DSLR Maintenance - Orchid Board

JaneEyre · #1 08-06-2012, 02:21 AM

I have a Canon T2i that I got about 2 years ago. So far, I have been doing a minimal approach to cleaning and maintenance as I am always worried to scratch the lens.

So, I was wondering what everyone does. How often? What products everyone uses? Other maintenance besides cleaning? Does anyone use air dusters (like the ones that are under pressure in the cans). Do you clean the body parts (mirrors, etc)? And so on...

I would Love to hear your practices as I think it will help me a lot with the camera maintenance.

WhiteRabbit · #2 08-06-2012, 10:16 PM

Bloomin_Aussie · #3 08-07-2012, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneEyre

I have a Canon T2i that I got about 2 years ago. So far, I have been doing a minimal approach to cleaning and maintenance as I am always worried to scratch the lens.

So, I was wondering what everyone does. How often? What products everyone uses? Other maintenance besides cleaning? Does anyone use air dusters (like the ones that are under pressure in the cans). Do you clean the body parts (mirrors, etc)? And so on...

I would Love to hear your practices as I think it will help me a lot with the camera maintenance.

You really shouldn't need to do too much in the way of cleaning the internals unless you live in a very dusty environment, especially if you don't change lenses often. I've owned Canon DSLRs for the last 8 years and I've only ever once needed to clean a mirror due to a misplaced finger.

I rarely clean sensors but if I do it is with the sticky pad type of cleaning kit... Can't remember the name. Whatever you do, don't use canned air for blowing dust out. It is too high pressure and comes out very cold due to the propellant. Try out the rocket blower instead.

As for lenses, I start with a wet clean using a commercial lens cleaning solution and microfiber cloth then finish with a dry microfiber. Lense coatings are generally pretty tough... Much tougher than the coating on a mirror.

RosieC · #4 08-07-2012, 12:01 PM

I've only had a DSLR a year but I've not found any need so far to clean internals.

For the lenses I use a microfiber cloth, so far a dry cloth has been all I needed for the accidental arm prints (bumped into hubby as he was lifting it up on a big lens and got my arm print smack on the lens) or a blower for dust (we use the "Rocket Blower" Dan mentions Giottos GTAA1900 Rocket Air Blower it's pretty good).

tucker85 · #5 08-07-2012, 12:35 PM

I know there aren't very many good camera stores around anymore but luckily I have one near me. I bought an inexpensive lens cleaning kit from them. I haven't had the inside components of my camera cleaned yet but this camera store provides that service if it should become necessary.

JaneEyre · #6 08-07-2012, 11:32 PM

Thank you everyone for suggestions. This really helps. I haven't been cleaning the lens as often, so your comments put my mind at ease. So far I have been using microfiber cloth on the lens. I recently got one of those pens with powdery black sponge on one side and dusting brush on the other and I'm not sure if I like it. I have been looking to buy that exact rocket blower so it is nice to know it is highly recommended. As far as the body goes, I haven't changed out lenses as often but my hubby borrowed it to take rough pics through a telescope and he didn't have the right adapter so he just had the body open to the air as he took pictures. I don't think dirt got in.

tropterrarium · #7 08-09-2012, 03:07 AM

Lens: if you are concerned about the coating, you can add a clear filter or a skylight 1A/1B as a protective filter. Then clean the filter to your heart's content, and if it should scratch, you can easily replace the filter.
Downside is slight internal reflection, slight loss in light transmission. With modern multicoated quality filters (B&W for instance), that is mostly a non-issue. I have a 1A on all most of my lenses, on wide angles a slim version. Only the big tele (a 300 f/2.8) cannot be fitted with one. Actually, on the MPE 65 I don't have one either. There the lens is too far back, so internal reflections become more of an issue.

Cleaning of the lens is done with fine cloth, lens cleaning fluid, occasionally also by breathing onto the lens (not ideal, but works in a pinch). As other commented, coatings are pretty tough these days.

Camera: Mirrors are very delicate, so be EXTREMELY careful.

Focusing screen can be taken out in some cameras, but I don't think on a T2i, that's more of a high end camera feature. Then that can be cleaned and if it gets damaged even replaced. Have not had too many issues in any of the cameras I've used in the past 30 years (OM2, 3 4, Nikon F3, Pentax LX, Contax RTSIII, Canon 5dmkII).

Sensor: also VERY delicate. There are dedicated cleaning kits available, select the proper size for your camera. Only use a swab once, never re-use it, as the dirt the swab picked up may scratch the sensor.

In some higher end cameras, there is also a dust-delete function, similar in concept to a custom white balance. That can make dust disappear, but notice this is software interpolation, so the camera "invents" certain pixel values. Dust becomes a significant issue in z-stacking, and having a clean camera system can significantly reduce the amount of post production work in photoshop.

Canned air: keep it away from the inner parts of the camera, it will likely cause way more harm than good. On a lens surface maybe, but not really either. It's good to clean some sturdy pieces of equipment such as extension rings and bellows.

Changing lenses is possibly the main reason dust gets into the camera. I feel lucky if in three shots I only use two different lenses, often try rather four. So the need to clean depends on your shooting style. I don't think about dust too much. It happens and can be dealt with. I rather want to get the shot with the right lens. I only use prime lenses, so this explains why I usually change them between shots.

tropterrarium · #8 08-09-2012, 03:09 AM

Forgot: the one thing that really gets gunked up is the view finder. Take a cotton swab, moisten it, and clean it in several rounds. Absolutely astonishing what gets stuck there.

JaneEyre · #9 08-10-2012, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tropterrarium

Forgot: the one thing that really gets gunked up is the view finder. Take a cotton swab, moisten it, and clean it in several rounds. Absolutely astonishing what gets stuck there.

Yes! My viewfinder gets gunky. I have fair skin so I have to wear sunblock when I go on a hike. I am noticing some sunscreen residue on the viewfinder rim - kind of gross.

Thank you so much for all your tips. This was exactly the info I was seeking. I'm glad I haven't used canned air on the camera (I was tempted).

I believe my camera has a dust delete function but I haven't used it yet. I've been actually avoidiong it. It's like one of those things when you know you have a dead pixel on your monitor - once you know where it is, it will bother you forever. Hehe.