Best Practice for dust removal setting

**markvc** · 05-17-2012, 10:21 AM

I have just purchased a K-5. I m wondering if there is a best practice for the dust removal setting in the camera. Do most users set it to clean the sensor every time the camera is turned on, or is that overkill - or perhaps too much and could damage the sensor in the long run? Should I instead manually run the dust removal function once a week, or month, or only if I notice dust?

Any advice will be helpful.

Thanks

JinDesu · 05-17-2012, 10:28 AM

I set mine to run when turning on - my camera is almost always pointed downwards when i turn it on, which helps.

Run the manual dust removal function only when you see dust.

StephenHampshire · 05-17-2012, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by markvc

I have just purchased a K-5. I m wondering if there is a best practice for the dust removal setting in the camera. Do most users set it to clean the sensor every time the camera is turned on, or is that overkill - or perhaps too much and could damage the sensor in the long run? Should I instead manually run the dust removal function once a week, or month, or only if I notice dust?

Any advice will be helpful.

Thanks

I change lenses frequently and dust can be a real problem. I have the dust removal action set to start up, and normally turn the camera off to change lenses. I have to clean the sensor about once a month, although if I do get a dust bunny, running the dust removal action manually two or three times clears most of them. The dust mapping function is really useful.

**pearsaab** · 05-17-2012, 10:46 AM

whats your technique for cleaning the sensor

Anvh · 05-17-2012, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by JinDesu

I set mine to run when turning on - my camera is almost always pointed downwards when i turn it on, which helps.

Pentax say to use this feature with the camera up right, there is a special strip under the sensor that collects the dust.

JinDesu · 05-17-2012, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by Anvh

Pentax say to use this feature with the camera up right, there is a special strip under the sensor that collects the dust.

Really? Thanks for letting me know. Everyone else has been telling me to point the thing downwards when doing the shake (I guess for the dust to fall off the sensor).

What happens when the strip becomes full of dust?

Anvh · 05-17-2012, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by JinDesu

Really? Thanks for letting me know. Everyone else has been telling me to point the thing downwards when doing the shake (I guess for the dust to fall off the sensor).

What happens when the strip becomes full of dust?

video interview around 11 min
Pentax 645D - First Look Review
strip can be replaced

reason for using upright is also explained.
The shutter is closed when you do this so when the camera points down the dust land on the back side of the shutter and so when you take a photo the dust is back on the sensor.

Last edited by Anvh; 05-17-2012 at 04:40 PM.

StephenHampshire · 05-23-2012, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by pearsaab

whats your technique for cleaning the sensor

I use a Sensorklear pen - a lightly impregnated pad on a pen-like tool

05-17-2012, 10:21 AM	#1
markvc Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lakeland, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 194	Best Practice for dust removal setting I have just purchased a K-5. I m wondering if there is a best practice for the dust removal setting in the camera. Do most users set it to clean the sensor every time the camera is turned on, or is that overkill - or perhaps too much and could damage the sensor in the long run? Should I instead manually run the dust removal function once a week, or month, or only if I notice dust? Any advice will be helpful. Thanks

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05-17-2012, 10:28 AM	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	I set mine to run when turning on - my camera is almost always pointed downwards when i turn it on, which helps. Run the manual dust removal function only when you see dust.

05-17-2012, 10:40 AM	#3
StephenHampshire Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Winchester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,523	Originally posted by markvc I have just purchased a K-5. I m wondering if there is a best practice for the dust removal setting in the camera. Do most users set it to clean the sensor every time the camera is turned on, or is that overkill - or perhaps too much and could damage the sensor in the long run? Should I instead manually run the dust removal function once a week, or month, or only if I notice dust? Any advice will be helpful. Thanks I change lenses frequently and dust can be a real problem. I have the dust removal action set to start up, and normally turn the camera off to change lenses. I have to clean the sensor about once a month, although if I do get a dust bunny, running the dust removal action manually two or three times clears most of them. The dust mapping function is really useful.

05-17-2012, 10:46 AM	#4
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	whats your technique for cleaning the sensor

05-17-2012, 10:52 AM	#5
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Originally posted by JinDesu I set mine to run when turning on - my camera is almost always pointed downwards when i turn it on, which helps. Pentax say to use this feature with the camera up right, there is a special strip under the sensor that collects the dust.

05-17-2012, 10:56 AM	#6
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by Anvh Pentax say to use this feature with the camera up right, there is a special strip under the sensor that collects the dust. Really? Thanks for letting me know. Everyone else has been telling me to point the thing downwards when doing the shake (I guess for the dust to fall off the sensor). What happens when the strip becomes full of dust?

05-17-2012, 04:33 PM	#7
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Originally posted by JinDesu Really? Thanks for letting me know. Everyone else has been telling me to point the thing downwards when doing the shake (I guess for the dust to fall off the sensor). What happens when the strip becomes full of dust? video interview around 11 min Pentax 645D - First Look Review strip can be replaced reason for using upright is also explained. The shutter is closed when you do this so when the camera points down the dust land on the back side of the shutter and so when you take a photo the dust is back on the sensor. Last edited by Anvh; 05-17-2012 at 04:40 PM.

05-23-2012, 04:49 PM	#8
StephenHampshire Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Winchester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,523	Originally posted by pearsaab whats your technique for cleaning the sensor I use a Sensorklear pen - a lightly impregnated pad on a pen-like tool