How often should you clean your camera and sensors: Last year I purchased a Nikon 7500. As part of the dealers warranty package I get 3 free cleanings. The warranty package is over a 3...

Michael S

Last year I purchased a Nikon 7500. As part of the dealers warranty package I get 3 free cleanings. The warranty package is over a 3 year period. How often should I get the camera cleaned. Also how should I handle lens. Thank you.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Michael S wrote:

Last year I purchased a Nikon 7500. As part of the dealers warranty package I get 3 free cleanings. The warranty package is over a 3 year period. How often should I get the camera cleaned. Also how should I handle lens. Thank you.

The answer is clean the sensor as often as it needs it. Not more. Not less.

Take reference shots, now and save them. Take them after every cleaning. They will come in handy.

When you handle the lens don't touch the glass and don't drop it. Change lenses in a clean area free of drafts and dust.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Michael S wrote:

Last year I purchased a Nikon 7500. As part of the dealers warranty package I get 3 free cleanings. The warranty package is over a 3 year period. How often should I get the camera cleaned. Also how should I handle lens. Thank you.

Michael I would suggest once a year unless you are in a hostel environment. I assume they will clean the lens also.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Michael S wrote:

Last year I purchased a Nikon 7500. As part of the dealers warranty package I get 3 free cleanings. The warranty package is over a 3 year period. How often should I get the camera cleaned. Also how should I handle lens. Thank you.

Any reason you cannot check your user's manual??

srt101fan

Leitz wrote:

Any reason you cannot check your user's manual??

Another friendly, useful response....

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I want to expand on my answer: clean the sensor as often as it needs it. Not more. Not less.

There can be great variability in when a camera sensor needs cleaning. Some camera bodies require more frequent cleaning than others. The way the camera is used plays a role. Settings play a role. Do you have auto-clean at startup/shutdown turned on? It will help. Good Lens changing hygiene helps.

That's why I suggest take ref pics. And Look at you shots. If you take pics and notice goobers it's time to clean it.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If it is needed clean the sensor.
Cameras should be cleaned after each use.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

JD750 wrote:

If you take pics and notice goobers it's time to clean it.

Dust bunnies are easily detected and indicate the need for sensor cleaning, whether a simple dust-off or a more vigorous technique.

But I wonder how one can tell if the sensor has developed some type of a filmy coating (for example from visiting the ocean's salty air too often, or living in an area of poor air quality, etc.) that might be degrading images in less obvious ways?

steve49 Loc: massachusetts

Shoot a pic of the blue sky with the lens closed to its smallest aperture.
You will see how much dust is on the sensor.

try to be careful changing lenses.. in a car or a windless place helps.

A lot depends on how much you use the camera really. How often you change lenses.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

JD750 wrote:

The answer is clean the sensor as often as it needs it. Not more. Not less.

The only correct answer so far.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

steve49 wrote:

Shoot a pic of the blue sky with the lens closed to its smallest aperture.
You will see how much dust is on the sensor.

try to be careful changing lenses.. in a car or a windless place helps.

A lot depends on how much you use the camera really. How often you change lenses.

Agree. But my concern is debris other than discrete dust particles. Some type of filmy deposit on the lens that, rather than creating dots and blotches, degrades sharpness.

SteveG Loc: Norh Carolina

srt101fan wrote:

Another friendly, useful response....

That's why I only send private messages now

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Excellent reply, clean the sensor as often as it needs it. Not more. Not less.

In lieu of that. I was taught an easy way to find the few spots within a photograph and remove them. So, with me, it's clean when absolutely necessary.
--Bob

JD750 wrote:

The answer is clean the sensor as often as it needs it. Not more. Not less.

Take reference shots, now and save them. Take them after every cleaning. They will come in handy.

When you handle the lens don't touch the glass and don't drop it. Change lenses in a clean area free of drafts and dust.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Michael S wrote:

Last year I purchased a Nikon 7500. As part of the dealers warranty package I get 3 free cleanings. The warranty package is over a 3 year period. How often should I get the camera cleaned. Also how should I handle lens. Thank you.

Here is something to ponder.
https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-camera-cleaning-kits

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Food for thought...
For those who use mirrorless with IBIS
Caution: Sensor cleaning can very easily damage IBIS

This has been well documented for over 5 years...
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/56459586
https://www.sonyalphaforum.com/topic/615-sensor-cleaning-on-a7-mark-iidoes-ibis-create-special-situation/

And another thorn in the side of Mirrorless...
Proceed at your own risk...