New Tutorial: Camera Sensor Cleaning

[flipmode]

Regarding an area to setup and clean your camera or even lenses, where do you typically like to setup? I normally use the restroom as it's a smaller space and I usually start by wiping down the counter top with a damp towel to limit any dust that might be unsuspected. How about you? Any particular methods you follow or area(s) you prefer?

Just curious.

[McQ]

In the opening paragraph, there's a little bit of a non sequitur. It begins, "..., you'll eventually encounter spots in your photos...." But then the second sentence says, "... or is instead the result of a dirty viewfinder...," which of course won't cause spots on photos.

Under "Sensor Cleaning Methods," in the first paragraph, maybe not use "alternatively" to start the last sentence. The risk of direct contact to the sensor isn't alternative: both can happen.

Thanks for all the feedback, Rick. Both of these points have now been addressed in the latest update.

[aydo]

I read valuable ideas and comments in this thread. Many thanks to all! I wonder if Would it be also worthwhile to get some help from a small electrical hand-vacuum cleaner to be applied carefully to eliminate stubborn or still-suspending tinny particles (if any) at last?
Aydo

[rick55]

I read valuable ideas and comments in this thread. Many thanks to all! I wonder if Would it be also worthwhile to get some help from a small electrical hand-vacuum cleaner to be applied carefully to eliminate stubborn or still-suspending tinny particles (if any) at last?
Aydo

Hi, Aydo;

There's a school of thought, usually around cleaning computers and laptops, that says vacuums are better than blowers. The idea is that a vacuum makes sense because a blower pushes bad stuff into the system. The problem is that a vacuum might suck dust from somewhere it's not a problem (like the case) to where you're trying to clean (like the circuit board), so it doesn't really make sense.

Having worked for many years in hardware before being seduced to the software side, I can say that the serious hardware facilities I was around in the military, and some commercial companies, never used vacuums. I think a big reason is that a vacuum can't create more pressure differential than atmospheric pressure (15psi) in a theoretical perfect system, like a lab vacuum. A hand vacuum would never approach that. Even a small hand blower will do better than that in the other direction, and the pressure differential is what creates the breeze that moves the dust.

My recommendation for moving air would be to stick with the blower.

Cheers,
Rick

[Letrow]

Useful tutorial Sean. I had just been reading up on this over the last week. The Luminous Landscape and Thom Hogan have some interesting suggestions on this as well.
I just bought a big blower (just like the one you show) and my next thought would be for what is called the Arctic Butterfly (static brush that charges itself and takes off most of the dust from the sensor apparently). Wet swiping is probably the best option if I look through the reviews, but it is all a bit frightening TBH.
Sigh...every hobby has its disadvantages I guess