Film Changing Bag: Since I live in Florida I take a lot of pictures at the beach. I was thinking that a large film changing bag or tent would be a good way to change lenses without...

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Since I live in Florida I take a lot of pictures at the beach. I was thinking that a large film changing bag or tent would be a good way to change lenses without wasting time on trips to the car and back.
Has anyone done this and if so, what are your thoughts? Is it practical?

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

It may be more sensible to find a good zoom lens that will meet all your needs. I find that a 24-120mm lens is great in most environments such as you describe.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

orrie smith wrote:

It may be more sensible to find a good zoom lens that will meet all your needs. I find that a 24-120mm lens is great in most environments such as you describe.

Thanks Orrie, I do have the Nikon 24-120mm lens, but I enjoy shooting with primes on my Df also the 24-120mm is not weather sealed and will allow sand to get in the lens.

WAKD Loc: Cincinnati

Find a clear plastic 'recycling bad' ($.25) and you can see what you are doing. A changing bag would work of course, but the portable darkroom function of it serves no purpose. You need to keep out sand, not light.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

WAKD wrote:

Find a clear plastic 'recycling bad' ($.25) and you can see what you are doing. A changing bag would work of course, but the portable darkroom function of it serves no purpose. You need to keep out sand, not light.

Thanks WAKD, That's good idea, but I wonder if I could close it up tight enough to prevent sand from getting in the bag. I'll try it out and see.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Mac wrote:

Thanks WAKD, That's good idea, but I wonder if I could close it up tight enough to prevent sand from getting in the bag. I'll try it out and see.

Mac, why all the paranoia?
Just take a lens off and change it!
I've changed lenses all over the world, in snow storms, blowing sand and dust and rainstorms...., just change the lens!!
Remember that at NO time during the changing process is the sensor EVER exposed to the elements. It's always covered by the shutter curtain!
If the conditions are too harsh to change a lens you probably don't want to even be out there anyway!!!
Oh wait, you must have a mirrorless?!?!
SS

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

SharpShooter wrote:

Mac, why all the paranoia?
Just take a lens off and change it!
I've changed lenses all over the world, in snow storms, blowing sand and dust and rainstorms...., just change the lens!!
Remember that at NO time during the changing process is the sensor EVER exposed to the elements. It's always covered by the shutter curtain!
If the conditions are too harsh to change a lens you probably don't want to even be out there anyway!!!
Oh wait, you must have a mirrorless?!?!
SS

You are correct, I am paranoid.
And I do have a mirrorless---the X100F, but it has a fixed lens.
You really have never had problem wit sand, dust or rain blowing in your camera?

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Mac wrote:

Since I live in Florida I take a lot of pictures at the beach. I was thinking that a large film changing bag or tent would be a good way to change lenses without wasting time on trips to the car and back.
Has anyone done this and if so, what are your thoughts? Is it practical?

I wouldn't go to the car just to change lenses, I change lenses where ever I'm and I don't need any bags, or other gadgets! I've done that several thousands of times and I have yet to have any dirt on the sensor, so far none! Been changing lenses like that for over 40 years without trouble of any sort!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Mac wrote:

You are correct, I am paranoid.
And I do have a mirrorless---the X100F, but it has a fixed lens.
You really have never had problem wit sand, dust or rain blowing in your camera?

Mac, no, never. If it's harsh out, I shield it with my jacket and change it. I usually unlock the lens, get the new one next to the attached lens with the little red dimple facing up(Canon) with the camera facing down, then swap!!! I can do it in less that a second, but granted the camera is hanging from the strap around my neck, that gives me two free hands and I can't drop it, with one hand on each lens.
And if I clean the sensor once a year that's a LOT!
I think photographers are WAY to crazy about changing lenses and sensors.
But Mac, that's just me. For me life's to short to worry about lens changes!!!
Mac, good luck with your quest!
SS

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

speters wrote:

I wouldn't go to the car just to change lenses, I change lenses where ever I'm and I don't need any bags, or other gadgets! I've done that several thousands of times and I have yet to have any dirt on the sensor, so far none! Been changing lenses like that for over 40 years without trouble of any sort!

Thanks speters.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

SharpShooter wrote:

Mac, no, never. If it's harsh out, I shield it wit... (show quote)

Thanks SS, maybe I'll rethink this.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

A standard disposable, clear plastic bag (so you can see what you are doing) should be just as effective. Bring multiple bags with you, one for each lens change, if you are worried that sand may accumulate within the bag.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

rook2c4 wrote:

A standard disposable, clear plastic bag (so you can see what you are doing) should be just as effective. Bring multiple bags with you, one for each lens change, if you are worried that sand may accumulate within the bag.

Thanks rook2c4

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

SharpShooter wrote:

Mac, no, never. If it's harsh out, I shield it wit... (show quote)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'd have to go along with SharpShooter. You'll end up having to carry a lot of crap that just gets in the way. Of course, having something to blow the dust, sand, dirt, etc. off the equipment at the end of the say is also handy.
--Bob

Mac wrote:

Since I live in Florida I take a lot of pictures at the beach. I was thinking that a large film changing bag or tent would be a good way to change lenses without wasting time on trips to the car and back.
Has anyone done this and if so, what are your thoughts? Is it practical?