This is how you change a lens in space

Life aboard the International Space Station is far different from how we do things here on Earth (starting with the view). Even everyday activities look way more interesting—and changing a camera lens is no exception. In a recent short video, ISS astronaut Don Pettit demonstrates how he changes a camera lens—and yes, everything floats!

How to change a camera lens…… pic.twitter.com/JUujYAYSiI

— Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) January 18, 2025

For this demonstration, Pettit changes a lens on a Nikon Z 9 ($4,996.95). Everything stays suspended in the air as he leaves one lens and screws on another one. I can’t tell which of the lenses he uses out of all those Nikon shipped to the ISS last year.

The first thought I had was, “Wow, how cool!” As one of the X users said, “Weightlessness is the closest thing to magic,” and I still feel this way although I’m a grown woman and know how gravity works. But the second thought was, “Wait, what about the dust?” Just like the lenses and the camera stay suspended in mid-air, so does the dust – it never settles on the ISS. However, I know that astronauts and the air filtration system keep the environment as clean as possible. So, I bet that those lenses and cameras still pick up less dust than mine while I change them mid-concert in an old warehouse.

I find it really fun to watch videos from the ISS. As I said, I still feel like weightlessness is magical, and it’s especially amazing watching the astronauts do regular stuff like washing their hair or playing the guitar. I just hope that, when Pettit’s back on Earth, he won’t forget about the gravity and try to leave his lens floating in the air. :)

pic.twitter.com/rBGAducVBj

— ΣTΞCH (@SigmaTechRBLX) January 18, 2025

[via Nikon Rumors]

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