Who has Magic dust!
Mar 13, 2013 09:25:19 #
I live in a dustbowl part time and can attest the fact that if you have it the dust will find a way to get in it.
Mar 13, 2013 09:54:55 #
No
you won't have "that" problem but you open yourself up to other problems that are potentially much more serious than a bit of dust.
Mar 13, 2013 09:59:26 #
Nothing that use of a lens cap or hood won't prevent...
Hollywoodstuntkisser wrote:
No
you won't have "that" problem but you open yourself up to other problems that are potentially much more serious than a bit of dust.
Mar 13, 2013 11:31:35 #
Bret wrote:
Yup...static....aka dust magnet. Also look at the back of your lens cap before you put it back on your clean lens. I wonder if there is a way to demagnetize your lens front element.
You could always try using anti-static wrist straps to neutralize the differential of charges when cleaning your lenses. And another suggestion is to keep the humidity in your cleaning room a bit higher to reduce the buildup of static. Just a thought...it's the way they reduce static for the production of ICs and sensitive electronics equipment.
Mar 13, 2013 11:42:09 #
Wonder if one of those old 'Diskman' anti-static guns from the 1980s (used before playing a vinyl disk) would work?
Mar 13, 2013 12:22:07 #
I have one and frequently use it when framing my photographs. it works great for that purpose to get rid of dust so it should be good for filters also
just don't use it on your camera interior. The anti-static film brushes we used in the darkroom days also worked well if you can still find them.
Mar 13, 2013 12:47:17 #
No, I've never had dust behind the filter.
tiger1640 wrote:
I know many of you here keep at least UV filters on some if not all your lens. The questions is how does the "magic dust" get inside the filter even tho you hardly ever take it off. Has any of you gotten dust on the inside of your filters and not wonder where and how it go in there?
Mar 13, 2013 16:50:43 #
A laundry static sheet wrapped around the outside of the lens barrel during cleaning, and when putting filter on will help eliminate static. Also you can mix Downey and a little water (50/50), in a spray bottle, spray it on the floor, and stand on it while cleaning, should also eliminate the static charge.
Mar 13, 2013 18:54:49 #
Mar 13, 2013 21:43:40 #
tiger1640 wrote:
I know many of you here keep at least UV filters on some if not all your lens. The questions is how does the "magic dust" get inside the filter even tho you hardly ever take it off. Has any of you gotten dust on the inside of your filters and not wonder where and how it go in there?
Some of us remember the time of vinyl records, the biggest electrostatic attractant of dust tha there was. There are "electrostatic guns" that did a great job with the problem. The dust beween the filter and the lens has to related to electrostatic charges. An electrostatic gun might be helpful with this problem. Googling for those relics of the vinyl era will probably find som of those guns or similar tools.
Mar 13, 2013 22:09:32 #
Lots of guesses, probably more than one cause. Static attraction is one cause, lenses "dust pumping" is another. Be careful using fabric softener sprays or sheets because if a little gets on your lens it is tough to scrub it off.
In the real world it is nearly impossible to keep dust out of lenses; I have a Tamron 200-400 push-pull type lens and they are nicknamed dust pumps because they get dust behind the front glass. If your problem is just between the filter and front lens, then you are lucky. I have a couple of old ones with metal shavings inside. They sparkle when you shine a flashlight inside!
My advice: since you can't totally eliminate the dust you can take measures to cut down on it. You may have an old camera bag that has taken on dirt or the padding is starting to break down. New one may help. When you clean your lenses use a clean lens cloth (and don't put them in your pocket, if you drop them don't use them on your glass!) Wash your lens cloths in mild detergent; you can dry them in a clothes dryer but never use fabric softener. I hang mine to dry in the shower (less dust in there) then bag them before placing in the camera bag. I have at least two anywhere I go in case one falls on the ground or floor. You might try wearing vinyl or latex gloves when cleaning your lenses to prevent skin flakes, but the big benefit is preventing skin contact with the lens. If you have to change filters outside and you notice a little dust, don't blow on the lens; the moisture in your breath with actually facilitate static cling.
Hope this helps.
In the real world it is nearly impossible to keep dust out of lenses; I have a Tamron 200-400 push-pull type lens and they are nicknamed dust pumps because they get dust behind the front glass. If your problem is just between the filter and front lens, then you are lucky. I have a couple of old ones with metal shavings inside. They sparkle when you shine a flashlight inside!
My advice: since you can't totally eliminate the dust you can take measures to cut down on it. You may have an old camera bag that has taken on dirt or the padding is starting to break down. New one may help. When you clean your lenses use a clean lens cloth (and don't put them in your pocket, if you drop them don't use them on your glass!) Wash your lens cloths in mild detergent; you can dry them in a clothes dryer but never use fabric softener. I hang mine to dry in the shower (less dust in there) then bag them before placing in the camera bag. I have at least two anywhere I go in case one falls on the ground or floor. You might try wearing vinyl or latex gloves when cleaning your lenses to prevent skin flakes, but the big benefit is preventing skin contact with the lens. If you have to change filters outside and you notice a little dust, don't blow on the lens; the moisture in your breath with actually facilitate static cling.
Hope this helps.
Mar 14, 2013 00:43:55 #
bunuweld wrote:
Some of us remember the time of vinyl records, the biggest electrostatic attractant of dust tha there was. There are "electrostatic guns" that did a great job with the problem. The dust beween the filter and the lens has to related to electrostatic charges. An electrostatic gun might be helpful with this problem. Googling for those relics of the vinyl era will probably find som of those guns or similar tools.
Some of us remember the time of vinyl records, the biggest electrostatic attractant of dust tha there was. There are "electrostatic guns" that did a great job with the problem. The dust beween the filter and the lens has to related to electrostatic charges. An electrostatic gun might be helpful with this problem. Googling for those relics of the vinyl era will probably find som of those guns or similar tools.
I decided to follow my own advice and Googled the antistatic gun. At least a model still existsSee Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/MILTY-ZEROSTAT-ANTI-STATIC-GUN-BLUE/dp/B0033SHDSS
The problem is that it is expensive ($99.00). All nine Amazon reviews give it five stars, and all of them concern the job the tool did with their vinyl records. I doubt that any photographer will be willing to spend that for something that can be achieved manually at practically no cost.
Mar 14, 2013 01:37:56 #
Why use the UV filter in the first place? You put another element between your expensive lens and getting a good picture.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.