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Camera on or off
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Nov 27, 2018 08:09:40   #
mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey
 
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.

For as number of years I never turned any of my cameras off before changing lenses and had no problems, but erring on the side of caution, I have been doing it on a regular basis for the last several years.

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Nov 27, 2018 08:10:56   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
I believe all manuals tell you to turn off the camera before connecting or disconnecting anything electronic - battery or card.

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Nov 27, 2018 08:17:12   #
Leitz Loc: Solms
 
John8385 wrote:
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.

Isn't the UHH just great? You can always find someone to do your thinking for you

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Nov 27, 2018 08:32:44   #
John8385 Loc: Leesburg, Fl
 
BuckeyeBilly wrote:
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?


Hello BuckeyeBilly,
I didn't receive a manual as my camera was purchased as a refurbished but I know one could be found online if I researched it. However, I suspect most camera manuals would state it one way or the other. I was just trying to get a consensus on what most photographers do and it seems to make sense to turn it off which I'll be continuing to do. Thanks for chimming in.

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Nov 27, 2018 08:33:16   #
Pierre Robert
 
Hi,

I am an electronic engineer. My statement: With ANY electronic component, you SHOULD turn off the main power at
all time to prevent Sparks or Electrical noise that can cause damage to your equipment.

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Nov 27, 2018 09:03:12   #
Festus Loc: North Dakota
 
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.


TURN IT OFF!! On most newer DSLR's, there is electrical contacts between the lens and the camera. Enough said.

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Nov 27, 2018 09:04:18   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
Pierre Robert wrote:
Hi,

I am an electronic engineer. My statement: With ANY electronic component, you SHOULD turn off the main power at
all time to prevent Sparks or Electrical noise that can cause damage to your equipment.



(Not a lot of stuff can be "hot swapped".)

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Nov 27, 2018 09:06:29   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
robertjerl wrote:
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.


That is what I read in my manual as well.
It is also so the IS in the lens is set to neutral per rumors I heard.

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Nov 27, 2018 09:14:05   #
StanMac Loc: Tennessee
 
rook2c4 wrote:
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.


For those of us who have a history of using vintage film cameras where there is no on-off switch, remembering to turn my digital camera off to change lenses is an ongoing challenge.

Stan

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Nov 27, 2018 09:44:14   #
KLambar Loc: New Jersey
 
Off - as manual says when switching lenses.

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Nov 27, 2018 09:49:27   #
dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia
 
OFF. For all the reasons already stated. OFF!

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Nov 27, 2018 09:52:13   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
It's recommended to turn it off.

Cameras are designed to be fool resistant, but not foolproof (there's no such thing). An occasional hot swap will probably not damage anything but it's a good idea to get into the habit of avoiding things like that. While the sensor has voltage applied when the camera is on, it is covered by the shutter so I would not consider it a dust magnet. The mirror box will probably not be any more of a dust magnet with the camera on or off.

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Nov 27, 2018 09:52:25   #
aellman Loc: Boston MA
 
Bipod wrote:
Note to self: include in lens mount design: switch that turns off camera
when lens is rotated for removal.


Excellent idea.

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Nov 27, 2018 09:53:43   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
StanMac wrote:
For those of us who have a history of using vintage film cameras where there is no on-off switch, remembering to turn my digital camera off to change lenses is an ongoing challenge.

Stan


How vintage?
I have many old film cameras from the early 60's with on-off switches.

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Nov 27, 2018 10:16:19   #
camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.
 
I always keep the camera off when changing lenses. That is just me.

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