Can I change lenses without first switching the camera off?

[movingmoments]

Dear All,

As a new user of Olympus 510, I took time off to test out the camera at China Town's Mid Autumn Festival lantern display. I changed my wide angle zoom to my tele zoom without first switching the camera off. Is that ok?

I read through the manual and couldn't find anything related to this. Is there a right or safe way of changing lenses? Is there a procedure to follow?

Thanks for helping out!

[advrider]

always switch off before changing lens because the sensor is charged and will "suck" dusk into it.

always...switch off first.

[movingmoments]

Originally Posted by advrider always switch off before changing lens because the sensor is charged and will "suck" dusk into it. always...switch off first.

Thanks for replying. As I've obviously done what shouldn't be done, what am I suppose to do next? Should I send the camera for cleaning or activate the dust cleaning system by turning the camera on and off?

[night86mare]

if there is no dust, then don't worry

fastest way to check for dust
find a white surface, like a wall
manual focus it such that it is oof

overexposed to about 1/2 stop or 1 stop higher based on metering at highest f/stop number available
f/22 onwards should be sufficient, though if you're anal about dust like me, f/32

then zoom in to look at the picture to see if there are any alien objects

frankly i have seen olympus anti-dust for myself, i think it's very effective, hehe, so doubt there will be much problem, but if you're worried, very easy to check mar

[movingmoments]

Originally Posted by night86mare if there is no dust, then don't worry fastest way to check for dust find a white surface, like a wall manual focus it such that it is oof overexposed to about 1/2 stop or 1 stop higher based on metering at highest f/stop number available f/22 onwards should be sufficient, though if you're anal about dust like me, f/32 then zoom in to look at the picture to see if there are any alien objects frankly i have seen olympus anti-dust for myself, i think it's very effective, hehe, so doubt there will be much problem, but if you're worried, very easy to check mar

Thanks night86mare, you are saving me from one. And thanks advrider, your advice is appreciated.

[Mikefellh]

The other main reason for shutting off before changing lenses is to reset the lens to its "parked" position. Also some cameras have become confused when changing lenses with the power on.

[OlyFlyer]

I have changed lenses many times without switching off the camera, but it's bad habit. In fact, it's not a habit at all, just simple mistakes. Certainly it is better to switch it off before changing, since we are dealing with electricity, but probably won't cause any damage. Still, if SSWF is needed at any time, certainly mostly after a lens change. So it is definitely a good idea to switch off an on again if by mistake, the lens is changed without switching off the camera. That is what I usually do if I realize I forgot to turn it off prior to lens change, just do it after to activate the SSWF.

[Zoobiee]

IIRC if you change the lens while the unit is switched on, the SSWF kicks in (at least that happens on E510). When you change the lens, the SSWF then flickers blue.

But yeah its best to turn the unit off before switching lenses. Too many times i've changed lenses without turning off and it thinks there is no lens attached.

Z

[drakon09]

I do lots of hot swapping - so to speak - and everything is ok (sometimes, you just need to switch lenses as fast as possible to get the shot).

But it is probably a better habit to switch the power off.

[Blu-By-U]

Think there is a soft button when we press the lens unlock button. It switches the camera off. I notice that the camera goes into standby mode after the lens is attached and pressing any button will then activate the SSWF and after that only the camera is usable.

[movingmoments]

Originally Posted by Blu-By-U Think there is a soft button when we press the lens unlock button. It switches the camera off. I notice that the camera goes into standby mode after the lens is attached and pressing any button will then activate the SSWF and after that only the camera is usable.

This is getting interesting, another discovery of what the E510 can do? I wish Olympus would put in more details about "real world" usuage of their cameras in their manual.

[Blu-By-U]

oops..I use the E-330. So my comment applies to the E-330 only as I do not have any of the other E-system cameras.