DSLR Owners - How Often do you Change Lenses?

[Radtech1]

I have a 10d and a 28-135is. Any wide angle shooting is out of the question. I am thinking of getting a very short zoom, but I am concerned about dust bunnies. So far, I have taken the lens off only twice, (for travel) and both times have been lucky.

For those who change frequently, is dust an issue, or am I worrying about problems that I am not going to have?

Rad

[Tom W]

I had my first case of sensor dust about a week ago, after shooting with the 10D for 2 months. I've changed lenses numerous times, both indoors and out.

While I would recommend trying to swap lenses in as clean an environment as possible, I wouldn't be afraid to change lenses. Just keep things relatively clean and realize that you'll have to blow the dust off the sensor occasionally.

[Belmondo]

FWIW, I have two 10D bodies. One has the 24-70 f/2.8L on it almost all the time; it's rarely off that camera. I do most of my lens-swapping on the other body, almost always in the field under less-than-ideal circumstances. There does not appear to be a bigger problem with dust with either body.

Reasonable precautions include keeping the lens off for as short a time as possible. Keep the body cap available if you're going to have it 'un-lensed' for any period of time, always point the body towards the ground when swapping lenses, and occasionally give the whole works a perfunctory puff of air with your blower brush, including the back of the lenses that go into the body.

[Cadwell]

There seems to be little point in buying an exchangeable lens camera only to be scared to change lenses due to dust… Only my opinion.

Dust does sometimes get onto the sensor but it is pretty easy to clean. Daunting the first time, perhaps, but it really isn’t difficult.

In answer to the question, I change lenses as often as I need to in order to get the shot I want.

[Scottes]

I change lenses all the time. Lately I've been doing some "test" shoots - either in my basement or on location - and I've been playing with tubes and macro shots. I've been changing my lenses A LOT.

As said, keep the camera pointed down. Turn the camera off when changing a lens. Get the new lens back on the camera ASAP. Then blow any potential dust out of the old lens and cap it.

Whenever you return from a shoot clean everything. Get the camera's cap out and blow it free of dust. Take off the lens and blow the camera out. Turn the camera upside down and put it into Sensor Cleaning mode and blow it out. Cap it. Then clean the lens and cap it or put it back on the camera.

Always always always blow out the lens caps before you put them on a lens - where are they when you're shooting, your pocket?

[CoolToolGuy]

I will not hesitate to change a lens if I think I need a different one to get the shot, but precautions in a dusty environment are definitely a consideration. :?

As a side issue, what are the best/popular ways to clean the sensor and the mirror? I know the mirror issues being front-silvered, but there are several theories about cleaning the sensor. One store suggested the expensive swabs/fluid route, then there is the 'rocket blower', etc. Sending the body to Canon Service every time it needs cleaning is not the answer, either. Let's hear it. :roll:

Have Fun
Rick 8)

[Jim_T]

I have six lenses and change them as needed.. (Which is frequently).. I've changed them in all sorts of environments.

Yes, you'll get a bit of dust from time to time, but It can be cleaned.. I've only had to clean mine twice since I got it last June..

Don't worry about dust on the mirror.. It won't show.. You can do some serious damage to the focusing sensors by cleaning the mirror..

[CyberDyneSystems]

I change lenses sometimes half a dozen or more times in a long day of shooting "in the feild"

Sure there are times I stick with one lens all day too,. but the point is,. I cahnge my lens as often as required.. no hesitancy at all. Some applies to instal and removal of a T-con.. I know things are better without a T-con, so I remove as sooon as I am done with it.

Dust? I cleaned my 10D once in a year,. yes I had dust,. but I rarely saw it. I suppose if I was shooting... long exposures stopped down it's bother me more,. but on the very rare occasions dust has actually shown up in a photo I have cloned it out....

As I say,. as soon as it DOES bother me,. then I'll buy the stuff to clean it :)

[timmyquest]

i changed my lens about 12 times just yesterday, i change all the time. I've never actually seen dust on my sens or in my pictures. I also try to clean it every couple of weeks with my fancy can-o-air.

[msvadi]

does anyone have experience with this product:

http://www.2filter.com/img/rocket02.jpg

http://www.2filter.com/prices/products/rocket.html

[Scottes]

The Rocket is a great blower. Don't hesitate, just get one.

[KennyG]

No point in having a DSLR and lenses if you never change them. I change lenses at a race circuit on both bodies on average half a dozen times each in a long days shooting.

I have never had to resort to swabs and fluid, a good quality blower does the job just fine. Don't be paranoid about sensor dust, it is one of those things that goes with the territory and you should not allow it to spoil your creativity.

[ShutteringFocus]

Hey guys...Ill take those well used old lenses off your hands for free. You know, those lenses you have had for two months.

Just stick em in a box with some little foam beans and mail them to me. No charge. L lenses accepted. :roll:

[Tom W]

Hey guys...Ill take those well used old lenses off your hands for free. You know, those lenses you have had for two months.

Just stick em in a box with some little foam beans and mail them to me. No charge. L lenses accepted. :roll:

I've got an old Tamron FD lens I'll give you. Only problem is that it had a .45 caliber hole down the middle of it. :)

[johneo]

My first few months (got my 10D last July) I went nuts because of dust. Seems everytime I changed a lens I ended up with dust. I got pretty good at removing the dust as much as a pain as it is ... :x

Someone suggested (is it in the manual ???) to make SURE you turn the camera off before removing the lens ... Tada! I haven't had a problem since!

I also do as others have mentioned. I have the lens going on ready and make sure it's in as dust free an area as I can find. Swap lens as quick as possible.

[Ferdinand]

does anyone have experience with this product:

<image removed>

http://www.2filter.com/prices/products/rocket.html

I got one, no regrets getting it, its an awesome tool, and it gives off a very powerful blast. I love it! After every shoot, I use it to dust off my lens and camera. And then I will use a Lenspen on the glasses and put my gear away. I dont use the brush on Lenspen, I prefer non contact type of cleaning :)

Regards,
Ferdinand

[Ballen Photo]

I must admit that the idea of dust in my 10D makes me nervous, so I'm real careful when I change lenses, but I WILL change them whenever I feel the need or want for a different focal range. As someone else stated here, that's why we have DSLR's.
.........Bruce

[ron chappel]

I use my 300D to test lenses allmost as much as for normal photography,i'm swapping lenses CONSTANTLY and have yet to need a sensor clean!!
I dust tested it recently for the first time ever.It shows minor specs at small apertures but nothing at all at middle and large apertures

[lime]

I swap lenses as much as I need to. I don't worry much about getting dust on the sensor, can always be cleaned.
I've seen some dust shooting at f11, but I tend to shoot f8 or wider.

[picnic]

I've shot with my D60 for 2 years--every day. I change lenses as often as needed. I turn the power off, point camera down--and do it quickly. I have blown twice, never used Pecpads, though I have Eclipse, etc. I did a test shot last week at f/22, blew it up, no discernible dust. That surprised me--but also delighted me. I've certainly shot in many different conditions with a lot of different lenses and have had no dust problems to speak of.

[kahfluie]

One thing to consider is also make sure the lens you are swapping is clean. It's one thing when dust gets in the camera and subsequently, the sensor... it's another thing when the lens you're connected has dust on the connecting end. So just one more thing to think about when swapping lens.