How many bodies are you shooting with?

[larry_angier]

Generally two bodies--D2x with 70-200; D200 with 17-55. Sometimes I'll drop down to the 12-24 on the D200 & 17-55 on the D2x if it is a wedding.

If I'm on the road and want to go light, then it's the D200 with 18-200mm. Covers nearly the same range as the two and a lot more convenient than two bodies, especially since the D200 has a flash.

[pbulman]

I begin a Wedding shoot with 5 cameras & then revert to my 2 main primes and a P&S. I roll in with a large Lowepro suite case and operate out of there. D300: 24-70f/2.8, SB800, D200: 70-200VR f/2.8, SB800, D70: 50mm f1.4 or Sigma 10-20mm, SB600, F-100: Tamron 28-70 f/2.8, SB80DX, B&W Tri-X ISO 400 (shot at ISO 1000 & Pushed to 1K for milky B&W), 3 SB600’s used for setups & backups, a Cannon G-9, (stays in my pant pocket) 12meg, Point & Shoot on A priority f/5.6 RAW. I also carry a Sony HDD & Cannon GL-2 video cameras for assistant to grab snippets. Only the photographer is with the Bride throughout the day and this lends itself to DVD sales. I also carry Nikon camera battery chargers, a fresh box of 100 AA batteries for speedlights, extra cards, large WB flipout & light stands. The suite case (3 DSLRs, 1 SLR, 1 P/S & 1 or 2 Video) is used at the brides house & the location of the ceremony. We then breakdown into 2 Prim bags for the outside shoot & reception. Suitcase stays in locked car (check locks again) and is assessable … Yes, I want to post a sentry & yes I am a firm believer in Murphy’s law. For a non Wedding event, I carry just the 2 primes like most. “Why?”, you ask. My rationale: Weddings are fast moving, I want a lens ready to go & not make a Wedding party take a time out, while I make equipment changes. You lose your timing & you lose the Wedding party. Additionally, fewer lens changes reduce the dust risks and could save me a lot of post processing time. Speed & Flexibility are my key reasons. Lug a full arsenal, but be content if just the sling-shot gets you results. Paul

[Ronald Garrett]

Are you asking how many bodies we take on a particular shoot, or how many we own?

My main two cameras are a D2x and a D300. The D300 is an awsome camera, but I love my D2x. For racing events I'll put 70 - 200 on the "X" and a 17 - 35 on the 300. When the racing hits a lull, I break out the 300 and wide lens.

But, if i'm going for wildlife, taking my one man portable blidn to the lake bank, I keep my D40 screwed to the 400mm F/2.8 w/1.4 tele extender. I have a canvas case to carry akll that mounted that is just the right size.

I do horse portraits. Lots of horse farms around here. The S5 Pro seems to do that just right with the 18 - 200 lens. Some horses you can get close to, and others won't let you near.

But then my studio camera is a Sony. It stays mounted to an old Bogen tripod that weighs bout a hundred pounds, {feels liek it anyway], very steady. Stays in the studio.

Then there is the Nikon P5000 that is easy to hide in the glove compartment out of sight. Gives me photo opportunities 24/7.

Then................... theres the Sony A350 I am going to put on pre prder this weekend for flower photography......................

How many is that?

[Richard_Coyle]

Depends...
If it's a high volume shoot, such as a sports event, I'll have three bodies with me, and carry at least two of them. The primary one will be with a 300 or 400 on a monopod, and a second with a 70/80-200 over the shoulder. All lenses are fast glass, including the third body with a 17-35 for crowd, team, etc., shots before and after. If not carried, it usually stays with a secure bag locked to a fence, an officials table, or wherever appropriate. The PacSafe mesh enclosures are good for this, but I wouldn't trust them out of sight of the general public. They can still be opened with good quality wire cutters, but with a fair amount of effort which should tip someone off. Frankly, I've never had a problem with gear stashed at the officials table or in the officials booth if that's available. Not a possiblity with large venue competitions though.

As for belts, I do use the Lowepro system, but only if there's more than 3 lenses involved and I"m carrying three bodies. Otherwise, it's a Domke vest which has wonderful pockets for lenses up to the 200 zoom, and lots of other accessories. Much easier to manuever without a belt as long as I'm not hiking long distances such as a wildlife shoot. Then it's a different approach.

But for other situations, such as scrounging for candids in an unobtrusive manner, as mentioned by others, it's a single smaller body with a single zoom lens, and my feet make up the difference. I'll even carry a Canon SD700IS if I want to be almost stealth, but that's hardly possible anymore as everyone carries one and knows when others are shooting.

[Kevin_M_Cox]

I currently have three Mark II N bodies from the paper. For normal assignments I have two on me, body 1 with the 16-35 and body 2 with a 70-200. Switching lenses simply takes too long and adds the risk of dropping something in the process.

For sports I'll swap the 16-35 with a 300 or 400 and depending on the event will carry the 16-35 around my neck on body 3. When I switch to the 70-200 on my shoulder or neck, I let the monopod with long glass drop back and rest on my left shoulder. If needed I'll even bend my knees so I can shoot the shorter lens under the long glass (usually when the action moves to the left).

Having multiple bodies also provides for a backup. I had a shutter blow two weeks ago in the middle of an assignment. Having three bodies allowed to me keep on shooting with minimal disruption and meant I didn't feel limited during the week Canon was fixing the shutter.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I'm also happily using the Think Tank belt system.
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[Ronald Garrett]

Sony Alpha 350 is in operation.

[Sara Frances]

Camera usage depends so much on the job at hand. At the Paris-Dakar, you probably don't want to change lenses, and so carry several taped up units, complete. In the world of hard, fast up-close-and-personal photojournalism for pr and events I just carry one. The back up fill set is not far away, but not on me. Having just finished photographing the WEVA convention by myself, Here is the gear set I find is most workable: 16 to 35mm 2,8 non-progressive zoom, 50mm 1.8 and 100mm 2. The most important pieces of gear are the Colorright white balance device available on this website and the equally marvelous Ultimate Light Box strobe modifier available on ShootSmarter.com. And of course what makes it all possible is the hardy, justifiably praised Canon 5D, which simply does not quit working.