DSLR cleaning

[ajohnw]

Duster cans need some sense when using them.

John
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[DanK]

I have started to use a sensor cleaner with a sticky silicone tip and find it to be very effective at removing dust that doesn't budge with the bulb blower.

Which brand do you use? Someone else recently recommended this approach to me.

[PhotomanJohn]

The original one I have is made in Germany and called "eyelead Sensor Cleaning Kit" which I believe there are some knock-offs that I would stay away from. I bought mine from Photography Life

https://photographylife.com/product/sensor-gel-stick

It works very well but is really sticky so very lightly press it on the sensor and immediately pull it off.

The other one is the same one used in the LensRental video on sensor cleaning and is made by Dust-Aid, USA product and is available on Amazon.

http://dust-aid.com/dry-dslr-camera-sensor-cleaning/

It is cheaper and not as sticky so maybe a little easier to use.

The important things with either of these are to blow off the big chunks first and clean the sticky surface with the tape they provide immediately before using. Press straight down on the sensor and pull straight off without sliding it on the sensor surface.

John

[dennybeall]

I cleaned a Nikon D90 sensor and found it not nearly as hard as the literature said. Very slow and careful and all will be well. Used the lit mentioned in the video.

[DanK]

John,

Thanks

Dan

[William W]

Thanks for answering.

Once you do get the sensor clean, don't take your lens off. Whilst you have only one lens, there is no need to remove it.

If you do get another lens, when you change lenses do it in a wind free environment if possible and hold the camera and lens so the axis of the lens is parallel to the ground.

WW

[cliveanne]

Thanks for answering.

Once you do get the sensor clean, don't take your lens off. Whilst you have only one lens, there is no need to remove it.

If you do get another lens, when you change lenses do it in a wind free environment if possible and hold the camera and lens so the axis of the lens is parallel to the ground.

WW

I would also add switch the camera off before removing the lense, otherwise static will draw the dust in probably. This was a tip I picked up form some other website

[William W]

^^^

That's interesting.

Do you have the reference and / or further comment, because I'd be interested in the logic of that action.

Specifically, on the face of it, I cannot reckon the following two points, especially the second:

1. > a　relationship between the camera being powered on and as a result of being on vs. being off, static charges building.

2. > if charged with static electricity, why then the action of powering the camera off would necessarily remove that static charge

WW

[PhotomanJohn]

William - Your questions are well founded and I thought the same thing when I read the post. Whether or not a device has current flowing through it ("it is turned on") has nothing to do with it's static charge that might cause it to attract dust with an opposite charge.

It is true that many camera manufacturers recommend turning the camera off during lens changes to reduce the chance of damage to the electronics due to the making, breaking and possible shorting of the electrical connections between the camera and the lens.

John

[William W]

John,

What piqued my my interest in the post was my initial reaction "Crikey I never do that!" - that is to say I very rarely ever turn the power to "OFF" on my (Canon) DSLR's. Not when I am changing lenses. Nor when I put the cameras away to bed.

I do turn the camera to "OFF" when I change Batteries or remove the Battery Grip or cards.

I had a quick speed read of my Canon User Manuals and I could not see any advice to power to "OFF" before changing lenses - but it was a quick speed read and not a close investigation.

*

To be clear I am NOT giving any advice - merely interested in reading the source of the advice which Peter gave.

In any case, of the two choices: the prudent option would be to power "OFF" before removing lenses and replacing lenses.

WW

[xpatUSA]

William - Your questions are well founded and I thought the same thing when I read the post. Whether or not a device has current flowing through it ("it is turned on") has nothing to do with it's static charge that might cause it to attract dust with an opposite charge.

It is true that many camera manufacturers recommend turning the camera off during lens changes to reduce the chance of damage to the electronics due to the making, breaking and possible shorting of the electrical connections between the camera and the lens.

John

As a retired electronic/electrical/instrumentation Engineer, +1 to all of the foregoing!

Quite frankly, I find it astounding that anyone would actually not turn off the camera while changing lenses!

[Mike Buckley]

I had a quick speed read of my Canon User Manuals and I could see any advice to power to "OFF" before changing lenses

You are to be admired, William, for your consistently precise information. In that context, please clarify whether you meant to type that you "could see" or "could not see" any such advice in the manual. If I had to make a bet, it would be that you meant to type that you "could not see" any such advice in the manual.

[Mike Buckley]

Quite frankly, I find it astounding that anyone would actually not turn off the camera while changing lenses!

It's easy to think the camera is already turned off when in fact it is not. I have had that happen to me many times.

Frankly, based on all of the so-called mistakes that I have made while the camera is still turned on that resulted in no negative consequences, I seriously wonder if there is ever a truly compelling reason to turn it off. I turn it off regularly despite that I wonder if doing so is necessary.

[PhotomanJohn]

I guess I shouldn't have said "many' manufacturers. Nikon has the following note in their manuals:

"Be sure the camera is off when removing or exchanging lenses." (page 25 of D800 manual)

It is possible that some circuit in the camera might not be happy if a few of the pins in the lens mount were shorted together. Don't know, its just possible.

John

[William W]

. . .William, . . .please clarify whether you meant to type that you "could see" or "could not see" any such advice in the manual. If I had to make a bet, it would be that you meant to type that you "could not see" any such advice in the manual.

You win that bet.

My error. My typo. Thanks for picking it up. I have corrected the original.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

WW

[Mike Buckley]

You win that bet.

Pay me.

[William W]

. . . Quite frankly, I find it astounding that anyone would actually not turn off the camera while changing lenses!

I didn't mean to astound. I just never have bothered to make that extra step. Not even with Film Cameras. Probably because when I needed to change lenses I often needed to complete the task quickly.

But this thread is making me think about it differently. I am not yet convinced about the shorting the pins argument, I am thinking there would have to be a stray conductor, in addition to the lens's 'pins'.

?thinking?

WW

Addendum -
'a stray conductor'
maybe moisture would be enough?

[William W]

Pay me.

One Mars Bar coming by surface post.

Alternatively, when coming to Strayla email me in advance my Shout at the bar or coffee shop, choose your poison.

The first was joking the second was quite serious.

WW

[sonnytev]

There are a lot of shops in HK offering the service, especially brand-name service shops (for Canon, Nikon, Leica, etc.)

[Mike Buckley]

One Mars Bar coming by surface post...joking

Thank goodness you were joking! My wife has included Mars bars on my list of prohibited foods.