Sensor cleaning.

Modus Operandi · 03-10-2010, 06:37 PM

So, its not that ive tried this or anything, but is it a good idea to gently blow some dust off of the sensor using a compressed air can?

Wheatfield · 03-10-2010, 06:42 PM

Most people will tell you no.
I've been using canned gas since I bought my *istD in 2003 for routine sensor dusting.

Modus Operandi · 03-10-2010, 06:45 PM

Great, and I mean as long as you dont full out blast the sensor you know, just a light flow of air.

Damn Brit · 03-10-2010, 06:48 PM

I think the real problem with canned air is the affect it might have on the mirror so just be careful as the mount is quite delicate.
The canned air that I buy actually says not to use it on camera mirrors.

Wheatfield · 03-10-2010, 07:16 PM

Originally posted by Damn Brit

I think the real problem with canned air is the affect it might have on the mirror so just be careful as the mount is quite delicate.
The canned air that I buy actually says not to use it on camera mirrors.

The mirror is out of the way during sensor cleaning.

**davidreilly3207** · 03-10-2010, 08:14 PM

Canned air can contaminate the sensor with propellant.

Wheatfield · 03-10-2010, 09:24 PM

Originally posted by mdave13

Canned air can contaminate the sensor with propellant.

Citation please.
Just post a link that is something other than someone's opinion.

Damn Brit · 03-10-2010, 10:47 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

The mirror is out of the way during sensor cleaning.

You can still hit the back of the mirror and the mechanism it is mounted on, that's the delicate part.

Naturenut · 03-11-2010, 05:38 AM

Originally posted by Modus Operandi

So, its not that ive tried this or anything, but is it a good idea to gently blow some dust off of the sensor using a compressed air can?

Sorry to hijack the thread but how often should you clean the sensor?

Wheatfield · 03-11-2010, 06:16 AM

Originally posted by Naturenut

Sorry to hijack the thread but how often should you clean the sensor?

When it gets dirty.
Seriously, I don't think there is a hard and fast rule.

Wheatfield · 03-11-2010, 06:18 AM

Originally posted by Damn Brit

You can still hit the back of the mirror and the mechanism it is mounted on, that's the delicate part.

It's not that delicate, and with the mirror up, the mechanism is under tension, which tends to keep things where they are supposed to be.
I'd be more worried about whacking something inside the mirror box while squeezing a blower bulb.

wildlifephotog · 03-11-2010, 06:33 AM

I use canned air. I was shown how to by a camera tech.
Keep the can straight up and down, never use beyond 2/3 empty. And always use short blasts, so as not to induce condensation.
Look for the brands that say they have no oily stuff in the propellent.

Modus Operandi · 03-11-2010, 07:34 PM

I saw canned air for sale @ Blacks Photography today, so it must be safe, I guess.

JeffJS · 03-11-2010, 07:53 PM

Originally posted by Modus Operandi

I saw canned air for sale @ Blacks Photography today, so it must be safe, I guess.

The canned air is also used for blasting dust off of film negatives and slides for printing or scanning as well as a number of other things. Just because the photography store sells it, doesn't deem it safe. Not saying you'll destroy anything by using it but I wouldn't draw that conclusion just because they sell it.

Modus Operandi · 03-12-2010, 11:15 AM

Thats true.

03-10-2010, 06:37 PM	#1
Modus Operandi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Belle River, Ontario, Canada. Photos: Gallery Posts: 111	Sensor cleaning. So, its not that ive tried this or anything, but is it a good idea to gently blow some dust off of the sensor using a compressed air can?

03-11-2010, 05:38 AM	#9
Naturenut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: northeast USA Posts: 273	How often Originally posted by Modus Operandi So, its not that ive tried this or anything, but is it a good idea to gently blow some dust off of the sensor using a compressed air can? Sorry to hijack the thread but how often should you clean the sensor?

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03-10-2010, 06:42 PM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Most people will tell you no. I've been using canned gas since I bought my *istD in 2003 for routine sensor dusting.

03-10-2010, 06:45 PM	#3
Modus Operandi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Belle River, Ontario, Canada. Photos: Gallery Posts: 111 Original Poster	Great, and I mean as long as you dont full out blast the sensor you know, just a light flow of air.

03-10-2010, 06:48 PM	#4
Damn Brit Guest	I think the real problem with canned air is the affect it might have on the mirror so just be careful as the mount is quite delicate. The canned air that I buy actually says not to use it on camera mirrors.

03-10-2010, 07:16 PM	#5
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by Damn Brit I think the real problem with canned air is the affect it might have on the mirror so just be careful as the mount is quite delicate. The canned air that I buy actually says not to use it on camera mirrors. The mirror is out of the way during sensor cleaning.

03-10-2010, 08:14 PM	#6
davidreilly3207 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: South Jersey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 720	Canned air can contaminate the sensor with propellant.

03-10-2010, 09:24 PM	#7
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by mdave13 Canned air can contaminate the sensor with propellant. Citation please. Just post a link that is something other than someone's opinion.

03-10-2010, 10:47 PM	#8
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by Wheatfield The mirror is out of the way during sensor cleaning. You can still hit the back of the mirror and the mechanism it is mounted on, that's the delicate part.

03-11-2010, 06:16 AM	#10
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by Naturenut Sorry to hijack the thread but how often should you clean the sensor? When it gets dirty. Seriously, I don't think there is a hard and fast rule.

03-11-2010, 06:18 AM	#11
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by Damn Brit You can still hit the back of the mirror and the mechanism it is mounted on, that's the delicate part. It's not that delicate, and with the mirror up, the mechanism is under tension, which tends to keep things where they are supposed to be. I'd be more worried about whacking something inside the mirror box while squeezing a blower bulb.

03-11-2010, 06:33 AM	#12
wildlifephotog Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 924	I use canned air. I was shown how to by a camera tech. Keep the can straight up and down, never use beyond 2/3 empty. And always use short blasts, so as not to induce condensation. Look for the brands that say they have no oily stuff in the propellent.

03-11-2010, 07:34 PM	#13
Modus Operandi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Belle River, Ontario, Canada. Photos: Gallery Posts: 111 Original Poster	I saw canned air for sale @ Blacks Photography today, so it must be safe, I guess.

03-11-2010, 07:53 PM	#14
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by Modus Operandi I saw canned air for sale @ Blacks Photography today, so it must be safe, I guess. The canned air is also used for blasting dust off of film negatives and slides for printing or scanning as well as a number of other things. Just because the photography store sells it, doesn't deem it safe. Not saying you'll destroy anything by using it but I wouldn't draw that conclusion just because they sell it.

03-12-2010, 11:15 AM	#15
Modus Operandi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Belle River, Ontario, Canada. Photos: Gallery Posts: 111 Original Poster	Thats true.