How NOT To Clean A DSLR--Can of Air

[dcraton]

Here are the final comments I made from a thread yesterday that I hope will be

helpful to anyone who uses a DSLR.

 

Final comments here as I have discovered the error is on my part. I was

instructed to use a can of air to clean out the exterior of the camera,

battery compartment, memory card compartment and even to dust off the inside

of the lens mount--the mirror and sensor area. However, as Brian Y has noted,

this is the worst thing you can do to clean a camera, notably a digital. This

is probably my own doing. I have just read several articles that this is the

WORST choice you can make for cleaning a digital cam in that you are actually

driving dust and moisture into the internal components of the camera. Now all

of this makes sense as I have always used proper cleaning tools from a pro

shop before--never have had problems until I started using air, and that was

only recently this year. Just Google "camera cleaning with a can of air" and

you will find several articles on this as well as here:

http://www.ritzcamera.com/static/articles/tips/summertime-tuneup.html. And,

this is an excellent site (do not use canned air):

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/. Even the great and heralded KR gives

good advice: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/cleaning.htm. However, dusting

off a lens filter after a shoot with air is OK. To Anthony, I am considering

D200's and the reason this thread is so long is because people like me.

Actually, I suspect this is so unusual and many use the D series Nikons

through 80 that do not have environmental seals, there is concern. So, there

you have it. Be thou not worried and use your can of air for what is is made

for: not digital cameras. A MAJOR THANK YOU to everyone. I am honestly and

hopefully sincere this has been good for p.net and all who shoot.

 

I wish I could tell you that I am a young and inexperienced photograher. I am

not. I am 49 and this has my career since 1978. I should have checked out

the information and taken responsibility before using this maligned

procedure. No, I do not feel stupid. I realize that it is often mistakes and

poor choices that can be our best teacher. I still and will be "learning."

Best wishes to all.

[andrew robertson]

It says right in the manual of most cameras manufactured in the last 10-15 years that you

shouldn't ever use compressed air to clean them. Whoever instructed you to do this needs

to read those articles you pointed out.

[ilkka]

The reason why compressed air is bad for some sensitive camera parts is the strength of that stream of air which can damage shutter curtains, and the possibility that some liquid propellant can fly out of the nozzle with the air and get stuck on the DSLR sensor. Other than that, compressed air is a handy thing to have around.

[dcraton]

It is, but not for the inside compartments or places where moisture and chemicals from the can can be expelled into the cam bod or drive existing external moisture via persperation or condensation to the PCB or other sensitive parts. I knew all this. And yes, I have already written the not to be named company and individual who instructed our company to clean in this manner.

 

Nikon is going to replace the insides of my D80 at a very minimal cost and give me an extra 6 months on the warranty. I am very happy here in all ways. Just cost me some time, research, and a bit of money. Small price for our company and to help others.

[dcraton]

ps: I have read the D80 manual several times and there is no information concerning compressed air that I can find. However, that is not an excuse. I knew better and acted without trusting my own educated experience and/or reading further to make sure the advice was good. It's the first time since 1978 that I have made a mistake in this industry except for all the other daily ones I can't seem to remember now.