Cleaning the Digital Rebel 300D?

[FlipsidE]

I'm curious. I'm fairly new to the photography world (never really had a decent camera until now). So, I haven't really had the need to clean lenses. I didn't use my Powershot S30 enough to clean it. But, I find myself snappin shots like crazy with my Rebel.

Anyway, how would I go about cleaning my Rebel (already a few small dust spots and specs on the front of the lens...i'm sure from being outside). Is there a good kit? Should I just take it to a camera shop on a regular basis? or can I do it on my own?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

FlipsidE

[ERamos]

I don't think there is much you can do, other than taking good care of your camera when you use it.

Start buying a good lens filter, it'll keep your lens from dust, scratches and little bumps, it's always cheaper to replace a broken or damaged filter than having to replace a lense.

When you change lenses do it in a "safe" enviroment, avoid direct sunlight, dust and mist as well. Also remember that you should not touch the inside camera mirror nor any other glass surface (inside or outside of the lens).

Remember that any particle in the lens or CMOS will appear and affect the quality of your pictures, but, what is in the mirror or in the viewfinder will bother you but maybe won't affect your picture, and if it isn't too big i wouldn't mess with it.

I hope this will help you with your concern and if i'm wrong, please correct me.

Regards,

:D :D :D

[FlipsidE]

Can you link me to one of these filters? I've heard of them, but I've yet to actually see one.

Thanks

FlipsidE

[Jim_T]

Are you talking about cleaning the camera body or just the lens.. They're two different things you know :)

The instruction book tells you the do's and don'ts of cleaning the body.

The best way to clean a lens is with a good bulb blower. Most dust will just blow off. The blower will also come in handy for blowing out the sensor area and mirror.

To quickly remove the inevitable fingerprints, I use a lenspen. If the lens is really dirty, then you might want to pick up a good quality cleaning fluid and microfiber cloth.

I don't know which lens you have, but if you don't like touching the surface, a clear UV filter will save you having to do that..

Here's info on the lens pen.. (They're endorsed by Nikon and Kodak.. Both companies sell lenspens under their own brand name).

http://www.lenspen.com/

Here's a review of one of the best blowers there is:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Giottos-Rocket-Air-Blower-Review.aspx

.

[FlipsidE]

Actually, I'm looking into cleaning the lens. That lens blower is probably exactly what I'm looking for. I hope not to get fingerprints on the lens (but it does happen from time to time I'm sure). What I'm really interested in is cleaning the small bits of dust/airborn stuff that can just float and stick to the lens. That lens blower should knock that stuff right off.

If I notice any degredation in quality of pictures because something might be on the sensor itself, or if I notice something on the mirror, I'll probably just take it to the local camera shop that's w/in walking distance of my house and have it cleaned.

Thanks for the advice!

FlipsidE

[Jim_T]

Can you link me to one of these filters? I've heard of them, but I've yet to actually see one.

Thanks

FlipsidE

UV filters are just clear glass fitted in a frame thats threaded to screw on the lens thread.. What filter you get depends on what lens you have... They come in different sizes. They also come in different qualities.. There are cheapies and expensive ones.

The first filter in the list is the Canon UV filter.. There are quite a few different brands other than Canon. Almost all camera stores sell them.

http://www.usa.canon.com/html/eflenses/accessories/index.html