As a music photographer, time is a critical aspect of most music gigs. If you're photographing as press, the general rule is that you're allowed access for the first three songs for many artists. This time constraint of perhaps 10-15 minutes means that every moment can feel pressure. If you're using multiple pieces of glass, the last thing you want to do is waste time changing lenses. Here's how to change lenses faster in the photo pit.
The fastest way to change lenses is to not change lenses
This is not a super serious recommendation, but you'll save the most time changing lenses by not changing lenses. Either by having multiple camera bodies or simply using one camera and one lens. But for real world extensions of this approach, reducing changes is the next best choice. Let me explain.
Have a plan in the photo pit
You can save a huge amount of time changing lenses by having a strategy for how you photograph during the first three songs. This plan can take any form, but the most common approach is to save lens changes for the pause between songs. Another may be to switch lenses halfway between songs.
However long it takes you to change lenses, this approach to reduce the number of lens changes minimizes that time.
The most essential idea here is to make images with the lens you have equipped, knowing that you'll make other, lens-specific images later when you switch to that lens. This is a change from choosing a lens to make images at a specific focal length or range — ie, wanting to make a tighter telephoto shot of a singer at a specific moment of expression or lighting. The intent here is to reduce the urge to constantly switch, which in itself prevents you from seeing and making images efficiently in the time you have.
Have your lenses ready to shoot
When you're entering the photo pit, make sure all your lenses are ready to shoot. This means removing lens caps, putting lens hoods into the shooting position, and even removing rear lens caps. When you have your lenses ready to shoot, it means all you have to do is mount the lenses with nothing else to adjust. Even the fastest photographer is going to be slower when they have to take off multiple caps, adjust a hood, etc.
Make your lenses accessible
One way to improve how fast you can change lenses is to use a carrying system that gives you better accessibility to your gear.
The fastest method I've found is using a belt system with a waist level lens pouch that I can position in front of me, but a sling or messenger style bag can provide the same functionality. With a belt system, your lens pouches are all close at hand, they're stable, all at the same level, and often have simple openings. All of these factors add up to very fast access.
The key point is so have the lens you want to switch to easily accessible, as well as a place to stow the lens you're dismounting. The fastest is when these spaces are right in front of you or adjacent, so you're not having to adjust adjust your bag. One point in this approach is also having your bag/lens pouches configured so that you don't have to unzip or open the carry system — or basically to reduce anything that gets in the way of removing or stowing a lens.
Worry less about your gear
A lot of time spent changing lenses is focused on being careful with your equipment. Which is natural and logical, as gear isn't cheap. But professional lenses are also built to stand up to professional use, and this means being banged around. Lens coatings are a lot stronger than you think and fingerprints are easy to clean off.
Practice your changes
Building muscle memory is one of the best ways to get faster at lens changes. When you're used to a motion, you build confidence and speed increases. If you're worried about not using lens caps or rear caps, practicing can allay these fears and make you more assured.
