Holding and grabbing camera

[zoomeyes]

Hi, I have a quick questions. When grabbing my camera from my bag or from any place, is it bad to grab it by the lens? I have been looking at tutorials and videos and I see some photographers grab it by the lens(not the end of the lens but the middle part) Is just a question I want cleared as sometime the only "quick" way to grab my camera is by such place. Thank you all for the help.

 

[Designer]

Most times you want to pick it up at or near the center of gravity. Not only is it more comfortable, but also safer as you minimize the chances to fumble it. The center of gravity moves toward the front of the lens with longer lenses. A short lens means the center of gravity is more in the body itself.

 

[paigew]

Oh goodness, I would never grab mine by my lens. I grab mine by the body.

 

[goodguy]

Oh goodness, I would never grab mine by my lens. I grab mine by the body.

Same here.

 

[Overread19 7]

You should have no problem at all picking a DSLR up by holding the lens itself, in fact on bigger lenses the camera is often hanging off the lens mount when attached to tripods (via lens collars attaching to the tripod). Really big lenses its often far preferable to hold the lens and not hte body as the first grabbing point.

In general so long as you're not putting undue stress on the mount point or yanking the camera against an obstruction you should be fine.

 

[Big Mike]

My camera is most often attached to a 70-200mm F2.8, which is bigger and heaver than the camera body. So yes, I pick it up by the lens fairly often.

 

[PixelRabbit]

Always by the lens with the 100-400 attached, it is way heavier than the body and I would prefer to have the body hang from it than it from the body, 50/50 with the 18-200, much lighter lens and either way works, and by the body with shorter lenses like the 50mm.

 

[JohnS.]

I naturally set my camera in my bag holding the grip so I pull it out by the grip. I also use light lenses.

 

[cowleystjames]

Goes without saying, with a long lens 70-200 F2.8, 24-70 F2.8, or similar, I pick it up by the lens, but with a shorter 50mm, 14-24 F2.8, 16mm fisheye, it's a body pick up.

 

[mikeyidaho]

I usually grab near where the lens mounts to the body. Of course my lenses don't have plastic where they mount to the body like kit lenses and other lower end lenses do. If yours have a plastic mount I'd be extra careful to grab by the body.

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S III using Tapatalk 2

 

[Designer]

If yours have a plastic mount I'd be extra careful to grab by the body.

That isn't logical.

 

[mikeyidaho]

I meant that if your lenses have a plastic mount then they are usually cheaper and lighter in which case picking it up by the body instead of the lens would be preferred since the plastic mount is a weak point, correct?

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S III using Tapatalk 2

 

[EIngerson]

You shouldnt have to be so concerned about how you pick up your camera. Even with a plastic lens mount it will hold up to normal use.

 

[runnah]

I grab the lens right at the tip and gently cup the body.

 

[Josh66]

I meant that if your lenses have a plastic mount then they are usually cheaper and lighter in which case picking it up by the body instead of the lens would be preferred since the plastic mount is a weak point, correct?

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S III using Tapatalk 2

If you're worried about stress, I would think it would be better to pick it up holding the heavier item - whether that's the lens or body.