How to change a lens to minimise dust on the sensor?

[Eclectic Man]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I seem to be plagued by dust on the sensor of my SL2.  What is the best way to change a lens to avoid or at least minimise the amount of dust getting into the camera?

One way I have tried is to take one lens off and use the body cap before mounting the other lens.  The other way is to try to mount the new lens immediately after removing the other lens, but this takes a bit more skill.

Obviously a 'dust free' environment would be best, but I cannot always arrange that.

I have three L lenses, 16-35mm, 50mm f/2 apo, 90-280.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[jaapv]

Camera mouth down, out of the wind. Keep the rear of your lenses clean.

[RoySmith]

I get the lens to ne mounted ready with rear lens cap off.

I hold the camera mouth down with one hand and remove the currently mounted lens with the other hand, keeping the lens mount down the whole time.

Someone  on the forum pointed out that if you line up the top of the lens (where the focal length is printed) with red Leica logo on the camera body, then the bayonet mount will line up and mounting will be easy. This easier to see than the red bump on the lens and camera body. 

[LocalHero1953]

Shoot at wide aperture, then you don't notice it.

I often change lenses in less than ideal circumstances. All the previous posts apply, but just practice doing it quickly. With the M and the CL I can usually juggle two lenses and the camera on a wrist strap: take one off, remove the end cap and put the other on, drop the camera (to swing from my wrist) and put the first lens away. Not so easy with the SL, but I'm usually using it inside, so after removing the end cap I put the new lens base down on a table until I have the old one off. There's a high risk of knocking the 90-280 zoom over in the process - but it hasn't happened yet!

Edited August 29, 2021 by LocalHero1953

[frame-it]

2 hours ago, jaapv said:

Camera mouth down, out of the wind. Keep the rear of your lenses clean.

+1, and if outside i usually dive into a convenience store to do the change, instead of the polluted streets.

[2M6TTLs]

Didn't think the  inside of convenience stores were particularly clean outside of Japan!

[AndreasG]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Am 29.8.2021 um 22:59 schrieb frame-it:

i usually dive into a convenience store to do the change,

Eventually the staff will ask you what you hide inside the camera body and check with sticky fingers