Anybody take more than one camera body to avoid changing lenses?
 

I have been diligently studying photography magazines and websites lately.

One of the suggestions that seems to keep popping up is to take a second camera body. The reason is twofold.

First, by having a different lens on each camera, it will prevent dust from getting inside which happens when the lenses are changed. This also makes it faster to switch from one lens to another, as there is no time lost in changing lenses since the lens is already attached to one of the cameras.

Second, it is a great insurance policy in the event that the main camera malfunctions.

I could keep the 80-400mm Sigma OS lens on the Canon 20D and then if I picked up a Digital Rebel XT (body only) I could keep the 17-85mm Canon IS lens on that body.

I feel like the major damage is done now that I have picked up the Canon 20D and the lenses. Now, I just want to get everything else that will give me every opportunity to take quality photographs.

It is shaping up to be 18 nights of safari for me, spread out between Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa, North Luangwa, the Sabi Sand (Kruger) and Madikwe. I really expect to see just about everything on this trip, including rhino, cheetah and wild dog, as well as lesser seen nocturnal species and the usual suspects of lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, giraffe and quite a variety of antelope.

Yes, I take two bodies for these reasons.

1. Don't want a malfunction with an only body. That did happen to me once, but not in Africa, and I was glad to have a backup.

2. Pertinent only to non-digital users--Sometimes I use different speed film in different bodies to match lighting conditions. I don't always use up an entire role at one time.

3. (Again a non-digital issue) If there is something exciting happening, then I don't have to wait for a roll to rewind and reload.

4. No changing lenses and the problems with that. However, I usually also have a point and shoot that goes to maybe 100 for more distant shots.

On my Kenya trip last year I took two (film) bodies, primarily to have a backup incase one failed, and this allowed me to have different films/ lenses on each.

I haven't bothered doing this for digital as, since both of us are into photography, we both have digital SLRs now and if one fails, we'll still have the other.

At the moment we have one Nikon and one Canon though it looks likely we'll opt for Canon long term down to prices, choices and speed of innovation.

That said I adore using the D70 interface...

Wanting to have a backup body is the main reason I ended up with two Canon 10D's for my first photography trip to Africa. I initially wanted to buy a used Canon film camera to have as a backup but the salesman convinced me it was smarter to buy a second 10D. And yes, I do realize it was his job to sell me the more expensive digital camera but I have to say I never regretted the decision. It is definitely a bonus to use one camera for each lens.
Example here
http://www.pbase.com/cjw/image/30637221
http://www.pbase.com/cjw/image/30638091
Used the 70-200mm on the first and the 300mm on the second. One lens could not take both pictures (of the lenses I have).

Rocco there are 2 of us each with a 20D so we do effectively carry a spare body. I can tell you that before we did both have dig my Husband would carry an extra body just in case. He loves photography so it would be a big disappointment to him if he had a camera failure.

Good luck!

J