Cleaning required of my camera....suggestions needed

[bigsarg7]

Hi all, well after shooting some lightning yesterday and reviewing my work on my computer, i noticed a few bunnies! I messaged Jenno to see what he thought (it is his old camera gear) and he suggested asking the forum for suggestions on a good cleaner here in victoria. i have a wedding next month (20th) and one on the 13th where i am assisting the bride and groom with some other alternative shots to the main photographer (the grooms brother). So i need it done by then.

Does anyone have any suggestions that may help me out?

Here is a link to view my shot of lightning where the bunnies are very noticeable!!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/ ... abbits.jpg

[Mr Darcy]

Get on to Quality Cameras and buy this kit from Stu:
http://www.qualitycamera.com.au/copper-hill-dslr-blower-plus-care-p-2957.html
Or if you already have blower and lens care, just the sensor swipe.

It is scary, but relatively easy to do it yourself.

Turn the camera so the lens opening points down, and try the blower first. If that doesn't work, use the Eclipse fluid on a pec pad to gently scrub the lens. It may take a few goes to get there. Follow the directions and you will be fine. There are links to a tutorial from here somewhere, but I'm too lazy this morning to go looking for it.

To test the effectiveness put a lens on, stop it right down and take a photo of a bright bland object, e.g. the sky, but a well lit white wall works as well. Then look for the bunnies on the picture.

Basic tips:
Use each pec pad once only. Otherwise you will just make the sensor dirtier.
Make sure you keep your pec pads in a clean space. I keep mine in their original packet inside a plastic sandwich box
Use just a little of the solution. Don't flood the pad.
Don't go near the camera mechanism. You may pick up some grease & smear it on the sensor.
Don't touch the business end of the pad ( the bit that will touch the sensor) as you may transfer grit or oil to it from your fingers.

[bigsarg7]

Thanks, My local store (usually one i detest for their over the top prices) suggested a blower as jenno and yourself Mr darcy suggested also, so I purchased one, just finished it and tested it out on a piece of white paper and there were no bunnies to be found, so fingers crossed its done its job, and i might add it only cost me $15. So thanks for your advice, it was all taken on board, and then as i said once i went to the camera store i saw the blower for 15 and figured why not give it go!! lol so all is well, or so it seems!! lol

thanks again

[DaveB]

Just remember to store the blower in a ziplock bag rather than having it roll around in the bottom of your camera bag collecting dust to be blown into your camera!

[bigsarg7]

AH, smart man, coming from experience? what a great idea, i couldn't figure out a safe place that would be dust free, a zip lock bag i wouldn't have thought of really. thanks

[DaveB]

I've always taken care of my blowers, but yes I've seen some horrible dust-pumps on my workshops!

The good blowers can be disassembled and cleaned in mild detergent, which can be a good move every couple of years: the blower will probably collect a little dust over time even if you're paranoid about it.

[aim54x]

I use the Giottos Air Rocket...patented filtered one way valve construction...no dust (so I hope)...Good tip on the zip lock, I keep mine in the flash compartment in my Vertex...

[DaveB]

I use the Giottos Air Rocket...patented filtered one way valve construction...no dust (so I hope)

<COUbullshiGH...>

If you examine the Air Rocket closely you'll see it indeed has a one-way valve at the base, so when you squeeze the bulb the air only goes out the front. When you release the bulb most of the air comes back in via that valve, but also a little in via the nozzle, which does NOT have a valve (if it did that could do what a lot of people assume this blower does).
It is possible for dust to get in via both ends of the Air Rocket, and you should be careful to only release the bulb when the nozzle is not in an extremely dusty location (such as in a cloud of dust you've just blown off a computer's fan). BTW, I have several Air Rockets: they are excellent blowers. But the assumption that the one-way valve will stop any dust getting in is just the result of some sales spin getting out of control!

[aim54x]

I use the Giottos Air Rocket...patented filtered one way valve construction...no dust (so I hope)

<COUbullshiGH...>

If you examine the Air Rocket closely you'll see it indeed has a one-way valve at the base, so when you squeeze the bulb the air only goes out the front. When you release the bulb most of the air comes back in via that valve, but also a little in via the nozzle, which does NOT have a valve (if it did that could do what a lot of people assume this blower does).
It is possible for dust to get in via both ends of the Air Rocket, and you should be careful to only release the bulb when the nozzle is not in an extremely dusty location (such as in a cloud of dust you've just blown off a computer's fan). BTW, I have several Air Rockets: they are excellent blowers. But the assumption that the one-way valve will stop any dust getting in is just the result of some sales spin getting out of control!

You have really nailed that one....hence the "(so I hope)". They are awesome blowers, but yes the marketing spin can get out of hand....at the end of the day filtered valve is better than no filter.