recall some of the times when I had to use my backup camera.

The first time was many years ago I was up in the air covering the maiden voyage of an aircraft that the local university had just obtained. My 35mm Miranda Sensorex SLR broke and I had to complete the assignment with a Yashica TLR that I was carrying as a backup.

Last fall, I was shooting a talent show with a digital but had to complete the assignment with my film backup camera when both sets of batteries for the digital died too soon.

The most recent time was last January. I was shooting wedding candids with a Nikon SLR and after the last exposure; the motor drive ripped the film off the take-up spool. I was able to grab my backup Nikon SLR and continue shooting without missing a shot.

I would be interested in hearing from you about the times and circumstances when you had to actually use your backup camera.

[Rokcet Scientist]

I've always, in the last 35 years, had a backup camera when doing an assignment. But, lucky me, I've never yet had to use it!
Probably because I had that backup camera with me.
I'm sure the first time I would risk going on assignment without backup cam everything would go horribly wrong: Murphy's Law. So I'm not chancing that!

[mikej]

I've never had to use a backup camera. I've never had a camera fail on me yet on assignment, at a wedding, event or even when out shooting for my own enjoyment since the 70's. I have had other photographic equipment fail on me though and had to go to backup. I've had batteries fail on my main flash and I had to go to my backup flash. I've had film backs jam on me while shooting weddings and I had to switch to other film backs (I always carried at least 5 backs, 3 always loaded) because I didn't have time to fix the jam right then. But usually it's things like batteries dieing on me because I lost track on how long I'd been using them. Batteries for my Pocket Wizards, flash meter and film and digital cameras. Other than one time when I forgot to put in a extra set of C cell batteries for my flash pack, I've always had at least one set of battery for everything that I carry that needs batteries. I quick using my EOS 3 film camera right after I stocked up on a lot of extra batteries for it. Which is probably ok, since everytime I get the camera out to think about using it, I have to put a new battery in.

Mike

[Mark McCall]

I've had to switch to a backup twice in the last year. A very low rate when you consider I'm shooting 40 gigs or so a month of portrait, wedding and commercial work a month.
Both times I was able to get my starter body working again during downtime in the assignment.

Both instances were weddings. Both instances of camera failure were caused by the same thing.
There is a known fault with the 20D battery pack. The older battery packs had plastic gears in the pack/body connector that would strip out if overtightened. This caused a poor connection between the body and pack, interrupting the power flow to the body. The camera would power down, and work intermittently if reattached.
Canon has replaced the battery packs with newer ones that have steel gears instead of plastic. This solved the problem.

You should always, ALWAYS carry a backup everything on assignment. Especially if your being paid for the job, even more so if your getting paid alot for the job.
Take backup bodies, lenses, battery packs, flashes, sync cords, slaves.
I use the Model 662 from Tamrac called the Super Rolling Studio to carry everything. It holds my entire location outfit.
Larger that what most people need.

[JDArt]

I've never had to switch to a backup camera. I think most people buying DSLRs today do not, in fact, need one but rather just want one.

There are times when it helps enthusiasts to have two cameras, no doubt--such as when/if one camera is in the shop or out on loan.

[Nikonfreak]

I haven't had to yet, but came very very close. I had one event where I had exhausted three batteries in my main camera and just as the event was wrapping up, my last battery died.

I've never had any serious camera malfunctions so far.... (knock on wood).

Julio

[cyclohexane]

I thought I had to today when I decided (stupidly) to carry my 70-200mm by the tripod collar on my way to an assignment. The collar (screwed-in tight, so that means I swung the thing way too hard) came loose, sending my D2H hurtling down towards the asphalt. Luckily, the only thing that happened was the addition of some shiny spots to my D2H, but I was ready to pull out the D70. I guess the 2H has some character now... or battle-scars. LOL

Back when I didn't have a backup, I had an AF motor blow out on the D70. That sucked, so now I try to make sure I have an extra camera for anything serious. Haven't had any real problems since then.

[scoundrel1728]

I've had to go to backup once or twice when I forgot to bring a charged backup battery along. I also had to use my backup for a couple of weeks when a cracked circuit board finally started failing. The original had apparently been cracked when the camera strap caught on a fence railing and dropped about 70 cm to concrete. A second knock, less severe than the first, finally gave the board its coup de grâce.