How many cameras can you bring on a shoot.

TheGreatGasMaskMan

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I shoot multiple formats, and when I go out often take multiple cameras (though other times I'll just take one). I found I can do the best with two cameras (ie, one digital, one film- or a 35mm and medium format). I've done three cameras before, but that only really worked once- and that involved carrying one camera in the camera bag while keeping the other two out. In preparation for my spring break, I've been thinking a digital, 35mm, medium format, and 4x5 all at once would be way too excessive.

what have been your experiences with using multiple cameras?
 

bdial

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I've often taken multiple cameras (formats) to a photo outing of one kind or another. Usually it just becomes a distraction.
 

Sirius Glass

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I almost always shoot one format:
  • 35mm usually two Nikon sore, one for color negatives and one black & white.
  • 6x6 one Hasselblad plus sometimes the Hasselblad SWC.
  • 4”x5” one of two cameras, never both.
There are other 35mms such as the WideLux that are added in at times.
 

MattKing

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It probably makes slightly more sense to carry three Olympus OM bodies at a time than three different formats.
Or a micro 4/3 digital plus two Olympus OM bodies.
But generally, two is my max.
 

slackercrurster

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Sometimes 3 or 4 cams. But it generally is shooting 1 at a time. The rest of the cams are in a backpack. I will shoot fisheye, then shoot wide angle, then shoot infrared flash and sometimes a little P&S for a quick grab. Other times I just go out with infrared, wide angle or fishseye.

The single cam shoots are my fav for easy going. The camera bag gets heavy, but it goes with the territory. It is even easier not to shoot, and watch TV if my life was just based on what I like for easiness.
 

Kino

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How many CAN you bring or SHOULD you bring?

Personally, I should bring no more than two, but one is best if I plan to get anything of substance done at all.

I COULD bring 20...
 

Pieter12

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MF: 1 body, 2-3 lenses. 35RF, 2 bodies: one with a 35 or 50mm, and one wider, 28mm or 21mm. Traveling light, a 35RF and a 35mm or 28mm lens. With a 35SLR, usually a single body and a couple of lenses depending on what I think I might be shooting.
 

DWThomas

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Generally I would say two max. The more gear and choices I have, the more time I'm likely to waste swapping stuff around. Frequently I work with one modest digital and one medium format loaded with B&W film. (Of course I usually do also have my iPhone along ...) But there is still an "it depends" answer -- I mean, if I have a specific project in mind, or am going out for a longer time period, I may rotate through some additional choices -- pinhole and lens based -- two different film formats, etc. etc. -- there are no hard rules -- it's about FUN!

I will say it can feel very liberating to go with one camera and one very moderate zoom -- perhaps my Canon A-1 and a 35-70; or even a single focal length lens -- maybe my Yashica TLR -- and not be schlepping an 18 pound backpack full of "stuff." Sometimes working under some limitations assists in aiding concentration.

(Well -- you asked .... )
 

mark

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I go with two at the most and generally only use one. My brain has a hard time flipping from one to the other.
 

Mackinaw

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I had a photo shoot with a model earlier today. I brought several cameras (film, digital and instant). Ended up using just two, a medium format Rollei 6006 and a 35mm Canon F-1.

Jim B.
 

peoplemerge

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I’ve tried juggling medium format with anything else. The only time it worked was with a sub mini cam, and even then, I would think which camera should stay in the car.

Now, I’m a guy who thinks ahead of time what to expect, the stick to one camera one lens one film. But then I’m happiest in the studio. There I shoot medium format, with digital as backup and in case turnaround is key.

A few weeks ago I shot a baptism (I’m not an event photographer) and brought a rangefinder with wide angle and a slr with a fast short tele, which worked great, both with hp5. The rangefinder shots were the crowd pleasers.
 

mooseontheloose

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Most of my shooting is travel-based, and while the cameras I shoot have changed a little over the years, it's basically always this set up: a medium format camera (went from TLR to SLR now back to TLR - currently a Rolleiflex), and 35mm camera (almost always my Nikon FE with 2 or 3 lenses - 20 or 28mm, 50mm, and maybe 105mm), and a Holga, which is so light it barely registers. Occasionally I'll bring something extra, like a pinhole camera, but honestly, the more gear I have, the worse it is. Even if I bring all the cameras with me, I'll usually just use one main camera for shooting, but carry another as back-up, or for alternatives to the black and white film I have in my main shooter (the Rolleiflex). I often use the FE for colour or infrared work, or for other film speeds, if I know I'll be going between brightly-lit and dimly-lit areas in a short amount of time. Part of me has been thinking about just shooting with 2 TLRs so I can limit the amount of film I bring, but then I'm stuck with no wide angle, which can be a problem.
 

peoplemerge

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+1 on the TLR. That was the setup that went with me to Hawaii. Rolleicord + Rollei a110. Fine images with retro character, minimal damage in case of theft, minimal gear to lug around.
 

blockend

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A few years ago I shot two medium format folders, colour and B&W, one in each pocket. I also carried a small Olympus 35mm clamshell in an inside jacket pocket. Three cameras, two formats and none of them on show.
 

Cholentpot

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Four, sometimes five.

Big DSLR, backup crop DSLR, 35mm SLR loaded with slow b&w, Instax Wide and some sort of point and shoot in my pocket.
 

Wallendo

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I shoot for fun, but will often bring three cameras out and about, but may bring 4-5 cameras on a trip.
I usually will have my iPhone. It is useful for taking photographs that will geotag, date and time a location, and also for taking pictures of marking signs etc so that I can better identify my other images when I get home. It can also be used as a basic light meter. I will often carry 2 35mm cameras. Most often 1 for B&W and the other for E6. At times, I will substitute one of these out for a weatherproof camera or use my Yashica Mat. I may also travel with a small point-and-shoot or even a recyclable camera for sorties where larger cameras are awkward.

Basically I travel with too many cameras.
 

jim10219

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I usually take three on vacations and photography specific adventures. One large format. One digital. And one 3D film camera. Unless I'm flying long distance, in which case I usually just take the digital to make the travel easier (I hate checking cameras, and you can't check film).

When I approach a scene, the first thing I ask myself is if it's worth the time, hassle, and expense of the large format. Often times it's not. So I'll grab the digital and snap a few, because I'm already there, and you might find one or two shots that turn out okay. Plus, the digital allows you much more in terms of editing, so you can compensate for bad light and cloning out eyesores a lot easier. Then, if I'm having fun and want to capture the memory, not just the image, I'll reach for the 3D camera.

The 3D camera is my fun camera. Those shots don't have to be amazing, they're just for personal enjoyment and fun. And sometimes I'll swap out the large format for medium format if I don't want to carry all that weight. Sometimes I'll just pack along a single 35mm camera if I'm not expecting to catch anything amazing and just want to relax and enjoy the process of photography. But like the 3D camera, it's not really what I consider a serious tool. I'll also substitute it for the 3D camera to get some slides to project from time to time. My instant film cameras usually get taken to parties or social gatherings as my single camera (minus my phone). They're not so much for me, as they are for everyone else.
 

benjiboy

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A maximum of two Canon F1s if I'm shooting monochrome and colour, but this is rare I usually carry only one.
 

Drew B.

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[QUOTE="sometimes the Hasselblad SWC [/QUOTE]

I think you have way too many cameras...perhaps you should sell this one to me...?!
 

Sirius Glass

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