Cleaning lenses, and precautions in sand area

[5 Type]

Hi,

I would like to know how you pro's are dealing with cleaning up your lenses (when compress air doesn't do the trick). I've heard of several ways but I want to know the way of doing it for long term use of material.

In the same minding, I'm shooting a rally on sand and durt next week-end (not as an accredited shooter, but as part of the staff). Should I take particular attention to my material? (10D + 28-135 or 100-400 + Filters). I was wondering if I should buy a cheap filter and use it, in the event I get something that break the filter it will be less anoying. After the even, how do you think I should clean my matterial, should compress air will be sufficent. What, if it's rainning... my 10D isn't sealed, should I just packed up and wait?

Thanks a lot, for helping the ones who like to learn.

[Belmondo]

Always use a filter in that environment. As to whether or not a cheap one is best is a subject for another debate. Always protect your lenses. (unless the filter is affecting your image.)

[stopbath]

Be mindfull of blowing sand. A sudden gust of wind can blow sand everwhere including into the gears of both the lens and camera.

If your gear is not sealed (water resistant) against the environment, expect a hefty repair cost if you expose it to the elements. Dismantling a camera or lens and stripping it clean of sand is labour intensive. Parts may be pretty pricey too. Will whoever is paying for you to shoot, also pay 100% or a portion of any resulting repair costs if directly related to the rally?

Canned air may just push the sand inside!

I would not expect every trip onto sand to result in a trip to the repair depot, but it is very much in the cards... Be careful. Do not keep gear exposed anymore then required, stay out of areas where sand is getting kicked up, be upwind instead of downwind...

If it's rainging, same sort of stuff. Don't let the camera and lens get too wet. A few drops here and there MAY not damage the camera, but a drenching would be death. Moisture in a lens may well require professional strip down of the lens to clean the elements....

Gotta ask yourself, is the picture worth the cost of repair that could result?

[5 Type]

Thanks, but this is kind of scaring me. I will have to take real precautions.

This is one spot I will be located at, (not one of my pictures) :

http://www.alakazoo.com/defi/images/DCP_1017.jpg

[timmyquest]

What would rubbing alcohol do to the optics of a lens?

[Scottes]

What would rubbing alcohol do to the optics of a lens?

It's GLASS Timmy. Rubbing alcohol is not going to do anything to glass.

It will, however, dry out rubber seals and such. But the optics will be fine.

[timmyquest]

What would rubbing alcohol do to the optics of a lens?

It's GLASS Timmy. Rubbing alcohol is not going to do anything to glass.

It will, however, dry out rubber seals and such. But the optics will be fine.


:oops: Well i dont know :oops: :lol:

Besides, it's not just glass!

It is my baby, and i'd like to treat it the best that i can :wink:

[defordphoto]

One way is to buy raingear for your camera. Otherwise you can also wrap the camera in a plastic bag with (blue) painter's tape. That's what we did when we covered Rally. I don't cover it anymore as it's not worth the risk on my equipment. Sand and flying dust like that is the absolute worst thing you can subject your gear to.

Not me!

[5 Type]

One way is to buy raingear for your camera. Otherwise you can also wrap the camera in a plastic bag with (blue) painter's tape. That's what we did when we covered Rally. I don't cover it anymore as it's not worth the risk on my equipment. Sand and flying dust like that is the absolute worst thing you can subject your gear to.

Not me!


When you say it's not worth... does it mean that you don't cover these kind of event anymore???

[defordphoto]

That is correct. I do not cover off-road Rally races. The only dirt events I'll shoot is an off-season moto-cross track that runs from October to March. It's muddy most of the time, but at least the dust isn't flying around. I'll take rain over dust any day.

[Belmondo]

I'll take rain over dust any day.

Well, you certainly live in a good place for that.

[defordphoto]

I'll take rain over dust any day.

Well, you certainly live in a good place for that.

And we love every minute...errr, inch of it! :)

[stopbath]

What would rubbing alcohol do to the optics of a lens?
Rubbing alcohol is a medicinal compound that uses fast evaporating alcohol as a carrier. If your lens is complaining of sore joints and such, feel free to use rubbing alcohol. If not, keep it away from your lens. You don't want to clean it twice as Rubbing Alcohol will leave a residue.

Use destilled water, methal hydrate, or your breath to moisten the cloth or lens prior to wiping down a lens.

[Shuttervision]

Try the Lenspen. Works wonderfully!

[tim]

Try the Lenspen. Works wonderfully!

Did you check the date of the thread? 2004 :p