Is it safe to change lenses on a Digital SLR when the camera is on?

Question

I have a Canon XTi. I was changing lenses and my friend said that if I do that without turning the camera on, it attracts dust and can harm my camera. His photography teacher told him this. I looked thru my manuals and saw no mention of this. Anyone know anything about this?

Answer 1

Many, many things are not covered in owners manuals.

Since your lens and camera are in constant communication when the cameras is turned on, it is good practice to always turn off your cameras when not in use ... this is especially true when removing or inserting your memory card.

Answer 2

If there are LIVE contacts on both, and the lens must be rotated to lock it there is a very good chance of a short, so I would not risk it.

Answer 3

Would you open the door and get out of your car while it was still in gear and rolling down the street?

Probably not.  Somehow it just sounds like a not very wise thing to do. Right?

Same's true with changing a lens or a memory card while your camera is turned ON.

Bad idea.

Answer 4

Here's why:

"On some cameras the sensor has an electric charge that will actually attract dust to it like a magnet."

http://digital-photography-school.com/bl...

Answer 5

It does that's right, for some reason it does. My family figured that out the hard way. Plus nothing goes wrong when you turn it on.

Answer 6

Hmm Not sure, i've never done it, doesn't sound like a good idea.