So I typically carry two bodies (camera, that is ) with me all day at a wedding and rarely switch the fast zoom lenses off those cameras unless I need a particular lens for a creative shot. I'd love to go back to using primes more (like I do for portraiture) and not carry two bodies around. So here's the question...

If you're a 'lens switcher' do you have issues with dirt/dust/schmutz inside your camera and lenses? (I get the idea that the Shootsac is designed to not use back or lenscaps -- the bag protects the lenses. Therefore making it a lot faster to swap lenses out. Really? No caps?) Really that fast? Do you love being a lens switcher? Am I just being overly protective of my glass?

I'd love to hear from folks who shoot this way...

i use two bodies - i use primes as well. i keep my 135 on my second body because its used least. my 17-55 is on my main body because i use it most. however.... i keep my 50mm in my bag so i can switch out off my main body because i love my 50 and i use primes whenever possible. and i keep my 300 in my bag as well because well.. you never know.

but i am either lazy, noncaring, a loose canon (haha), or just stupid becasue i just dont worry about it. i simply dont have time to. i do however, put the lens cap back on.

i would love to have a shootsac but i have yet to find where they are available and i think the website isnt up yet until end of may or later.

I am becoming a lens switcher, because for the first time in my life I am acquiring new lenses, something I have always wanted to do but was alway too poor to. I guess the biz is doing ok!

Anyway, I don't think I could not put the lens cap back on, just seems risky to me. but if you are a big time shooter you probably send your stuff out for cleaning on a regular basis, or are good at cleaning it yourself.

I would love a shootsac too and eagerly await the opportunity to get one, trying hard to wait and not find an alternate solution for it since I would like it NOW.

Carrying two bodies around kills me, plus I am used to not using a strap on my camera anymore and the thought of having a strap on it seems cumbersome.


HI Paige, how are ya!?

On my last wedding, the gear went as follows:

20D (gripped) + 17-55 + 550 EX--around my neck
20D (gripped) + 70-200 + 420EX--over right shoulder

Waistpack: Tokina 12-24, Canon 100mm macro

The two waistpack lenses are very lightly used, and they end up on the body that hangs around my neck. During the day, they're in the bag with no front or back caps--I do keep a lenscloth right them & try to give them a quick swipe if needed before installing them. Haven't had any issues. They do get capped when I get home & am storing them for any length of time.

Frankly, if I could figure out how to manage 4 bodies, I probably would! I hate never having the right lens ready to go.

I am a one camera lens switcher. I personally don't care if I get a little "schmutz" in my lenses or photos here and there--I don't use either the front or back caps when they're in the bag. I just retouch those spots (if any, and there aren't usually any due to this, more often its lack of frequent sensor cleaning) out of prints that get ordered or that I put it in the album.

This works for me because I always know exactly what lenses I need--I think part of getting more comfortable as a photographer is to know what lens does what and the result you'll get from each one.

jess

And you do seem to get the most from your lens.

This is an interesting topic. I don't have too many to switch around but while at OSP West in Pismo and watched Mike Larson put his lenses back in his bag without anything on them and it made me think that they are a lot tougher than we think. Not to be careless but glass is hard and a little cleaning never hurt. It would be nice to be comfortable enough to not have to think about it.

i am a one camera lens switcher. i tried the two camera thing for the last couple weddings and it is too much to think about for me. the only time i see that it is more helpful is when you're shooing the kiss and then the recessional during a wedding ceremony. that is my only frantic moment of lens switching where it raises my blood pressure a tad during my whole wedding day. and even then, as long as i am prepared enough to have that lens out and ready to switch, i can make it with time to spare.

can't wait for my shootsac to arrive next week and make my one camera lens switching life even easier!!!

You will have to excuse me but, WHAT?!?

I am totally blown away by the thought of putting my lens in a bag with no cap on the back. Am I just way too paranoid? It never even occured to me I could get away with leaving it off. What about the contacts? Has anyone ever run into a problem?

I think I could really get used to one camera, lens switching if I could get over the paranoia.

I've been scoping out the shootsac and am contemplating ordering.

how in the world do you order a shootsac? I can't find anything but the "be the first to know" thing. I already did that.

Did everyone order theirs in Vegas or am I just missing something?

Mine came in today I've gotta shoot tmr. so I'll let you guys know how it goes!!!!

I have the same question. I get the same thing, I entered my e-mail addy and assumed I would get a response. So far nothing...

I have 2 cameras, but honestly never even use the 30D any more unless in a really big church or as Alison said for the kiss, then the processional. I have for years just grabbed and ran with my lenses in my bag. I start out the day with all the front and back caps on them, but by the end of the wedding, I have a stack of caps not on the lenses. I have a new assistant this year and he cracks me up putting the lens cap back on the camera while he is still holding it. When he dropped the lens cap during the middle of a ceremony and it echoed through the cathedral, I took it away from him. In almost 30 years of having an SLR, I have probably put it around my neck less than 10 times and that is only if I am leaning over a balcony 2 or 3 stories in the air. I clean my lenses front and back and put the caps back on every time when I get home. I clean my camera before every wedding. I have never damaged a lens or had dust in my camera or in my images. Here's my other confession - my cameras and flash are never turned off. They go into standby mode and aren't using the batteries and are always ready to use.

My Shootsac came today, too. I am really excited about shooting with it for the first time this weekend. So far, they have only been available in Las Vegas and in Chicago at Pictage PartnerCon. Jessica is going to open up the website for them to go on sale soon. It's a new business and I think she was making sure that things would go smoothly before she opened it up to everyone.

Exactly Regina. We've pre-sold now in Vegas and in Chicago to test response and see what the demand is. The website is ready to launch, the issue is getting enough bags made to open it up! If we only open it with 250 bags and 1000 people order, it's good, but it will create a backorder issue which I really don't want to have. We're getting these bags made as quickly as possible, but I don't wnat to sacrifice quality for getting them quicker. It's all a balance!

Please be (somewhat) patient! This is a REALLY small company, and while we're going to get bigger, this is totally new to me. I'm so excited for what is coming and I think everyone else is too! All the people that signed up on the site to be notified WILL be notified first the second the site is ready for orders. I haven't sent out an email yet to everyone because I don't want to pre-spam

jess

What's a lens cap?

Just kidding - but I never use them except when I'm traveling to a destination wedding.

Got my shoot sac(s) yesterday. Yeap, I ordered two. I was so excited about receiving it that I started opening the box before signing for it. The FedEx guy was like, "hey, a wanna sign this first?"

Jess, love the upgrades from the prototype at WPPI! The snaps are nice, and the love the little bits of elastic added at the gusset of each pocket. Nice touch!

i just shot coffee through my nose on that one. that is just too funny -

i would love a shoot sac, i am wondering if these are going to be available to ship outside of the US - to London?

In 15 years of shooting weddings, I've never put caps back on my glass while at an event. I wipe everything down, put caps on, and pack it back in the bag afterwards, but never during. My point of view is that if my pro-quality gear can't stand up to hard pro use, then I don't want it.

Karen

Great thought, Karen! I baby my rear glass as it seems like it may easily be damaged, but I think I need to get over that.

I ordered the things I needed to clean my own sensor and since then I have been switching lenses like crazy. I love it - it's total freedom!

But I am dying to get a shootsac or something. I am currently using a $6.99 mini backback from Walmart...the only thing I have been able to find that allows me to get to my lenses somewhat quickly and quietly. It actually works pretty well - but I have to be reallly careful b/c the lenses are togther in one space.

I never use the front caps while shooting, since I have hoods on all the lenses and I place them in the bag front element down. I do still swap rear caps from the one I'm putting on to the one I'm taking off.

I've missed shots while fumbling with rear caps (need three hands at times, but i've gotton pretty good at removing a rear cap one-handed). Based on this thread I might just try going bare.

I think it would also help to ball up a sock or two (clean, of course) in the bottom of some compartments so the primes aren't buried so deep. I'm afraid of putting a huge fingerprint on the rear element when digging for it.

There's got to be a rude t-shirt in there somewhere...

So everyone really does this! Jessica, I agree on knowing which lenses you want. That's why I want to go back to my primes. The zooms make it easy, but they'll never give me the results that some of my very specific primes will. And if I'm going to lug weight around I really want it to perform for me - like my killer primes will.

I guess the proof will be in going bare back and all.

I've been waiting for them to go on sale. In the meantime, I bought this Old Navy bag that I though around me and drop all of my lenses in there. It's been great, but looks a little bit raggy. But it helps, so I don't care. Jason gasped at the price of the shootsac (not quite understanding). Now during the last two weddings, he keeps saying "You need to get the Jessica Claire bag". For some reason he doesn't want to call it by it's real name. But who cares...he's verbally given me permission to buy one! Woohoo. So now I sit here and patiently wait....patiently....patiently. LOL

The ceremony is the only time that I have two cameras going. One with either 50 mm or 85 mm prime and the other with my 70 - 200. Other than that, I am a happy lens switcher too!

Wow, you guys continue to amaze me. This is SUCH a talented group of artists.

I baby my glass and especially the rear element. I've found my lenses can handle a lot as long as they are not scratched.

For the lens switchers - do you find that you are missing any shots while you're switching lenses? Thanks!

Well, I chickened out and used two cameras for most of the day on both weddings this weekend. I'm going to give the lens switching a try on my next e-session.

And Sam, that's a great question! I think that's what's been holding me back. But I also plan to spend the next two weeks sitting in front of DVR-ed episodes of LOST every evening switching lenses back and forth until I'm a super speed bunny and can do it in my sleep...

LOL - well fortunately you won't need to switch that often but the practice will be good. I really like the fine-detailed clarity I'm seeing in primes so I could be moving in that direction. I use two bodies and have considered using 3 but could elevate that by switching lenses. But, I LOVE and am slowely becoming known for my up close portraits and that requires the zoom.

We have the technology, why can't we invent a pristine, metal-mount, 12-200mm f/2.8 fast-focusing zoom? I believe we can, but that would seriously cut into Nikon's and Canon's revenue.

I'm a one camera lens switcher.

I shoot mainly primes
28, 35, 50, 85

but occassionally put a 70-200 or 12-24 on a 2nd body (during the ceremony for instance).

I stick the lenses in my pockets, on the ground, or hold on to it and shoot one handed. Every lens has a front element UV filter and Hood, I try to protect the bakc element with a cap, but sometimes it's just not possible.

Yes, I have dust spots, but I simply clean the sensor and lenses before every shoot. It's no big deal.

Whew, you're the 2nd person that's told me that cleaning the sensor is no big deal. The guys at Calumet walked me through it and it looks like once you're use to it that it is easy. Am I over simplifying the procedure?

Dido!

:-)

I could probably cover a wedding very nicely using a 85mm and a 50mm, but I would want my 70-300 or soon to have 80-200 for my up close stuff. And, I also need something wide like a 12-24mm or a 15mm fisheye for my "Scott Robert" like art shots. Hmmm, not too much switching using this combo...

I got to use my Shootsac at my wedding this weekend and it ROCKED! I have a big rolling Tamrac bag and I did use it during the getting ready, since it has all the scissors, double sided tape, etc. Then, during the ceremony, I had both cameras going and just the Shootsac with my flash, power pack, a couple other lenses, batteries and cards. I definitely won't go back to lugging around a 50+ pound bag any time soon. I parked the big bag and didn't even need to go back to it.

As far as missing shots changing lenses, I don't think that I miss anything. I pretty much know what lens I need at what time during the day. It is really rare to even think that I should have another lens on the camera than what I do.

Sports and news photographers use the same equipment, maybe not the 5D, but they sure bang up those lenses a lot more than we do shooting weddings.

That's a great question Sam, and here's my take...

I carry a full kit in the car or on my packmule (er, assiatant's back), I generally always have either my 85 1.8 or 50 1.2. Depending on what situation I'm in, I might bring the 24 - 70 or 70 - 200 instead of the 50. Caputuring a great moment is not dependant on what glass I have. If I have the right lens with me in the first place, there will be no real need to switch during a critical time. Besides, I've gotten pretty good at anticipating the play. Plus, carrying a lite load means I can move faster, and am more agile in terms of getting a good angle.

Carrying multiple bodies and a bag o'crap slows me down and I probably missed more as a result of too much gear than switching lenses.

Be confident in your ability to be in the right place at the right time, to position yourself to take advantage of the natural light and to get a proper exposure. If you can do all of that then why do you need to carry a bunch of stuff.

BTW - I'm still pretty carefull about leaving the end caps off, I guess it's not really any different than leaving the lens cap off, but I'm not 100% comfortable with them off either.





Check it...Sensor Cleaning
j

Thanks Regina! You wanna know something? You guys are so talented that I could give any of you my old Olympus OM-10, 50mm 1.8, Sunpak flash, white index card (for bounce) and a 10-pack of Kodak Portra and you guys would return from a wedding with a boat load of great shots! BTW - what's the double-sided tape for?


Thank you John, you're right. And, I'm off to check out this link. Thanks again!

Wow.. some brave folks out there.

I'm one of the lucky ones that live close enough to Canon's HQ to get my free cleanings but I don't invite dirt into my camera.

DUST is all it takes to get a spot on your sensor and then you've got sensor dirt. I know some people say they can just edit it out but I have no intention of editing spots out of 1200+ images... seriously, we all talk about cutting down the workflow. Taking 2 seconds to take a cap off a lens can never be more inconvenient than multiple hours of edits.

Paul - I assume you mean the Canon HQ in East Brunswick, right? I'm about 3 minutes from it. I didn't realize they'd clean your sensor for free. Is it just a walk-in deal?

Next time you swing by there, we'll have to grab a bite and talk shop.

You're probably thinking the same place.. it's in Jamesburg. Just walk right in during business hours and they'll clean sensors, tighten hot shoes, etc... all for free. I always forget to get a shutter count but they can do that too.

Yeah! I'll get in touch next time I hit them up... I've actually got a pile thats growing that I need to take there asap. My 17-55 has some IS issues.. a 580 wont stop whining, and a 20d is all wonky. I've also gotta take a friends rebel since thats hosed too.
-P

That's the one. Right on Cranbury Road next to the B&N distribution center.

I'll definitely have to run in there for my cleanings...it being all of 3 minutes from my place. Hehehe.

Definitely give a holler next time and we'll grab some foooooooods. Thanks, man.

Scott and Paul, we HAVE to get together soon!!!!

Oh, somebody asked what the double sided tape was for. It's a replacement for skin buttons. You know, like when you've decided to wear a strapless dress and you don't have anything to hold it up. Double sided tape. Voila!

YES, we do! And Terry and Jason too. Jersey Represent! Hehehe

Add me to the list of happy lens switchers. I'm desperately needing a bag to carry my lenses around in, and I'm like that old commercial with my "Open, open, open!" obsession with the ShootSac site! Man, if I had known they would be at the Chicago Partnercon, I would have really considered rerouting my ticket from Philly to Houston to take me to Chicago instead! LOL! (Yeah. I REALLY want one! It is the neoprene that won't snag my clothes that is luring me...)

I can't WAIT to check out Regina's bag at Elevate 2! She made me truly giddy today when she told me she had one!

Christine (Now with an avatar!)

Well, you could. It just wouldn't be practical. The front diameter would be 500mm, it would be three feet long, and weigh 135 pounds. Oh, and the price would be $20,599.99. But sure, you could invent it.

LOL - that's just it, why would it have to be so big? I believe we could build a pro-level f/2.8 10-200mm zoom in the same weight and size of the current Nikon 80-200mm 2.8 lens.

make it a 1.2

do you take visa?