Camera on or off
Nov 27, 2018 12:57:45 #
Changing anything on your camera should be done with the power off. Changing SD cards, Lenses, and plugging or unplugging cables for instance. The possibility of a static discharge can damage anything electronic.
Nov 27, 2018 12:59:32 #
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 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 off - here's why - as you are removing old lens and then reattaching the new lens, the contacts and rubbing against each other, creating spurious signals to the camera's processor and the len's processor, and maybe short connections that should not be shorted together even momentarily. I am sure the makers designed an automatic "reset" into the lens and camera processor software but don't count on it, especially with third party lenses such as Tamron or Sigma. Best to turn OFF, remove/ attach, and then ON again. DSLRs and newer mirrorless boot up almost instantly anyway.
Nov 27, 2018 13:09:33 #
Nov 27, 2018 13:17:43 #
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 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.
Yes, you are always to turn off the camera, not only changing lenses, but any kind of electronic device/attachment, as well as memory cards, or you're running the risk of serious damage! It might not happen, but why take a chance?
Nov 27, 2018 13:41:47 #
This has been an eye opener for me. Everyone here turns the power off. Most of the manuals say 'turn the power off', but I have never given it any thought and actually had to do a little test run to see how I do it, (habits and all) and I realize I never turn the power off. I just crank that lens off and stick the new one on. Electricity being what it is, it's probably a good idea to turn it off, but I'm not worried about it at all and probably won't bother. The lens would probably be off before I remembered anyway.
...Cam
...Cam
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 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.
Nov 27, 2018 14:31:27 #
Always have, always will. IF in doubt turn it off! You can't hurt anything if it is OFF!
Nov 27, 2018 14:43:18 #
BassmanBruce wrote:
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. 
Nov 27, 2018 15:23:28 #
StanMac
Loc: Tennessee
Architect1776 wrote:
How vintage?
I have many old film cameras from the early 60's with on-off switches.
I have many old film cameras from the early 60's with on-off switches.
Those that I own and/or have used: Petri rangefinders; Yashica rangefinders (no battery whatsoever, and some with meter actuation buttons that are press to meter and release after setting exposure); Pentax K1000, K2, KM (the meter is on all the time); Pentax M series (a mode switch but not an on-off switch); Miranda. Minolta SRT series from the 60's and early 70's had a meter switch, but one didn't have to turn it off to change lenses and one could use the camera in manual mode with the switch off. I am sure there are others that I don't have any experience with.
Stan
Nov 27, 2018 15:51:58 #
It's always a good idea to turn off the camera when you change lenses, swap cards, exchange batteries, etc. It may be unnecessary but why take a risk??
Nov 27, 2018 16:20:43 #
BassmanBruce wrote:
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.
The only exception to this is when I forget, which happens at a very embarrassing rate.
This is exactly what I've been told by the local camera shop, years ago. I always try to remember to have the camera off when changing lenses.
Nov 27, 2018 17:45:37 #
Nov 27, 2018 18:58:39 #
Just what we needed: another thing to do before changing lenses.
I used to use an Argus C3 camera, like Tony Vaccaro's: http://tonyvaccarofilm.com/
It had a gear on the front that coupled the rangefinder to the lens focus ring.
before changing lenses, you had to remove that gear!
Then after screwing on the new lens, you had to index the focus turning ti all the way
to the right and setting the focus indicator to infinity, then replace the gear.
Then, later, I got to do the "Nikon Shuffle" with the F2 Photomic.
Now here we are with digital cameras, and once again there are extra steps to changing lenses:
1. Turn off the camera.
2. Change the lens.
3. Turn on the camera.
4. Wait for the camera to wake up.
The great thing about photography: it never changes. The same design mistakes come back about
every 20 years.
I used to use an Argus C3 camera, like Tony Vaccaro's: http://tonyvaccarofilm.com/
It had a gear on the front that coupled the rangefinder to the lens focus ring.
before changing lenses, you had to remove that gear!
Then after screwing on the new lens, you had to index the focus turning ti all the way
to the right and setting the focus indicator to infinity, then replace the gear.
Then, later, I got to do the "Nikon Shuffle" with the F2 Photomic.
Now here we are with digital cameras, and once again there are extra steps to changing lenses:
1. Turn off the camera.
2. Change the lens.
3. Turn on the camera.
4. Wait for the camera to wake up.
The great thing about photography: it never changes. The same design mistakes come back about
every 20 years.
Nov 27, 2018 19:04:46 #
distill
Loc: Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire UK
is OFF definitely OFF
I notice that when I replace the battery on my sony a550 although it is switched off when the battery is inserted there is definitely something happening as you can feel vibrations / noise as if it's configuring itself
I notice that when I replace the battery on my sony a550 although it is switched off when the battery is inserted there is definitely something happening as you can feel vibrations / noise as if it's configuring itself
Nov 27, 2018 19:41:59 #
The very simple rule when it comes to anything involving electricity is to kill the circuit before anything else is done. Since there is electronic communication between the body and the lense, when you break that contact while under power a spike occurs in the form of a tiny spark. The rest is self explanatory.
WJH
WJH
Nov 27, 2018 20:26:44 #
It's probably a good idea but I've been changing lenses on SLR cameras since the late seventies without ever having a problem with the electronics. I read the first page of responses and it looks like I'm the odd man out. I guess it's the correct thing to do so maybe I need to change my ways.
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