Yesterday I found myself again wishing I could afford a backup DSLR camera to my D300. Every one knows a good photographer has to have a backup camera body, right? If we have crawled out of a warm bed before the butt-crack of dawn and driven twenty miles on a cool October morning, we do not want to have a camera failure on location. We also know that any wedding photographer is going to have two of everything. Since I’m not selling myself as a wedding photographer backup camera is not a necessity. But, I still have these thoughts roaming through my head about having a backup and how could I afford it. These thoughts include picking up a used one on ebay or buying a new D300s and making my D300 the backup. All legitimate thinking, right?
Every once in a while an epiphany appears in my life. The one that showed up yesterday was that I already have a backup! When I hung up a shingle to work as a wedding/portrait photographer in 2003 I purchased a second D100. It was essential. Then three years ago when I upgraded to the D300 I basically stopped shooting the D100. I took the batteries out of them and stored them away. I enjoyed the newer camera so much I had no interest in using the older ones. I had a new toy/tool in my hands and did not want to put it down. But the epiphany suggested I get them out of storage, charge up the batteries and use them. When I look through the metadata in Lightroom I found that half the images in my archives were shot with those two D100s. I have a backup. Of course, when they come out with the D400 or D500 or whatever hundred, my mind will again forget about the D100.
10 Comments
Earl
I believe the D100 was somewhere around 6mp, which is more than ok for web photos or even reasonable size prints. While there are moments I lust after more pixels then the 12mp of my D300/D700, I’m not sure having more would make much difference in normal daily shooting.
I’ve been waiting to see what the replacement/upgrade for the Nikon D700 FX camera would be, but I think that’s all delayed with Nikon’s FX factory being out of action for a while due to the recent earthquake and tidal wave in Japan.
Monte Stevens
You bring up a good point for me as the Canon G12 is 10mp and for me has taken some good images. I could use that for a backup.
Ken
You might also find that some compact, non-DSLRs might have at least as high resolution as the D100 and they are very convenient. Some shoot RAW. Maybe it will satisfy your craving for more hardware (for the time being). Looks like all new models from Japan are being delayed.
Monte Stevens
I purchased the Canon G12 about 3 months ago and really am getting to like it. It does a good job, shoots in RAW and in my opinion does a good job with color. It’s compact size makes it nice to carry and I’m really liking the macro capability.
Ove
Dig where you stand has never been more right. It can’t be motivated to have a back-up at the same standard as your prime, if you’re not a professional. Imagine all the money you saved. 🙂
Monte Stevens
Everything costs money! In reality I have all the equipment I need to produce images. It’s all about desires, wants for the material things.
Paul
Very cool. You reactivated an old, reliable friend. 🙂 Happy shooting!
Monte Stevens
You know I need to pick it up a shoot it once in a while or maybe create some project to use it for. I’m also aware that htis G12 is a good quality camera. There is no reason I cannot use it as a backup for any landscape images. I find it is very good for macro photos. And, when I hang it around my neck I sorta look as good as you do with your M9. 🙂
Anita Jesse
How lovely when a solution presents itself as a pleasant surprise. I am still thinking about that G12, even though I have been side-tracked recently and spent all my money on other things. I can’t claim I actuallly need a backup. I can only admit that I want to upgrade my old G7.
Monte Stevens
My G12 would make a fine backup for me and would be so easy to carry. It also does a wonderful job with its sensor. If shooting raw I have a very nice file to work with. So, I guess we can say I have two backups. 🙂