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Dear Nikon, your mirrorless lens swap is a joke

by 75 Comments

I’ve had a Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera for a while now, and I’m less than impressed. We photographers are a funny breed. We obsess over detail. It goes without saying that dust removal is not something like to retouch. We have enough work as it is. Back in the day (and by “the day” I mean ‘last year’) we had cameras with mirrors. Those mirrors, along with a shutter curtain, protected our delicate sensors from all manner of dust and grime. In the transition to mirrorless, it appears Nikon have overlooked this. Take a look.

 

This is one of my images from Godafoss in Iceland. I was using my Nikkor 12-24mm f/2.8 and switched to my Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 to crop in on some details, then back again. That change of lenses caused an inordinate amount of dust to enter my camera and land squarely on the sensor. The dust is insane and although it’s easy to remove, it takes time. Time is something I don’t want to waste on such a task. This got me thinking: I must be doing something wrong, this is unreal. No, nothing is wrong, this is how Nikon made it!

I searched online to find a solution and there is one, but it’s just awkward. Take a look.

Essentially I have to trick the camera to get the shutter curtain to close before I change lenses, otherwise I’m plagued with dust. It’s a simple feature to implement and one that Canon had on mirrorless cameras from the outset. This is causing me genuine stress and having been a Nikon fanboy for years I think it’s time to jump ship.

Heres the ‘trick’ to changing a lens on the Nikon Z6 and Z7:

  1. Turn the camera off
  2. Remove the XQD card in case you accidentally corrupt it with this dodgy procedure
  3. Turn the camera on
  4. Remove the battery, fooling the camera into closing the shutter curtain
  5. Change the lens
  6. Turn the camera off
  7. Reinsert the battery
  8. Turn the camera on
  9. Note the error message displayed and press the shutter button
  10. Insert the XQD card

Sounds like grief to me! By comparison, here’s the process for the Canon EOS R:

  1. change the lens

So what else can we do? Nikon has included a sensor cleaning feature, along with the option to activate it automatically on camera shutdown. This is a feature on many cameras and it uses a piezo crystal ultrasonic vibration of the IR filter, in front of the sensor, to shake free any dust it can. To remove and larger or more stubborn pieces of dust we need to get stuck in and clean it ourselves. I know full well that this is a ‘first world problem,’ but it’s a problem nonetheless and it’s one I don’t want to have to endure.

Nikon, I’m calling on you for a fix to this. I don’t want to have to constantly clean my sensor – prevention is better than cure.

Related posts:

Here are the first hands-on impressions about Nikon Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras Kipon is releasing the first third-party lenses for Nikon Z and Canon R systems Here’s how the Nikon Z7 Eye-AF compares to the Sony A7RIII Eye-AF You can now use eight Lensbaby lenses with Nikon Z and Canon RF cameras

About David Williams

Dave is a travel photographer and writer, and photography and Photoshop instructor, from the UK. Find Dave at idavewilliams.com or @idavewilliams on all platforms.

  • Strange, I’ve had my Z6 for over a year, and still haven’t needed to clean the sensor. It’ll happen eventually I know, but I think this “problem” is a little overrated. I’d worry more about damaging the shutter while trying this procedure.

    • Bill Trudo i mean, you still use a cat to clean the sensor during lend swap like this guy apparantly does? Lol
      I shoot a lot of sony but couldnt imagine this is really a problem. Lol!!!!

  • i use a z6 for over 18 month no, no problems with dust.

  • Most mirrorless work this way and I’ve never really found it any more of an issue than a DSLR.

    In a DSLR sure the mirror and shutter are down but any dust inside gets tossed around with the flappy mirror and let’s not forget the real issue of the d600 dumping oil onto sensors.

    Mirrorless are far easier to clean as the sensor isn’t stuck inside a cave and I honestly haven’t had to clean my a7ii which keeps the sensor open anymore than I did my dslrs.

    • Paul Monaghan Exactly. I had more issues with DSLRs as the sensor was placed deeper and it was difficult to reach and clean.

  • I remember actually having to change my lenses in iceland out in the field with crazy winds. I had my EOS R and at the moment I was very glad I had that sensor shield, it’s such a piece of mind not having to worry about this and being super delicate.

  • There have been writings about this method and it could almost brick your camera, so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. Turn the camera off and point the mount down, be quick and you won’t have a problem.

  • Using the Z6 for 1,5 years with only one time sensor cleaning because of own stupidity. Otherwise I have no complaints…

  • Andrés Miraglia

    I see this generation woke up offended by having the best cameras that give you the best possibilities in the history of photography… Nikon says they are sorry. They will try to do better next time…

  • KEH buys equipment, sell you Nikon and find something else to complain about. Maybe you shouldn’t change lenses in wind storms.

  • St Ooges

    Most comments on the video says this is a bad idea. Just change lens by having the sensor exposed the least amount of time possible, that is, having the lens uncapped and ready to swap before you remove the other one.

    • Sean

      and keep the camera facing DOWN helps minimize chances of dust getting on the sensor. Duh. Always did this with my other cameras like my D750 and D700.

  • Lawrence Lee Huber

    The solution is to dump Nikon for the innovative Canon R cameras which all but one do have the intelligently placed shutter over the sensor when the lens comes off.
    Nikon is so into copying Sony that they copied this Sony flaw as well.

    • sir_c

      Oh is this the new no dual card slots thing?

    • Fanboy, huh?

      • Greg

        No Nikon use to use Sony sensors till about 3 years ago.

    • This really is a none issue. I have had an X-E1 for 6 years and it has never got noticeable dust on the sensor, the same with my X-H1. Nikon does the same as pretty much every other manufacturer (not just Sony).

      So go back to your innovative Canon R cameras and take some photos instead of trying to troll Nikon and Sony users.

    • pincherio

      The main reason photographers use Sony and Nikon is the wide dynamic range. The main reason photographers use Canon is the color science. Nobody chooses a camera system based on whether the shutter is open or closed when the camera is turned off.

    • The solution is to not point the camera up or into the wind whilst changing lenses. Dust on the shutter is likely worse then on the sensor. So no, the canon way is not full proof either. If you use the above hack to make the shutter stay close during a change any dust will be on the shutter leaves and likely cause more damage/issues then dust on the sensor.
      As canon is probably the only maker to do this I wouldn’t shout at Nikon for their ‘failings’ in a bit rant. I would just use better technique to reduce dust/particles getting into my camera.

  • The sensor is far more robust than everyone seems to think. Just run a sensor wipe over it. In contrast, that pesky shutter is a delicate thing that is almost as easily upset as some photographers (true!). One finger accidentally slipping in there and you’re in for some expensive grief. Nikon have called it right.

    Ideally, what is needed is an internal protective glass filter or, better still, a dust proof screen that blocks off the sensor when the lens is removed.

  • sir_c

    The shutter mechanism is also quite vulnerable, so is that a good trade off? I think not. Most sensors have some kid of repellent coating anyway.

    The safest way to switch lenses is to hold the camera with the lens mount down.

    Besides, my Fuji X-T1 does a sensor clean at every start and shutdown of the camera, so dust comes off quite nicely. Doesn’t Nikon have such routine? Only moisture speckles build up over time, but that’s easy to clean with some sensor swabs.

  • Nikon Z user here. Definitely do not follow the instructions of this article. This is stupidity and potentially damaging to you camera. I’ve been using these cameras since they came out. I see no instance of Nikon’s design being any more susceptible to dust on the sensor than the offerings of Sony or Fuji. I have no experience with Canon and while I appreciate their approach, I simply have not had trouble keeping my sensor clean. If you cannot handle swapping lenses on mirrorless, you should probably just go back to a DSLR system. The rest of us will manage just fine.

    • I guess the main difference is that Canon is closing the shutter in front of the sensor when you change lens. It avoid possible dust or rain drop.

      It simple, but effective.

      It should be easy to add this by firmware, I guess.

      • So you they should let dust or rain drops get on to a shutter that’s far and away more delicate and uncleanable (because you should never ever touch the shutter) than the sensor? That’s a great idea.

        • No, I’m explaining the difference between Nikon and Canon.
          Calm down fanboy.

          • Chainsaw Charlie

            You also “explained” that “It simple, but effective”. As the shutter is more delicate than the sensor, how is it effective?

          • You guys have way too much time on your hands.
            Bye Bye.

          • Chainsaw Charlie

            Bye-bye.

          • A little high-handed and smug there, hong kong feller. You specifically endorse the shutter-in-front arrangement in your comment above. It is this arrangement that I am against for the reasons I mention below. I couldn’t care less which camera it’s on.

    • Jurgen Lobert

      There may be no difference to Sony and Fuji, but there is very *substantially* more dust on the sensor compared to the Nikon DSLRs I had. I clean my sensor essentially every time before I go out, because otherwise the amount of dust is unbearable. The design is idiotic, for sure. I don’t care how sensitive the shutter is, I never damaged one, the Canon design is the right thing to do.

  • Sup3r Fizz

    Dear Internet, DIY Photography is a joke.

    The jabroni that wrote this article watched a bad YouTube video and then decided to write an “article” about it. Don’t do this unless you want to potentially ruin your shutter. It’s much more susceptible to damage than the sensor.

  • Cliff Curtis

    If only photoshop had spell check for us detail obsessed photographers. “Mirrorles”

    I’m officially “that guy” I know… lol

  • User problem.

  • Chris Mosner

    I have never seen a dust problem like that on my Z6 sensor. I change lenses all the time. Sounds like poor technique.

    • You would imagine that any half-decent photographer would clean their equipement before a shoot and have basic cleaning stuff on hand during it.

  • This guy should stop cleaning his sensor with stray cats during lens swaps

  • Greg

    This guy has no idea about cameras at all here is his mistake. Step 3 turn the camera on. Step 4 Remove the battery? Is he serious, you always turn the camera off before removing any battery shakes my head as his incorrect procedures. 5. Remove lens then 6 turn camera off. OMG please do not do any more work with cameras go back to packing shelves at Walmart.
    I have had Sony, Olympus mirrorless cameras for years and never had a dust issue, its you that has no idea about minimising the risk of dust. Try this hold camera facing down to ground then remove lens and place new lens on with camera still pointing towards the ground this way less change of dust getting onto the sensor.

    • pincherio

      The whole point of removing the battery while the camera is turned on is to cut off power while the shutter is closed. If you turn it off before removing the battery, then the shutter opens again, defeating the purpose of the hack. If it’s not for you, then don’t do it. I’m not saying you should but the whole point of the rant is to get Nikon to do something Canon is already doing. Right or wrong, he’s entitled to his rant, just as you are to yours. I’m just pointing out what you failed to understand.

  • I am used to naked sensors since my very first mirrorless (Olympus E-P1) and never had a dust issue?

  • Layer 8 problem. Don’t be bad.

  • Sandy Pyper

    Does the trick work on the Z50? Thanks

    • billp

      DO NOT DO THIS

      Removing the battery with the camera on is highly likely to damage the camera, and Nikon will not warranty any failure caused by doing this.

  • Sorry to come back to this again, but I’m getting more and more irritated with this whole conversation.

    What’s being said here is that it’s a good idea to protect the sensor – which is made of polished silicon and is highly robust and cleanable – with the shutter – which is made of thin leaves of material and is a delicate moving part assembly and cannot be cleaned without removing it from the camera and carefully soaking it in a solvent bath, not to mention how easily it can be damaged by being touched. What engineering genius came up with that idea?

  • Chainsaw Charlie

    So, you don’t want to waste your time on cleaning the sensor once per year, but you are ready to turn the camera off, remove the card, turn the camera on, remove the battery, change the lens, turn the camera off, reinsert the battery, turn the camera on, and insert the card, every time you change the lens?!?!? Wow …

    • Sean

      Really. Should check and clean the sensor before going on any shoot. Takes all of 2 mins.

      • Adil Alsuhaim

        The article said that dirt got on the lens as he was changing lenses while shooting outdoors

        • Tim Parkin

          Those are hairs and lint – did not come from outside

  • Mine loves dust, sensor attracts it as if its static

  • I wonder if the person that wrote this is remembering to turn off the camera before changing lenses? I think I might have a little more frequent problems with dust on my Z6 compared to my D500, but honestly, neither one is nearly as bad as a D7000 I owned once. I live in a very dusty state too, and shoot 100% outdoors and I just don’t find dust on the sensor to be a huge issue with the Z6. I do own and know how to use a blower brush and sensor cleaning swabs and fluid, but rarely have to use them. Maybe the author needs to do the same.

  • I have had zero dust issues….poor technique

  • Hans J. Nielsen

    HERES THE ‘TRICK’ TO CHANGING A LENS ON ANY CAMERA:

    – Turn the camera off.
    (the sensor admit a little bit of an electron charge when active, that might attract dust).
    – Prep the lens you want to put on your camera.
    (to minimize the time the sensor is exposed to dust).
    – Do newer turn the camera mount upward.
    (dust can only fall one way – down. If its windy use your body to seal the camera from the wind).

    Not saying it is 100% guaranteed to work but its close enough.

  • Sean

    I concur with StronglyNeutral. I”ve had my z6 for about a year and have never experienced the dust issue the author of this article is so up in arms about. Keep a blower handy if you think you might have dust. Simple. The sensor is big enough and close enough to front to see any dust with the naked eye. Also, keep the camera pointed down when changing to avoid dust from floating down onto the sensor. While I would like to see a firmware update that allows you to close the shutter manually, definitely not a deal breaker for me…not even close. I love my Z6.

  • Ron Clifford

    As a working pro I clean my sensor regularly so dust hasn’t been an issue. If this situation is that annoying for you then change systems. There is one thing the post alludes to and that is DON’T CHANGE LENSES WHERE THERE IS VOLCANIC DUST. Especially in the wind. Like where you are in iceland. Or on many sites I encounter in Antarctica. My mirrored cameras have the exact same issue so I now avoid changing lenses in these conditions whenever possible. I bring 2 bodies each with the lens I want to shoot.

  • Jore Puusa

    Much more easier way, do as pros do. Turn Your camera so that the body opening/bayonette faces down, no dust enters. when You change lenses.

  • Prevents shutter damage which of way worse when changing lens on the fly. There’s already dust off mechanisms and a shutter doesn’t prevent dusts. Otherwise we would never have a problem with DSLRs.

  • Buy an Olympus, especially if you’re going mirrorless.

  • Eric

    I have been using mirroless (mft apsc also Sony alpha full frame) alongside with DSLR for years, I think you exaggerate the problem and it is not unique to Nikon

  • I have 4 Nikon Z6 cameras and never had this issue…to me this looks like a rant from someone pleasing himself with an idea to own a Canon. Using shutter flaps to protect the sensor is literally the stupidest idea ever, since the sensor is at least 10x more damage resistant than a delicate shutter.

  • Frank

    This author is an idiot willing to pay as much as 1/3 of the Z6 value for a shutter replacement rather than spending 1-2min wipe clean his sensor.

  • Adil Alsuhaim

    Shutters are more delicate than the sensor that’s why cameras durability is rated by shutter actuations.

    The best solution IMHO would be to design cameras with an automatic body cap that closes when you remove the lens.

  • Philippe

    Using the Nikon z6 for quite some time. Never had any dust issues. Do not follow these useless instructions. And do not try to change lenses in front of a waterfall or on a vulcano with a lot of ash flying around.

  • nicholai

    Whey you buy a first generation product it’s never going to be perfect.

  • DO. NOT. DO. THIS.

    Learn to clean your sensor. It’s just absolutely crazy to think that people are forsaking an accepted, safe cleaning procedure, …in exchange for an extremely sketchy “trick”.

  • Dan Dunnum

    I never have had a problem changing lenses. A DSLR sounds like a good choice for you. I think you might want to use the

  • Dan Dunnum

    I have stability issues and I have not had any issues changing lenses. I do funny things like point the lens mount down and if it is windy I kind of tilt the body so it protects the opening from the wind. I have had to blow the body out with a rocket blower. Maybe a DSLR is the best choice or maybe a switch to Canon. I wish you well.

  • The sensor glass is very robust and an easily replaceable (comparatively) component. The shutter is a very delicate and expensive (half the cost of the camera to replace) component. This procedure is nuts.

    And as for the dust just coming from one lens change outdoors – There are pieces of hair and lint on the sensor, even with micro plastic problems, I’m nnot sure that’s normal outdoor pollution. Looks like carpet and clothes lint which wasn’t cleaned off before the shoot. I have a sony “bare” sensor and don’t have major issues despite not cleaning the sensor more than once a month.

  • Two years+ here. Swapped lenses countless times, haven’t so much as even had to use an air blower yet. It really is a non issue unless you’re shooting in the Sahara during a sand storm.

  • billp

    NEVER remove the battery with the camera turned on, it’s a surefire way to kill something.

    The shutter; A. is far more delicate than the glass above the sensor, and B. doesn’t keep the dust off the sensor, as soon as the shutter moves the dust gets blown off and lands on the sensor anyway.

    Your lens changing technique combined with ‘pumper’ zooms is causing this issue, not the shutter remaining open…

  • WillMondy

    How much does it cost to replace a shutter? It’s somewhere about £200-£300 last time I checked.

    I’m not going to risk that kind of money because I can’t change lenses quickly and use a rocket blower.

  • With mirrorless, the shutter is closer to the lens mount, as is the sensor.
    The sensor is naturally more exposed to dust because of this, but so is that incredibly fragile shutter.

    I am glad my Sony doesn’t close the shutter, because a new one would easily cost a couple of hundred to replace.

    I just make sure I turn the camera off and leave off off for a few seconds before I swap lens, and I use a rocket blower.

  • fotr28

    Some people here are such pussies, probably they switch lens 3 times a year and are concerned about dust. Speaking as a wedding photographer this instructions are useless, no way we would take such procedure, too much time and as some people said, sensor is not that sensitive as shutter mechanism, i like the way it is, makes sense.

  • Arthur_P_Dent

    I’ll just stick with my DSLR, thank you.

  • I don’t know if you’re like me, but when I’m on a photo shoot I like to grab a bite to eat at a convenient moment between shooting, for example, when I need to change my lens. I’ve found a great tactic is to unmount the lens I’ve been using, then find a place to sit down and carefully put the camera body with the mount facing upwards in my lap. That way it won’t pick up any dust from my clothes (see – I’ve thought this through!). Don’t bother put the body cap on because you’ll only have to spend time taking it off again afterwards.

    Now I enjoy my huge, heavily overfilled sandwich. Usually I make them out of freshly cut slices of crusty bread and fill them with butter almost dripping off the edges and plenty of chopped tomatoes that are as good as bursting out of the sides between the slices of crumbly bread. Mmmmmm. Another favourite is mashed hard-boiled egg. Gosh, it really sticks to stuff so careful you don’t get it on your shirt.

    Anyway, after you’ve eaten you can’t be too careful putting away your sandwich wrapper and paper plate. Nobody likes a litter-bug. Now it’s time to select a lens for the afternoon shoot and mount it on your camera. Don’t forget to lick any butter off your fingers first. Good to go!

    Like David Williams I’ve been having a few problems recently with some crud on the sensor of my Nikon camera. I was so annoyed about the crappiness of my camera (are you listening Nikon?) that I traded it in for one of those clever Canon cameras where the shutter protects the sensor. Full disclosure here, I’ve actually fallen out with Canon a bit as well. The shutter speed has started to lag. My new Canon lenses are not delivering the crisp shots that I expected either and the body has started to make a nasty noise when I am taking multiple shots – a bit like a baby that’s about to have a dickie tummy. Finally smoke has come out of my Canon and it’s died.

    So I’m giving up photography and taking up something like space satellite assembly where people won’t get all funny when you’re eating your sandwich. I wonder how David Williams (remember him?) is getting on?

  • Dirk Dassler

    I never had these problems with my Olympus, neither with the cheap E M10 nor with the expensive one OMD E M1 1 II…

  • arkhunter

    I don’t know why the Nikon would be any different, but as a long time mirrorless shooter…Turn off the camera, point the body at the ground, remove the lens, put the other one on. Try not to be in high wind or a dusty environment and block the wind with your body while changing the lens if it is windy. I have very little dust issue.

    I don’t know how he got that much fuzz on the lens. Dust specs, sure, but there’s like 5 pieces of fuzz which I never get and if you do, you can generally get them off pretty easily with a rocket blower.

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