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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> How many times do you change lenses?
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 06/24/2005 03:00:32 PM · #1
Ok, I'm curious. I am thinking I change too often (and I dislike changing lenses!). But I see a shot, and I always seem to have the wrong lens on! I went for a 1 hr walk yesterday in the preserve, and changed lenses 3 times (4 if you count the initial "change").

So I am curious about what others do. Describe your latest photo adventure, and tell me when you changed lenses.

Here's my walk, in the nature preserve (woods, with some streams):

1. Sigma 18-125 - general shots
2. Canon 70-300 DO IS - "macros" of dragonflies
3. Sigma 18-125 - general shooting
4. Canon 10-22 EF-S - nice wide shots of the forest.

06/24/2005 03:21:00 PM · #2
ummm.... my dSLR is too new to tell really.
Only got it last week and didn't even have enough time to actually explore it the way I should.
Also, so far I only have two lenses:
Nikkor 18-70 (a kit lens)
Nikkor 70-300

But already I have switched them about a 1,000 times I think.

If you ask me, personally, I can see myself changing them a lot. Every moment has it's own unique view and every view needs it's own lens.
The only huge disadvantage here is, that it sometimes takes too much time. I have already missed a shot i really wanted cause I needed to change them!

So I guess it's all up to the occassion: if your current object is one that will stay there a couple more seconds - replace to the right lens.
If it might fly away - shoot it immediately! Then change the lens and try to catch it again...

But that's just me before actually getting used to all this switching and changing...
 06/24/2005 03:24:56 PM · #3
constantly... I can't afford two bodies so I regularly switch between the 70-200 and the 16-35 about every 10shots.

Message edited by author 2005-06-24 15:25:08.
 06/24/2005 03:27:46 PM · #4
When I used to use my Minolta SLR more. I used to change between my 50mm f/1.4 and my 70-200 zoom all the time. At least once or twice everytime I went out to shoot. After a while it only takes a sec. and it almost second nature.
 06/24/2005 03:39:19 PM · #5
I went for a 3 hour walk a few days ago, I took my 17-40 and a 500mm mirror lens with me, I think I changed lenses at least 50 times in 3 hours.. I'd really like canon to make a new lens system, one where the ends of the lens closes automaticaly when you take it off the camera, the time it takes to switch lenses, and put the lenscaps on is usually long enough to miss the shot...
 06/24/2005 03:39:35 PM · #6
Its good to change lenses every few shots so the air inside the camera doesnt get stale
 06/24/2005 03:40:29 PM · #7
Originally posted by Jinjit:
Nikkor 18-70 (a kit lens)
Nikkor 70-300
...
The only huge disadvantage here is, that it sometimes takes too much time. I have already missed a shot i really wanted cause I needed to change them!


I have those same lenses, and also the Nikkor 50mm/1.8D. I've missed some shots too when I had the wrong lens on (usually when I have the 70-300 on and something happens nearby, and I can't get far enough away fast enough to get stuff in the frame. :)

But there's another big thing to be careful about other than 'too much time', and that's getting dust and other contaminants in the lens and body. You have to be extremely careful, and be as quick as possible to minimize the chance of stuff getting inside.
 06/24/2005 03:45:19 PM · #8
Sometimes I purposefully go out with just one lens that I usually don't use for that particular location. That forces me to compose a little differently and try out different shots I wouldn't normally do. My entry in the birds challenge was a result of this - I left my 28-80 at home and took only my 75-300. That's why he has no feet! :) I did get many other great shots that day though...

Otherwise, I change lens frequently. I have it down to a science and can swap lenses in less than 10 seconds. Blown quite a few flying bird shots though...

d
 06/24/2005 03:54:24 PM · #9
1. Canon 70-200mm L f/4 most of the time. 60%
2. Canon 18-55mm Kit lens. 35%
3. Canon 50mm f/1.8 II 5%

I don't like the the kit lens and I need to start using my 50mm f/1.8 II more often. I use it only about 5% of the time and it would render probably 95% better results than the kit lens. I guess I'm stubborn and like zoom lens. I need to focus on a fixed lens, maybe I would improve.
 06/24/2005 04:03:08 PM · #10
Originally posted by skylen:
Originally posted by Jinjit:
Nikkor 18-70 (a kit lens)
Nikkor 70-300
...
The only huge disadvantage here is, that it sometimes takes too much time. I have already missed a shot i really wanted cause I needed to change them!


I have those same lenses, and also the Nikkor 50mm/1.8D. I've missed some shots too when I had the wrong lens on (usually when I have the 70-300 on and something happens nearby, and I can't get far enough away fast enough to get stuff in the frame. :)

But there's another big thing to be careful about other than 'too much time', and that's getting dust and other contaminants in the lens and body. You have to be extremely careful, and be as quick as possible to minimize the chance of stuff getting inside.


To add to the dust point. Turning off your camera while switching lenses seems to cut down on the dust problem.
 06/24/2005 04:16:01 PM · #11
Originally posted by nborton:

To add to the dust point. Turning off your camera while switching lenses seems to cut down on the dust problem.


Makes sense. Less static. I found this method worked pretty good. Uncap > Unmount > Mount > Recap. Only need one cap to switch around an the body is open the least amount of time. The back of the lense is easier to clean than the mirror and other goodies inside.
 06/24/2005 04:30:01 PM · #12
I've got one camera body and two lenses but I rarely interchange them. I've become accustomed to the kickass quality of my L glass so I try my damnest to still get the shot without resorting to using my 28-105 with significantly less quality.

During my last 'job' which was a 10 hour wedding I changed lenses 3 times I think.
 06/24/2005 04:40:20 PM · #13
I guess I use my 100-400mm most of the time.If I'm at a race its on all the time, if I'm walk around the city then its my 28-135mm.
 06/24/2005 05:09:21 PM · #14
A lot.
 06/24/2005 05:15:11 PM · #15
Not very often, I carry two bodies. :)
 06/24/2005 05:30:48 PM · #16
Originally posted by Jason:
Not very often, I carry two bodies. :)

I carry two bodies as well, one with a wide and one with a telephoto. I just change quick release mounts for my tripod. I should buy another mount.
 06/24/2005 05:32:21 PM · #17
It occurs where are you shooting, and what are you shooting.
On my film camera:
For nature 50mm; 100-200mm
For candids 100-200mm; 28-120mm
If I go to park, where are lots of people and good nature, than I change lense very often:)

I have Pentax MZ-7 with these lens:
50mm f1,4
100-200mm (don't have any idea about manufacturer)
28-120mm
35-80mm kit
 06/24/2005 07:20:09 PM · #18
Originally posted by Jason:
Not very often, I carry two bodies. :)


Same here. I change lenses on one body only. The other has a 70-200 L f/2.8 with a 1.4x attached, which I rarely remove.
 06/24/2005 07:22:36 PM · #19
I usually know what I'm going to be shooting so I put it on when I leave and usually leave it. If I'm shooting birds or something, it's the 75-300 ... if it's landscapes or artsy stuff, it's usually the 18-55. Although I change sometimes but usually if something catches my eye.
 06/24/2005 11:02:31 PM · #20
I'm glad at least I'm not alone in changing too much--though some seem to have it under control!

I thought about the second body thing before I decided to sell my Rebel (after getting my XT). But I want to carry less, not more. I've been carrying my S1 IS in my bag too, but it's almost as easy to change lenses as it is to pull that out and have two cameras around my neck.

I am desperately awaiting a 10-300 mm DO IS lens! (Actually, I've thought about upgrading from my 18-125 to an 18-200, but that's not long enough, and I do like having IS at the longer focal lengths.)

06/24/2005 11:25:12 PM · #21
I just came back from a camping trip. I know... I probably shouldn't have taken my (still fairly new) 70-200 L lens with me, but I couldn't resist trying it out for wildlife and other shots. I tried to use it a lot, but found I kept changing it for the 17-85 IS lens that I bought with the 20D. Problem is... 70mm is just way too much telephoto in many situations, so out comes the 17-85 lens. But then 85mm is just not enough telephoto, so then I switch back to the 70-200.

I do like both lenses though and am glad I took both. Just wish I didn't have to change lenses so often. And I can't even imagine going hiking while carrying two bodies! Wouldn't it be great if a "high quality" 17-200 L lens were available?

06/24/2005 11:33:30 PM · #22
Something you may want to try sometime...

There is nothing wrong with changing lenses whenever you need to, but, you may find it interesting to only carry one lens with you next time you go.

Choose a lens and go. This will help you learn the advantages and disadvantages of each lens you have. It will also teach you how to make the most of situations where you don't have a particular lens with you.
06/25/2005 12:05:04 AM · #23
I am very new here. this is actually, my very first post... :-|

I just found this topic is very interesting to me. so...here I come:

I am very new to SLR land. I have never used a SLR before until a month ago I bought a 350D along with 17-40/4L and 70-200/4L. Anyways, I found myself with my 70-200/4L 80% of the time. I take macros with it at 200 end, take portrait with it at 100, take landscape at 70 end, and take birds/small animals at various length. Same as eveyone, the joy of getting new toys was overwhelming. I changed my lens 1000 times before I actually started shotting. lol. soon enough, I found I could not focus on shoting when I had to switching lenses (you know what I mean, it is quite troublesome to switch lenses.) I never take more than one lens with me ever since. one reason I stopped switching lenses is I do realize some opportunates never wait for me. I either capture it, or miss it. If I captured it, I could always fix it late. If I missed a shot, I would have nothing to work with. Second reason is: As I am rather new, I attempt to understand my equipments as much as possible. I always try to use the view of the lens from viewfinder to determine how to structure a shot, instead of my own eyes.

06/25/2005 12:18:27 AM · #24
ive decided to get another body, i have the 24-70 2.8L and the 70-200 2.8L, and changing lenses is a hassle so im just going to get another body so i dont have to worry about switching lenses or sensor dust or any of the crap that comes with it
 06/25/2005 12:31:12 AM · #25
I hate changing lenses too, I change them constantly.

I love my 70-200 and I'm not keen on the kit lens, however I went out today with only the kit lens because I knew what and how I was going to shoot, it was liberating.

I accept that I will never have two bodies :(

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