Reach for your lens boy!!

[rockabillyrebel]

As a newcomer to DSLR I'm still getting used to this changing lenses as and when the situation requires me too. I was out walking today in my local park & spotted a unusual looking bird up high in a tree, so having to change to my zoom lens I sat myself down & did so. Now I'm sure I'll get better with practice but by the time I'd released the lens I went out with (intending to take some landscape shots) & put on my zoom yes you've guessed the bird had flown. Of course being a brand new camera etc all perfect and such I was no doubt far to over protective but what I want to know is do I have to be so cautious whilst changing a lens over & having the camera front lens free & exposed to dust, wind etc? Obviously I'm not going to leave it open whilst in the middle of a sand storm or torrential downpour but I'm pretty sure with day to day use over a period of time that dust etc must find it's way in? Is this the case & if so is it easy to clean?

Any tips on turning me into a ultra quick lens changer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Canuck]

Practise, mate!
What else is there to do on rainyday in the UK?

Seriously, it takes some practise. However, I usually plan for the type of pic I will be taking. For example, practising for airshows (or planespotting w/o getting to nuts about it) I stick on the 120-300mm Sigma EX lens on; if I am going to be doing landscape pics, I put the 16-35 Canon L lens on, and so on. Those are the only lenses I have at the moment. I am not too concerned about dust, really. I haven't had much of a problem with mine. Although when not in use or a lens on it, I have the dust cover on at all times. I have swapped lenses in Wales with a nasty wind and no ill effects. That was at Manorbier Castle. The next time was from the 28-80 to the 120-300 to get some really good ones in Angle and there was a decent breeze and on the water too! I may be nuts, but the 10D and kit has yet to fail and I am at about 3050 pics total taken. That was about 1500 pics ago.

As for cleaning it, there are manu options. On the 10D there is a clean sensor on the menu, or you can do it manually here: http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning.

Cheers from England,
Canuck