Changing lenses too frequently?

[aroundiemiru]

Is it bad to frequently change lenses? By frequently, I mean anywhere from 2-10 times per day... Let me explain why - I'll be traveling all around Europe, with 1 or 2 days per location. I love to shoot architecture - full buildings, alleyways, streets, and more... but I also like to zoom in on the details of buildings. Most things I see I won't have an opportunity to return to photograph at another time, hence the potential for the frequent lens changes.

Next question - my camera is a Canon Rebel XS with the 18-55 kit lens, and a 75-300 non IS zoom. Should I purchase an ultra wide angle, or a better zoom lens (perhaps 18-200) to complete my lineup? My biggest concern with getting the wide angle would be the amount of lens changes I would have to do.

Thanks!

[crunch]

It depens on what you mean by "bad". It's not bad, in that you won't wear out the lens and body mounting points. It is bad if you change lenses in a dusty, windy location (in which case 1 lens change is bad, not even getting on to 10 changes!).

As long as you're careful to avoid getting dust on your sensor, it's not bad. I would purchase something like a Giottos rocket blower, and blow off your sensor every evening in your hotel room. Other than that, minimising the time that the body is lens- or cap-less, and turning the camera off when changing lenses (when the camera is on, the sensor is electro-statically charged, which may attract dust), will minimise dust collection. I normally try change lenses inside my bag, and I keep the camera with the lens pointed to the ground, so that dust can't fall into the camera.

[wulf]

If you think it will be a hassle changing lenses so much, you could think about a second camera body. That is why you see many professional photographers with a couple of cameras strapped on - they can switch without losing time.

Personally, I tend to stick with one or two lenses per session. I'll try to make the most of what the lens on the camera can offer me rather than opening up even more choice by potentially swapping between any of my lenses (although my collection is small enough that I can carry it all round in my bag). It is a restriction but that can be creatively liberating.

Wulf

[aroundiemiru]

Thanks for your help - I'm much less worried about changing my lenses now!

Crunch - Great tip about changing the lens inside your camera bag - not something I had thought of! I always change lenses with the camera pointed down, but I still worry about dust collecting in the time it takes to remove the end caps from the lens that I'm changing - so I will definitely try the bag technique next time!

Wulf - Unfortunately I don't have the money to buy a second camera body, so I'll just make do with changing lenses. You're right about less lens options being creatively liberating - 2 days ago I went out with only my 75-300 zoom, and I took many shots I wouldn't normally think to take!

[mnchevygirl]

I have an xs also. Everytime I change my lens I run the sensor cleaning option. I'm not sure if it really actually matters that I do that, but I do it as a precaution.

[sybren]

Last monday I shot a performance by Bl3nder (http://myspace.com/bl3nder) and I must have swapped between three lenses about 10 times in just two hours. Nothing wrong with that!

[aroundiemiru]

mnchevygirl - I have mine set to automatically clean the sensor. I figure it can't hurt anything either!

sybren - Good to know, this makes me feel much more comfortable about changing lenses!

[digirebelva]

As noted before the greatest issue is getting dust on the sensor..and unforunately the dust cleaning in camera isnt always going to get them all. At some point your are going to have to remove the lens and manually clean the sensor be it with a blower or other means if the dust particles are stubborn enough.

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by aroundiemiru

Next question - my camera is a Canon Rebel XS with the 18-55 kit lens, and a 75-300 non IS zoom. Should I purchase an ultra wide angle, or a better zoom lens (perhaps 18-200) to complete my lineup? My biggest concern with getting the wide angle would be the amount of lens changes I would have to do.

Another advantage of a DSLR is that you can use a lens with the right focal length. In your case (for vacation), you can consider a 18-200 or Tamron 18-270 VC. If you need a UWA then consider a 10-22 or Sigma 10-20.

[sybren]

Originally Posted by LoveDSLR

Another advantage of a DSLR is that you can use a lens with the right focal length. In your case (for vacation), you can consider a 18-200 or Tamron 18-270 VC. If you need a UWA then consider a 10-22 or Sigma 10-20.

Personally I choose quality over quantity. The larger the zoom range, the lower the image quality. This already shows when you compare Canon's 17-55mm with their 17-85mm lens. If you just keep your body's lens opening pointing downward when you change lenses, and you take care not to let the wind blow in there, you should be fine.

Of course dust will settle on your sensor, and you'll have to blow it off, but that's a simple operation of a few minutes. I wouldn't suffer lower quality photos just to prevent that. Which you can't, by the way. A zoom lens will also breathe air every time you zoom in or out, pulling dust into your camera. The shutter itself also releases (very) small quantities of dust. All in all the only thing you can do to completely prevent dust on your sensor is shoot film.