Backup for 6D for Wedding Photography

[bvphotography]

Hey everyone,

I am new to the forum and this is my first post here. Up until this year I have mainly shot family portrait sessions but this year I decided I wanted to start second shooting weddings. I shot one a week or so back and had a blast and I have quite a few more scheduled now for this year for that photographer. I want to purchase a backup body for my 6D but I am unsure of what to purchase. Any advice appreciated :

 

[bdunbar79]

The best backup body is the same body.

 

[Loswr]

Another 6D, if at all possible.

 

[bvphotography]

Another 6D is a bit out of my current price range otherwise I would have bought another one forsure.

 

[Loswr]

In that case, what is your budget??

 

[bvphotography]

Would like to stay under 1k if I can but could prob go to about 1.2k. I don't mind buying used.

 

[privatebydesign]

Wait until you have earned enough off the second shooter gig to get another 6D, don't get anything "less" in the mean time, it will be wasted money. Though if it is going well I'd suggest get a 5D MkIII next, but not until the photography has paid for it.

 

[bvphotography]

Not having a backup camera is just a bit worrisome for me is all. I certainly would like to buy another 6D as I do love the camera.

 

[privatebydesign]

Not having a backup camera is just a bit worrisome for me is all. I certainly would like to buy another 6D as I do love the camera.

You are a second shooter, not the primary, I have never expected or demanded a second have two cameras, indeed when I shot many more weddings I always had three bodies on hand so I could give the second a spare if they needed it, that is what primaries do, they get lots more money to worry about that stuff.

 

[Don Haines]

You are the second shooter... you are the second shooter for a particular photographer.... Talk to the primary photographer.... odds are insanely high ( a certainty) that they have a backup body that they carry around on the job and the odds are very high that they have a third or a fourth body of some sort that they don't use any more and just hangs around the shop... they would probably let you use this as a backup to your camera while on the job.... so go talk to the primary shooter!

 

[bvphotography]

The primary shooter has said that if something were to happen to my camera that I could use a backup camera of hers. The problem is I shoot Canon and she shoots Nikon so it would be a very different camera to get used to as well as having to use her lenses as well. Better than nothing I suppose and better than rushing a purchase I will regret. Leads me to another question then. Should I spend once I have enough for another 6D or keep saving and buy a 5DM3 since I am hoping to eventually first shoot my own weddings?

 

[privatebydesign]

The primary shooter has said that if something were to happen to my camera that I could use a backup camera of hers. The problem is I shoot Canon and she shoots Nikon so it would be a very different camera to get used to as well as having to use her lenses as well. Better than nothing I suppose and better than rushing a purchase I will regret. Leads me to another question then. Should I spend once I have enough for another 6D or keep saving and buy a 5DM3 since I am hoping to eventually first shoot my own weddings?

You know my answer already, save for the 5D MkIII, it has to be the "best" wedding orientated camera out there.

 

[Marsu42]

Should I spend once I have enough for another 6D or keep saving and buy a 5DM3 since I am hoping to eventually first shoot my own weddings?

The 5d3 has dual cf/sd card slots for on-site backup in case your card breaks. Other than that, how do you feel your 6d does for weddings concerning the af system (what lenses are you using)?

 

[Sporgon]

+ 1 on no need for a back up camera when shooting as a second, especially when you are using a new, good quality camera such as the 6D. These (generic) machines are incredibly reliable, being designed to reliably record one off, unrepeatable events.

However as a primary photographer at such an unrepeatable event I always have a back up of everything because of Sod's Law.

For a proper back up you really need exactly the same body, as has been said, so you can share the work load and lenses seamlessly between them.

As for the 6D vs 5D III debate, well ........ :-X

 

[Hannes]

If you have to have one now, I'd say get a 60D off the used market and sell it again when you get enough money to get another 6D

 

[tron]

Don't spend money on something you will not use later. Plus, you are the second shooter. Let the primary shooter worry.

Again, save your money.

 

[bvphotography]

Should I spend once I have enough for another 6D or keep saving and buy a 5DM3 since I am hoping to eventually first shoot my own weddings?

The 5d3 has dual cf/sd card slots for on-site backup in case your card breaks. Other than that, how do you feel your 6d does for weddings concerning the af system (what lenses are you using)?

So far I have had very little focus issues with the 6D even in low light as long as I use the center focus point. Outside and in good light I can use the outer focal points reliably but in low light I pretty much have to stick with the center focus point.

For lenses I own:
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art
Sigma 50mm f/1.4
Canon 85mm f/1.8
Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro
Canon 24-105 f/4
Sigma 70-200 f2.8

 

[zlatko]

You know my answer already, save for the 5D MkIII, it has to be the "best" wedding orientated camera out there.

I agree about the 5DIII -- the best for weddings in my view too. The "best" is relative to what a photographer wants & needs, so there is no objective best. But the 5DIII is pretty brilliant for weddings. There are some bigger cameras (1DX, D4S) that are awesome, but their weight makes them more of a burden for a wedding day.

Good options for a 2nd camera are (in order):
1. 5DIII if budget allows (and make it the main camera)
2. Another 6D (possible to find one used or refurbished?)
3. 60D or 70D

 

[thismercifulfate]

You can pick up a refurbished 6D body for $1291 from Canon right now… what are you waiting for?

 

[Chosenbydestiny]

What lenses are you shooting if I may ask? If you have the "kit" lens with it already, the 24-105mm F/4, I wouldn't even think about getting another body yet. I'd pick up two solid primes, or a 24-70mm, and a 70-200mm before that happens. I agree with the majority this time, save your money until you can justify big purchases. It's really rare that a camera becomes unusable during a wedding, unless you're careless, accident prone, AND like to hang out right by bodies of water like pools and fountains, or even a very tall staircase. I have a couple of 6Ds and both are past warranty already, peeling, fading, scratching, etc. One of them even has over 200k actuations. Both are still shooting like the day they were bought. And like you said, the main shooter has a backup already. The chance of both of you needing to use that backup as a main camera at one event are so slim that there's actually a much better chance that the bride leaves the groom at the altar.