Dust Away!
20 ways to clean the image sensor of your digital camera.
While at the 2007 PMA trade show in Las Vegas, I ran into Curt Fargo at his “The Dust Patrol” booth. Although Curt and his associates’ main purpose was to market their new “D-SLR Brush”, Curt introduced me to a new Web site he has created to help demystify digital SLR sensor cleaning, and describes 20 methods to do it: http://www.CleaningDigitalCameras.com
What makes this site unique from all other places that sell sensor cleaning supplies is that their information appears to be very unbiased - they don’t offer information on only one method, but offer information on ALL major methods, and tell you the pros and cons of each method. In addition, Curt is a certified photographic consultant and a professional camera repairman. He has also enlisted the advise of Larry Lyells, Camera Repairs most published author. This is a GREAT resource, with plenty of how-to and make-it-yourself instructions!
I don’t mind giving a plug for Curt’s own invention, the “D-SLR Brush” that sells for $24.95. These fine-bristled nylon brushes (quality made in Germany) are about $75 less than the popular “Sensor Brush” brand. Both brush brands are energized to attract dust by blowing air through it, creating a static charge. This effect is called the triboelectric effect. This not only charges the brush but it helps dislodge and remove any previously captured dust particles still in the brush. With a freshly charged brush, you whisk ever so lightly across the sensor, and the charge on the soft bristles attracts the dust from the sensor onto the bristles leaving you with a clean sensor.
Using this proven method, most dust can be quickly and easily removed from the camera’s image sensor. Less than 5% of sensor dust attaches itself with moisture (or “Welded Dust"), which has to be removed by more time-consuming “wet methods” that Curt describes on his “CleaningDigitalCameras.com” site.
The “D-SLR Brush” and his preventative dust control “ChamberSwab” are sold on his “The Dust Patrol” Web site (http://www.TheDustPatrol.com).
Posted by Royce Bair on 03/23 at 11:51 AM
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