Safe to leave lens on camera?

[Tristan944]

I have my 70-200 f4L USM on my 7D and it got me wondering, with the weight of this lens (and other lenses), is it safe to leave the lens on the body at all times? If so, should the body be facing up with the weight of the lens pushing on the body? Or maybe should the camera be hanging down so the lens is pulling on the body?

Or should the lens be removed and a body cap used?

[neuroanatomist]

I have my 70-200 f4L USM on my 7D and it got me wondering, with the weight of this lens (and other lenses), is it safe to leave the lens on the body at all times? If so, should the body be facing up with the weight of the lens pushing on the body? Or maybe should the camera be hanging down so the lens is pulling on the body?

Or should the lens be removed and a body cap used?

I store the body with a lens mounted, on its left side.

[Mt Spokane Photography]

The mount is the critical thing.  If it is bent by even a fraction of a hair's thickness, it can affect one side of the image.  The mount is strong and not easily bent.
 
Just store the camera / lens combination so that a strong bump will not overstress the mount.  Lens down is a good way to store and carry it.  Lens up is fine as well, as is horizontal storage in a camera bag.

[Rienzphotoz]

Never thought of this ... for the last decade or so, I've always had a lens mounted on my camera (with the lens always facing down with the camera positioned on top ... I even have it like this, in my office bag, when I'm driving to the office and I carry it every single day), never had any problem.

[STEMI_RN]

I'm with neuro. Lens on. Laying on left side. I WON'T leave a speedlite on for more than a little bit though. Or a super-gigantic-tele.  (Not that I have any of those anyway.)

[Daniel Flather]

Keep the stress off the mount area, and the 70-200/4 is not heavy. 

[bornshooter]

i store mines on body on its ass

[klickflip]

It really depends on what you're shooting most frequently. For me its a 50L, is stored in peli case with that on..I use it most or start viewing shot with a 50 unless I know I need wider or longer straight away.
Guess if you shoot landscapes or general street then maybe keeping a 24 , 35 or 16-35 etc on it all the time is most useful or if you shoot candids or portraits from further away then a 100, 135 or 70-200 will be for you.
No rules here .. apart from personally I wouldnt keep a 70-200 or bigger on for storage portability reasons.

[michi]

I have never worried about which direction to leave my camera sit with the lenses on.  Have never had a problem either. Obviously you don't want to store it with the whole combination having stressful forces on it, but I think in general it's a non-issue.

[Tristan944]

Maybe this would be more of an issue with Rebel bodies, as their construction is plastic.

Another thing to consider is weather sealing. Do camera bodies AND the lens both have a rubber gasket at the housing connection to keep dust out? I know body caps don't have a rubber gasket, so that could potentially lead to dust entering the body if only a body cap was used for a long period of time.

[pwp]

With the exception of very heavy long tele lenses, I have never worried about this in the slightest in over 25 years. I have damaged lens mounts, and that's been when I have dropped equipment. Ouch! Mucho $$$

My spin on "is it safe to leave lens on camera" goes more along the lines of leaving the lens on in case you miss a great shot...

-PW

[Rienzphotoz]

Maybe this would be more of an issue with Rebel bodies, as their construction is plastic.

Even with rebel bodies you won't have a problem.

[AlanF]

Got me slightly worried.  I usually carry the 7D or 5D with the right hand side in my hand with 2.5 kg of 300mm f/2.8 swinging from it.  So far no trouble. Maybe I should have the lens carry strap over my shoulder?

[mrsfotografie]

The dynamic forces on the lens mount when the camera/lens is being used or carried far exceed the static forces in storage.

I leave the 'last used' lens on when I store my camera, changing lenses unnecessarily does more 'damage' ie wear to the lens mount and potential of dust getting into the body. Next time I go out for a shoot is when I determine if I will use the lens that is already mounted or something else.

[Rienzphotoz]

The dynamic forces on the lens mount when the camera/lens is being used or carried far exceed the static forces in storage.

I leave the 'last used' lens on when I store my camera, changing lenses unnecessarily does more 'damage' ie wear to the lens mount and potential of dust getting into the body. Next time I go out for a shoot is when I determine if I will use the lens that is already mounted or something else.

+1