How to Quickly Change a Digital SLR Camera Lens

For the past few years, I've been asked how I quickly swap the lenses on my camera. A wedding day passes so fast and I don't want to miss a moment, but I also don't want to carry two camera bodies (in addition to my gear). After a recent blog post (Why I Don't Use a Camera Strap), readers started asking how I change my camera lens.

Instead of trying to explain how, here's a video how I do it…

A few things to note:
1. While shooting, I don't keep lens caps on. The lenses are not covered while I'm working, but they're kept securely in my my sidebag.
2. Each lens swap takes about six seconds.
3. At the end of the wedding, all caps are placed on the lenses and they are transferred from my sidebag/satchel to my camera backpack.

I hope this offers insight into how I work and I look forward to hearing how fast you become swapping lenses…ooooh, I just got an idea…WHY DON'T WE START THE QUICKEST LENS CHANGER CONTEST?!?!?! Winner gets a lifetime supply of Nutella and bragging rights! Who's in?!?

**EDITED TO ADD**
For those who asked about dust falling into the sensor, I try to keep the camera tilted down a bit, but because it's happening so fast, I don't have to worry too much about it. I get my sensors professionally cleaned 2-4 times per year and I don't have issues with it 🙂