CharlesA Loc: New Jersey

Yep, my understanding is that the Olympus dust-shaker is the best one out there. It may also have something to do with the coating they use on the AA-filter. Nikon's shaker seems to work only for loose dust, once it gets "stuck" on the surface, you need to be more proactive.

Charles

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

Dust on the sensor (film plane) will always be visible, regardless of lens, to various degrees based on exposure. Light can wrap around the dust and may APPEAR to render it moot in certain shots, but it is there and will show up on others.

I too, have never cleaned my digital stuff EXCEPT the Digital Hasselblad I acquired from a friend. UGH, was that sensor covered in muck.

But, after a +/- $75 cleaning at Sammy's, a big local camera store, and all is well again. They have the clean room and an experienced tech.

In the movie business, you might here "check the gate" which means to check and see if any hairs or what not are near the film. The same applies to digital things exposed to the elements.

Common sense tells you to change lenses with the camera in front of you and the wind at your back. You do whatever is needed to keep junk from flying in the camera, as it WILL find its way to your frame. The good thing about film is that you have a new frame for every shot. That said, if something is stuck on the gate, it will be etched on every frame until detection.

Additionally, you might like to invest in a rubber blower bulb, which is good for blowing out your camera, including the sensor. I use one on the Pocket Cinema Camera a lot, as there is no shutter covering THAT sensor. A few puffs are a good thing.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Except that the em1 doesn't have an aa filter :-)

CharlesA Loc: New Jersey

Duly noted, but it has to have a piece of optical glass covering the sensor array and therein lies the dust-shaker. The sensor doesn't shake or vibrate, just that component.

Charles

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

Dirty sensor not a myth. I frequently change lenses "in the field." I once acquired a piece of something on the sensor. It wasn't large enough that it was apparent in the small images visible on the camera's display, but it was certainly obvious when I downloaded the images and viewed them on a monitor. But I have been shooting digital for ten years or more, and it's only happened once. As far as contamination of a sensor, nothing good will ever come of it--if it has anything on it, clean it yourself, or get it cleaned if you aren't willing to try it yourself. If you are in a situation where one zoom lens fulfills all of your needs, you will eliminate the possibility of sensor contamination by using that one zoom lens.

Baz Loc: Peterborough UK

I have never cleaned the sensor on my D300s, which I have had for about 4 years now. It is now the reserve camera, but in it's day was the main one. I also have a D800, which I have had to clean a few times. This has also been cleaned by Nikon a couple of times. My style of shooting has not changed. I tend to shoot reasonably wide open, and regularly change lenses wherever and whenever I feel the need to. Otherwise what is the point of having a camera with this capability ? So, 2 things have changed. 1 is pixel numbers, which allows for even greater magnification, and 2, I now have a cat. This cat (Nikon by name, should have been Trix (Tri-x)as he is black and white, but my brain wasn't quick enough at the time.) is capable of generating an infinite quantity of fine hairs, which I suspect could be the main problem. Now, I take the camera into work to clean if need be, as there are no pets there. I have stopped using the wet method, but rely in the main on a blower and an anti static butterfly brush. On rare occasions I will resort to the gel sticks. It works for me. Don't get too paranoid about it. If you do, you will never change a lens. Just take the normal precautions and get on with taking the photographs. Do always switch off when changing lenses though. That has nothing to do with dust, but the fact that you are coupling and uncoupling various electrical contacts between the lens and the body, even potentially shorting them out. Not very sensible to do that while they are live.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

A lot of customers require spot free images so we are very keen on having clean sensors and lenses - it saves hours in Photoshop.
In a dusty or high static atmosphere, such as the African bush, sensors get cleaned when they need it; ranges from one every few days to never.
Back in Europe the main problem is moisture condensation when working in the wet - again cleaning when required.
Cleaning a sensor is not rocket science, there are plenty of YouTube videos and the like.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Thanks for the post, SS.
I had to wonder the same thing. I never once cleaned my sensor, after all these years, on my XTi. I've been careful changing lenses. Learned how in a class years ago. (1) find the red, or white, dot on the lens, and put your finger on it and set it down. (2) loosen the cap but don't remove it. (3) Make sure the camera is off and, while holding the camera facing down, (and insuring the front cap is on) remove the lens. (4) set the lens down and set the cap that was on the other lens on the back. (5) install the lens (6) properly install the back cap on the lens you just removed. If possible, do this inside the car with the windows up, or house, or somewhere out of the wind.

Kubie Loc: SE Kansas

Only have had one spot issue, a large blotch on every picture that kept moving around. I took off the lens allowing the fly that had somehow gotten in at the last lens change to leave. Problem solved but I'm still scratching my head on how it got stuck in there!!

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

I hate it when those beach bunnies show up! ;-)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

BUMMER! :lol:
SS

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I do remember a "spot issue" I found with a brand new (to me) refurbed lens from Nikon.
It was when I first received my 10-24mm wide angle lens.
I was so upset! I thought I could see a spot inside the front lens.
After several diagnostic shots, much evaluation, and fussing, I cures my case of "The Spot"....

After cleaning my monitor, no more dirty sensor or questionable lens. :shock:
And I think the spot inside the lens was just a reflection of my stupid face.

I still choose to not take a Brillo Pad to the heart of my camera. ;)

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

But it's a good thing.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Thanks for reminding me!! I noticed some spots in the results of the last shoot and had made a mental note to clean the sensor. I make it simple by using the menu option to clean the sensor, then I lock the mirror up and use my rocket blower heartily.

But, your post made me think of my experiences in this area. I started with a D90 and I never cleaned the mirror box on that body. I used the menu option a couple of times, but nothing other than that. The replacement for my D90 was the D600. That's where I was completely introduced to this phenomenon. Nikon eventually replaced it with a D610, that I currently have. I have cleaned it, by the above method, twice in over a year.

For me, it's just part of the game. Nothing more, nothing less.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Charles, I would not doubt that the Oly shaker is best. Someone's has to be. But I have never seen a shaker-shootout! I'd like to see something that might indicate that. That's how easily urban legends get started. :lol:
SS