Easy Pentax K-3 mark III sensor cleaning

Hazephoto · 07-27-2022, 01:50 PM - **8 Likes**

I shot this today. I thought this would help some people. K-3 III seems to attract sensor dust.

You Tube

**madison_wi_gal** · 07-27-2022, 02:05 PM - **1 Like**

Yes, Kobie also had an issue with his K-3 III Sensor being a dust magnet. Mine is OK so far but this is very helpful, thanks!

You Tube

Lloyd_Christmas · 07-27-2022, 02:10 PM - **2 Likes**

Thanks, Lee!

It was my old K-100D that was the dust magnet. I believed it had to be static electricity or something because that camera was really bad.

**Larrymc** · 07-27-2022, 07:33 PM - **1 Like**

I've only had maybe two occasions where I have had dust on my sensor since I purchased it May 2021. I check it monthly and use a rocket blower whether I see sensor dust or not. it's always a good idea to give the Focus Module Lens a few shots from the Rocket blower since its at the bottom of the mirror box. My K-3 Mk I always had a problem with dust on the focus module lens.

Unregistered User · 07-27-2022, 11:24 PM - **1 Like**

Can the cans of compressed air used to clean the dust out of computers etc. also be used or are they too powerful?

kypfer · 07-28-2022, 12:15 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by CraigR

Can the cans of compressed air used to clean the dust out of computers etc. also be used or are they too powerful?

Usually considered unsuitable … check your user manual for recommendations.
There's also the issue of propellants reacting adversely with the internals of a camera and the cooling/freezing effect may cause issues as well.
I've known the SCSI configuration jumpers to be blown off the back of a hard drive by the over-enthusiastic use of pressurised 'air' … I'd not let anything like that near my mirror assembly!

Unregistered User · 07-28-2022, 12:56 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kypfer

Usually considered unsuitable … check your user manual for recommendations.
There's also the issue of propellants reacting adversely with the internals of a camera and the cooling/freezing effect may cause issues as well.
I've known the SCSI configuration jumpers to be blown off the back of a hard drive by the over-enthusiastic use of pressurised 'air' … I'd not let anything like that near my mirror assembly!

A big NO then

gatorguy · 07-28-2022, 03:34 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Larrymc

I've only had maybe two occasions where I have had dust on my sensor since I purchased it May 2021. I check it monthly and use a rocket blower whether I see sensor dust or not. it's always a good idea to give the Focus Module Lens a few shots from the Rocket blower since its at the bottom of the mirror box. My K-3 Mk I always had a problem with dust on the focus module lens.

In the year+ I've had the K3III I've rarely seen any dust on the sensor. I did clean it anyway a few weeks ago, but dust simply hasn't been a problem. I had more issues with it on my old K-S2, but that might just be a difference in how often and where i did lens changes. Until recent years I wasn't as careful about avoiding lens changes outdoors in breezy or dusty conditions.

EDIT: Some long lenses are dust pumps and IIRC Kobie's issues with sensor dust were around the same time as he was trialing one, an FA600? No idea if a lens that invites dust might also introduce it to the camera body. Just spit ballin', but it might explain why some of us have had problems with sensor dust while others nada.

**jersey** · 07-28-2022, 04:05 AM

It was an issue for me, pretty heavy one and dust cleaning did not work so hand blower and occasionally wet cleaning was a norm. After last update I see it happen far less so maybe something in software of dust cleaning changed?

**Larrymc** · 07-28-2022, 04:55 AM

Originally posted by CraigR

A big NO then

Absolutely!

Wheatfield · 07-28-2022, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by CraigR

Can the cans of compressed air used to clean the dust out of computers etc. also be used or are they too powerful?

That's what I have used to clean the innards of my SLR cameras since I started taking pictures. Apparently people scream like they are having kittens over this, so officially I don't recommend it.
However, in over 5 decades of camera ownership and almost 2 decades of DSLR ownership, I have yet to break a camera, nor have I found anyone who has, and I have tried.
I think canned gas is fine for routine sensor cleaning, but the people who haven't tried it and parrot back the hysterical ravings of the various naysayers are quite vocal in their objections, objections, l will point out are based on conjecture, not personal experience.

**jersey** · 07-29-2022, 12:45 AM

^^^^ This. It is just that hand blower is lot cheaper especially in form of medical accessory, not "dedicated photo" one. You need to be really, really dense and a-technical to do harm with compressed air. Just don't stick the blower into mirror mechanism. I am using it to dust off my plastic models that are not in cases and of course computer - I am yet to damage them.

**Kobie** · 07-29-2022, 06:41 AM - **3 Likes**

Well, from personal experience using cans of "compressed" air over the years, I can say I would never use it to clean the camera sensor. Sometimes the chemical inside the can sprays out and leaves a layer of frozen material on the part you're blasting (it DOES happen). It only takes once for it to happen and who knows what that'll do to the sensor, so I'd rather use a hand squeeze bulb blower. The principal is similar to butane bottles. There is a chemical reaction happening inside the can/bottle to propel the element out of the can/bottle. It's just not worth the risk (to me).

**rogerstg** · 07-29-2022, 06:44 AM - **1 Like**

I use it too. Also use for cleaning negatives and slides to prep for scanning. Somewhere along the line I developed the habit of assessing a new can of air by spraying a regular mirror full blast to satisfy myself that it leaves no residue.

FWIW, there's no freezing with the little puffs one uses to clean the mirror box and sensor. You need a quick drop in air pressure for that. There's also no residue unless the bottle is held near horizontal or upside down..

**Kobie** · 07-29-2022, 06:46 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by gatorguy

EDIT: Some long lenses are dust pumps and IIRC Kobie's issues with sensor dust were around the same time as he was trialing one, an FA600? No idea if a lens that invites dust might also introduce it to the camera body. Just spit ballin', but it might explain why some of us have had problems with sensor dust while others nada.

Well, the 600 F/4 seeing as it's a prime lens wouldn't be an issue. The 150-450 since it's a zoom lens would be a bigger issue. However, my K-30 and K-3 paired with the 55-300 PLM never attracted as much dust as the K-3 III with the same lens. My K-3 III just attracts a lot more dust than my other Pentax cameras for some reason.

07-28-2022, 03:34 AM - 1 Like	#8
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,092	Originally posted by Larrymc I've only had maybe two occasions where I have had dust on my sensor since I purchased it May 2021. I check it monthly and use a rocket blower whether I see sensor dust or not. it's always a good idea to give the Focus Module Lens a few shots from the Rocket blower since its at the bottom of the mirror box. My K-3 Mk I always had a problem with dust on the focus module lens. In the year+ I've had the K3III I've rarely seen any dust on the sensor. I did clean it anyway a few weeks ago, but dust simply hasn't been a problem. I had more issues with it on my old K-S2, but that might just be a difference in how often and where i did lens changes. Until recent years I wasn't as careful about avoiding lens changes outdoors in breezy or dusty conditions. EDIT: Some long lenses are dust pumps and IIRC Kobie's issues with sensor dust were around the same time as he was trialing one, an FA600? No idea if a lens that invites dust might also introduce it to the camera body. Just spit ballin', but it might explain why some of us have had problems with sensor dust while others nada. Last edited by gatorguy; 07-28-2022 at 03:42 AM.

07-28-2022, 05:17 PM	#11
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by CraigR Can the cans of compressed air used to clean the dust out of computers etc. also be used or are they too powerful? That's what I have used to clean the innards of my SLR cameras since I started taking pictures. Apparently people scream like they are having kittens over this, so officially I don't recommend it. However, in over 5 decades of camera ownership and almost 2 decades of DSLR ownership, I have yet to break a camera, nor have I found anyone who has, and I have tried. I think canned gas is fine for routine sensor cleaning, but the people who haven't tried it and parrot back the hysterical ravings of the various naysayers are quite vocal in their objections, objections, l will point out are based on conjecture, not personal experience. Last edited by Wheatfield; 07-28-2022 at 06:42 PM.

07-29-2022, 06:44 AM - 1 Like	#14
rogerstg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 1,168	I use it too. Also use for cleaning negatives and slides to prep for scanning. Somewhere along the line I developed the habit of assessing a new can of air by spraying a regular mirror full blast to satisfy myself that it leaves no residue. FWIW, there's no freezing with the little puffs one uses to clean the mirror box and sensor. You need a quick drop in air pressure for that. There's also no residue unless the bottle is held near horizontal or upside down.. Last edited by rogerstg; 07-29-2022 at 06:54 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Does the K1 Mark II still make sense to buy today? Is there an Mark III in the works?	davidphoto	Pentax Full Frame	161	07-18-2023 03:32 PM
K-70 upgrade - K-1 Mark II or K-3 mark III?	Emirena	Pentax DSLR Discussion	35	11-28-2021 09:40 PM
K3 mark III (not mark II !)& Sigma 50-500 (later version) - any experience or issues?	jeallen01	Pentax K-3 III	7	08-14-2021 01:51 AM
K-3 Mark III and GR III topping one Japanese sales chart	JPT	Photographic Industry and Professionals	27	07-31-2021 07:22 AM
Sensor cleaning > Sensor Swab > void warranty?	Twinky	Pentax DSLR Discussion	2	07-28-2007 01:10 AM

07-27-2022, 02:10 PM - 2 Likes	#3
Lloyd_Christmas Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 458	Thanks, Lee! It was my old K-100D that was the dust magnet. I believed it had to be static electricity or something because that camera was really bad.

07-27-2022, 07:33 PM - 1 Like	#4
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,251	I've only had maybe two occasions where I have had dust on my sensor since I purchased it May 2021. I check it monthly and use a rocket blower whether I see sensor dust or not. it's always a good idea to give the Focus Module Lens a few shots from the Rocket blower since its at the bottom of the mirror box. My K-3 Mk I always had a problem with dust on the focus module lens.

07-27-2022, 11:24 PM - 1 Like	#5
Unregistered User Guest	Can the cans of compressed air used to clean the dust out of computers etc. also be used or are they too powerful?

07-28-2022, 12:15 AM - 1 Like	#6
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,593	Originally posted by CraigR Can the cans of compressed air used to clean the dust out of computers etc. also be used or are they too powerful? Usually considered unsuitable … check your user manual for recommendations. There's also the issue of propellants reacting adversely with the internals of a camera and the cooling/freezing effect may cause issues as well. I've known the SCSI configuration jumpers to be blown off the back of a hard drive by the over-enthusiastic use of pressurised 'air' … I'd not let anything like that near my mirror assembly!

07-28-2022, 12:56 AM - 1 Like	#7
Unregistered User Guest	Originally posted by kypfer Usually considered unsuitable … check your user manual for recommendations. There's also the issue of propellants reacting adversely with the internals of a camera and the cooling/freezing effect may cause issues as well. I've known the SCSI configuration jumpers to be blown off the back of a hard drive by the over-enthusiastic use of pressurised 'air' … I'd not let anything like that near my mirror assembly! A big NO then

07-28-2022, 04:05 AM	#9
jersey Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: 3City agglomeration Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,056	It was an issue for me, pretty heavy one and dust cleaning did not work so hand blower and occasionally wet cleaning was a norm. After last update I see it happen far less so maybe something in software of dust cleaning changed?

07-28-2022, 04:55 AM	#10
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,251	Originally posted by CraigR A big NO then Absolutely!

07-29-2022, 12:45 AM	#12
jersey Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: 3City agglomeration Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,056	^^^^ This. It is just that hand blower is lot cheaper especially in form of medical accessory, not "dedicated photo" one. You need to be really, really dense and a-technical to do harm with compressed air. Just don't stick the blower into mirror mechanism. I am using it to dust off my plastic models that are not in cases and of course computer - I am yet to damage them.

07-29-2022, 06:41 AM - 3 Likes	#13
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	Well, from personal experience using cans of "compressed" air over the years, I can say I would never use it to clean the camera sensor. Sometimes the chemical inside the can sprays out and leaves a layer of frozen material on the part you're blasting (it DOES happen). It only takes once for it to happen and who knows what that'll do to the sensor, so I'd rather use a hand squeeze bulb blower. The principal is similar to butane bottles. There is a chemical reaction happening inside the can/bottle to propel the element out of the can/bottle. It's just not worth the risk (to me).

07-29-2022, 06:46 AM - 2 Likes	#15
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	Originally posted by gatorguy EDIT: Some long lenses are dust pumps and IIRC Kobie's issues with sensor dust were around the same time as he was trialing one, an FA600? No idea if a lens that invites dust might also introduce it to the camera body. Just spit ballin', but it might explain why some of us have had problems with sensor dust while others nada. Well, the 600 F/4 seeing as it's a prime lens wouldn't be an issue. The 150-450 since it's a zoom lens would be a bigger issue. However, my K-30 and K-3 paired with the 55-300 PLM never attracted as much dust as the K-3 III with the same lens. My K-3 III just attracts a lot more dust than my other Pentax cameras for some reason.