bill Posted January 27, 2008 Share #1 Posted January 27, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) This thread is inspired by the one exercising the M8 boys at the moment: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/44065-m8-stays-hotel-room-shoots-japan.html It led me to thinking... If I am going on any "serious" trip, I always carry a backup camera. This has varied over the years, and dependent upon a number of factors, including what is the "main" that it is backing, where am I going, what would be most useful, etc. I'd like to hear your thoughts on two things: 1. What is your backup? 2. When was the last time you actually USED it "in anger"? The second question is actually quite serious. If, like me, you have a Mju II in the corner of your bag, do you actually not just know how to use it, but how to get the best from it? Do you even know if it still has a battery in it that has any charge? If the worst happens, is your "fire extinguisher" fully functional, and do you know how to switch it on...? Answers on a postcard, please, to the usual address... Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 27, 2008 Posted January 27, 2008 Hi bill, Take a look here Getting your backup.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted January 27, 2008 Share #2 Posted January 27, 2008 Bill, I just posted in that other thread. I said if the real issue was travelling light then something like my lllf with 25 Skopar is much much better - no batteries/chargers/adapter plugs etc to carry. It depends where I'm going and what I'm doing but my backup camera can vary from being the Seagull or Rollie (back up to my Bronny), the M2 & lllf as a pair, the Minox ML for its size/weight as a backup to the R3 (not used the Minox in ages & might sell it to fund something else) or the Panasonic LC5 - but this entails the chargers/batteries etc., so only if I'm taking a suitcase. My main need for a 2nd camera in such situations (need as opposed to backup) is for something very small/light and with flash, to use in situations where I don't want to carry a bigger camera. The Minox has filled this role in the past but I think its time for a very small digicam which takes normal batteries (to avoid the charger issue) to add to the collection. Oh, and I've never HAD to use a backup camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 27, 2008 Share #3 Posted January 27, 2008 If I'm driving then the backup to my M8 would be a Canon 5D and prime lenses. I might also pack the M6. If I'm flying then the backup would be a Panasonic LX2. Neither backup used in anger so far Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 27, 2008 Share #4 Posted January 27, 2008 ...1. What is your backup?... For fun, Digilux 1; for my job, Sony DSC-V1 ...2. When was the last time you actually USED it "in anger"... Never felt angry against any camera so far but i miss perhaps your question. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted January 27, 2008 For fun, Digilux 1; for my job, Sony DSC-V1 Never felt angry against any camera so far but i miss perhaps your question. Sorry, LCT - sloppy colloquialism. What I meant, was when was the last time you used your backup seriously, rather than just carrying it as "insurance"? Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 27, 2008 Share #6 Posted January 27, 2008 Sorry, LCT - sloppy colloquialism. What I meant, was when was the last time you used your backup seriously, rather than just carrying it as "insurance"?... Duly noted the colloquialism, i'll end up speaking real English with teachers like you Bill I use my backups 'seriously' each time i cannot take my main camera or when the latter cannot do the job, macro or silent shots for instance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marquinius Posted January 28, 2008 Share #7 Posted January 28, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm not a professional, but still I'm aware that NOW I have the chance for these photo's and TOMORROW I'll be somewhere else and I will probably not be back HERE ever again. Like going on a holiday in Vietnam. So I have a backup with me, always. - M8 as main or Digilux 3 as main, depending on what I'm going to do - sometimes when driving the other one as backup, but not if I have to fly first, carry luggage, etc. - always a Canon Powershot A700 as backup - credit card and willing to use At the same time I'm worried that my SD cards will fail, so I have a image tank on which I dump pictures daily. Marco Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted January 28, 2008 Share #8 Posted January 28, 2008 God, I love this thread. It has given me hours of endless fun and amusement for days, like poking a stick into an ants' nest. So, anyway Bill, for those occasions when your griptack goes unsticky or the Leica hand grip fails, do you take a backup thumbs up to maintain the M's already perfect ergonomics? Do you carry spare soft releases? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arif Posted January 29, 2008 Share #9 Posted January 29, 2008 For places I do not visit regularly, I carry my M6 and a GRDII so that I not miss shots. For regular places, I only carry the M8 + GRDII. The GRD II is now firmly attached to me wherever I go Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlancasterd Posted January 29, 2008 Share #10 Posted January 29, 2008 If I'm travelling by train or car I take both my M8 outfit and my R8+DMR with 21-35, 28-90 and 70-210 zooms. Sometimes the R8 gets used in preference to the M8. Going by air I'd probably leave the R8 at home and take a compact. In the past this has been one of the original Leica Minis with a couple of colour negative films and recently it's been a Bessa R3A. However, for the future, I'm considering buying a Fuji FinePix HD-3W - the one with the rather hilarious name of 'Big Job'! According to the description on Robert White's website it is "(a) waterproof, dust proof and shockproof camera... to the extent that it can withstand being submerged for up to 30 minutes in depths of up to 1 metre... (and has) withstood a drop test to 70cm". At 6 megapixels, sensitivity from ISO 64 to 1600, and with a 28-84mm (35mm equivalent) F3.3 - F4.0 lens, it should produce pretty good images, even if they are JPEGs. It sounds ideal for those days when the rain is coming down like stair rods and I'm clambering around wet cutting sides out on the Welsh Highland Railway...! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted January 29, 2008 Share #11 Posted January 29, 2008 Main camera is M6 ttl (with Provia 100), second camera is M3, but its not really 'spare' , it works for its living by having Provia 400 in it for low light shots. If I can, I usually take the Voigtlander R2 along as well, 'just in case', and that has even seen use when the light was too low even for 400 ISO, pushed the Provia 400 to 1600 which gave acceptable results. Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndjambrose Posted January 29, 2008 Share #12 Posted January 29, 2008 I mostly carry two cameras - for example, today my bag contains an M8 and MP. I don't really think of one being a back-up for the other. When I pack them it's with the intention of using them both. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmr Posted January 29, 2008 Share #13 Posted January 29, 2008 If I am travelling with my M8, I would either take my MP or Minilux. If I am travelling withe my film M, I would take either my Minilux or LX2 The theme is Minilux with a case where I can wear on my belt. I very seldom carry another M body. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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