Stupid question for SLR ppl

[Anonymous]

Okay, so I've had the digital rebel for about a week now, right? I've noticed that when I look through the viewfinder, I see specks of dust. It's not on either end of the lens or the mirror, and does not come through on the shots. I also checked the eyepiece. So where is this dust? Should I get a can of that compressed air to blow out the innards of the camera and keep it clean?

 

[kleinfreak]

I had the same problem with one of my SLR. I was always told, NEVER use canned air. I took mine in and had it cleaned. No more specks.

 

[Anonymous]

I've too have been told to never use canned air.

So I still have specks :?

 

[Anonymous]

What about the little squeeze-bulb thingies that blow a little puff of air?

 

[Anonymous]

Sharkky..

For what it's worth, I've heard that using CO2 cartridges, rather than the canned air that you can buy at Staples, is ok. CO2 is supposedly better because it lacks the residue issue that you see with "regular" canned air.

I'll see if I can dig something up.

 

[kleinfreak]

mjen2003,
The residue was not the reason I was told not to use canned, but good point. I was told it was due to the possible psi, it can damage the internals. It only takes one slip-up and you've got bad pics from then on.

Sharkky,
I would say try the little air puffer, and if that doesn't work, take it in for service.

 

[Anonymous]

ahhhh... much better explanation TYVM

One day I'll put the money into it and get the thing serviced (gotta save my dimes 'n nickels for the DSLR!!!)

 

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you've checked everything John. Usually the dust ends up on the focus screen because when the lens is off, blowing off the mirror directs it right up to the exposed side of the focus screen. I use a small artist brush with a fine point for cleaning mine. It's more of an annoyance than anything.

Regards, Eric

 

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you've checked everything John. Usually the dust ends up on the focus screen because when the lens is off, blowing off the mirror directs it right up to the exposed side of the focus screen. I use a small artist brush with a fine point for cleaning mine. It's more of an annoyance than anything.

Regards, Eric

::nodnod:: That sounds about right. and it is an annoyance more than anything. I cleaned the mirror and lenses (the camera even has a nifty little self-clean feature), but the dust was still there. It doesn't show up on the pictures though, so in the grand scheme of things it's not that big of a deal. I'd just like to get rid of it if I can, eh.

 

[Anonymous]

Complete Digital Photography- Second Edition, says not to use canned air because it could damage the CCD's effectiveness. Yikes. Also beware of opening the sucker up, because a statically-charged CCD attracts dust like Fuzz on Ace.

 

[Anonymous]

Complete Digital Photography- Second Edition, says not to use canned air because it could damage the CCD's effectiveness. Yikes.

Yeah, I'm thinking that I'll try and get a small brush up there and maybe one of those little plastic squeeze-ball things from the camera store.

Also beware of opening the sucker up, because a statically-charged CCD attracts dust like Fuzz on Ace.

:lol: :lol:

 

[TS]

Take a look in the manual, I'm pretty sure the cleaning mode just flips the mirror up for you to do the really nerve-racking part yourself. Unless it's some new feature my 10D doesn't have, in which case I am furiously jealous.

 

[Anonymous]

Nope, you're right TS. I mis-read the manual at first glance. I thought it ran some kind of cleaning cycle, but all it does is lift the mirror and allow you access to the sensor itself. I checked that and it was dust free. There's just a speck or two on the inside of the viewfinder. No big dealie.

 

[TS]

Sharkky, check out this link for sensor cleaning info and how to tell if there's dust on your sensor.

http://www.photo.net/equipment/digital/sensorcleaning/

Pay CLOSE attention to the part where it asks if you really want to know what's on your sensor. Because once you see it, you'll clean it, and cleaning it really, really sucks.

Travis

 

[Anonymous]

This is one thing that interests me about the new olympus e-1. It has a dust cleaning device for the CCD.

 

[Anonymous]

Good article!

 

[Anonymous]

Sharkky, the dust is probably on the bottom of the penta prism. When the mirror is down, clean the bottom of the prism. with some alcohol on a Qtip.

Also, you could try an anti-static brush like they sell for negatives. Brush lightly across the mirror and the bottom of the prism.

B