Do you NEED a second body?

[sk66]

If you are pro making a living at it, then the answer is probably "yes". But for the rest of you, do you have/ feel you need a second body? Why?

I'm sitting on a D300 w/ lenses etc and I'm thinking I'll probably sell it and use the money to buy additional FX lenses for the D3. I *could* keep it and still get an additional lens or two, but honestly I spend more time trying to keep the batteries fresh than using it.

I'll still have my G10 for it's particular benefits.

[sybren]

I could have used a second body on my last shoot. I had my camera set up for portrait shots in a makeshift on-location studio. Then the client asked me to make some overview shots of the event when I wasn't shooting portraits. It was completely impractical to do so, as I would need to switch lenses, turn off the flash master, and change exposure settings. Having a second body would have allowed me to quickly switch between them, making the overview shots practical.

Now I have a 7D, so I can wield two cameras at once

[OsmosisStudios]

Necessary? No. Useful as all hell sometimes? Totally.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by sybren

I could have used a second body on my last shoot. I had my camera set up for portrait shots in a makeshift on-location studio. Then the client asked me to make some overview shots of the event when I wasn't shooting portraits. It was completely impractical to do so, as I would need to switch lenses, turn off the flash master, and change exposure settings. Having a second body would have allowed me to quickly switch between them, making the overview shots practical.

Now I have a 7D, so I can wield two cameras at once

I'd use my G10 for that.....
Besides, that's a "professional" situation and you should have a second body so that if one craps out you don't dissapoint the customer.

[bhursey]

I think at weddings and time sensitive things you need a second body. I always barrow one.

[WooD]

Depends on what you shoot.

I shoot a lot of events. I'd be switching lens all the time or missing shots.

[Big Nick]

I'm not a pro and I agree. If this is just a hobby or you are just getting your feet wet then not at all. It is however still nice to have a point and shoot around for when you really don't need your SLR but still want to have a camera with you. But if this is your bread and butter then you really should have one

[sk66]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Necessary? No. Useful as all hell sometimes? Totally.

Examples?

Do you use your film bodies as backup? Any situation you've encountered where a pretty capable P&S like my G10 wouldn't generally cover it? (obviously low light/no flash)

[sk66]

Originally Posted by WooD

Depends on what you shoot.

I shoot a lot of events. I'd be switching lens all the time or missing shots.

I've shot a few events as well, and actually, for most shots/situations where you use the second body a camera like the G-10 would work quite well. I particularly like to use the G10 along with my main body when doing nature/street photography. The main body for speed/reach, the G10 for most everything else.

[LoveDSLR]

From the way you describing it, the D300 isn't that much useful for you. You can still get a good price by selling it now and consider another body such as the upcoming D700s/D700x if you fancy one then.

I keep my D300 around with the D3 just to have a light weight Nikon body. I consider my Canon 5D Mk II more as an alternative primary camera when I need its 21 MP sensor.