Using pocket air ionizer to remove static charge in sensor

GibbyTheMole · 08-18-2012, 06:01 AM

I just had a thought and wondered if anyone else had any input or experience with this...

I have a AAA powered pocket air purifier / ionizer about the size of a USB thumb drive which removes static electricity around the business end of the device. It greatly reduces static in LP records, so I'm wondering if it might be good to remove the static in the sensor before cleaning to allow easier removal of dust particles.

I should mention that no contact is made to de-static stuff with the ionizer. You just turn it on & point the device at the thing you want to de-static. You wouldn't even need to put it inside the chamber of the camera for it to do it's job.

Any thoughts?

Bobbo :-)

Docrwm · 08-18-2012, 06:09 AM

Interesting idea. I would be more concerned if you had to insert the unit into the camera box itself. I look forward to more informed responses but it sounds like it might help.

GibbyTheMole · 08-18-2012, 06:16 AM

Nope... You don't have to insert it into the chamber, there's no fan-forced air, and no contact at all is needed. It's kinda strange... When you turn it on and put it under your face & breathe, it actually does what it supposed to. The air just seems much cleaner.

Here's the device: air cleaner Picture - More Detailed Picture about personal air cleaner air fresher air ionizer Picture in Air Purifiers from SHENZHEN LISENAO ELECTRONIC CO., LIMITED

Anvh · 08-18-2012, 06:38 AM

The sensor is coated with an anti-static layer so no need for it.

Docrwm · 08-18-2012, 07:45 AM

Originally posted by Anvh

The sensor is coated with an anti-static layer so no need for it.

Ah, but can it be hurt by the use of the ionizer?

vonBaloney · 08-18-2012, 09:08 AM

Here's the expensive version: Amazon.com: FireFly DSC1000 Digital Sensor Cleaner: Camera & Photo

There should be no harm in using your device.

GibbyTheMole · 08-18-2012, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Here's the expensive version:

Yeah, I spotted that earlier. That's what made me think of my pocket ionizer. A guy could conceivably tape my $5 eBay ionizer to a rocket blower and save about $150.

Originally posted by Anvh

The sensor is coated with an anti-static layer so no need for it.

That layer helps, but it doesn't do the job 100%. If it did, dry dust particles wouldn't stick to it.

Anvh · 08-18-2012, 10:11 AM

The sensor is an electric device so it always build up a charge no matter how small, anyway the particles are not that stuck so the sensor is easy to clean anyway, an air ionizer won't give you much if any benefit in that regard.

vonBaloney · 08-18-2012, 11:25 AM

They do get stuck, and often the only way to get them off is with a method that touches the sensor.

GibbyTheMole · 08-18-2012, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

They do get stuck, and often the only way to get them off is with a method that touches the sensor.

Yep. And I clean the sensor with a brush. I just figured if there were less static in there, perhaps it wouldn't need cleaned as often, and the dust particles would lift off better. I'll try it next time & if it doesn't work, I'll scrap the idea. If it does work, yippee.

vonBaloney · 08-18-2012, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by GibbyTheMole

Yep. And I clean the sensor with a brush. I just figured if there were less static in there, perhaps it wouldn't need cleaned as often, and the dust particles would lift off better. I'll try it next time & if it doesn't work, I'll scrap the idea. If it does work, yippee.

I think it is a good idea, even just to have it on next open body when you use the rocket blower (which CREATES static) or change lenses to help the dust to not settle on the sensor. I actually have the Firefly. Recommended procedure there is to have the camera on a tripod facing down and the dust particles are just supposed to fall away via gravity once they have had their static charge removed. And since it uses a button switch so you can't leave it turned on you pretty much do have to have the camera secured by something other than your hand. I've found several other uses for the device as well. Your gizmo is a lot cheaper though -- I may get one of those too.

08-18-2012, 06:01 AM	#1
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	Using pocket air ionizer to remove static charge in sensor I just had a thought and wondered if anyone else had any input or experience with this... I have a AAA powered pocket air purifier / ionizer about the size of a USB thumb drive which removes static electricity around the business end of the device. It greatly reduces static in LP records, so I'm wondering if it might be good to remove the static in the sensor before cleaning to allow easier removal of dust particles. I should mention that no contact is made to de-static stuff with the ionizer. You just turn it on & point the device at the thing you want to de-static. You wouldn't even need to put it inside the chamber of the camera for it to do it's job. Any thoughts? Bobbo :-)

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08-18-2012, 06:09 AM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Interesting idea. I would be more concerned if you had to insert the unit into the camera box itself. I look forward to more informed responses but it sounds like it might help.

08-18-2012, 06:16 AM	#3
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275 Original Poster	Nope... You don't have to insert it into the chamber, there's no fan-forced air, and no contact at all is needed. It's kinda strange... When you turn it on and put it under your face & breathe, it actually does what it supposed to. The air just seems much cleaner. Here's the device: air cleaner Picture - More Detailed Picture about personal air cleaner air fresher air ionizer Picture in Air Purifiers from SHENZHEN LISENAO ELECTRONIC CO., LIMITED

08-18-2012, 06:38 AM	#4
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	The sensor is coated with an anti-static layer so no need for it.

08-18-2012, 07:45 AM	#5
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Anvh The sensor is coated with an anti-static layer so no need for it. Ah, but can it be hurt by the use of the ionizer?

08-18-2012, 09:08 AM	#6
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Here's the expensive version: Amazon.com: FireFly DSC1000 Digital Sensor Cleaner: Camera & Photo There should be no harm in using your device.

08-18-2012, 10:05 AM	#7
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney Here's the expensive version: Yeah, I spotted that earlier. That's what made me think of my pocket ionizer. A guy could conceivably tape my $5 eBay ionizer to a rocket blower and save about $150. Originally posted by Anvh The sensor is coated with an anti-static layer so no need for it. That layer helps, but it doesn't do the job 100%. If it did, dry dust particles wouldn't stick to it.

08-18-2012, 10:11 AM	#8
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	The sensor is an electric device so it always build up a charge no matter how small, anyway the particles are not that stuck so the sensor is easy to clean anyway, an air ionizer won't give you much if any benefit in that regard.

08-18-2012, 11:25 AM	#9
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	They do get stuck, and often the only way to get them off is with a method that touches the sensor.

08-18-2012, 02:14 PM	#10
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney They do get stuck, and often the only way to get them off is with a method that touches the sensor. Yep. And I clean the sensor with a brush. I just figured if there were less static in there, perhaps it wouldn't need cleaned as often, and the dust particles would lift off better. I'll try it next time & if it doesn't work, I'll scrap the idea. If it does work, yippee.

08-18-2012, 04:08 PM	#11
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by GibbyTheMole Yep. And I clean the sensor with a brush. I just figured if there were less static in there, perhaps it wouldn't need cleaned as often, and the dust particles would lift off better. I'll try it next time & if it doesn't work, I'll scrap the idea. If it does work, yippee. I think it is a good idea, even just to have it on next open body when you use the rocket blower (which CREATES static) or change lenses to help the dust to not settle on the sensor. I actually have the Firefly. Recommended procedure there is to have the camera on a tripod facing down and the dust particles are just supposed to fall away via gravity once they have had their static charge removed. And since it uses a button switch so you can't leave it turned on you pretty much do have to have the camera secured by something other than your hand. I've found several other uses for the device as well. Your gizmo is a lot cheaper though -- I may get one of those too.