Camera care questions I've never seen discussed anywhere.

[The Hardcard]

I got my Rebel XT a couple of week ago. Still learning the system and my post-processing workflow.

I previously had a Rebel G, but after with a Tokina 28-210mm lens. Sadly, after 3 months, I dropped them :cry: :oops: :cry:

As much as that hurt, if my XT got damaged I'd be devastated, (in more ways than one, I made massive sacrifices to get this) - thus I have a couple of questions concerning the lens mount:

1. Is it alright to leave a lens attached when the camera is not in use or does that invite damage?

2. Should handling the camera by the lens only be avoided at all costs, or does that not strain the mount. The Tokina lens actually feels heavier than the camera, so I am thinking maybe it doesn't matter. As I go through the machinations of changing lenses and preparing to shoot, I find myself sometimes holding the system by the lens for convenience.

2b. In addition to possible mount damage, does handling a system by a zoom lens cause undo wear and tear on the zoom slide?

If these issues are discussed in the Canon literature, I am somehow skipping over the issue. So I thought I'd seek the sage advice of the pros and the "not pros, but they still knows."

[rent]

1) no problems
2) handling by lens is fine. do it all the time with big lenses here.
2b) if it's a push-pull kinda zoom, i'd imagine you don't want to hold onto the zoom ring and allow the body to move in and out along with the lens.

-alex

[tim]

1. Yes, it's fine, and better as it stops dust and moisture getting in.
2. When you use big lenses you hold just the lens, the camera hang off the back supported by the lens mount. It's fine. If you have a big lens and held it by the camera the lens might snap off.
2b. Not really sure what you're asking. Zoom lenses might loosen up after a while, i've not owned one long enough to find out.

[elbirth]

Congrats on the new camera :)

1. a lot of people prefer to leave lenses on, because that's one less time air has a chance to get inside the camera and introduce dust.

2. if anything, I would think holding the camera by the camera itself and nothing else would strain the mount more, at least if it's a really heavy lens. I usually try to support my camera and lens both when taking the picture (proper holding will help with this too) and if I'm just holding it, I'll sometimes grab the camera from beneath and let the camera rest in my palm with the lens in my fingers... if that makes sense...

2b. As long as you're not moving the zoom ring, I would imagine it'd be alright, but just to be sure, I'd avoid unnecessary pulling on it.

I don't think that's discussed in the manuals, maybe in some photo books, but more or less something that's just left up to common sense, really... you paid a lot of money for it, so why not treat it as carefully as you can?

Have fun, and just make sure you don't abuse it :)