What do I need to clean my camera/lens?

mhc-art · #1 (**permalink**) 31-03-2008, 10:56 AM

Hi all,

So I have my equipment and I'm off to Africa in a months time, just wanted to know what I need to look after it.

I have the 400D which has the auto sensor cleaning, I have heard it's pretty effective but I have also heard that African dust gets everywhere!... what's best for cleaning the sensor?, and what do I need for cleaning my lenses? (canon 100-400)

Thanks!

Bub-les · #2 (**permalink**) 31-03-2008, 11:12 AM

Just come back from Africa before I went I was advised to take an Arctic Butterfly for cleaning the sensor. It worked fine.
If you intend to change lenses at all it will be almost essential. If you can get into the habit of using it every evening after you've changed lenses then it should help minimise the dust.
Also I would recommend attaching a UV or daylight filter to your lens as its much easier to clean the dust from this and it protects your lens from dust. If you damage the surface of the filter then its relatively cheaper to replace than a lens.
Barbara

matt_xyz · #3 (**permalink**) 31-03-2008, 12:22 PM

we've had a number of threads on this topic, here's one for instance:

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...ce-please.html

I've always used Eclipse fluid and swabs for my 30D sensor, but recently it's been so mucky that even this hasn't worked. I've ordered a sensor cleaning 'pen' which hasn't arrived yet, so I'll see how this works. If you want the details then drop me a PM.

Basically, there are lots of options and many people will claim a preference for one of them. I'd probably start with a blower of some sort but it might be worth having some Eclipse fluid and swabs on standby in case the blowers don't work. You have to ensure you get the right Eclipse fluid though, there are different types for different models of camera (e.g. the 400D has to have a different version to the 30D).

Matt

mhc-art · #4 (**permalink**) 31-03-2008, 04:18 PM

Thanks guys,

I have two cameras and three lenses, I shouldn't need to change lenses often. Maybe this is a dumb question but is it necessary to clean the sensor if you have not been changing the lens?

Boddie · #5 (**permalink**) 31-03-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhc-art

Thanks guys,

I have two cameras and three lenses, I shouldn't need to change lenses often. Maybe this is a dumb question but is it necessary to clean the sensor if you have not been changing the lens?

Apparently...

The 100-400 is prone to 'sucking dust in'

I say apparently as mine does not seem to do this. That said I use a cover for mine which would certainly limit dust getting too near.

And I havent been to Africa

This is the bloke you want

Wildlife Watching Supplies - Wildlife photography, Nature photography, Photo blinds

GerryNick2 · #6 (**permalink**) 31-03-2008, 09:33 PM

The 400D sensor cleaning is pretty good so you should not have too many problems. As a standby you could take some sensor swabs and eclipse fluid.
As far as lenses go just make sure you have a UV filter attached to each lens. The best way to clean the coated filters is to just breath on it and wipe off with a Pec-pad wipe. I would not recommend using eclipse fluid on coated filters otherwise you will spend hours trying to get the smears off. Another effective tip for cleaning very dirty filters is to use a drop of ironing water on a wipe and then dry off with another Pec-pad, works well on TFT Monitor screens too. Another useful tool would be a rocket blower.

Gerry

eeyore · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 12:05 PM

In the african bush environment I wouldnt reccomend using anything that involves touching the sensor with any degree of pressure - one grain of sand (which is plentiful down there) could easily scratch the sensor and thus trash the camera.

The artic butterfly is a statically charged brush which picks up dust without you needing to apply pressure (it recharges the brush by spinning it meaning that you dont need to take canned air (which you cant fly with) - this is what andy rouse uses/reccomends.

On top of that i would also take a blower - like the giottos rocket blower - which can be used to shift dust from the sensor and also to clean lenses etc ( note get a bulb blower - do not used compressed air to clean your sensor as it will spray proppelant all over it)

and some anti static cloths to clean/polish your front element.

mhc-art · #8 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 10:09 PM

great stuff eeyore, I've written all those down on my shopping list

eeyore · #9 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 11:46 AM

i'd also suggest getting spare front and rear lens caps for your main lenses as it is essential to keep these on when not in use - in sandy environments/dusty at least, and it would be a right pain to loose them early in the trip and not have replacements at hand

GME · #10 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 11:51 AM

Sorry, to hi-jack the thread a little but it's along the same lines. I seem to have somehow managed to get a few really small fibres and specks of dust within the LCD display panel. They are actually behind the glass screen. Any idea on how to rid these or how I got them in the first place?? Didn't even know you could get dust there!
p.s. mhc-art - I use a rocket blower, specific microfibre cloths and an Arctic Butterfly for cleaning the rest of the camera and they seem pretty effective.