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  • Do portable fully automated DSLR lens-changers exist?

  • If so, how well do they work and how do they compare with alternative solutions.

I've seen many "lens bags" offered to ease the lens changing and carrying issues. Those are not what I want.

This is not a "shopping question". Read on ...

"When it matters" I carry two and sometimes three DSLRs. TAs well as backup capability this allows the 2 or 3 most useful lenses to be available almost instantly. However, my secondary cameras are of lower specification than my main camera and the extra weight and general encumbrance is undesirable in many cases.

If I could change lenses on my main camera with essentially no time penalty it would allow the use of one active body and the lens changer and lenses, with a secondary body able to be stowed rather than flapping in the breeze.

A look through internet offerings did not reveal anything made for portable DSLR use - "lens changing robots" for laboratory use were available.
Do they exist? How well do they work? What are the pros and cons?
Obvious question - if I made them would they sell?

With modern electronics and compact motors, a changing robot is not hard to envisage.
Needed tasks are: unlock, rotate, withdraw, stow, acquire new lens, move into position and alignment, insert, rotate/lock, declare completion. Something that handled 2 lenses could be very useful. 3 more so. 4 Nirvana (or was that 'hog heaven'? :-)).
Lens weight and size is obviously an issue. Ability to accommodate a range of sizes and mounts is necessary. Competency at grip, rotate, move, realign, reinsert both initially and at all times is essential.


Added:

What could be done:

Given the responses so far in comments and answer :-) :

I estimate that for a bayonet lens system, such as the Minolta A mount that I am most familiar with, I (personally) could design a lens changer that would swap between two small to medium size lenses in about 1 second. For larger lenses or to reduce cost - maybe 2 seconds. The technology to do this easily has existed for decades, to do it with some effort has been possible for many decades, and to do it 'if one must' for over a century. Using modern stepper motors and brushless DC motors, rotational and linear sensors (and (if one must) pneumatics or hydraulics)) would make doing it just a matter of doing it. Where are they?

A unit need not be essentially any larger than a lens bag made to accommodate the lenses concerned. The camera is inserted lens down into an open aperture and pressed home. The camera is gripped for a second or so and then a release light lights and the camera is withdrawn with the other lens in place. Dust and contamination incursion could be very low. Weight penalty is liable to be moderate - say less than 50% more than combined lens weight and maybe less. Power by eg LiIon battery pack - about as energy dense as is available battery wise.

If desired, when not in use a camera could be carried inserted in the changer so it can be withdrawn when required with the desired lens fitted.

Would it sell?
What would people pay for this capability?

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    \$\begingroup\$ so... instead of carrying a second camera, you want to wheel about a robot? \$\endgroup\$ Aug 6, 2012 at 8:05
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    \$\begingroup\$ we do not have good enough tech to be able to efficiently and reliably do what you want with a robot and so you are the best way to change lenses quickly \$\endgroup\$ Aug 6, 2012 at 8:09
  • \$\begingroup\$ I think that there may not be a simple answer to this which in turns means it may end up as a discussion and may thus not be suitable for the site. Very interesting question though I think the real answer may be that it is not practical. After all you already have a piece of equipment with you that is eminently designed for rapidly changing lenses in all manner of conditions - the human body \$\endgroup\$
    – user9817
    Aug 6, 2012 at 8:17
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    \$\begingroup\$ Ok, that makes more sense after your edit. However I do see a LOT of potential issues with the huge variation in sizes between various cameras and lenses. And in the internal handling of varying lengths and widths of lenses. Personally, I think it would be prohibitively expensive to build and sell (and i really dont think it would sell) \$\endgroup\$ Aug 6, 2012 at 11:54
  • \$\begingroup\$ Not fully automatic, but I saw this on petapixel.com: kickstarter.com/projects/1022605159/… \$\endgroup\$ Aug 15, 2012 at 18:58

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I don't think there's a market for a robotic lens changing camera-bag. Mainly because there are so few people with the specific combination of lenses you could make such a device work with.


Inspired by Darkcat's answer.

turret http://www.pbase.com/image/119708591

turret http://collectiblend.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4

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I think the much more practical and affordable solution here is the traditional one: hire an assistant. As a bonus, that also replaces a lighting-setup robot, a hold-this-reflector robot, and a hey-couldja-get-me-a-coffee robot.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ :D I thought the same. \$\endgroup\$ Aug 6, 2012 at 13:20
  • \$\begingroup\$ Your solutions are neither more affordable nor more practical for me. \$\endgroup\$ Aug 6, 2012 at 19:18
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    \$\begingroup\$ Maybe. I think you're vastly underestimating the cost of making a robotic device that is sufficiently portable, robust, flexible, and gentle. You asked for an alternative, and I think this is the most reasonable one. \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Aug 6, 2012 at 19:28
  • \$\begingroup\$ And I think it's significantly more reasonable than the joke answers. \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Aug 6, 2012 at 20:30
  • \$\begingroup\$ @mattdm I just came on this 11 years on. I've so far never built one. I still want one. I still think it is doable and viable. Of course :-) . I have Sony A7RIV, A6500 A6000 NEX various, other ... . I often carry 3 cameras. Sometimes 4. Sometimes only one gets used. Often two do because of the lenses involved. Sometimes 3 or 4. If I could change them REALLY Fast from eg a belt pack. My choices would include but not be limited to APSC Tamron 18-300, FF Sony 70-300G, 18-35mm f/1.8 Sigma, 12-22 (I think) Canon, ... . That more or less covers APSC walkabout, G zoom, low light, wideangle. \$\endgroup\$ Aug 15 at 7:38
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enter image description here

I think this may be what you are after, this one even does video :-)

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