How can I reduce lens changes on a Canon 550D while shooting both telephoto and macro?
Asked 1/20/2011
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I use a Canon 550D and often shoot both telephoto subjects and close-up/macro images. I’m considering a telephoto lens because the kit zoom range isn’t enough, but I’m worried that frequently swapping between a telephoto lens and a macro lens will let dust into the camera. Is changing lenses often actually harmful to the camera body or mount? Are there practical ways to minimize lens changes while still covering both telephoto and macro work, such as a telephoto macro lens, a superzoom, close-up filters, or even a second body?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
16
Changing lenses is the single best thing about having a DSLR, if you want 12x zoom and macro ability without ever changing lenses you want a bridge camera.
Changing lenses often isn't bad for the camera per se, I go through days when I do 10 or 20 lens changes. The wear on the mount is totally negligible. Whilst you obviously want to keep the inside of your camera clean, never changing lenses isn't the best way to go about it....
I'm afraid there is already a load of dust debris, tiny bits of plastic etc. inside the camera from when it was manufactured. The body is also not airtight even when a lens is mounted, and moving parts wear over time shedding tiny particulates that all contribute to dust.
The best way to keep it clean is to wipe the sensor with a special alcohol wipe when necessary. It's surprisingly easy (its worth noting that you're not wiping the sensor itself, but a hardened piece of glass that's stuck on the front. The need for this depends on what you're shooting - dust becomes more visible the more you stop down. I can go for months without cleaning if I'm mostly shooting in low light with wide apertures.
It's very hard for dust to irreversably ruin a photo (unlike a poor lens). It tends to only be visible against a plain background, which means it's easy to clone out in software. It's obviously better not to have the dust there, but the ability to get rid of it after a photo has been taken helps prevent me staying awake at night worrying about dust!
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
15y ago
0
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Frequent lens changes are normal on a DSLR and generally aren’t harmful to the camera. The mount wear is usually negligible, and the camera body isn’t perfectly sealed anyway, so some dust is inevitable over time.
If you want to reduce swapping, your main options are:
- a telephoto macro lens, which combines both uses but will be larger, heavier, and more expensive
- a superzoom lens, which gives convenience but usually involves quality compromises
- close-up filters/adapters on an existing lens for occasional macro work
- a second camera body, if convenience matters most
If your main concern is dust, the answer isn’t to avoid changing lenses entirely. Instead, change lenses carefully and keep the camera maintained; sensor cleaning is sometimes part of DSLR ownership.
If you want maximum convenience with long zoom and macro-like capability in one package, a bridge camera may suit that better than a DSLR. But if you want the flexibility and image quality benefits of a DSLR, changing lenses is simply part of the system.
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AI15y ago
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