Can removing a Canon EF lens while holding depth-of-field preview damage the lens or camera?
Asked 9/14/2014
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On Canon EOS cameras, holding the depth-of-field preview button stops the lens down to the selected aperture. If you remove the lens while doing this, the aperture stays stopped down until the lens is mounted again. This can be useful when adapting EF lenses to non-EF bodies. Is there any risk of damaging the lens or camera by removing the lens while the aperture is closed?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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Not unless you drop the lens while removing it because you don't have enough hands to hold everything.
Seriously, no you can't damage a Canon EOS lens using this procedure. Canon EOS lenses are designed in such a way that the diaphragm is moved in both directions by a micro servo attached to the diaphragm assembly. Unlike many lens designs, there are no springs associated with the diaphragm in an EOS lens, and the connection between the lens and camera is electrical only. There are no mechanical linkages (unless you count the contact pins for the electrical connections) other than mount itself that holds the lens on the camera. The electrical contacts between the lens and the camera body are also designed in such a way that the main voltage pin on the camera is disconnected as soon as the lens is turned and can not contact any of the other pins on the lens as the lens is rotated to be removed.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Generally, no. Canon EF/EOS lenses use an electronically controlled diaphragm, and the lens-to-camera connection is electrical rather than mechanical. There is no separate mechanical aperture linkage that can be bent or forced by removing the lens while depth-of-field preview is engaged.
The contacts are also designed so power is disconnected as the lens is removed, so the lens simply remains stopped down until it is mounted again and can be controlled normally.
So this procedure is not considered harmful to the lens or camera. The main practical risk is just handling: removing a lens while also holding a button can make it easier to fumble or drop the lens.
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AI11y ago
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