Hand position for changing lenses?

<p>I come from Pentax, where my hand positioning for lenses was extremely natural for me, enough so that I never thought about it. The key ergonomic differences - as far as I can tell - are (1) the lens release is where the DOF preview button is on my D90, and (b) the bayonet mount turns the the opposite direction. I'd grasp the camera body with my right hand just as if I were taking a photo, activate the release with my right finger, and manipulate the lenses with my left hand. Easy as pie.</p>

<p>On the other hand (sorry), with my D90 I haven't yet figured out how to change lenses without a lot of awkward mucking around, particularly if I'm trying to keep the body pointed downward so I don't drop junk into it.</p>

<p>Any suggestions would be much appreciated.</p>

<p>I'm sometimes left-handed and sometimes right, and I'm not sure exactly which applies in this situation other than manipulating the lenses with my left hand feels more natural.</p>

<p>Reid</p>

<p>Grab the camera with your left hand, base of your thumb on the LCD, middle finger should land on the lens release button, index and ring finger will do the pinching of the camera to hold the weight. Pinkie goes under the camera to help hold the weight. Use the right hand to grab the lens and twist. </p>

<p>Depends on whether the camera is handheld or tripod mounted.</p>

<p>If handheld, with any of my Nikons (35mm or digital), I hold the body in the left hand, lens pointed toward right. With the right hand I grab over the top, mash my index finger against the release button and twist. Very quick and secure. Might be more difficult if I had any large diameter lenses, tho', but I don't.</p>

<p>Otherwise, with the camera on a tripod, I grab the camera in the left hand, use the left middle finger to depress the lens release button and twist off the lens using the right hand. Again, I tend to grab over the top of the lens for this.</p>

<p>I usually just hold from side and underneath. Index lined up with button, middle next to it and two fingers wrapped around under camera, push the button with my left index and remove or change lens with my right hand. On a tripod I reach down from top index and thumb like a crab claw and push the button with the index. I can do all this very fast, but usually I just go slow. Enjoy your new machine.</p>

<p>I do exactly what Lex describes. </p>

<p>Reid,<br>

I also like manipulating the lens with my left hand, and I face the lens more or less toward me while I change it. I grab the camera with my right hand so my thumb can depress the lens release button; three fingers go on the back of the camera body and my pinkie finger goes on the bottom of the body. Left hand wraps over the top of the lens and both hands rotate inward to unlock the lens. After installing the new lens, I wipe my fingerprints off the LCD. I've been able to do all this with the lens mount pointing down.<br>

Enjoy the D90!</p>

 

<p>Thanks folks!</p>

<p>I tried both Ian and Bryan's suggestions and they are both comfortable, and I think some practice will make it just fine.</p>

<p>Much appreciated!</p>

<p>Reid</p>