Cleaning - How do you do it?

[Kermit power]

Hi All,

Could anyone on here either provide, or point me in the direction of a decent guide to how to clean lenses and also the sensor on my Canon 450D?

I'd like to get everything properly clean, and then make sure I've got the right kit for keeping it all nice and clean moving forward.

[Kermit power]

Anyone?

[Simpo Two]

When changing lenses, switch the camera off, point the body downwards and swap lenses quickly. Also, don't change lenses when the propwash from a P51 Mustang is blowing grass clippings at you.

Most dust can be removed with a 'rocket blower'. Don't get obsessed over sensor dust - my sensor hasn't had more than the occasional puff in 50,000 shots (though most of my work is at large aperture which makes most dust effectively invisible). Sensor dust will show up most with small apertures and plain backgrounds - eg I find sunny blue skies are where it shows up first.

[d1d215]

I clean my with lenspen. nice tool !

[Kermit power]

d1d215 said:

I clean my with lenspen. nice tool !

Just ordered one for £6.25 off Amazon.

[d1d215]

I have a feeling that you would need a different one for the sensor. as mine cost ~11quid and I wouldn't like to risk my sensor saving 5quid. but well - i'm not really competent. it would be safe to order sensor klear just for the sensor.

p.s. sorry that I didn't tell you this faster, but well, you need one just for the lenses anyway i guess. as I wouldn't use the brush thing from sensorklear for lenses either.

Edited by d1d215 on Monday 4th January 14:02

[SamHH]

For lenses I use a lens cleaning papers (they're like rolling papers) or one of those little cloths that you get with glasses. Or my T-shirt when I'm not at home.

For the sensor I use a Visible Dust Arctic Butterfly like this:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-visible-dust-a...

It's good. It comes with instructions

Edited by SamHH on Monday 4th January 17:56

[Kermit power]

d1d215 said:

I have a feeling that you would need a different one for the sensor. as mine cost ~11quid and I wouldn't like to risk my sensor saving 5quid. but well - i'm not really competent. it would be safe to order sensor klear just for the sensor.

p.s. sorry that I didn't tell you this faster, but well, you need one just for the lenses anyway i guess. as I wouldn't use the brush thing from sensorklear for lenses either.

Don't worry. I bought this with a view to using it just for lenses.

[d1d215]

SamHH said:

For lenses I use a lens cleaning papers (they're like rolling papers) or one of those little cloths that you get with glasses. Or my T-shirt when I'm not at home.

For the sensor I use a Visible Dust Arctic Butterfly like this:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-visible-dust-a...

It's good. It comes with instructions

Edited by SamHH on Monday 4th January 17:56

how is it better than my 11quid pen ? is it vibrating if it requires batteries ?
good quality t-shirts are often all that is needed, agree.

Kermit power said:

d1d215 said:

I have a feeling that you would need a different one for the sensor. as mine cost ~11quid and I wouldn't like to risk my sensor saving 5quid. but well - i'm not really competent. it would be safe to order sensor klear just for the sensor.

p.s. sorry that I didn't tell you this faster, but well, you need one just for the lenses anyway i guess. as I wouldn't use the brush thing from sensorklear for lenses either.

Don't worry. I bought this with a view to using it just for lenses.

good ! . get the pen too, it's easy to use, cheap and gets you there.

[miniman]

d1d215 said:

how is it better than my 11quid pen ? is it vibrating if it requires batteries ?
good quality t-shirts are often all that is needed, agree.

Step away from the camera!

The arctic butterfly is for sensor cleaning. The lens pen is for lens cleaning. Microfibre cleaning cloths are not like good quality t-shirts.

[SamHH]

d1d215 said:

how is it better than my 11quid pen ?

I don't know. I've not tested or read about your thing.

d1d215 said:

is it vibrating if it requires batteries ?

Yes, it vibrates to get a static charge. You turn it off the brush the sensor.

[d1d215]

miniman said:

d1d215 said:

how is it better than my 11quid pen ? is it vibrating if it requires batteries ?
good quality t-shirts are often all that is needed, agree.

Step away from the camera!

The arctic butterfly is for sensor cleaning. The lens pen is for lens cleaning. Microfibre cleaning cloths are not like good quality t-shirts.

what is that supposed to mean ? first of all - lenspen is a brand so they make alot of things including sensor cleaner.

[miniman]

You clean your lenses with a t-shirt?

[Rofly Lollers]

This link shows you how to check for dust and clean your sensor.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Photography-Tip...

Edit: Jessops are doing a special on the sensor klean and lenspen items. The sensor klean kit is now £17 down from £34.

Edited by Rofly Lollers on Monday 4th January 20:13

[d1d215]

miniman said:

You clean your lenses with a t-shirt?

I used to yes ! oh ! well, ok. I do sometimes now too shooting outside in bad weather + I'm not actually touching the lens as I have filter or filters.