Is A Backup Body Worth Having?

R

Rodintee

Suspended / Banned
Messages
164
Name
Russ
Edit My Images
Yes
Looking for a bit of advice really.

I recently upgraded my old 10D to a 30D. Now if I sell on the 10D with grip, modified 18-55 kit lens, batteries, CF card etc to make a entry kit for someone as I see it I'll be getting maybe £130.00 for the body alone. On this basis, I maybe better selling on the grip and keeping the old body as a backup. I then get to retain the 18-55 (widest lens I currently have), the spare batteries etc.

But of course I will have to explain this to the wife :thinking:

How many of you have had genuine need of a backup?

Cheers

Russ
 
If you are working, then a backup is vital. If you are just doing it for fun, and can go without it until the broken camera gets fixed or replaced, then obviously you don't need it.
 
I would never want to be without a spare. I've had 2 failures in the field, both when I've been on a trip where not being able to take photos would be a big issue.
 
It can save having to faff around constantly changing lenses, especially if you are somewhere dusty. If you're only going to get £130 back for it,why not keep it a wee while and try the 2-body option? If you find that you don't need it then you can always sell it later, with the way new prices are going I doubt it'll devalue any, in fact it'll probably increase in value :lol:
 
If you're not being paid for a shoot then there's not much point really. I'd say if you're looking to go into business then go for it.

I wouldn't call it a backup as such but if you had a 5D for landscapes and portraits but you also like to take photos of sports, wildlife or the like then another body with faster AF, crop sensor and faster fps would probably be useful. I've certainly thought about getting an older 1 series or 40/50D but can't really justify it as I'm not getting paid, photography is just a hobby :)
 
I hadn't considered the advantage of actually using the 2 in parallel with different lens options to save repeated changes.....

I've always got a problem in my bag with the body having to have my 100-300 Sigma attached for space and packing reasons. Virtually every time I get the camera out I then attach a different lens and then have to swap back to pack away.

Maybe I should keep the 10D bagged with my 50 or 28-75 attached for quick shooting options (or vice-versa with the 30D).

Cheers all
 
Currently my 40D is away for repair, luckily under warranty, but it's been gone 2 1/2 weeks and I'm told could take another 4 weeks.

Luckily I recently bought my son a 400D, so can use that but I'm really missing my camera.
 
I think having a spare is essential its like having a spare tyre. If you dont have one and out on a job your screwed. Sounds crazy but when out on location or abroad I try and have a third camera available. Even if its just a stand in camera, gives me the backup if something happens
 
The 10D is still a damned good camera, for what you'd get for it you may as well keep it, it's worth far more to you as a functioning camera. There's nothing more frustrating than being without a camera and at the mercy of the repair shop for when you get it back.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I think for the time being I'll hang on to it.

So far I have been really impressed with the high ISO capability of the 30D, totally blows the 10D away so I'll generally keep a shorter lens on the 30D and the 10D stored with the 100-300. When shooting aircraft or motorsports I can swap the them round for the slightly improved AF of the 30D.

Thanks again

Russ

Just got to explain this in some meaningful way now...
 
You could always argue you are keeping the spare body for your wife so that she can join in when you are shooting, as you wouldn't want her to feel left out.

Either that or just hide it in the bottom of the kit bag ;)
 
I shoot at weddings with two cameras during the ceremony. One wider to get both the couple in and a zoom for close ups, especially of the ring exchange. Ok so that's a bit specialised but I sold my 20D when I upgraded to the 1Ds and I wish I had kept it. I'd have it converted to IR! :)
 
Rodintee said:
Thanks for all the advice. I think for the time being I'll hang on to it.

So far I have been really impressed with the high ISO capability of the 30D, totally blows the 10D away so I'll generally keep a shorter lens on the 30D and the 10D stored with the 100-300. When shooting aircraft or motorsports I can swap the them round for the slightly improved AF of the 30D.

Thanks again

Russ

Just got to explain this in some meaningful way now...
Click to expand...


Hit the nail on the head there then. Many's the time at sporting events I'd like a long lens on one body and a shorter one on another.

Just tell her it's worth very little so you may as well keep it as a spare.
 
You could always argue you are keeping the spare body for your wife so that she can join in when you are shooting, as you wouldn't want her to feel left out.
Click to expand...

Now thats a plan :D
 
The price that older bodies sell for is so low its not worth selling, even more so once they become two models old.

I used two bodies for the first time last week at the zoo, much more convenient than having to swap lenses
 
im half way through selling my "back up" kit at the moment, although i have just the body (d80) to sell.

i used it a couple of times in conjuction with my D300 , but everytime i take a picture with the d80 i wish the d300 was in my hands, the feel of the d300 and the fact that it takes a consistantly better controlled photo than the d80 is the reason why i decided the d80 should go. i never think about taking teh d80 out on shooting trip over the d300,
i only do ity for a hobby though, ive done 2 weddings and the d80 did get used but only very little.
if i was to do another wedding i will hire/borrow another body from somewhere,

in the meanitime the £500 ive made on the sale of the body and accesories has paid for a laptop which will get more use than a secound camera.
 
we have three identical cameras, so we always have a spare with us, this helpw with things like batteries as well and also controls as they are all in the same place
 
I want to get another body as some of the enviroments are not good for changing lenses. E.g busy parades , urbex with loads of crap in the air. I'm thinking of a 30D. As a bonus my wife is getting the bug so its a good camera for her to start with and i have all the accessories like batteries and cables that work with it already.
 
i think only sports and wedding tog's tend to have backups because its their business. when their at a wedding its a contract and failure to execute the contract means you don't get paid. if i were you i would probably keep it just in case and it aint worth selling considering you spent loads when it first came out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top