Changing lenses: I only have one camera body. I rarely change the lens when out and usually in back seat of car. The other day I took a second lens because I knew I wanted to change...

lwhite61 Loc: Kentucky

I only have one camera body. I rarely change the lens when out and usually in back seat of car. The other day I took a second lens because I knew I wanted to change from birds to do some landscapes. It was early morning and VERY humid. Cool humid, not hot. I opted to err on the side of caution and did not change the lens. Was just wondering if maybe it would have been ok to change the lens without causing any damage/moisture to get inside camera (80D) body? Thanks

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

If I was scared to change lenses because of humidity or weather or whatever,
I'd get a bridge camera.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You're overdoing it on this concern of changing lenses. Yes, in these humid situations, it can present a time delay problem. But, if you take the time to get the equipment to the same temps of the outside (or inside) conditions, changing the lens is no more an issue than any other situation. Having your equipment in the car trunk for the travel to site will help in getting the equipment to the same temps. About 30 minutes outside in the same temps should get them to the same level of hot / cold.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

lwhite61 wrote:

I only have one camera body. I rarely change the lens when out and usually in back seat of car. The other day I took a second lens because I knew I wanted to change from birds to do some landscapes. It was early morning and VERY humid. Cool humid, not hot. I opted to err on the side of caution and did not change the lens. Was just wondering if maybe it would have been ok to change the lens without causing any damage/moisture to get inside camera (80D) body? Thanks

The short answer is you might allow moisture inside when changing the lens in a humid environment.

But there is a longer answer. Changing lenses should be done with some caution. Outside at Burning Man during a sandstorm is not a good idea. Second is the camera air tight? No. Humidity will leak in given some time.

Please consider CHG_Cannon's post above, and then change lenses as you see fit.

lwhite61 Loc: Kentucky

Longshadow wrote:

If I was scared to change lenses because of humidity or weather or whatever,
I'd get a bridge camera.

lwhite61 Loc: Kentucky

CHG_CANON wrote:

You're overdoing it on this concern of changing le... (show quote)

lwhite61 Loc: Kentucky

JD750 wrote:

The short answer is you might allow moisture inside when changing the lens the lens in a humid environment.

But there is a longer answer. Changing lenses should be done with some caution. Outside at Burning Man during a sandstorm is not a good idea. Second is the camera air tight? No. Humidity will leak in given some time.

Please consider CHG_Cannon's post above, and then change lenses as you see fit.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

In the pacific northwest we get lots of fairly cool humidity. We take care trying not to let raindrops in, but just regular humidity has never been an issue. Not so cold that condensation gets bad.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

lwhite61 wrote:

I only have one camera body. I rarely change the lens when out and usually in back seat of car. The other day I took a second lens because I knew I wanted to change from birds to do some landscapes. It was early morning and VERY humid. Cool humid, not hot. I opted to err on the side of caution and did not change the lens. Was just wondering if maybe it would have been ok to change the lens without causing any damage/moisture to get inside camera (80D) body? Thanks

I went whale watching in Hawaii yesterday. Hot and humid with occasional splashes of salt water. I swapped my lenses ten times during our three hour tour, maybe more. I brought those lenses to use and though it’s possible something could go wrong what’s the point if you don’t use the lens you want when you want it. Set aside your fears, develop good lens changing practices and just do it.
…Cam

lwhite61 Loc: Kentucky

Orphoto wrote:

In the pacific northwest we get lots of fairly cool humidity. We take care trying not to let raindrops in, but just regular humidity has never been an issue. Not so cold that condensation gets bad.

lwhite61 Loc: Kentucky

CamB wrote:

I went whale watching in Hawaii yesterday. Hot and humid with occasional splashes of salt water. I swapped my lenses ten times during our three hour tour, maybe more. I brought those lenses to use and though it’s possible something could go wrong what’s the point if you don’t use the lens you want when you want it. Set aside your fears, develop good lens changing practices and just do it.
…Cam

jim quist Loc: Missouri

When you do change lenses make sure the camera is turned off and the camera is aimed toward the ground.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Most cameras are not air tight. If it is humid outside the camera, it will become humid inside the camera as well within a short time - with or without changing lenses. Cameras don't have built-in air conditioning.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

jim quist wrote:

When you do change lenses make sure the camera is turned off and the camera is aimed toward the ground.

I don’t bother turning my camera off to change lenses. It’s just an extra step and I’m just going to turn it on again in five seconds. It makes no difference to the operation of the camera or the lens.
…Cam

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

lwhite61 wrote:

I only have one camera body. I rarely change the lens when out and usually in back seat of car. The other day I took a second lens because I knew I wanted to change from birds to do some landscapes. It was early morning and VERY humid. Cool humid, not hot. I opted to err on the side of caution and did not change the lens. Was just wondering if maybe it would have been ok to change the lens without causing any damage/moisture to get inside camera (80D) body? Thanks

Yes, changing lenses outside will cause no damage to your camera. As a retired wedding photographer, I changed many many lenses in my prime shooting days, on high humidity days, rainy days, coming out of air conditioning into 99% humidity, you name it, we did it, no problems outside of a heavy dose of condensation.
Like Mad Magazine says, "what, me worry?"
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.