How to Exchange Camera Lenses and Look Like a Pro

Camera Assisting 13 Comments

How to Exchange Lensesphoto: Cinegear.biz

You may think the check the producer cuts to the lead star of a film is the biggest transaction on set. But I’d argue that the lens hand-off between a 1st assistant camera and a 2nd assistant camera is up there too. In this single moment there exists multiple chances to send unprecedented amounts of money shattering into the ground. So if you’re going to be exchanging lenses, avoid the devastation of a broken lens and use this method to swap lenses like a pro at the top of their game.

The process of exchanging the lens is going to be different for the 1st assistant camera (1st AC) and the 2nd assistant camera (2nd AC), so I have broken down the approach for each job.

For the 1st Assistant Camera:

Once a director of photography (DP) has requested a new lens, the 1st AC should immediately parrot that request to their 2nd AC. The 1st AC’s job during this process is to stay by the camera and prepare for the lens swap.

1. Remove anything in the way of the lens
You’re going to want to remove anything attached to or blocking the lens such as matteboxes, follow focus, and any other accessories.

2. Unlock the lens mount while holding onto the lens
Hold onto the lens while you undo the mount so that the lens doesn’t come detached and tumble onto the ground.

3. When the 2nd AC arrives, place the lens face-down into their open palm
If you place the lens face down, you don’t have to worry about the lens slipping through their hands. It also guarantees that they feel the weight of the lens in their palm as an extra warning that it’s being passed onto them.

4. Grab the new lens and say: “I got it”
“I got it,” is the universal verbal cue that you have a firm grip on the lens and it’s OK for the other person to let go. This phrase may change according to preference, but some kind of verbal cue is necessary.

5. Mount the new lens to the camera
Once the exchange is complete, mount the new lens to the camera, place the follow focus and mattebox back on and let the camera operator or director of photography know the new lens is up.

For the 2nd Assistant Camera:

After the 1st AC has requested a new lens, repeat the request back to ensure you heard it correctly. Once confirmed, drop everything you are doing and get the new lens. A shot can’t be blocked, rehearsed, marked, etc. until the new lens is on the camera.

1. Fetch the lens from the lens case
The lens case should be as close to camera as possible without being in the way. Sometimes this means right next to the camera, other times it means around the corner of a room.

2. Set the lens to focus at infinity and WFO on the iris
For those unaware, WFO refers to the T-stop of the lens and stands for “wide freaking open.” The reason you want to set the lens to infinity and WFO is so when the lens is mounted, the camera operator won’t see pitch bitch or super blurry images and think something is wrong.

3. Remove the lens caps
Leave the rear element lens cap inside the lens case, but hold onto the front element cap in a pouch should the 1st AC request it. Depending on who you’re working with, the 1st AC may prefer to hold onto the cap themselves.

4. Latch the lens case
The lens case should always be locked by at least one latch (though I prefer two). This is important because you never know who may walk by and decide to pick up the case to move it. If it’s not locked, the case will open and lenses will tumble out.

5. Once at the camera, place your open hand palm up to retrieve the old lens
Hold the new lens in one hand but place your empty hand out to retrieve the old lens. The 1st AC will place it face down into your palm so you can feel the weight of the lens.

6. Say: “I got it”
The 1st AC should not let go of the lens in your hand until you say “I got it.” Also never say “I got it” unless you truly do have it.

7. Hand the 1st AC the new lens
On the first day of a shoot, or during prep, ask the 1st AC how they prefer to be handed lenses. As an example, some AC’s like working on the dumb side instead of the smart side and will want a lens handed to them with the markings appropriately positioned.

Establish protocol

During prep/camera checkout go over protocol with the 1st AC (if you haven’t worked together before) that they prefer. Many times this conversation will be brief since you may have similar methods, but there are slight variations for everybody’s working style. For instance, they may use another phrase over “I got it” or they may like to be handed a lens with the front cap on.

When you spend so much time cleaning lenses and protecting them from t-shirts, the last thing you want to do is drop one yourself. The best way to be careful is always hold onto the lens an extra second or two after hearing “I got it.” I’ve become so used to doing this that I find myself holding onto beers for an extra second or two when I pass one to a friend.

Lastly, don’t get nervous when handling lenses, just take the process seriously.

How do you make sure that the lens exchange goes smoothly? Ever had any close calls?

About the author:

About the author: Evan Luzi is the editor and founder of The Black and Blue as well as a freelance camera assistant.

You can learn more about him or follow him on Twitter and Google+.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=7717548 Lawrence Marshall

    “Put the lens facedown in their open palm.”  Maybe I’m confused, but which end is facedown?  Placing something in the open palm…the wording to me actually seems like you’re saying to put the lens with the front element down into their palm, touching the skin to the front element.  I KNOW that you’re not saying that, but to me, that’s exactly what it sounds like.  

    Could you clarify?  I feel like an idiot.

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  • Andrew Coppin

    I always use a FIZ, so I prefer the focus/ zoom/ iris just back from the lens stops at infinity and wide open, so the motors have play to mesh with the new lens.

    With a big zoom, I always want the rear element in my right hand, so when I turn back to the camera, the rear element is close to the lens port.  Its a bit counter intuitive to a 2nd, because when I’m turned to them on the left side of the camera, the front of the lens would be pointing towards the lens port… until I turn back around to mount the zoom.

  • http://www.theblackandblue.com/ Evan

    Hey Lawrence, you’re not an idiot — allow me to clarify.

    I consider the front element to be the face of the lens. So facedown would mean placing the front element to their palm. This shouldn’t be an issue with fingerprinting or getting in contact with the lens for a few reasons:

    1.) If you place the lens cap on the lens before you pull it off, this becomes a non-issue.

    2.) Whenever you are receiving a lens, you should cup your hand slightly instead of laying it flat. This should make it so the front element doesn’t touch your palm because you will grab the outside of the front element with your fingertips.

    3.) Most lenses have a bit of a “lip” on their front element so there is like a half inch of space between the rim of the lens and the first piece of glass. This should give you enough leeway when handing a lens off.

    The alternative, of course, would be to place the lens with the rear element down, but this is not ideal at all. Rear elements stick out (as opposed to being encased inside that lip) and they are much more sensitive to cleaning. It’s not good to fingerprint the front element either, but it’s easier and safer to clean.

    Does this make sense?

  • http://www.theblackandblue.com/ Evan

    It makes sense to me! The key is, as a 1st, to clearly describe to the 2nd AC how you like to perform lens changes so they can adapt accordingly. I find having a clear protocol is always the best way to ensure efficient and safe lens exchanges.

  • Bruno

    I was told that as 2nd, having taken the lens out of the box and removed the caps, you should hold it with you hand cupped over the rear element (making sure not to touch the glass of course, it’s not too difficult). That way when you pass it to 1st he will naturally hold it by cupping the front element. Thefore the rear is cleared to go onto the camera body without 1st having to precariously rotate the thing is his hands.

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  • Guille Álvarez

    Hi, Evan, terrific website you have here! I discovered it 2 days ago and I´m really impressed. Working as 2nd AC, I was told from an veteran 1AC that the reason for setting lenses to infinity and iris wide open was for safety in transportation or handling. If an iris is wide open, the blades are retracted all the way, so, if something hits the lens, there´s less chance of breaking them (a hit with an iris closed or half closed can bend some of the blades and break the mechanism). Same happens with the focus: if you set it to infinity, all the glass elements are aligned in a more compact way (that resists better any vibration). With zooms you should always set the focal length to a position where the lens is as compact as possible as well. All lenses should be set this way even in the cases, just in case! Your explanation for the operator actually makes a lot of sense also.

    Thanks!

  • http://www.theblackandblue.com/ Evan

    Hm it may be a combination of both. I’ve never heard the safety of the lens explanation before, but it makes sense. Thanks for sharing!

  • http://www.theblackandblue.com/ Evan

    Yep, sounds like solid advice to me.

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  • Joey

    Hey Evan, nice article. One correction: For 2nd AC #2, you typed “pitch bitch” when I think you meant “pitch black” haha.

    Otherwise, great article! I’ve been referring people to this site when I feel they need a little more education when it comes to set etiquette!