Sensor dust removal (again)- new methodology!

[Box Brownie]

There is a thread started on dpreview http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=14178090

That talks about the use of 'devices' to effectively kill the static charge in the area of the sensor and therefore make it easier to blow off any dust particles.

Because of the origins of such devices is from the electronics industry where the danger of ESD (ElectroStatic Discharge) is well known and avoided, it would seem that using such an ION generator in the proximity of a dSLR sensor/mirror box would not endanger it.

Anyone here used such a method and/or what do you think of this new addition to the sensor cleaning armoury?

TIA :)

[WaveRider57]

You know, as a long-time audiophile (anyone remember vinyl?) I have been wondering about just such an assisted technique: the use of ion guns to pour negatively charged particles on the sensor, thus bleeding the static charge off all the dust bunnies.

thanks for this heads-up...I'm on my way to read about it now, as I'm awaiting arrival of my first sensor cleaning kit.

[HKFEVER]

Interesting, someone should really take a look and create a device for DSLR cleaning.

[Mohawk]

WaveRider,

Let us know what you find out. This sounds like something that might actually work.

Mike

[WaveRider57]

AHA!
No need to make your own. I found a link to a zero-stat gun!
I think this is a splendid idea, as I know from years of experience with records & turntables that static-charged dust can be pushed around, but it heavily resists being lifted from the surface it's charged to.

Not cheap, but it will last a lifetime, as it is a manual ion generator, with the energy coming from the pull of the trigger:

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.497/it.A/id.26/.f

Paul

[whchan]

I am a process engineer and we do use a lot of ionized air guns to clean and eliminate static charge build up on surfaces. It will be a much better method than just using a blower to move the dust around and got attach to the sensor surface as soon as you stop blowing. In fact, in the computer chip industries, they use ionized air cleaning method through out the entire manufactory processes althought they are already in a class 100 clean room environment

[Box Brownie]

The comments and feedback here and on dpreview are making a strong case for the use of a 'blast' of ionised particles prior to using a hurricane blower.

I just wonder why the cameras makers do not suggest that as an optimal way of getting the best from a blower.

:)

[defordphoto]

I bought one. I'll let you know how it works.

[Bob_A]

AHA!
No need to make your own. I found a link to a zero-stat gun!
I think this is a splendid idea, as I know from years of experience with records & turntables that static-charged dust can be pushed around, but it heavily resists being lifted from the surface it's charged to.

Not cheap, but it will last a lifetime, as it is a manual ion generator, with the energy coming from the pull of the trigger:

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.497/it.A/id.26/.f

Paul

I have a ZeroStat gun that hasn't got much use lately. You can get a nice little shock from the thing (if you grab the tip), so I think it would be wise to be careful if anyone wants to try this method.

[defordphoto]

I have a ZeroStat gun that hasn't got much use lately. You can get a nice little shock from the thing (if you grab the tip), so I think it would be wise to be careful if anyone wants to try this method.

Well, you don't stick the thing inside the camera, and like anything else that we use to clean sensors, lenses, etc., ALL products should be used with great caution. One minor slip could be very expensive.

I'll be testing my ZeroStat on MANY other things before I even think about pointing it close to my cameras.

[ron chappel]

Very interesting device.I can understand how it would work

I won't buy one myself though,i've perfected a technique where i lift the specs from my sensor one by one with a pointed lens tissue *slightly* dampened with cleaning fluid.
So far i've never had to do a complete sensor clean and have removed less than 25 specs in over 20000 images taken

[defordphoto]

So far i've never had to do a complete sensor clean and have removed less than 25 specs in over 20000 images taken

The only time I have ever used liquid was with my former D60. But, I kinda like new trick stuff, and our 20D seems to be a freaking dust magnet, so I thought it'd be fun to try something new.

Some dust is inevitable, and something we have to live with, not unlike picking dust-nits off negatives, but anything that helps is welcome.

[malla1962]

digi-pads worked fine on mine.

[chemicalbro]

lol my wife has got a hairdryer with an ion gun on the end.....wonder if i could kill 2 birds with one stone.............. ions to get rid of the charge...blower on full power to blow the dust away (I'm joking btw, just in case anybody feels the need to post a warning about using hairdryers inside your camera ) ;)

[ron chappel]

lol my wife has got a hairdryer with an ion gun on the end.....wonder if i could kill 2 birds with one stone.............. ions to get rid of the charge...blower on full power to blow the dust away (I'm joking btw, just in case anybody feels the need to post a warning about using hairdryers inside your camera ) ;)

Mmmm .Great way to cycle all the dust in a room over the sensor :lol: :lol:

and our 20D seems to be a freaking dust magnet

I think i've heard others say similar .Odd

[wilflee]

What a coincidence! I was just about to throw out some old records along with the Discwasher when I read this post. Looks like a great idea to recycle some old stuff. According to the receipt, I bought this in the early '80s for $14.95.

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/7092/mg00018cw.jpg

What's next? Disco coming back?

[arpi]

if this gun works, then instead of a blower maybe a little vacuum cleaner could be used.