Camera on or off: Hello all, I was just wondering if it's necessary or even a good idea to turn off your dslr camera when switching lenses? I've read a bunch of articles and some say...

John8385 Loc: Leesburg, Fl

Hello all,
I was just wondering if it's necessary or even a good idea to turn off your dslr camera when switching lenses? I've read a bunch of articles and some say yes, others say no. I always do because I'm not sure if it does harm to the electronics in the camera if left on. Tia for any feedback.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

I Always turn my camera off when changing lenses. I’ve read where the image sensor is charged and attracts dust if it is on. True or not, I don’t know, but it’s to simple a procedure for me to worry about.
The only exception to this is when I forget, which happens at a very embarrassing rate.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

John8385 wrote:

Hello all,
I was just wondering if it's necessary or even a good idea to turn off your dslr camera when switching lenses? I've read a bunch of articles and some say yes, others say no. I always do because I'm not sure if it does harm to the electronics in the camera if left on. Tia for any feedback.

Every manual I have read says turn it off.

Once or twice I have forgotten but since my Canons do an auto power off/sleep after one minute of non use they were turned off anyway. I was just lucky I didn't hit any switches and wake the camera up. I really don't want to find out if the electronics can be damaged by changing with it on.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Whatever the manual states.
I always turn mine off to change lenses because the camera and lens communicate. Removing the lens with the camera on could disrupt that communications and possibly cause a hiccup or hangup.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

If you leave it on the sensor will act like a magnet to dust particles.
My mentor drilled into me that when you change a lens to aim the camera toward the ground, and to leave the camera pointed to the ground until the lenses were changed. Particularly if you are outside

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Each of my Nikon manuals say to turn the camera off before changing lenses or memory cards or connecting a flash or cable.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

It is definitely good practice to turn the power off but the camera is not active unless you half press the shutter button. There should be no communication going on between the body and lens when the camera is in its dormant state. This is a method DSLR manufacturers use to conserve battery power and extend usage between charging.

John8385 Loc: Leesburg, Fl

Well, looks like the verdict is in, turn it off. I'll continue to do as I was then. Interesting about attracting dust because of the negative charge, makes sense. Thanks all.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

John8385 wrote:

Hello all,
I was just wondering if it's necessary or even a good idea to turn off your dslr camera when switching lenses? I've read a bunch of articles and some say yes, others say no. I always do because I'm not sure if it does harm to the electronics in the camera if left on. Tia for any feedback.

John, first I read that you've left the answer to your question to "a bunch of articles," then I read where you left the answer to a consensus of opinions of UHH'ers. Many of the replies talked about what the manuals have to say. So, for whatever camera you have, what does the manual for it say to do?

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

OFF.

Bipod

Note to self: include in lens mount design: switch that turns off camera
when lens is rotated for removal.

Largobob

I always turn the camera off when manipulating anything with electrical connections or contacts. Batteries, cables, memory cards, speed light, shutter release, and YES....lenses have electrical contacts too!

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

jim quist wrote:

If you leave it on the sensor will act like a magnet to dust particles.
My mentor drilled into me that when you change a lens to aim the camera toward the ground, and to leave the camera pointed to the ground until the lenses were changed. Particularly if you are outside

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Once you get into the habit of turning off your camera before changing lenses, it soon becomes an automatic response you don't have to think about - like when you lock the door whenever you leave your home, for example. Or turn off the faucet when you are done using the sink. As most (if not all) camera manuals recommend shutting off the camera before removing/mounting a lens, it certainly is a habit worth incorporating.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Longshadow wrote:

Whatever the manual states.
I always turn mine off to change lenses because the camera and lens communicate. Removing the lens with the camera on could disrupt that communications and possibly cause a hiccup or hangup.

Me too