Camera/Lens Protection -- General Photography Talk in photography-on-the.net forums

Cream of the Crop

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Location: "...just south of the 23rd Paralell..."

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Jan 27, 2010 16:44 | #18

gorgon2k wrote in post #9475039

I agree, I just think your over thinking and over worrying...

G'day Matt,

Mate you are over-thinking and over worrying.
Just use the camera as you would normally.
Unless you plan on digging a hole and burying the camera you have nothing to worry about.

Have a look at some of the rally shots on my website and you'll see dust.

Here are my thoughts about dust.

Dust is a fact of life.
Get used to it.

It will get into the camera, including the viewfinder no matter how careful you are.
If it's in the viewfinder or focus screen, it won't affect your pics. Don't lose any sleep over it.

Using a zoom lens is one of the most effective ways of getting it there.
Some lenses, like the 100-400L are worse than others.
The 100-400 is a bloody good lens but it's like a bellows. Some people call it "The L Series Dust Pumper"
Anyone who has one, try this - take the end cap off, hold one hand over the end that attaches to the body and zoom it in and out to it's full extent. You'll feel the hurricane that it produces.
That wind also contains miniscule particles of dust that land on the elements or in the camera box and then eventually on the sensor.

Even apparently sealed lenses will succumb.
Dust bunnies are evil, cunning critters and will sneak in through things like focusing rings and the back of the lens when you're not looking and least expect it. It's a losing battle.

I was once complaining about dust to the tech who does my sensor cleaning and he said there is only one foolproof way to keep the dust out of your camera, and expecting a pearl of wisdom, I asked him "How is that?"
His reply was to put it back in its box, in a cupboard and not use it - simple.
From that day forward I gave up worrying about it and just accepted it will happen.
I use a rocket blower regularly and get the sensor cleaned by the tech about every 6-8 months as it needs it.

I'm frequently reading of people saying stuff like "I never change my lens unless in a dust free environment but there's still dust on my sensor - how does that happen?"
Well, guess what, unless you're in a controlled laboratory environment, there's no such thing a dust free.

If you need to change lenses, change lenses.

A small to medium amount of dust won't damage your lens, sensor or camera. It's more a pita because at small f stop's, dust on the sensor shows up more and you have to clone it out.
If it's in your lens, it's so far out of focus you won't see it.

I shoot plenty of motorsport, particularly rallies. Rallies equal dust. If I have to or want to change lenses all you can do is pick when to do it to minimise the chance or amount of dust getting in. It's either that or not get the shot.

As for the viewfinder in both my bodies, if I really wanted, I could grow a healthy crop of potatoes with the amount of dust that has taken up residence there.
It's not affecting the image, so nothing to worry about.

Way too many people get hung up on dust - DON"T.

It's a bit like dust in your house. It gets there no matter what you do or how clean you think you keep everything.
Have a look at your window sills inside - how did all that dust get there.
Same principle with your viewfinder - or lenses, or sensor etc.

Also, have a read of this...V..E..R..Y.. interesting - http://kurtmunger.com/dirty_lens_articleid35.html

Slightly off topic but still a good read.

gorgon2k wrote in post #9475039

p.s. the term holiday always throws me off as it's not in the correct context used here in america

Gordon, despite what you might think, there's a lot more countries on this planet than America and the rest of world the does not have to conform or revolve around the US.

Regards, Phil
2019 South Australian Country Press Assoc Sports Photo of the Year - Runner Up
2018 South Australian Country Press Assoc Sports Photo of the Year
2018 CAMS (now Motorsport Australia) Gold Accredited Photographer
Finallist - 2014 NT Media Awards
"A bad day at the race track is better than a good day in the office"

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FreezeTheMoment

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Location: Ohio

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May 23, 2010 14:33 | #19

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9480269

The location I would more or less warn you about are the Slot Canyons near Page, Arizona.

If you happen to visit Upper or Lower Antelope or Canyon X, the sand is on everything down below and it is quite fine. That's one location where I would not even begin to think about changing lenses. There's no where to set anything down and you will be quite dirty yourself so have a little extra care if you go to these spots.

I have just been there in Antelope Canyon. Changing lenses is certainly not recommended. But I found that even zoom lens could have sands getting into the rotating part of the lens as well. Maybe only some L lenses could do the job.

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A hobbyist here. I like taking pictures of people.

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Cody21

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592 posts
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Location: El Cerrito, Ca.

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May 24, 2010 11:01 | #20

+1 what others said about being careful WHERE/WHEN you change lenses. I changed my lens at the beach in Sydney a while back only to discover that every picture after that point had like 5 'goobers'. I was so depressed to see this when I got home. It was a tedious time of fixing my pictures in PP after; and the subsequent Sensor cleaning. (and it wasn't even excessively windy at the beach.) It was a huge learning experience for me.

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ckckevin

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Location: Bay Area

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May 24, 2010 19:39 | #21

may be use a cheapy camera (rebel) to do the job. Well, i've been to the upper and lower antelope with my t1i, and i swab lens in there too ( sounds stupid but i did at the point). But nothing happens. Certainly don't recommand places that has a lot of sand and dust to swab lens. But if you necessary have to, do it quick. I'm very proud that i learned to do the lens change within 4sec now with less than 2 sec of the camera body expose to outside.
Btw, just a curious reminder: remember when swab lens, face the camera body downward the whole way to minimize sand/dust to get in there.

Kevin life= learning
500D, Canon 10-22mm, Tamron 17-50mm 2.8, Canon 60 macro, Canon 85mm 1.8, Sigma 8mm 3.5, Sigma 30mm 1.4, Sigma 50-150mm 2.8, Kenko SP300 1.4x, efs extension tubes, 580EX, and lens that i don't like

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