How many camera bodies?

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Pat L said:
Not how many cameras do you own, but how many do you travel with?
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I never go anywhere without two bodies because of an experience I had in Yellowstone in 1979. I had two SLRs with a variety of lenses and was photographing several bison when the shutter on one SLR stuck closed. The other body was in my camera bag and a simple switch of the lens let me keep shooting. I couldn't do anything with the shutter and had to send it in for repair. As I recall, installation of a new shutter cost the princely sum of $65.

Just my opinion, but I think it would be very foolish to go to Africa with only one camera body. I use Olympus gear for many reasons, but weight is one of them.
 
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sh1209 said:
I was curious on average how many camera bodies do most serious photographers own? I owned only one up until about 12 years ago and have had two ever since. I almost always take two out with me and enjoy doing so. I have considered getting a third mainly because neither of mine do not focus bracketing but keep talking myself out of it lol. I'm sure there are some that own several bodies but I'm curious what the norm is, especially among members on here.
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I only own one. It's only recently that I've felt the need to have more than one, but only on special occasions. Such as my 6 week trip to Africa. I rented a second body then, and was glad I did because I had camera issues. I'm thinking of purchasing a second body now, because these digital cameras seem to be way more problematic than SLRs in the days of film. My biggest concerns with having a second body are cost, and the weight of carrying a second one around. Cost is the biggest hurdle, it's going to take me another couple of years to recover from purchasing my Sony A1.
 
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Gayle said:
I only own one. It's only recently that I've felt the need to have more than one, but only on special occasions. Such as my 6 week trip to Africa. I rented a second body then, and was glad I did because I had camera issues. I'm thinking of purchasing a second body now, because these digital cameras seem to be way more problematic than SLRs in the days of film. My biggest concerns with having a second body are cost, and the weight of carrying a second one around. Cost is the biggest hurdle, it's going to take me another couple of years to recover from purchasing my Sony A1.
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Don't overlook the ability to rent a second body if you have a once in a lifetime opportunity and need a camera. It's probably cheaper than the decline in value of buying a new camera and then trying to sell it.

The alternative is to buy a good, used or refurbished body as a backup, and then to sell it again after the trip. Sometimes this can be a very inexpensive alternative to a rental.

On several occasions, I've carried only a primary body and a converted IR body. I relied on a friend to have a backup camera for me if there was a problem. Luckily I did not need their camera as a backup.
 
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I second the refurbished market... I just picked up my 3rd body, a Z6 for $1000. With the Nikon's decision to continue updating the Mark 1 series cameras, I find that the Z6 continues to be a great camera for general shooting as well as most landscape photography. Nikon's most recent refurb sale had some pretty amazing deals when it came to camera bodies.
 
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sh1209 said:
I was curious on average how many camera bodies do most serious photographers own? I owned only one up until about 12 years ago and have had two ever since. I almost always take two out with me and enjoy doing so. I have considered getting a third mainly because neither of mine do not focus bracketing but keep talking myself out of it lol. I'm sure there are some that own several bodies but I'm curious what the norm is, especially among members on here.
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When I was working I always had 2 bodies and a usually backup in the Car.
I have trouble parting with cameras and lenses when the start to get old so I seem to have about 16 Digital and about the same or more film SLRs...🦘
 
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D850, D800e and D500. The 850 has been my main camera since I purchased it this time last year and I still use the 500 quite a bit for wildlife. The 800e is at the back of my dry cabinet now as a backup but still has plenty of life left with less than 25k on the shutter (bought used with about 11k) and is still a fine landscape camera in case anything happens to the 850. My next body will most likely be mirrorless but that’ll be down the road a little ways as I like current setup…. I feel like I’m in a good spot with the 850 as a “do it all” body then the 800e is a good backup for landscapes and the 500 is a good backup for wildlife.
 
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BigE said:
You guys must have more money than me. I only own 2. I own a D7100 that I've had for about 10 years now and a D5500 that I purchased used in 2020. I like having the instant choice of lenses. Plus, when I am in a blind, I like using the second camera when something unexpected occurs. That way I don't have to waste time removing the other camera from the tripod. I am trying to convince my wife to let me purchase a full frame, like a D850. However, I do own 2 Minoltas from back in the old days of film. They are somewhere in my attic now.
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You may have more money than I do, BigE, since I've spent so much of mine on camera gear! ;)
 
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Took 2 bodies to the field today. A full frame D810 and a crop D500. Used both. Shot some birds with D500 and some landscape stuff with the D810. For BIF the D500 seems to lock o faster than the D810 plus I get that extra reach with the D500. They each have their purpose for my shooting. Both are great cameras.
 
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Three main bodies that I use:
  • DSLR: Nikon D850
  • MF: Fujifilm GFX100s
  • MF converted to infrared: Fujifilm GFX50s
I do have a couple more that are not in use, a Nikon D3 converted to infrared (that I have yet to sell since converting the GFX50s) and an old Canon G9 that I don't know what to do with (probably donate to a budding photographer family member that wants to stretch out beyond the cell phone camera).

I bet if you try, you can find something else in a new body besides focus stacking that would make a stronger case for a new body, like get a ML if all you have now is DSLRs, or move up to MF (though these might not be as well suited to wildlife \ sports \ action compared to what you have now, but they're excellent for landscape).

Now let's talk about lenses!

Chris
 
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Three that I use. D850 (don't see how I could part with my last DSLR), Z7ii and a Sony RX100vi (though unfortunately it's currently broken). I've given cameras to family members when I've upgraded but have older gear that should have been sold...
 
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I'm another who tends to hold on to things:
F2, dream camera, seemed all the pros were using it, saved for a long time to afford it, used for 20 years, son has now borrowed it for portrait work, dented up but works like a charm, great camera
N70, had to have the new technology when the kids were born
D300, another tank, keep thinking I might have some use for it
D500, loved but now unused
D750, intro to full frame
D850, second dream camera, now my backup
Z9, third dream camera, use it 95% of time
 
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I always take two bodies on any shot. I started with a D200, then had a D7000, then moved to the D800, picked up a D810 at one point, got the D500 for wildlife, tried mirrorless with the Z7, then a D850, and most recently a Z9. Gave the D200 away to a photographer that had their gear stolen, sold the D7000 cheap to a friend who wanted to move up, and the D800 and D810 cheap to a new photographer, ready to sell the D500. Today I only have the Z7 and Z9, D850, D500 (I do kinda feel like something is missing as I count cameras). I don't like to hang on to things I don't use.
 
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Viathelens said:
I always take two bodies on any shot. I started with a D200, then had a D7000, then moved to the D800, picked up a D810 at one point, got the D500 for wildlife, tried mirrorless with the Z7, then a D850, and most recently a Z9. Gave the D200 away to a photographer that had their gear stolen, sold the D7000 cheap to a friend who wanted to move up, and the D800 and D810 cheap to a new photographer, ready to sell the D500. Today I only have the Z7 and Z9, D850, D500 (I do kinda feel like something is missing as I count cameras). I don't like to hang on to things I don't use.
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I’m the same way. Hate to keep things I don’t use but then I usually regret selling it😆
 
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I have 3 full frame bodies (z7, D850, D750) and 1 DX (Z50). If it is important (like traveling somewhere for photography) I'll always take two cameras. This comes from experience (fell down, busted only camera body I had on a two week vacation). I also learned on that same trip to take an emergency wide angle because I also busted my 24-120mm. ALWAYS have a backup.

For wildlife I'll often use one body with 500PF and the other with 100-400mm to cover all bases without having to change lenses.
 
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sh1209 said:
I was curious on average how many camera bodies do most serious photographers own? I owned only one up until about 12 years ago and have had two ever since. I almost always take two out with me and enjoy doing so. I have considered getting a third mainly because neither of mine do not focus bracketing but keep talking myself out of it lol. I'm sure there are some that own several bodies but I'm curious what the norm is, especially among members on here.
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Usually two, combo's like

D300 D3X

D700 D3X

D4s D3X, (awesome combo)

D850 D6, (simply the best and never miss a shot plus a total joy to use)

Sold and only rent the D6 now when really needed for low light and deadly accurate lock on focusing in challenging conditions.

Currently i have the D850 and Z9 as a transitional combo, its a bit of a duplication in resolution, my intention is to swap out the Z9 for the Z8 providing the Z8 lives up to expectations with its new features, i expect it to be 60mp 12 fps with usable focusing tracking and stacking. 10-12 fps is plenty, i wind the Z9 FPS back all the time.
The Z9 i feel will soon have an update like a Z9 S or Z9 II..........with more hardware updates and HP, only assuming LOL.

I am keeping the D850 as a unrivaled classic and back up, i am not going to really build a large personal Z lens exotic collection.........

2 bodies is all i ever need or want, really they nearly all do the same thing, record a subject using a combination of time light and speed.

Only an opinion
 
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However On the shelf sits

Z9 does a hell of a lot but mostly sports and action, the D850 i feel producing nicer files, but that could be just me
D850 (classic icon just love it)
DF Travel and low light.
D3X not worth selling
D7100 not worth selling
 
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It was one body trough most of my life, except short period when I used old Practica SLR and cheap digital compact.
But quite unexpectedly I have now 3 bodies, my old D5300, D500 and ancient Canon 20D which I get from my in-laws with two nice lenses that they said won't be longer used in their business. Caveat is that we use all our cameras and lenses together with my wife, but still it somehow 3 now ;)
 
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