Transporting SLR ... detach lens from body?

[Learner]

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Hello,

 

Sorry for the wobbly title. Courtesy of Leica's generous discount, I have just ordered a Digilux 3, my first SLR, digital or analog.

 

Now, I need a protective case (bag) ... I appreciate recommendations, but what I want to know now is, when you carry your SLR, do you keep the lens to the body or detach it.

 

I don't think I'll get into buying other lenses, at least not for a while, and I don't want to encourage dust invasion, so should I transport the camera with the lens attached and, accordingly, seek a case to accommodate the nose of the lens.

 

Could it be that when joined, there is pressure on the junction of lens to body?

 

Thanks,

 

John

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[S. Wong]

For my R, and every other/camera I've ever used, one lens is always mounted on the camera.

 

I would especially keep the lens on the digital cameras to keep dust out, but also for protection. Nothing is better for the back of the lens than the camera.

 

I keep my R in a bag with a second lens and some film, but your preferences will be your own.

Others keep an ever(never)-ready case for their cameras, but I would advise a half-case around the body (leave the lens alone) if the fit/finish is really important to you.

 

There is always some pressure at the lens/camera mount, but nothing you do in ordinary situations should sheer that junction, short of dropping the camera onto a hard surface. See Ken Rockwell's site for a collection of drop-tests, both Canon and Nikon

-Steven

[ho_co]

John--

I agree with Steven. I've always got a lens on a body.

 

That takes less time to set up and shoot. And although it isn't literally true of course, keeping a lens on the body seems to leave that much more room in the gadget bag for more lenses.

 

You've made a great choice, and I think you'll be happy with the camera.

 

--HC

[leonpro]

As always to each his own. Also it depends on the situation if you need quick access to the camera. I have only the stock lens on my Digilux 3 and keep it mounted on the body at all times. I would rather prevent any caps from dislodging and scratching the glass element of the lens as well as refrain from inviting dust into the sensor.

 

Of course ideally when not in use, the body and the lens is kept separately to ensure safety of each especially when transporting. But the lens of the D3 is versatile that I can't seem to want another lens (well that Summilux 25mm at F1.4 is looking mighty fine!) and just store lens mounted to the body in the camera bag.

 

As for a bag recommendation, I use a Leica Billingham bag. It's a perfect fit with if you don't intend to carry anything else like another lens or a flash. It can take memory cards, lens tissue, blower, one or two filters and other small items on the front and rear inner pocket. It can't take anything else like a battery charger.

[marknorton]

Keep the lens on the camera. I wouldn't worry about any strain the lens places on the camera and the less lens changes you do, the less dust you'll risk getting in there.

[dugby]

"Keep dust out".....is my motto, so don't even pop the lens off to admire the insides.....

 

As for a case, there is the Leica Neoprene Ever Ready Case for BIG bucks...

 

For the discrete 'Jack Bauer' look.... On my D3/L1 I use the "Crumpler Zieube" which can be bought off ebay for about US$20.

[andybarton]

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Camera bodies are designed to take the strain of lenses on the mount - even those massive monsters that Canon shooters like (in which case it's the weight of the body, not the lens, that causes the strain.)

 

As with everyone else, I always have a lens on my body, unless it is being stored on the shelf for some reason (my R4, for example, usually suts there on the shelf with a body cap on)

 

Never, ever, ever, leave the body capless.

[Iron Flatline]

Lens on Body - except for when I store it away for a longer period of time, and I'm not sure what lens I might want to use the next time I need it anyway.

[Learner]

Thank you all very much with helping me.

 

John

[ajthornbury]

Hi John,

I agree with all the above, I always keep the lens on during transit.

I also keep a UV or skylight filter on the lens as additional protection. Filters are cheaper than lens's so any scratch or damage is taken by the cheaper filter.

The difference is that UV is clear, whilst sky light gives a slightly warmer picture. useful during overcast or grey days.

Alan.

[DonQuijote]

Hi John, for my D3 I initially bought a Lowepro bag AW140 which is relatively weather-proof (built-in nylon cover you can pull over the bag), plus for days when I need to carry more than the D3 an extra lens or the FL500 flash unit I take the Panasonic DMW-BAL1 Leather Camera Case for DMC-L1 (on amazon.com). It cost me NZ$400 approx CA$300. Not cheap but a quality bag with room for an extra lens/flash unit and SD cards plus it is stylish while not being too showy. I wanted it mostly for the quality and custom fit. For my Dlux-2 I also have a Leica leather carry case - quality. Also, I never take off my lenses except when swapping over. Plus I use a Hoya UV DMC filter (designd for Digital cameras). Good luck & enjoy the D3.

[jaapv]

Hmm. Keeping the Apo 280/4.0 plus extender on my R7 knocked the lens mount out of alignment several times. I would say : It depends what lens....

[DonQuijote]

John, I forgot to mention with the Lowepro bag (140AW) the body is supported by cushions on both sides so the lens simply hangs inside the bag and is not used as a support column for the camera's body. With the L1 custom leather bag (BAL1) the camera sits sideways inside the bag and I put extra soft cushion between lens and bottom of bag to fill the little gap to address the very issue you raised (there was a cushion already inside the bag for this purpose but I found it a bit too flat). I know the feeling new Leica parents can be a bit over-protective and worry too much. I also think that this camera (D3) is of solid build-quality. Regards, Michael

[Likaleica]

If the camera is heavy, I do not transport with a heavy lens attached. Light lens and any body, or big lens and light body (eg R6) are probably ok combinations. I worry about the mount when two heavy objects are on either side of it. It may be robust enough, but I feel better. The slot in my bag that holds the camera also holds a short lens.