Changing lenses in the field: I have had my Nikon 3300 and two zoom lenses (18-55mm and 55-300mm) for several many months. My last trip was to the Grand Canyon. Left home with my...

vanzo1234

I have had my Nikon 3300 and two zoom lenses (18-55mm and 55-300mm) for several many months. My last trip was to the Grand Canyon. Left home with my 55-300 on the camera, but found a trail side flower. Is there a definitive way to change lenses which lowers risk of dirt and damage?

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

1 lens = 1 body, 2 lenses = 2 bodies.

Stan W. Loc: Tampa, Fl

vanzo1234 wrote:

I have had my Nikon 3300 and two zoom lenses (18-55mm and 55-300mm) for several many months. My last trip was to the Grand Canyon. Left home with my 55-300 on the camera, but found a trail side flower. Is there a definitive way to change lenses which lowers risk of dirt and damage?

I try to keep the camera pointed down towards the ground when switching lens.

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

I only change lenses inside my vehicle when away from home. Keep camera body pointing downward.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

vanzo1234 wrote:

I have had my Nikon 3300 and two zoom lenses (18-55mm and 55-300mm) for several many months. My last trip was to the Grand Canyon. Left home with my 55-300 on the camera, but found a trail side flower. Is there a definitive way to change lenses which lowers risk of dirt and damage?

Damage isn't as much of a problem as getting a bit of dirt on the sensor. Your camera probably has a setting to vibrate the sensor on start up/shut down to keep it clean.

Have the new lens ready before you remove the lens on the camera. Put the camera lens away and then attach the new lens. Trying to hold two lenses at the same time is how you get damage. Tilt the camera downward when replacing the lens so gravity works for you. Make sure the lens you're adding doesn't have dirt on the part that attaches to the camera.

Aside from dropping a lens, changing a lens is a common practice. It's the difference between a ho-hum shot and a winner.

If you get a refurb D3xxx, you can have a tele on one and a W/A on the other.

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

Don-RC wrote:

1 lens = 1 body, 2 lenses = 2 bodies.

I like your rational! :) :) :thumbup: :thumbup:

Chris

JoeB Loc: Mohawk Valley, NY

Stan W. wrote:

I try to keep the camera pointed down towards the ground when switching lens.

Ditto here for pointing the body down. Be sure the camera is turned off. If possible I have one of my family members hold the new lens with the end cap off and as soon as I have removed one lens from the camera, I hand it to them and they hand me the one I intend on putting on. I also take into consideration if I am outside and the wind is blowing and where I am shooting. Hope this helps, not definitive, but how I do it.

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

Yep, that'll do it!!!
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

GT

Don-RC wrote:

1 lens = 1 body, 2 lenses = 2 bodies.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Stan W. wrote:

I try to keep the camera pointed down towards the ground when switching lens.

Me too!
Pat

Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO

Don-RC wrote:

1 lens = 1 body, 2 lenses = 2 bodies.

I can't afford 2 cameras, etc. and wouldn't want to carry 2 DSLR cameras.

While in my local camera store recently, I saw lens changing bags. Could also put it under a coat or in a plastic bag while changing lenses.

Iwantitall Loc: Chicago (south side)

vanzo1234 wrote:

I have had my Nikon 3300 and two zoom lenses (18-55mm and 55-300mm) for several many months. My last trip was to the Grand Canyon. Left home with my 55-300 on the camera, but found a trail side flower. Is there a definitive way to change lenses which lowers risk of dirt and damage?

Good advice so far. I'd like to add I also carry one of the rocket blowers( sorta looks like a turkey baister) if going somewhere particularly dusty. It's VERY lightweight and doesn't take up much room .
Mike :thumbup:

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

This is what I do which is similar to others here. I try to find a flat spot so I can set the lens down. I loosen the back lens cap on the lens I'm putting on and then sit the lens on a level surface. I remove the other lens from the camera and set it beside the other one. I transfer the cap from one to the other and then pick up the new lens and attach it to the camera. All the while I hold the camera with the lens opening pointing down. This is the quickest way and cleanest way I have found. Of course It helps to find a place out of the wind as well.

JonZ

Back in the day, when using six fixed-focal length lenses, I practiced changing lenses quickly while sitting on my bed. You'll find a method that works best for you.

I hold the new lens in my left hand, rear facing camera, loosen the rear cap and hold it in place with my left hand little finger. I loosen the lens on camera with my right hand, take the rear cap from the new lens w/thumb and forefinger of right hand while holding old lens with palm and rest of fingers. New lens is mounted w/left hand and rear cap placed on lens just removed. Now, wasn't that simple?

Practice. Practice.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Don-RC wrote:

1 lens = 1 body, 2 lenses = 2 bodies.

With the OP/TECH Double Sling.

http://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-6501082-Neoprene/dp/B004N622H6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427375044&sr=8-1&keywords=op%2Ftech+double+sling

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

vanzo1234 wrote:

I have had my Nikon 3300 and two zoom lenses (18-55mm and 55-300mm) for several many months. My last trip was to the Grand Canyon. Left home with my 55-300 on the camera, but found a trail side flower. Is there a definitive way to change lenses which lowers risk of dirt and damage?

Out of the wind and body pointed down.. Perhaps in a car.