Camera on or off (Page 3): I always try to remember to turn my camera off when changing lenses. It just seems to make good sense. Not only from the standpoint of the sensor being...

CaptainPhoto

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.

I always try to remember to turn my camera off when changing lenses. It just seems to make good sense. Not only from the standpoint of the sensor being charged, thus attracting dust, but from the fact that there are contact pints on the lens and camera that make electrical contact. BTW I have a mirrorless camera so the sensor is right there when I remove the lens.
And I try to do the same when I remove the memory card - turn the camera off. Again electrical contacts, granted a small amount of charge but you never know. Better to be safe than sorry.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Definitely off!

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I have always turned off any electronic devices when detaching or attaching peripherals (lenses, cables, cards, etc.). When you turn the device back on, it allows it to re-establish the connection and make any necessary adjustments to accommodate the new item. As mentioned earlier, there could static electricity - dust, etc. that could be encouraged to go where it shouldn't, and the devices may not initialize properly. YMMV

jbettes

Absolutely I do and not because of what I have read or heard.....BECAUSE I DONT WANT TO FIND OUT THE HARD WAY. I buy international version Canons’ w/o warranties so why take the chance.

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.[/quote]

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

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.

I always turn mine off but I have forgotten to do that once or twice and it didn't hurt anything. But I feel that it's good practice to shut it off.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

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.

I add to the "Should be off" group.

If you use Pentax and forget, the camera will automatically turn itself off when you start to remove the lens.

LCD

I never thought to do it. Yes, it makes all kind of sense to turn it off before a lens change.

Anhanga Brasil Loc: Cabo Frio - Brazil

Think: Electronic contacts between the lens and the camera.
Listen: Turn it off.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

I turn it off when I do anything.

distill Loc: Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire UK

Yes agree with most, turn off camera also the same applys when fitting your flash or flash trigger infact switch off everything when connecting anything to anything at least it will be no tears at bedtime

SpyderJan Loc: New Smyrna Beach. FL

OFF!

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

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.

All I know of is OFF. Who and where say On is OK? And it is not just the dust issue, many systems can get confused while trying to communicate with a different lens. I've seen my Pentax cameras freak-out and I'm pretty sure Nikons don't like that either. Not sure about Canon or Sony DSLRs. I think all owners manuals say to switch off when changing lenses (the reason may not be given).

As I recall, the same advice is given for film cameras if they have anything electronically automated about them. Say even a Pentax K2, ME; Canon AE-1, Canon A-1 and the like.

DrDon Loc: Hingham, Ma

I just looked it up in my Canon 77D Manuel. It does not tell you to turn off the power when changing lenses. In fact the only time it does tell you that is when you remove the SD card. I agree it is a good habit but many of us have forgotten and no harm was done.

Rickoshay Loc: Southern California

BassmanBruce wrote:

I Always turn my camera off when changing lenses............The only exception to this is when I forget, which happens at a very embarrassing rate.

My procedure as well.

Photocraig

Since our cameras are all now really computerized electronic equipment, it is advisable to turn off power to the device whenever removing electronically connected components. THAT's universal across ALL electronic devices. While there are some circuits that accommodate "Hot Switching," for example USB, most electronics engineers and service personnel religiously depower the devices before working on them. Whenever I asked why, the response was some version of just because you can doesn't mean you should.

In the common sense world, why would you take the chance if the precaution is so easily accomplished and poses no obstacle or imposition. And, I doubt just by depowering, that the static charge surrounding the sensor wouldn't still attract particles, dust or otherwise.