dust in camera or lens barrel?

[rocketscience]

Hello, I am a bit parranoid, so I have a concern to run by you. I have a rebel digital, and recently I shot a full combat joust at Scarborough Faire in Texas, and today I shot some Buffulo, Zebra & Elk in Oregon.

I am concerned about any dust that has possibly gotten in to my camera, also, now worried about dust, there seems to be a noise, it doesn't seem as smooth as it did, when zooming in & out with the 18-55 lens that comes with the camera.

Should I be concerned about the lens? Does yours make any noise? How often should I get the camera cleaned & where or how?

Thanks a lot

[robertwgross]

It is not difficult to blow dust out of a camera body or off the sensor. However, if you get a grain of sand in the lens pieces, that can be a problem.

---Bob Gross---

[ron chappel]

Zoom rails/slots and focus helicals are mostly self cleaning.
Try switching the lens to manual focus and turning the focus and zoom controls back and forth quickly for 10-20 times.If that doesn't clear it then you may want to get it cleaned.It is costly though....

Even a sigle grain of sand can make a horrible noise :shock:

[rocketscience]

Will a little dust in the barrel hurt anything?