Tips: Changing Lenses

Every DSLR owner dreams of having the perfect walkaround lens. A walkaround lens covers a focal range noramlly from Wide Angle to Telephoto, thus minimizing the need to carry several lenses and giving you more range choices in taking a particular scene. Good after-market alternatives are the Sigma 18-200 OS HSM and the Tokina 18-200 or 18-250. For Nikon lovers, the Nikon 18-200VR is the top choice. But at P29k for the Nikon 18-200VR (Hidalgo price), it costs more than a Nikon D40/x which a newbie couldn't easily afford. So for those on a budget like myself, shuffling forth between several lenses is the most practical solution to cover at least the same focal length of the 18-200VR. As a case in point, I use the Nikon 55-200VR (only P9k) to compliment the 18-55 D40 kit lens. From time to time, I also use an old-school 50mm f/1.8 prime.

While being the cheaper alternative, a major drawback though of changing lenses quite often is that it greatly increases the chances of dust entering your body. Dust appears as tiny specs or even smudges on your images and could ruin your sensor if not taken care of properly. Here are some tips on changing lenses.

1. Always change lenses in an environment that is as dust-free as possible.
2. Always have the body facing down to minimize dust from falling/getting in.
3. Minimize the use of blowers unless really needed. Blowers don't easily get the dust out of the body, especially for dust that has already stuck to the sensor/mirrors and instead cause them to just fly around. An anti-static blower/medium is needed to really get the dust off.
4. Don't leave the mount open without the body cap on for prolonged periods of time.
5. Try to change lenses as quickly as possible.