New DSLR User with basic questions

Can you change lenses while he camera is on? The 50D just arrived in the mail!

You can, nothing to stop you. Some say not to as having he sensor charged draws dust to it. No one has been able to prove that to me though. I know many folks, including myself that change lenses while the camera is one with no issues. I try to make sure it is off when changing but sometimes I'm in a rush and forget.

There is no reason to turn off your camera during a lens change. The sensor is not exposed during a lens change. It is hiding behind the shutter. Actually, there is no reason to ever turn it off. It will do so itself, or at least put itself into sleep mode.

pgiancola wrote in post #6401969
You can, nothing to stop you. Some say not to as having he sensor charged draws dust to it. No one has been able to prove that to me though.

Not only is the sensor covered by the shutter during lens changes, it's also not charged. It's charged only during an exposure.

I seldom turn my 30D off - even for battery and CF card changes (there are microswitches on the doors that turn it off).

-js