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How useful is having a second body?

peterm1

Active member
Hi All. I have an X2D that I love with a bunch of XCD lenses (20-35, 25v, 28P, 45P, 55v, 90v, 120, and 135). I also have a Leica Q3, but to be honest I nearly always reach for the X2D. I am thinking about selling the Q3, and am wondering if it's worth picking up a second X2D body (I'll probably buy it used or trade with someone if they wanted to swap for my Q3).

My main use case would be being able to keep two different lenses on two bodies so I would not have to switch out lenses as often, especially in bad weather or when hiking (or even in the city). Secondary use would be as a backup in case something happened to my main body (which luckily it hasn't yet).

I am using it mainly for landscape and urban photography and occasional travel, as well as in my home studio for still life photography. I'm not a commercial photographer and don't shoot events or anything, so it's not like it's an absolute must for my business.

I would be curious to hear people's thoughts about how useful they find having a second body is. Is just a mild "nice to have," or do you find it really great to have that added flexibility?

TIA!

Peter
 

Pieter 12

Well-known member
I have back-up bodies for most of my cameras. Since they are all older, out-of-production and sometimes problematic to get serviced (long lead times, parts availability) it provides peace of mind that I will have a working camera when necessary.
 

rdeloe

Well-known member
I'm going to wish I had a backup body on the day that my camera gives up the ghost when I need it to make photographs! ;)

The camera I use is readily available used if I need a new one. What I need spares of is the mission critical lenses I use that are not easily replaced. I'm slowly getting backups for all the key ones.
 

Shashin

Well-known member
You have basically articulated why I use a second body. You can switch focal lengths by just picking up the second camera--it is really great in a documentary situation. it is also great when in environments that might not be great to change lenses. And then if you have a failure, you can still shoot.

But you don't need the same camera. One of my favorite camera pairings was a Mamiya 6 with a Horseman SW612. Those cameras really worked well together.
 

akaru

Active member
Depends on the situation. I use two bodies now because of hours-long shots that are irreplaceable. I’d do the same for weddings, etc.

If you’re speaking more about a non-time-specific shoot and you’re more worried about general availability, I’d echo others in saying to pick up dupes of lenses.

I shot the x2d (and the x1d is what got me back into the fold). If you were just worried about a camera breaking down, or wanted a fun backup, I’d get a cfv100c as it would pack down to nothing.
 
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wattsy

Well-known member
Luxury/necessity aside, I wouldn't personally want to carry an extra body into the field. I find a single 907x 'body' plus two P lenses more than sufficient weight in my bag or rucksack. I prefer to take the risk of single body failure than carry an additional 900g.
 

f6cvalkyrie

Well-known member
For my micro4/3 gear, I have a few bodies (different generations) that I seldom take outside. Except for my modified (Full Spectrum) Panasonic G1 that I use regularly on hikes ... that's a completely different camera, adding creative possibilities not available with the main camera, an Olympus E-M1X

In the Medium Format game field, I also have 2 bodies, two backs, and two 80mm lenses, but that's a pure coincidence : the second complete camera came cheaper than just the new back I wanted to buy, so why hesitate ...
 

Ben730

Active member
Meanwhile, I often ask myself whether
I might need to take a third camera with me. No joke!
Not just in case one fails, but also to have
the right equipment with me on location - you never know what else the customer might want spontaneously.
 

algrove

Well-known member
I started carrying 2 bodies when I went to more remote locations where if I had a failure I was out of luck. Then I found in many situations where having 2 bodies allowed me to mount 2 lenses so that I was not changing lenses in the wild where I was often in sand dunes and/or wind or at the seaside.

I had a Phase One back go out in Yellowstone many years ago and even with the excellent replacement policy I lost 3 days and some important shots. This was before the Q was available for simple backup so to speak.

Then one has consider the first camera manufacturer and how long repairs might take. If it is a Leica expect long delays with generally no chance of replacement from them so that is why I have started carrying 2 M bodies when using an M since even while at home if one goes down I have a second one to be able to use. Sure it is expensive, but with Leica simple repairs can take a long time unfortunately.

I sent my SL3 in for sensor cleaning and it took just over one month. I will reconsider how to wet clean an IBIS sensor myself since I understand one has to have the camera on so as to be able to stabilize the sensor, otherwise the sensor could just flop around as you clean.
 
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DavidJA

Member
While on paid assignment photographing a portrait in a time precious situation I got distracted by my assistant asking about moving a light quickly to our second set up. While switching lenses I put a wonderful thumb print on my X2D sensor. Yep, sometimes silly things happen. whoops. Wished I had a back up that day. However, I still don't have a second X2D and I won't be buying one. My Leica Q3 43 is a great back up to my X2D with 55mm and I can use the Canon R5 to back up the XCD with 90mm. No leaf shutter so high speed sync is sacrificed but I can make it work. When the X3D, or whatever is next, comes out I will keep the X2D as back up. So I suppose it depends on what else is in the kit. My portrait kit is X2D with 55 and 90, and a Canon R5 with zooms. I always have the R5 for faster moving life style images so I rely on that and the Q3 43 for now. Most cases seem to be very purpose specific. But damn, now you got me wondering if I should have a backup for an upcoming 12 portrait project . . . .
___________________________
David Agnello
 

Paul Spinnler

Well-known member
I see a case for multi-body if it is a multi-size scenario.

Classic example: MFD system + Leica M.

The smaller system is not only a backup, but also can go places the other can't.

In wedding photography it is quite common to sport two bodies - mainly for the 24-70 2.0 and 70-200 2.8 or 80 1.2 combo.

The reason here is to be able to swap focal lengths just-in-time given the fast pace of the event and or to have a super shallow lens 80 1.2 vs. a multi-purpose zoom.
 

peterm1

Active member
For my use cases, I don't absolutely need a second body so perhaps I will save the money from selling the Q3 after all and wait and see what happens in 2025...

I would go back and forth between the Q3 and my X2D with the 28P, and the differences in size and weight aren't that big, but I much prefer using the X2D and the files it creates. I can use the 25v when I need a faster lens. I thought I would use the video on the Q3 more, but I never did. And I mostly shoot still or slow moving subjects, so the difference in AF doesn't matter as much to me as it would to others. Every time I come back to using my X2D from using another camera I appreciate it more and more - they got so much right with this camera, even if there's still a lot of room to improve certain things.

Appreciate the replies!
 

epforever

Member
For those using digital backs, you know what I find even more useful than a second body? A second back with a sensor that's a different size from your primary back. I know that sounds like Marie Antoinette, but a used back like an IQ250 is dirt cheap these days. I just got one in excellent condition, low actuations, for $2500. (I already had a 54x40 Credo 60 back, and the IQ250 is 44x33.) I have a Hasselblad H system and an Alpa system that it fits, and I've now essentially doubled the number of focal lengths in my arsenal. If I carry both backs, my four Alpa lenses become eight different focal lengths. For example, the 40mm on the Credo 60 equals a 26mm in 35mm terms, and on the IQ250 it's a 32mm.
 

dougpeterson

Workshop Member
It's not crazy. We have clients with 3+ backs. For example Standard Color, IR converted color, and achromatic.

Very obviously not a sensible approach for everyone but if the passion and budget is there the additional weight/size is pretty minor.
 

bags27

Well-known member
I don't have an X2D, so I don't know how much of a issue this is. But usually not having to switch lenses also takes away the concern about sensor dust.
 

peterm1

Active member
I don't have an X2D, so I don't know how much of a issue this is. But usually not having to switch lenses also takes away the concern about sensor dust.
Exactly. It's pretty easy to get dust on that giant X2D sensor unfortunately....
 

Pieter 12

Well-known member
For those using digital backs, you know what I find even more useful than a second body? A second back with a sensor that's a different size from your primary back. I know that sounds like Marie Antoinette, but a used back like an IQ250 is dirt cheap these days. I just got one in excellent condition, low actuations, for $2500. (I already had a 54x40 Credo 60 back, and the IQ250 is 44x33.) I have a Hasselblad H system and an Alpa system that it fits, and I've now essentially doubled the number of focal lengths in my arsenal. If I carry both backs, my four Alpa lenses become eight different focal lengths. For example, the 40mm on the Credo 60 equals a 26mm in 35mm terms, and on the IQ250 it's a 32mm.
You know you get the same result by cropping...
 

Pieter 12

Well-known member
Sometimes I will take both the Leica S 006 for the CCD looking the Leica S3 for low light or faster shutter speeds (high ISO).
 

epforever

Member
You know you get the same result by cropping...
I didn't know that! Please explain!

And while you're explaining -- can you tell me if I would lose any resolution? I don't really know how these things work. I just set the camera to P and hope it comes out nice.

Come to think of it, if you can get the same result by cropping, I don't know why anyone would buy a long lens at all, or even a normal one. Just use a superwide, and crop to whatever shot you want! I think I'm getting the hang of this!
 
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