GR and dust.

i83N · 10-28-2013, 12:49 AM

It had happened, my GR gathered dust on it sensor. Two huge hair like chunks and several dots. Tried to blow it out with rocket and caned air, no luck. Going to pro cleaning today.
Please share your experience.

Adam · 10-28-2013, 05:22 PM

With a lens that moves in and out, dust is almost inevitable. Were they able to clean it for a reasonable price?

lytrytyr · 10-28-2013, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by i83N

Tried to blow it out with . . . canned air

Never a good idea - you don't know what's in that canned air:

Gas duster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"the bitterant added to prevent abuse leaves a residue"

JinDesu · 10-28-2013, 08:07 PM

How do you even try to clean the sensor on the GR?

i83N · 10-30-2013, 08:31 AM

They cleaned it for 80$

ghostdog · 11-15-2013, 02:32 PM

One of the best ways of keeping dust and other particles off the sensor of any compact camera with a lens that extends is not to put a compact in a clothing pocket. The debris that collects in our pockets adheres to the front and rear of the camera, and when the camera is turned on pocket lint can be sucked into the camera due to the vacuum created by the lens opening. I know a lot of us like compacts because they are "pocket-able", but keeping a compact in a pocket will eventually cause dust and who knows what to end up not only on the sensor but in between the lens tubes and even into the back of the camera via tiny gaps.

chrisnmn · 11-21-2013, 03:49 PM

Hey guys, I had my first GR that came with dust in the sensor from the factory apparently Since i added a stick on filter in it and still had dust. So my local shop exchanged it, and the new one i added, again, a UV stick on filter in the front of the barrel, and that has helped a lot of the dust problem.

jon404 · 12-23-2013, 12:29 AM

Found a VERY long thread on Dpreview about GR dust. But there was no mention of it in their GR review, and I don't know whether this is a problem any different than dust on other point-n-shoots, or nothing out of the ordinary. At my end, had some dust spots on my Olympus XZ-1 a year ago... so I duct-taped a shop vac to the lens and blipped the switch... the dust went away. These days, I'm using an RX100 and haven't had any problems... but then -- and this is important -- I haven't looked for any, either -- like shooting an empty sky at f/11.

Problem for the GR is that it is presented as a pocketable pro's companion camera... so buyers want pro quality, whatever that means... I guess in this context, better lens dust seals. I wonder if the Leicas and the Sony RX-1r have dust problems... I'll bet they do also, now and then. You'd probably have to have a REALLY fixed lens to avoid dust -- a lens that just sits there and never moves in and out.

Anyway, what's your take on this? Real problem or not?

betomax · 12-24-2013, 07:18 AM

My GR has dust spot as well but dont want to deal with Ricoh and wait months to get it back.

Anybody have a link to that tutorial using plastic bag, duct tape, vacuum..?

**Jacquot** · 12-24-2013, 01:39 PM

I'd love some resolution to this topic because I've been thinking about this camera as my walk around/travel kit. I don't mind having some kind of case for it, i.e., not a lint filled pocket, but if it is more prone to this problem than other cameras, then that would be good to know.
David

**arnold** · 12-24-2013, 04:03 PM

Use a little lens pouch, or even a plastic bag to keep it in. This adds very little bulk or inconvenience.

i83N · 12-25-2013, 12:13 AM

Originally posted by arnold

Use a little lens pouch, or even a plastic bag to keep it in. This adds very little bulk or inconvenience.

But ads time to take it out...

**arnold** · 12-25-2013, 12:21 AM

Originally posted by i83N

But ads time to take it out...

Practise, and you can get it down to 2.3 seconds.

JHD · 12-25-2013, 12:57 AM

Originally posted by Jacquot

I'd love some resolution to this topic because I've been thinking about this camera as my walk around/travel kit. I don't mind having some kind of case for it, i.e., not a lint filled pocket, but if it is more prone to this problem than other cameras, then that would be good to know.

The GR is a dream come true camera. I cannot imagine not owning this camera. I haven't had dust problems so far... but I've only had my GR for less than two weeks. I am reluctant to carry mine in a pocket because of this issue; so I am debating the case thing too. A plastic bag isn't a bad idea, but a lint free case is more appealing.

JHD · 12-25-2013, 12:59 AM

Originally posted by i83N

But ads time to take it out...

Which is nothing compared to $80.

10-28-2013, 12:49 AM	#1
i83N Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,203	GR and dust. It had happened, my GR gathered dust on it sensor. Two huge hair like chunks and several dots. Tried to blow it out with rocket and caned air, no luck. Going to pro cleaning today. Please share your experience.

10-28-2013, 05:22 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	With a lens that moves in and out, dust is almost inevitable. Were they able to clean it for a reasonable price? Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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10-28-2013, 07:13 PM	#3
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by i83N Tried to blow it out with . . . canned air Never a good idea - you don't know what's in that canned air: Gas duster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "the bitterant added to prevent abuse leaves a residue"

10-28-2013, 08:07 PM	#4
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	How do you even try to clean the sensor on the GR?

10-30-2013, 08:31 AM	#5
i83N Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,203 Original Poster	They cleaned it for 80$

11-15-2013, 02:32 PM	#6
ghostdog Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 48	One of the best ways of keeping dust and other particles off the sensor of any compact camera with a lens that extends is not to put a compact in a clothing pocket. The debris that collects in our pockets adheres to the front and rear of the camera, and when the camera is turned on pocket lint can be sucked into the camera due to the vacuum created by the lens opening. I know a lot of us like compacts because they are "pocket-able", but keeping a compact in a pocket will eventually cause dust and who knows what to end up not only on the sensor but in between the lens tubes and even into the back of the camera via tiny gaps.

11-21-2013, 03:49 PM	#7
chrisnmn Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Auckland Posts: 33	Hey guys, I had my first GR that came with dust in the sensor from the factory apparently Since i added a stick on filter in it and still had dust. So my local shop exchanged it, and the new one i added, again, a UV stick on filter in the front of the barrel, and that has helped a lot of the dust problem.

12-23-2013, 12:29 AM	#8
jon404 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 696	Found a VERY long thread on Dpreview about GR dust. But there was no mention of it in their GR review, and I don't know whether this is a problem any different than dust on other point-n-shoots, or nothing out of the ordinary. At my end, had some dust spots on my Olympus XZ-1 a year ago... so I duct-taped a shop vac to the lens and blipped the switch... the dust went away. These days, I'm using an RX100 and haven't had any problems... but then -- and this is important -- I haven't looked for any, either -- like shooting an empty sky at f/11. Problem for the GR is that it is presented as a pocketable pro's companion camera... so buyers want pro quality, whatever that means... I guess in this context, better lens dust seals. I wonder if the Leicas and the Sony RX-1r have dust problems... I'll bet they do also, now and then. You'd probably have to have a REALLY fixed lens to avoid dust -- a lens that just sits there and never moves in and out. Anyway, what's your take on this? Real problem or not?

12-24-2013, 07:18 AM	#9
betomax New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Southern CA Posts: 2	My GR has dust spot as well but dont want to deal with Ricoh and wait months to get it back. Anybody have a link to that tutorial using plastic bag, duct tape, vacuum..?

12-24-2013, 01:39 PM	#10
Jacquot Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sun City Center, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,544	I'd love some resolution to this topic because I've been thinking about this camera as my walk around/travel kit. I don't mind having some kind of case for it, i.e., not a lint filled pocket, but if it is more prone to this problem than other cameras, then that would be good to know. David

12-24-2013, 04:03 PM	#11
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,299	Use a little lens pouch, or even a plastic bag to keep it in. This adds very little bulk or inconvenience.

12-25-2013, 12:13 AM	#12
i83N Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,203 Original Poster	Originally posted by arnold Use a little lens pouch, or even a plastic bag to keep it in. This adds very little bulk or inconvenience. But ads time to take it out...

12-25-2013, 12:21 AM	#13
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,299	Originally posted by i83N But ads time to take it out... Practise, and you can get it down to 2.3 seconds.

12-25-2013, 12:57 AM	#14
JHD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,406	Originally posted by Jacquot I'd love some resolution to this topic because I've been thinking about this camera as my walk around/travel kit. I don't mind having some kind of case for it, i.e., not a lint filled pocket, but if it is more prone to this problem than other cameras, then that would be good to know. The GR is a dream come true camera. I cannot imagine not owning this camera. I haven't had dust problems so far... but I've only had my GR for less than two weeks. I am reluctant to carry mine in a pocket because of this issue; so I am debating the case thing too. A plastic bag isn't a bad idea, but a lint free case is more appealing.

12-25-2013, 12:59 AM	#15
JHD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,406	Originally posted by i83N But ads time to take it out... Which is nothing compared to $80.