Do you leave your camera on?

[Railphotog]

On another forum a while ago there was a thread asking members when they left their digital cameras powered on. I was quite surprised to see many posters saying they never turned them off. Even when put in the camera bag. I assume most DSLRs don't consume much power when they are indeed left on, but its not something that I am comfortable with.

Maybe its something from back in my film days, when the camera batteries were fairly expensive non rechargeable types. Anyone remember the so-called "silver shortage" back in the 1980s or (?) when the price of film and batteries made with silver compounds skyrocketed? I recall a 6v battery for my Canon AE-1 and AE-1Program cost me here in Canada around $20.00. Perhaps that's why I always power off my DSLR even when I'm not actually taking photos.

Anyone else have a comment?

 

[Hickeydog]

When I'm sauntering around, the camera stays on. When it goes in the bag, it goes off.

 

[imagemaker46]

When the camera is on your shoulder it stays on, and no lens cap, things happen quickly.

 

[480sparky]

When I'm sauntering around, the camera stays on. When it goes in the bag, it goes off.

X2.

 

[shootermcgavin]

They turn themselves off, mine goes off after about 20 seconds I think. It doesn't seem to consume power as I've never had a problem with pulling a dead camera out of my bag.

 

[dots]

I turn it off as soon as the shot(s) are dumped to card. Only turn it on to compose AF, take a picture and check the histogram.

 

[480sparky]

........ mine goes off after about 20 seconds I think...........

Holy cow! That would drive me nuts! I could easily spend 60 seconds composing the scene, zooming in & out, moving the tripod, taking a light reading..........

 

[Overread]

Auto power down can be disabled on most as a custom function, though by default its set to on - I think I extended the time my 7D stays on and does not enter powersave mode.

As for me if the camera is out to be used its on - if its in the bag its off; no point having power trickle away or getting random snapshots of the inside of the lens-cap; asides which getting the camera out of the back the turning it on part is the quick side, so I don't lose any time getting it out. Though I suspect those that shoot from shoulder bags might well disagree and store their camera on because of the much faster removal from a shoulder back than from a backpack which is what I generally use.

 

[889Media]

Same as the others here! I usually only use the power switch to turn off my 7D when I put it in the bag. If that make me miss a shot, it is simply because taking the camera out of the bag takes much longer time than the camera use to power up! So...yeah..when walking around it stays on!

 

[KmH]

They turn themselves off, mine goes off after about 20 seconds I think. It doesn't seem to consume power as I've never had a problem with pulling a dead camera out of my bag.

Not all cameras do that.

I have mine set up to turn off the metering and some other things after 6 seconds, but other wise the camera is still on until I turn the on/off switch to off. Nikon's D300, Auto Meter Off can be set to 4, 6, 8, 16, 30 seconds 1, 5, 10, or 30 minutes, or to No limit.

I turn mine off when it goes back in the bag. Batteries have a finite lifetime. Leaving a camera on 7-24 just reduces that life.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Depends on how long the cameras off. When my cameras are in for more prolonged storage, I take the batteries out. Right now the only camera that Has batteries in it is one of my F100's.

 

[Redbaron]

turn if off when it's in the bag - when it's in my hand, or over my shoulder it's on.... can't take photos when it's off with the lens cap on!

 

[ghache]

if its in my bag they are off.

like imagemaker said, if your holding it, its shoudl be on and ready to use..

I dont see the point on leaving it on while its in a bag.

 

[Markw]

My camera is only on while I am taking a shot. Once that shot is written fully, the camera goes off. It's a habit of mine now to switch it off as I pull my finger off the shutter, and vice versa. I only have to charge the camera about once a month (D300s w/(2) EN-EL3e), unless I'm doing video or time lapses, of course.

Mark

 

[ang1995]

Mine stays on while I am shooting after I think I am done shooting for awhile I will turn it off. I only have to charge my batteries maybe once a month but I do have a battery pack.