To blow or not to blow...

[h00kemh0rns]

Saw this in another thread and rather than hijack thought I'd ask it here. Now I know that I don't need to do this yet. Although the mere mentioning of it probably is going to jinx me but here goes.

Is it best to use a blower such as this (suggested by MyKey) http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...wer-Review.aspx or use the copperhill method? I'd rather ask the people who've done one or both of these methods. Why would you choose one over the other? And is either more intrusive to the sensor?

[jeffkohn]

Blower will work just fine in most cases. It's quick and easy. If you have a piece of dust/dirt that the blower can't take care of, then either the Copperhill or Sensor Brush approach should work but IMHO these are last resorts because if you're making physical contact inside the camera there's bound to be more risk of screwing something up.

In the year and a half of using the D70 I only had to use the Copperhill method once, and so far I've yet to use anything but the blower with the D2x.

[h00kemh0rns]

Thanks Jeff. Is there any precautions with the blower...besides the obvious of not sticking inside the housing? I mean is it neccessary to go to the extremes like I've read where users steam up their bathrooms to limit the dust before blowing?

[Seb]

I've used the Copperhill method on my 20D about 5 or 6 times. I ended up just using the blower method. I tried some silly stuff such as having someone hold a vacuum close whilst I was "blowing" - this probably just creates more dust movement

In any case, the blower method is safest and it removed the same amount of dirt as the copperhill method, but was much easier ofcourse. The copperhill method is simple, _but_ it is more risky becasue as you get more confident, you really start "scrubbing"

Cheers
Seb

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by h00kemh0rns

Thanks Jeff. Is there any precautions with the blower...besides the obvious of not sticking inside the housing? I mean is it neccessary to go to the extremes like I've read where users steam up their bathrooms to limit the dust before blowing?

I've never bothered with any such precautions. I probably wouldn't use the blower outside at the beach or in the desert, though.

[h00kemh0rns]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

I've never bothered with any such precautions. I probably wouldn't use the blower outside at the beach or in the desert, though.

You mean sand is bad for the sensor?


Thanks again Jeff.

[zeroendless]

I have few blowers from varies brand and rocket blower got the best of it. One of the best ~$10 i ever spend on photo gears. It cleans dirty sensor fast and easy, and hella blower for the lens as well. Don't get the small one, it's a waste. I would say one of cheap tool that you don't ask how good it's...just buy it!

[srwatters]

The Rocket blower rocks.
The Rocket pitcher blows.

[MyKey]

Just turn your camera body upside down and blow the Rocket Blower in it, this allows the dust to fall out instead of just going in circles inside your camera housing. Works great on the fly when you know you got dust on the sensor and only takes a few seconds. I have shot with my 10D, 20D's and 1D MarkII for quite some time and this is the only cleaning method I have done to the 20D's and MarkII and they are staying as clean as the 10D which I have sent off for professionally cleaning quite a few times. If all else fails it is worth sending your camera off to Canon or Nikon for professionally cleaning, they do a good job for a small price.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by srwatters

The Rocket blower rocks.
The Rocket pitcher blows.

Ouch!...You must a Cardinals fan.

[engstrom]

When I clean my sensor, and I've cleaned it twice in the year I've owned it, I first use the Rocket blower while the camera is held with the sensor facing down, then use the pecpads/eclipse to finish the cleaning.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by korrupt

Ouch!...You must a Cardinals fan.

Nah. I'm a SF Giants fan, so I suck. Just thought i'd get on him for being a 40 year old playing a 20 year olds game. Just like Bonds... Without the juice