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I've just noticed a lot of dust on my sensor and I had to send my camera to the service center to get my sensor cleaned. I've noticed that when I use the mirror up mode "the function that prevents shake on long exposure", the shutter covers my sensor and I've been thinking would it be a good idea to up the mirror that way before changing the lens? I ask this question because I've been thinking since the sensor is covered with the shutter, then the potential amount of dust that can sneak through would be much less.

Would this have any benefit (or would it cause damage to the camera on the other hand)?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ If you don't take 10minutes to change a lens, it shouldn't have any impact at all. On the contrary, I don't think it's a good idea to change lenses while using the mirror lockup function. When I change mine, I always turn my camera off, change the lens and start it up again. Doesn't take more than 5 seconds. I was taught to not mess with electronics when they are powered on. I didn't need to clean my sensor in about 9 years, so I guess I take care of mine well enough... \$\endgroup\$
    – walther
    Commented Nov 7, 2017 at 10:39
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    \$\begingroup\$ @walther Please don't post answers as comments. \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Commented Nov 7, 2017 at 13:47
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    \$\begingroup\$ You don't even mention what camera you're using, so there's no way to give an exact reply. \$\endgroup\$
    – Mike Dixon
    Commented Nov 7, 2017 at 16:19
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    \$\begingroup\$ @mattdm, I appreciate your point of view, but if you feel the comment doesn't fit the schema, feel free to report it and have the mod remove it if he/she sees fit. As you surely know, SE sites highly discourage extensive debates in comments, especially those totally off-topic and not even related to the original post. \$\endgroup\$
    – walther
    Commented Nov 7, 2017 at 17:25
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    \$\begingroup\$ @Transcendent What makes you think the shutter doesn't close when you are changing lenses? I've never seen a camera with a reflex mirror that doesn't always have the shutter curtains closed when the mirror is down. Or are you changing lenses while the mirror is up with the camera actively in Live View? \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael C
    Commented Nov 8, 2017 at 1:01

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Mirror Up mode just separates the two stages mirror and shutter action that happen before and during an exposure. In normal drive modes, when you press the shutter button, the mirror flips up and the shutter curtain opens and closes right after that. In Mirror Up mode, you press the shutter and the mirror flips up, but the camera waits for another shutter button press to actually open and close the shutter curtain.

Changing the lens this way would only mean that the mirror is not in its "resting" place (and rather flipped up instead) which could mean that dust can potentially enter closer to the sensor. It makes no sense, plus there's no reason to do it, especially if the camera manual doesn't say anything about it (I haven't ever seen anything related to that in a manual).

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  • \$\begingroup\$ I wish there was a a feature that would cover the whole thing(Mirror and Sensor) when removing the lens. Nice thing if manufacturers contemplate such a function. \$\endgroup\$
    – Transcendent
    Commented Nov 7, 2017 at 10:49
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    \$\begingroup\$ That would needlessly complicate the manufacturing process, especially on low to mid end DSLRs. Is sending your camera for sensor cleaning once or twice a year so big of a deal? \$\endgroup\$
    – K. Minkov
    Commented Nov 7, 2017 at 10:54
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    \$\begingroup\$ Related: Why is there not a protective glass element that is between the lens and shutter in a SLR? \$\endgroup\$
    – Michael C
    Commented Nov 8, 2017 at 2:30

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