topic Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

SL2 Power On/Off Switch

wchettel — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 04:30:16 GMT

Several weeks ago I took a few pics with my SL2 but when I put it back in the bag I forgot to turn the power switch off. Last night I pulled it out to take a few more pics and I noticed that it was still turned ON, but the battery level indicator didn't seem to be any lower than it was when I used it the last time.

Is there any harm in leaving the power switch in the ON position when the SL2 is not being used for a lengthy period?

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

shadowsports — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 16:58:45 GMT

Greetings,

No real harm per se except the battery will eventally go dead. The camera will go into a low power state if the power button is left on and no controls are accuated.

You shouldn't store your camera with a battery installed. A few days, a week, fine. More than that, remove the battery.

You should turn the power swiitch off when the camera is not going to be used. When youre done taking pictures, turn it off.

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

ebiggs1 — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 15:32:25 GMT

I almost never turn my cameras off. But I use them a lot. Even the ones that sit on the shelf because they aren't the one being used doesn't get turned off. This has been my practice for years and years. Once the off timer has been exhausted the camera is essentially turned off.

The two sitting in front of me on the computer desk are both off but their on/off switch is in the on position.

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

MikeSowsun — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 00:20:22 GMT

I almost never turn mine off as well. Even when changing lenses, memory cards, or batteries.

Once the camera “goes to sleep” it doesn’t use any more power than with the switch off. I once had one go dead after a few days in the camera bag and I just assumed that one of the buttons got pressed.

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

ebiggs1 — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 15:29:31 GMT

"Even when changing lenses, memory cards, or batteries."

Almost with you but I think you may want to turn it off with the on/off switch when removing and inserting CF or SD cards. I do turn it off when doing so. The instant the lens is turned a tiny amount power is cut off. The last pin to make contact and first removed is the power pin. I see no danger mounting and dismounting lenses.

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

MikeSowsun — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 16:16:20 GMT

Opening the memory card door cuts the power so I don't see any point to turnoing off the switch.

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

RobertTheFat — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 17:48:41 GMT

@MikeSowsun wrote:
Opening the memory card door cuts the power so I don't see any point to turnoing off the switch.

Just as Rudy Giuliani sometimes makes phone calls by sitting on his cell phone, a camera can do funny things if it gets jostled around in a full camera bag. Call me old-fashioned if you like, but I think turning off a camera when you put it away is a good habit.

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

ebiggs1 — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 15:25:02 GMT

"Opening the memory card door cuts the power so I don't see any point to turnoing off the switch."

I know and I agree the chance of a problem is small. Perhaps tiny. But on this, I choose to error on the safe side and turn the camera off. I take the extra step and also go slow so any, if any, static that could be left when pulling the CF card is drained. It is just my concern for CF card safety. I have not lost a picture to a bad or corrupted CF card. I do not intend to have one now either. So I will keep doing the same routine. I am super careful with menory cards.

Canon tries to make our cameras as fool proof as possible but "things" (not the choice word!) happens.

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

Waddizzle — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 15:33:51 GMT

@RobertTheFat wrote:
@MikeSowsun wrote:
Opening the memory card door cuts the power so I don't see any point to turnoing off the switch.
Just as Rudy Giuliani sometimes makes phone calls by sitting on his cell phone, a camera can do funny things if it gets jostled around in a full camera bag. Call me old-fashioned if you like, but I think turning off a camera when you put it away is a good habit.

Same here. I have had button presses while the camera is in the bag.

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

Waddizzle — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 15:42:03 GMT

What about tethering and downloading? Don't you, or shouldn't you cycle power?

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

ebiggs1 — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 15:42:23 GMT

"... I think turning off a camera when you put it away is a good habit."

Must be why Canon still puts an on/off switch on their cameras.

"...it gets jostled around in a full camera bag."

Another 'old fashion" practice? The last several years I have gotten away from a camera bag. Well in the old fashion way of thinking anyway. I rarely use a camera bag at all. Actually I never did unless it was a long distance travel assignment. I do have bags that holds the cameras and others that holds the lenses. Not together! Professional lenses come in wonderful bags and do not really need another bag to store them in. So that takes care of the lenses part. My cameras on the other hand rarely sit for more than a few hours, at night mostly.

As we speak here this morning there are three cameras all with lenses attached sitting right here on the computer desk. All ready to go. Big shoot coming up this Saturday (for hire!) but even a trip to MaDonald's can usually require some photos. Especially if I run into folks I know. Mostly freebies because that is what I do anymore.

BTW, all three cameras are off but their on/off switch is in the on position!

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

ebiggs1 — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 15:57:44 GMT

"What about tethering and downloading? Don't you, or shouldn't you cycle power?"

Again, you are right, I see this as a possible static problem so I do power off if I am attaching a USB cable for either tethering or d/l to the computer. And, again, I mostly go slowly to make sure any static is drained. Maybe it is not a big deal but I again error on the safe side.

I understand just because I have never had a static related loss, or corrupted CF card, does not mean my practice prevented it. However, perhaps it did. I am super cautious with my CF cards and attaching cables to ports on my cameras.

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

wchettel — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 18:16:25 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"Opening the memory card door cuts the power so I don't see any point to turnoing off the switch."

I know and I agree the chance of a problem is small. Perhaps tiny. But on this, I choose to error on the safe side and turn the camera off. I take the extra step and also go slow so any, if any, static that could be left when pulling the CF card is drained. It is just my concern for CF card safety. I have not lost a picture to a bad or corrupted CF card. I do not intend to have one now either. So I will keep doing the same routine. I am super careful with menory cards.

Canon tries to make our cameras as fool proof as possible but "things" (not the choice word!) happens.

My SL2 uses an SDHC or SDXC memory card. But still, I'm sure to turn the power off when I remove the card or switch lenses.

Re: SL2 Power On/Off Switch

Waddizzle — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 07:11:52 GMT

@wchettel wrote:
@ebiggs1 wrote:
"Opening the memory card door cuts the power so I don't see any point to turnoing off the switch."

I know and I agree the chance of a problem is small. Perhaps tiny. But on this, I choose to error on the safe side and turn the camera off. I take the extra step and also go slow so any, if any, static that could be left when pulling the CF card is drained. It is just my concern for CF card safety. I have not lost a picture to a bad or corrupted CF card. I do not intend to have one now either. So I will keep doing the same routine. I am super careful with menory cards.

Canon tries to make our cameras as fool proof as possible but "things" (not the choice word!) happens.
My SL2 uses an SDHC or SDXC memory card. But still, I'm sure to turn the power off when I remove the card or switch lenses.

My advice to anyone new to DSLRs is to turn off the camera when not in use, until you learn all of the ins and outs of the camera body. Follow the instruction manual and turn off the camera when changing lenses and memory cards, etc.