Dust removal the easy way

marabella · 06-14-2015, 05:01 PM - **1 Like**

Hello

I just want to share my experience and I don't want to refresh old discussions.

Today I discovered three dust particles on my K-S1's sensor. On pictures first of course.

A magnifying glass did the trick. White specks of dust on the sensor.

I two times did the cameras' sensor cleaning - without success.

Then I carefully used a 1KW vacuum cleaner. Dust particles are gone. These three specific particles forever

.

My advice: Before using a blower/adhesive try a vacuum. But be careful!!! Very careful!!!
Never ever stick/slide the pipe's end into the cameras' lens hole and beware of coming in there.
Just make shure a distance of approximately 1cm to the front side.
And firstly check the vacuum's power - in relation to distance - with your fingers.

Happy cleaning and best regards

cgchang · 06-14-2015, 05:11 PM

I'm pretty sure using vacuum cleaners is risky for cleaning any electronic device because of static electricity generated.

marabella · 06-14-2015, 06:45 PM

Very interesting and serious argument.
But I have never heard about this. Any proof?
BTW - I always have used a VC to clean my PC - fans from dust.
No problems so far.

**jatrax** · 06-14-2015, 07:16 PM

I would agree with cgchang, not a good idea. The moving air on a vacuum hose generates a lot of static electricity. All it will take is one spark and your sensor will be toast. There are vacuums made for electronics and as I understand it the hoses are made of material that does not generate static electricity, at least the good ones, so if you are using something like that you should be safe. Your procedure as described is probably safe as long as you keep the hose far enough away. But much too risky for me, how far away is far enough?

I have done work with industrial dust collection systems and we always ran wires to earth ground with the collection tubing because of the huge amount of static electricity generated. Much more than a home vacuum of course but I've gotten shocked enough to respect and safely ground anything moving air. YMMV of course, but I'll stick with my rocket blower.

stevebrot · 06-14-2015, 07:45 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

YMMV of course, but I'll stick with my rocket blower.

What he said...

Steve

JimC1101 · 06-14-2015, 09:35 PM

Originally posted by marabella

Very interesting and serious argument.
But I have never heard about this. Any proof?
BTW - I always have used a VC to clean my PC - fans from dust.
No problems so far.

It is not the same as with a PC, the sensor is much different than a PC. Sure use a vacuum to clean the exterior of the camera but to use it on the sensor would not be something I would do. I have used a rocket blaster for years and it works great.....just an air syringe that cleans the sensor very well.

**Chuckie** · 06-14-2015, 11:40 PM

The standard rule of thumb for electrical discharge is 1 000 V for every 1mm of gap in still air. In moving air it will differ but it is still a guideline. For a 1cm gap between the end of the nozzle and the camera body, it should be about 10 000 V needed to jump that gap, similar to a low voltage electric fence. If someone has a vacuum cleaner and a multimeter.......

totsmuyco · 06-15-2015, 04:02 AM

I think you were lucky this time. I wouldn't do it again if I were you. That's just too risky.

marabella · 06-15-2015, 04:25 AM

Distance between nozzle and body is 1cm but to sensor it is about 5cm.
Both parts, camera body and VC are grounded or let me say at the same electrical level when holding them in my hands.
Therefore, in my opinion, an electrical discharge is extremly unlikely.

Gimbal · 06-15-2015, 06:36 AM - **1 Like**

I would worry more about accidently getting hold of the curtains in the shutter.

**jatrax** · 06-15-2015, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by marabella

Distance between nozzle and body is 1cm but to sensor it is about 5cm. Both parts, camera body and VC are grounded or let me say at the same electrical level when holding them in my hands. Therefore, in my opinion, an electrical discharge is extremly unlikely.

We all do things every day that have a certain amount of risk. And everyone has a different tolerance for risk of different kinds.

Your are entitled to your opinion, I just do not think using a potentially risky solution to a problem that has several other much less risky solutions is a good idea. I do not think I would feel comfortable going on a public forum and advocating something other people (with experience) tell me is dangerous and might ruin peoples' valuable cameras. YMMV.

stillshot2 · 06-15-2015, 11:24 AM

I think my central vac was too powerful and sucked out the sensor, shutter, and mirror of my K30. I finally found them after digging through in the canister. Does anyone know how they go back in?

anemone · 06-15-2015, 12:34 PM

I don't know how good this trick is but I once used system which had the aluminium sucking end went through brass mesh and they both were grounded.
That device had cost kiloeuros which only means they had good salesman.

However using aluminium piping and gounding camera and vacuum cleaner, should keep electric potentials in tolerable levels.

**csa** · 06-17-2015, 07:10 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

Your are entitled to your opinion, I just do not think using a potentially risky solution to a problem that has several other much less risky solutions is a good idea. I do not think I would feel comfortable going on a public forum and advocating something other people (with experience) tell me is dangerous and might ruin peoples' valuable cameras. YMMV.

I agree. What an individual does with his own equipment is his business; however recommending something that could damage other's equipment, is not what I'd recommend, either. There are several very safe methods of cleaning the sensor, that I definitely would never risk mine by using a vacuum.

MPrince · 06-17-2015, 09:50 AM

Originally posted by stillshot2

I think my central vac was too powerful and sucked out the sensor, shutter, and mirror of my K30. I finally found them after digging through in the canister. Does anyone know how they go back in?

A combination of superglue and duct tape should do the trick.

On second thought, gaffer tape might be a better choice.

06-14-2015, 05:01 PM - 1 Like	#1
marabella Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 58	Dust removal the easy way Hello I just want to share my experience and I don't want to refresh old discussions. Today I discovered three dust particles on my K-S1's sensor. On pictures first of course. A magnifying glass did the trick. White specks of dust on the sensor. I two times did the cameras' sensor cleaning - without success. Then I carefully used a 1KW vacuum cleaner. Dust particles are gone. These three specific particles forever . My advice: Before using a blower/adhesive try a vacuum. But be careful!!! Very careful!!! Never ever stick/slide the pipe's end into the cameras' lens hole and beware of coming in there. Just make shure a distance of approximately 1cm to the front side. And firstly check the vacuum's power - in relation to distance - with your fingers. Happy cleaning and best regards

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06-14-2015, 05:11 PM	#2
cgchang Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Delta, British Columbia Posts: 148	I'm pretty sure using vacuum cleaners is risky for cleaning any electronic device because of static electricity generated.

06-14-2015, 06:45 PM	#3
marabella Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 58 Original Poster	Very interesting and serious argument. But I have never heard about this. Any proof? BTW - I always have used a VC to clean my PC - fans from dust. No problems so far.

06-14-2015, 07:16 PM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I would agree with cgchang, not a good idea. The moving air on a vacuum hose generates a lot of static electricity. All it will take is one spark and your sensor will be toast. There are vacuums made for electronics and as I understand it the hoses are made of material that does not generate static electricity, at least the good ones, so if you are using something like that you should be safe. Your procedure as described is probably safe as long as you keep the hose far enough away. But much too risky for me, how far away is far enough? I have done work with industrial dust collection systems and we always ran wires to earth ground with the collection tubing because of the huge amount of static electricity generated. Much more than a home vacuum of course but I've gotten shocked enough to respect and safely ground anything moving air. YMMV of course, but I'll stick with my rocket blower.

06-14-2015, 07:45 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by jatrax YMMV of course, but I'll stick with my rocket blower. What he said... Steve

06-14-2015, 09:35 PM	#6
JimC1101 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Fremont, Ca Photos: Albums Posts: 395	Originally posted by marabella Very interesting and serious argument. But I have never heard about this. Any proof? BTW - I always have used a VC to clean my PC - fans from dust. No problems so far. It is not the same as with a PC, the sensor is much different than a PC. Sure use a vacuum to clean the exterior of the camera but to use it on the sensor would not be something I would do. I have used a rocket blaster for years and it works great.....just an air syringe that cleans the sensor very well.

06-14-2015, 11:40 PM	#7
Chuckie Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Douglas Photos: Albums Posts: 168	The standard rule of thumb for electrical discharge is 1 000 V for every 1mm of gap in still air. In moving air it will differ but it is still a guideline. For a 1cm gap between the end of the nozzle and the camera body, it should be about 10 000 V needed to jump that gap, similar to a low voltage electric fence. If someone has a vacuum cleaner and a multimeter.......

06-15-2015, 04:02 AM	#8
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	I think you were lucky this time. I wouldn't do it again if I were you. That's just too risky.

06-15-2015, 04:25 AM	#9
marabella Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 58 Original Poster	Distance between nozzle and body is 1cm but to sensor it is about 5cm. Both parts, camera body and VC are grounded or let me say at the same electrical level when holding them in my hands. Therefore, in my opinion, an electrical discharge is extremly unlikely.

06-15-2015, 06:36 AM - 1 Like	#10
Gimbal Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,106	I would worry more about accidently getting hold of the curtains in the shutter.

06-15-2015, 11:09 AM	#11
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by marabella Distance between nozzle and body is 1cm but to sensor it is about 5cm. Both parts, camera body and VC are grounded or let me say at the same electrical level when holding them in my hands. Therefore, in my opinion, an electrical discharge is extremly unlikely. We all do things every day that have a certain amount of risk. And everyone has a different tolerance for risk of different kinds. Your are entitled to your opinion, I just do not think using a potentially risky solution to a problem that has several other much less risky solutions is a good idea. I do not think I would feel comfortable going on a public forum and advocating something other people (with experience) tell me is dangerous and might ruin peoples' valuable cameras. YMMV.

06-15-2015, 11:24 AM	#12
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	I think my central vac was too powerful and sucked out the sensor, shutter, and mirror of my K30. I finally found them after digging through in the canister. Does anyone know how they go back in?

06-15-2015, 12:34 PM	#13
anemone Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 165	I don't know how good this trick is but I once used system which had the aluminium sucking end went through brass mesh and they both were grounded. That device had cost kiloeuros which only means they had good salesman. However using aluminium piping and gounding camera and vacuum cleaner, should keep electric potentials in tolerable levels.

06-17-2015, 07:10 AM	#14
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Originally posted by jatrax Your are entitled to your opinion, I just do not think using a potentially risky solution to a problem that has several other much less risky solutions is a good idea. I do not think I would feel comfortable going on a public forum and advocating something other people (with experience) tell me is dangerous and might ruin peoples' valuable cameras. YMMV. I agree. What an individual does with his own equipment is his business; however recommending something that could damage other's equipment, is not what I'd recommend, either. There are several very safe methods of cleaning the sensor, that I definitely would never risk mine by using a vacuum.

06-17-2015, 09:50 AM	#15
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	Originally posted by stillshot2 I think my central vac was too powerful and sucked out the sensor, shutter, and mirror of my K30. I finally found them after digging through in the canister. Does anyone know how they go back in? A combination of superglue and duct tape should do the trick. On second thought, gaffer tape might be a better choice.