Storing equipment

[iant79]

Hi All,

A very basic question:

I keep all my gear together in a small Lowepro bag (Altus140).

It all* fits in quite nicely, as long as I keep lenses off the camera body. What I'm wondering is does this mean that I'm putting my camera/glass more at risk of exposure to dust by the fact that I have to take lenses on and off more frequently? Is it better to keep a lens on all the time? :shrug:

I'm always ultra-careful about keeping caps on body and lens when not in use.

* 350D body, 18-55 kit lens, nifty fifty, 80-200mm 4.5-5.6, couple of spare batteries & CF cards - all very snug!

Cheers.

 

[-Rob-]

It's true that every time you change a lens you are increasing the risk of dust getting on to the sensor in the camera and on to the back of the lens. The only way you can keep a lens on the camera all the time is if you only ever shoot with that lens. As you have 3 lenses I assume they all get used so you'll be swapping lenses anyway.

As long as you remove the lens in as clean an environment as possible and not on the beach on a windy day then you should be OK. Always put the caps on the camera and lens as quick as possible and you are reducing the risk.

 

[sbowler579]

Don't worry about changing lenses a lot, that's one of my bad habit's. Just buy the right equipment for cleaning the lenses and sensor. Rocket blower and arctic butterfly, that's all you need. Change lenses carefully point the cam down as much as you can when attaching lens. Avoid dusty, and windy environments when changing.

 

[iant79]

Thanks All,

As I say, I'm really careful with keeping caps on, and always careful when changing but wasn't sure whether I was better off keeping one lens on and changing to the other 2 when necessary was better than always having to put one on (ie 33% more chance of contamination!).

I'm clearly paranoid.