Are you a beginner photographer? You may be wondering about how best to look after your gear, with an emphasis on lenses, as these are rather essential, and it can be challenging to know how best to care for your equipment. So, can you leave the lens on the camera, or should you remove it every time?
Ultimately it is okay to leave the lens on your camera. It is unlikely to damage the camera. In many ways, the tight fit between the lens and camera provides an excellent barrier against dust; however, if you cap both your camera and your lens, you can also remove the lens.
When it comes to camera equipment care, you want to be doing the right thing; after all, camera equipment can be very pricey, with it taking very little to damage a lens or the camera body, even the tiniest speck of dust can cause irreparable damage as many of us have frustratingly experienced.
Is It Okay To Leave Lens On Camera?
Photographers find that one of the most significant issues with using multi-lens cameras is the danger of dust. It can be a big issue if dust gets into the body or onto the lens; not only can it distort and ruin your images, but it could also lead to costly repairs and even the need for the replacement of parts.
One of the most common ways to introduce dust to the camera interior is when you change your lens.
You can leave your lens on your camera, and this is perfectly safe for both pieces of equipment, or you can keep each piece separately, the final decision will depend on what works best for you as each person and their photography is different.
Why Is It Good To Leave Lens On Camera?
There are many reasons to leave a lens on a camera; however, we should add that when doing so, lens safety is essential. So keep those lens covers securely fastened, or you could end up with unwanted scratches.
The following are all good reasons to leave your lens on your camera:
- User Convenience
- Camera Safety
User Convenience
Depending on your photography style, keep your lens on your camera. Many hobby photographers only have one lens and keeping the lens on makes life a lot easier because you won’t have to reset your settings each time you attach your lens.
And even better, if you like to be prepared for that evasive action shot, you will always be ready and won’t waste precious seconds trying to get your lens in place.
Camera Safety
Any time you remove lenses and covers, you increase the possibility of dust exposure. So if you are continually attaching and removing your lens, dust will get in, and that increases the risk of scratching and damage to the glass and sensor.
While cameras come with handy covers for both lenses and bodies, sometimes the fit between the lens and body is better than that between the body and cap, so keeping the lens on actually provides better protection to the camera interior.
If you are likely to change your lens often, keeping it on the camera is a good idea as long as you still replace the lens cover and stow both in a safe and secure camera bag. You can even safely store it as such.
If you remove the lens, you also increase the risk of dropping either the camera or the lens and causing physical damage to either one. Leaving the lens on reduces the risk of accidents.
When Is It Okay To Leave Lens Off Camera?
Here are the five reasons why you may want to keep your lens and camera separate:
- Use of multiple lenses
- Long term storage
- Space saving
- Use of large telephoto lenses
Use Of Multiple Lenses
The most apparent reason behind not keeping your lens on your camera is if you know you will be interchanging lenses frequently. Being in the habit of removing your lens, you can make the transition from one lens to another lens easier.
Of course, when changing lenses, you should replace all covers to reduce the possibility of dust, protecting your equipment from harm.
Long Term Storage
If you won’t be using your cameras for a while, it is better to remove lenses and keep each part separately. This storage tip will help avoid the connection between the lens and the camera from getting stuck.
Space Saving
Depending on the type of camera bag (backpacks, shoulder bags, etc.) you enjoy using and how many compartments it has, removing the lens from the camera can save space. Most camera bags are built to accommodate the camera and the lens separately.
Sometimes keeping the lens and camera attached can lead to unwanted scratching against other items in the bag, as the combined camera and lens take up more space than the built-in compartments allow.
Use Of Large Telephoto Lenses
If you use large lenses, it is better to remove them after use, as these oversized lenses may cause strain on the lens mount, which can lead to damage.
How To Store Lens When Not In Use
Regardless of whether you keep your lens on your camera or not, you should always replace the lens cover to reduce dust and scratching of the outer glass.
Both camera and lens should then be kept in a padded camera bag. Most camera bags also offer waterproof protection.
If you remove the lens from the camera, always do it with the lens facing down so that no dust can land on the sensor. And remember to replace both the lens and camera body covers.
Conclusion
You can leave the lens on your camera without any damage, mainly if you are unlikely to change lenses frequently. If you are often changing lenses, however, it is easier to remove the lenses that are used and keep the lenses and the camera protected by using the covers to keep dust out.
