Originally posted by microlight I've never felt the need for two bodies during travel. The three lenses in my signature are a great travel trio. Yes, something on the longer end would work well for you - the 55-300PLM is smaller and lighter than the others mentioned but maybe isn't out of the same drawer IQ wise.
I often see folks citing APS-c and 35mm frame as alternate options for camera replacement; don't forget they are different formats, and the more compact APS-c lenses may not give you what you'd be looking for on a 35mm frame, except in crop mode. Unless you want to build two diffferent format kits, personally I'd stick with one or the other. Like I have!
Two big reasons I carry two cameras:
1> Redundancy.You often get one shot at a photo op. Full SD card? Battery empty? Some last minute problem with one of the cameras so it needs to be left behind that morning?
2> Field lens changes to move between something "out there" and "something really close" often means dust and debris in the camera, plus yet another reason that shot may be missed while finding and fumbling with a lens. Besides, do you really want to chance dropping that lens in your haste to change it?
Now I know carying a big range lens like the 18-270 or 55-300 avoids some of the need to change lenses but if I was planning a only-once-this-lifetime trip I'd want my photos to be the best they could be and not just good enough. I'm picky about my glass anyway and even pickier when it might be the only time I'll ever experience a thing or place.
So as for me I'll typically put the DFA100 or DA 50-135 on one body and the 17-50 on the other (sometimes a DA15 depending on how narrow the streets are) for general cityscapes, while for wilderness/hiking I'll carry the *200 and DFA100 (macro) with a TC in my pocket. Then there's those wonderful festivals and markets you'll want to visit and that 17-50 and DFA 100 is like a near perfect marriage, light and stays out of the way. I'll guarantee a crowded festival with dusty paths and lots of kids and elbows is not somewhere you will want to do a lens change.
A Spider holster with two clips, usually my choice, or a single one along with a camera sling for the other makes carrying two pretty bodies secure and leaves your hands free.
Just my 2 cents.
Last edited by gatorguy; 10-20-2019 at 02:04 PM.