Dust bunnies.....

[IanD]

I was just sitting here thinking about the dust bunnies living in my 10D. (another beautiful day outside apart from the -40C temp, thus the sitting in the house) and the various ways of expelling them to dust bunny heaven. The old blow em out with a turkey baster like blower works to some degree except that they might end up hiding in a deeper recess. Taking a brush to them is only so-so as the brush might introduce more bunnies and you all know what bunnies do in their spare time.
Then it struck me (a light, glancing blow), why not a micro vacume the likes of a keyboard vacume?
Not a fire breathing Electrolux, but something gentler that will suck out the bunnies and not the internal working of the camera.
Fellows makes a battery powered vac for keyboards that looks like it might do a credable job.
Does this make any sence or has the cold finally frozen all my grey matter :shock: :lol:
Ian

[Scottes]

Those mini-vacs have been said to create static electricity (not so bad on keyboards, potential danger inside a camera). They're not very powerful, and sometimes more dust goes in than comes out, thanks to the small brushes they sometimes have. When I use one, I generally clean it with the house vac before turning it on.

Another idea might be to clamp your house vac near the camera, then use the blower inside the camera. So the gentle force of the blower (or the gentle non-static force of your camera brush) knocks the dust bunny loose, and the nearby suction of the house vac sucks the poor bunny into the final oblivion of HEPAville before it can cling elsewhere.

[Belmondo]

I've heard that suggested before, but haven't heard whether or not it was deemed a success.

I've had generally good luck using the rubber bulb/blow the crap out technique. I did find an oversized blower at San Jose Camera that delivers a very hearty puff of air, and I always make sure to point the camera body towards the ground to get whatever assistance I can from gravity. It is ironic, however. I just took the one camera outside a little while ago, and there was a big something that had attached itself to the bottom of the prism. A few judicious hufss and puffs removed it, but that was the first problem like that I've encountered in a while.

The blower I use is this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=259157&is=REG

The 'Buck Rogers' appearance is a little unfortunate, but it works really well.

Tom

[IanD]

I love the look. Got to get me one to replace my "Hurricane"
Going to try the "hose close to the camera" angle and see what happens.
Many thanks guys.

[Phil Hall]

I have used the Sensor Swab and Eclipse cleaning solutions. Available from Adorama.

[defordphoto]

I go with Stihl! 8)

http://racefamily.racinglines.com/MiscPhotos/BR420C.gif

[msnow]

I go with Stihl! 8)

http://racefamily.racinglines.com/MiscPhotos/BR420C.gif

ROFLOL
:D :D :D :D :D

[kahfluie]

I am lucky that I dont have those dust bunnies on my sensor again (yet), however I do have quite a buildup in the viewfinder... on the inside of the camera. Went to a shop where they used some air hose thing... there were able to move the dust, but not remove it so... any odeas on how to clean that? The dust is actually on the pieces that teh mirror reflects to.

[Belmondo]

Ian:
If you decide to use the ShopVac method, here's a little trick I've learned:
Take a stocking, or one leg from a pair of pantyhose, and suck it into the end of the vacuum hose. Then, tie it in place with a heavy rubber band or tape so that it will act like a filter. That way, when you suck the sensor out of your camera, it will be much easier to retrieve.

I might have picked that up from Heloise, so I really can't take the credit.

Thos. :roll:

[TeraGram93013]

Belmondo said:
I might have picked that up from Heloise, so I really can't take the credit.

You just gave yourself away as a crafter.

Admit it! You like to play with beads.

Want to look at my Delicas?

[defordphoto]

That way, when you suck the sensor out of your camera, it will be much easier to retrieve.

ROFL! Actually I am surprised we have not heard of that one happening yet. Could you imagine someone actually sucking the entire sensor out of the camera? I guess it could happen.

If Heloise says it's true, then it probably is...

[Belmondo]

Want to look at my Delicas?

Ooh! Ooh!

[IanD]

Ian:
If you decide to use the ShopVac method, here's a little trick I've learned:
Take a stocking, or one leg from a pair of pantyhose, and suck it into the end of the vacuum hose. Then, tie it in place with a heavy rubber band or tape so that it will act like a filter. That way, when you suck the sensor out of your camera, it will be much easier to retrieve.

I might have picked that up from Heloise, so I really can't take the credit.

Thos. :roll:
I was thinking about the fact that the sensor or the filter might get sucked into the Stihl so I figured I'd use a dab or two of Krazy Glue to keep it in place.
Can always chip it off with a screwdriver after I'm finished :lol:

[CoolToolGuy]

I go with Stihl! 8)

http://racefamily.racinglines.com/MiscPhotos/BR420C.gif

That's a cute little sucker :!:

Have Fun
Rick 8)

[defordphoto]

That Stihl is a blower not a vacuum. Mount camera firmly in vise on workbench in garage or barn.

Set camera to Sensor Clean.
Start blower.
Blow.
Test shot of blue sky at f22.
Repeat as necessary.

[Moses]

OK, so I may be new to this, but is there any reason why I don't see anyone mentioning compressed canned air? http://www.onlinemusicworld.com/forum/images/smiles/LOOK.GIF

[dn7elson]

That's a cute little sucker

Looks like it would blow the mirror, sensor and anything else not firmly tied down....but they would be "dust free" as they flew from the body. :P

[IanD]

Jim,
I was thinking that I could some how rig up a reverse on this baby and attatch several tapered lengths of sewer pipe as hose. Think it would work :?: :lol:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25462968.jpg

[CoolToolGuy]

That Stihl is a blower not a vacuum. Mount camera firmly in vise on workbench in garage or barn.

Set camera to Sensor Clean.
Start blower.
Blow.
Test shot of blue sky at f22.
Repeat as necessary.

So, the 'sandblast' texture on the sensor comes with it, no extra charge :?:

Have Fun
Rick 8)

[Belmondo]

OK, so I may be new to this, but is there any reason why I don't see anyone mentioning compressed canned air? http://www.onlinemusicworld.com/forum/images/smiles/LOOK.GIF

This is generally not recommended. It is actually possible to damage the sensor with canned air. It usually comes out at a very high velocity, can contain contaminants that might pit the sensor filter, and in certain circumstances, can create moisture on the sensor. None of these are good things. Stick to the squeeze bulbs.

[defordphoto]

OK, so I may be new to this, but is there any reason why I don't see anyone mentioning compressed canned air? http://www.onlinemusicworld.com/forum/images/smiles/LOOK.GIF

No enough power! But seriously now, compressed air, if using an accelerant can damage/freeeze your sensor. Not a good thing. Clean compressed air would be fine, but it's hard to find. And do not, under ANY circumstances use an air compressor. Remember they use oil and that would turn your camera into a very expensive paperweight and a story at several Canon tech's dinner tables. A squeeze bulb is best.

[defordphoto]

Tom (Belmondo): Check your PM's please.

[Belmondo]

Okay, you guys, we always have a better answer out here in the desert.
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/353109_0915_MJ-med.jpg
Okay, this is a windmill, not a fan, but think of the possibilities!

[defordphoto]

Put a V-8 on that bad boy and you could clean sensors in an entire town!

[CoolToolGuy]

Okay, you guys, we always have a better answer out here in the desert.
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/353109_0915_MJ-med.jpg
Okay, this is a windmill, not a fan, but think of the possibilities!

So, let me get this straight - you hook the camera body to the output cable of the windmill, and just fry the dust bunnies off :?:

Have Fun
Rick 8)

[Tom W]

The blower I use is this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=259157&is=REG

The 'Buck Rogers' appearance is a little unfortunate, but it works really well.

Tom

I don't mean to criticize another man's blower, but that thing looks like an ... well, I can't say it, but the red tip ought to be a hint. I wouldn't use it in public. :D

Does it do a good job of loosening the Klingons?

[CoolToolGuy]

The blower I use is this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=259157&is=REG

Tom

Tom,
From the looks of it, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enema :lol:

Have Fun
Rick 8)

[defordphoto]

The blower I use is this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=259157&is=REG

Tom

Tom,
From the looks of it, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enema :lol:

Have Fun
Rick 8)

8)

Yeah!

[Belmondo]

For sure, after you use it, you're pooped. :!:

[Belmondo]

Does it do a good job of loosening the Klingons?

Tom:
Ever since I cured my back focus problem, I can't tell.

[kahfluie]

On a serious note... not that ya'll weren't serious, mind you... I use my blower... are specs of dust THAT stuborn that they won't blow away? I am seeing more and more popup on my shots and am too chicken to do the swabbing myself... just afraid I'd screw something up. On the other hand... I'd hate to send it to Canon, have it be gone for 4-6 weeks for something that takes probably less than 30 minutes to complete. Sigh... there's gotta be an easier way to get rid of them.

How often do you all clean your sensors?

[defordphoto]

How often do you all clean your sensors?

Your sensor only needs cleaning when it needs it. No more. No less. It's best left alone. I think I cleaned my two camera's sensors once or twice each last year. And my 10D needs a blast of air now...I'll get around to it this weekend.