In camera cleaning: I was just sitting here reading some posts on sensor cleaning. Something dawned on me that I never thought about before. Subject is, in camera vibration cleaning.

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

I was just sitting here reading some posts on sensor cleaning. Something dawned on me that I never thought about before. Subject is, in camera vibration cleaning. We certainly want our sensors squeaky clean but my question is "What happens to this dust that is removed by this type of cleaning?" Where does it go? From sensor filter to where? Isn't it all in the same small area? Just wondering. Shaken off and left to climb back on? Anyone else ever thought about this or just me? Please help so I can sleep tonight!
Thanks All
Bob

:?: :?: :?: :?:

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

IsoBob wrote:

I was just sitting here reading some posts on sens... (show quote)

The same place your socks go!

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I'm sure it just gets off your sensor which is what you want. I suppose, if you were changing lenses in a vacuum, you would eventually get a mound of dust that would have to be removed; but I'm sure it floats in and out of the camera every time we change a lens. THen again this is speculation. I could be totally wrong.

Don L G

IsoBob wrote:

I was just sitting here reading some posts on sens... (show quote)

I shoot a D300s set to clean on start and stop. This thing has a lot of miles on it sl# 8xx and its never ben calends and has no spot on it and I change lenses a lot
:thumbup: :thumbup:

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

St3v3M wrote:

The same place your socks go!

St3v3n, is that a fact, or are you guessing?!
In a very rare instance, I have actually found one of those lost socks, but it's NEVER had any sensor dust on it!! :lol:
I shoot with Canon, But I'm pretty sure that with Nikons, it goes into those containers labeled d600! :lol: :lol: :lol:
SS

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

St3v3M wrote:

The same place your socks go!

Now that's a real intelligent answer! Thanks for your expertise.

1stJedi Loc: Southern Orange County

St3v3M wrote:

The same place your socks go!

Nuh Huh! My socks go sit on the beach in Rio ordering Margaritas. I keep wondering if I can get them extradited.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Hi Bob. I am the dust on the sensor king. If I am out shooting and see dust. I do put the cleaner on and then pull the lens off and use a rocket blower. 90% of the time it works. The dust is still behind the shutter just waiting to jump back on if you don't blow it out.:):)
Erv

IsoBob wrote:

I was just sitting here reading some posts on sens... (show quote)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

IsoBob wrote:

Now that's a real intelligent answer! Thanks for your expertise.

Ok Bob, I can only speak for Canon, but as Erv said, in a Canon that dust doesn't go anywhere special. The theory is, that as long as its not on the sensor, it's a good thing. There are no special electro static pads or special dust collection system. Yes it can get back onto the sensor if you do not blow it out, but hopefully, it will shake back off.
Remember, that the sensor is only exposed when you expose a shot, or have the camera on LiveView.
The only way to remove the dust, is if you send the camera in for a routine cleaning. Canon cleans the exterior as well as the sensor and entire mirror box area. Don't know if when the corner 7-11 does it, if they do the mirror box area as well, as I've never been to one.
As Erv said, using your rocket blower will help, but you have to have it on mirror lock-up and the curtains have to be open, or you're only cleaning the front of the curtain, and not the sensor.
I like Nikons system better, we're it just went and attached itself to the nearest d600, but so many complained, seems they put a stop to it!! :lol:
SS

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

Actually you raise a good question.

The dust falls to the bottom of the sensor and just sits there. A shutter activation sometimes kicks some of it out into the mirror box but the rest stays there. Shutter activations can also cause the dust to stick to the sensor again, especially fine dust, but that's not an issue if you're cleaning ultrasonically fairly often.

That said though, I discovered that these cleaning technologies are not all they're cracked up to be. I had a friend with a Canon that activates it's dust shaker every time you turn the camera on and off. The camera was two years old and has never been cleaned.

So I opened it up thinking I'd just at least get rid of the dust that accumulated over those two years. Well ... after blowing the sensor with high pressure co2 and gently brushing it with an arctic butterfly brush, I was shocked to realize that a lot of fine dust had stuck to the sensor probably when my friend had been in tropical places that were very humid and hot. It took me a half hour of washing the sensor several times before it finally came completely clean. It was also fascinating after, the images were incredible, with far better contrasts and colours.

The ultrasonic cleaner is very effective as long as you're in areas of low humidity and you have dust particles that are easy to shake off. However, once you get into humid places dust sometimes becomes sticky. Add to that the really fine stuff that could easily float in the air also doesn't tend to fall off the sensor very well when shaken, some stays behind.

My advice to my friend was to make sure the sensor is cleaned annually and especially when used in a humid hot area. The advice was taken too, I'm approached every year to clean the camera for her. Now that it's only annual it usually also doesn't need a wash, only a quick brush.

By the way, while my story was a Canon problem, Nikon has the same issues too. I shoot Nikon and still clean my sensors regularly whether they appear to need it or not. I suspect all brands with that kind of built in cleaner have the same issues.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Wow you used co2???? Didn't that ice up the sensor? And it would seem that high pressure would put the dust into place you don't want them.
Erv

Bugfan wrote:

Actually you raise a good question.

The dust falls to the bottom of the sensor and just sits there. A shutter activation sometimes kicks some of it out into the mirror box but the rest stays there. Shutter activations can also cause the dust to stick to the sensor again, especially fine dust, but that's not an issue if you're cleaning ultrasonically fairly often.

That said though, I discovered that these cleaning technologies are not all they're cracked up to be. I had a friend with a Canon that activates it's dust shaker every time you turn the camera on and off. The camera was two years old and has never been cleaned.

So I opened it up thinking I'd just at least get rid of the dust that accumulated over those two years. Well ... after blowing the sensor with high pressure co2 and gently brushing it with an arctic butterfly brush, I was shocked to realize that a lot of fine dust had stuck to the sensor probably when my friend had been in tropical places that were very humid and hot. It took me a half hour of washing the sensor several times before it finally came completely clean. It was also fascinating after, the images were incredible, with far better contrasts and colours.

The ultrasonic cleaner is very effective as long as you're in areas of low humidity and you have dust particles that are easy to shake off. However, once you get into humid places dust sometimes becomes sticky. Add to that the really fine stuff that could easily float in the air also doesn't tend to fall off the sensor very well when shaken, some stays behind.

My advice to my friend was to make sure the sensor is cleaned annually and especially when used in a humid hot area. The advice was taken too, I'm approached every year to clean the camera for her. Now that it's only annual it usually also doesn't need a wash, only a quick brush.

By the way, while my story was a Canon problem, Nikon has the same issues too. I shoot Nikon and still clean my sensors regularly whether they appear to need it or not. I suspect all brands with that kind of built in cleaner have the same issues.

Actually you raise a good question. br br The du... (show quote)

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

Erv wrote:

Hi Bob. I am the dust on the sensor king. If I am out shooting and see dust. I do put the cleaner on and then pull the lens off and use a rocket blower. 90% of the time it works. The dust is still behind the shutter just waiting to jump back on if you don't blow it out.:):)
Erv

Thank you Erv- that is exactly what I do also. Don't want that nasty dust floating back on! My only other thought was I have my D800 set to clean at start up & shut down and can't blow out at these settings. Nikon must assume that whatever is loosened at this setting is doing no harm. Just curious, never saw this brought up anywhere before.
Bob

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

SharpShooter wrote:

Ok Bob, I can only speak for Canon, but as Erv sai... (show quote)

SS: when the dust is fine and won't budge with my rocket blower I have used a sensor brush and have been very successful. No need for sending it in for cleaning when there is just a little stubborn dust. By the way I had a D600 and had no problems what so ever. Was a terrific camera!
Bob

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

Bugfan wrote:

Actually you raise a good question.

The dust falls to the bottom of the sensor and just sits there. A shutter activation sometimes kicks some of it out into the mirror box but the rest stays there. Shutter activations can also cause the dust to stick to the sensor again, especially fine dust, but that's not an issue if you're cleaning ultrasonically fairly often.

That said though, I discovered that these cleaning technologies are not all they're cracked up to be. I had a friend with a Canon that activates it's dust shaker every time you turn the camera on and off. The camera was two years old and has never been cleaned.

So I opened it up thinking I'd just at least get rid of the dust that accumulated over those two years. Well ... after blowing the sensor with high pressure co2 and gently brushing it with an arctic butterfly brush, I was shocked to realize that a lot of fine dust had stuck to the sensor probably when my friend had been in tropical places that were very humid and hot. It took me a half hour of washing the sensor several times before it finally came completely clean. It was also fascinating after, the images were incredible, with far better contrasts and colours.

The ultrasonic cleaner is very effective as long as you're in areas of low humidity and you have dust particles that are easy to shake off. However, once you get into humid places dust sometimes becomes sticky. Add to that the really fine stuff that could easily float in the air also doesn't tend to fall off the sensor very well when shaken, some stays behind.

My advice to my friend was to make sure the sensor is cleaned annually and especially when used in a humid hot area. The advice was taken too, I'm approached every year to clean the camera for her. Now that it's only annual it usually also doesn't need a wash, only a quick brush.

By the way, while my story was a Canon problem, Nikon has the same issues too. I shoot Nikon and still clean my sensors regularly whether they appear to need it or not. I suspect all brands with that kind of built in cleaner have the same issues.

Actually you raise a good question. br br The du... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup: Bob

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

You have to pull the lens and go into the menu to open the shutter. And then blow it out when you think it needs it. The vibration part just gets it off the sensor. I always hold mine upside down when blowing too.
Erv

IsoBob wrote:

Thank you Erv- that is exactly what I do also. Don't want that nasty dust floating back on! My only other thought was I have my D800 set to clean at start up & shut down and can't blow out at these settings. Nikon must assume that whatever is loosened at this setting is doing no harm. Just curious, never saw this brought up anywhere before.
Bob