Best air blower for camera?

AuraTodd
Posted 29/11/2014 - 10:21 Link
What is the best rocket blower for an SLR please? I am going to be brave a change lenses as I am going to make my own Christmas cards, but I am worried about dust getting into the camera or on the lens mount.

Can you advise me please?

Thanks.

percy
Posted 29/11/2014 - 11:01 Link
You won't go wrong with one of the Giottos Rocket Air blowers link
swarf
Posted 29/11/2014 - 11:18 Link
percy wrote:
You won't go wrong with one of the Giottos Rocket Air blowers link
+1

Even better than one of these is a can of Air Duster spray if used properly (e.g. Kenro Kenair, or similar - I use the 5 Star Air Duster), but you need to make sure that you always follow the instructions and keep the can upright in use and give it a couple of 'puffs' before using it on your camera or lens.

It's always a good idea to change lenses in as dust free environment as practicable, and keep the camera pointing downwards (or at least not upwards!). I also keep the lens mount end pointing down until I actually put them together. I change lenses pretty frequently and have very rarely had a dust problem.

Phil
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percy
Posted 29/11/2014 - 11:42 Link
swarf wrote:

Even better than one of these is a can of Air Duster spray if used properly (e.g. Kenro Kenair, or similar - I use the 5 Star Air Duster), but you need to make sure that you always follow the instructions and keep the can upright in use and give it a couple of 'puffs' before using it on your camera or lens.
Phil
Just a word of caution - If you do use this kind of product make sure you get a reputable one that is designed for camera equipment. A general use air duster will almost certainly spray some water droplets.
LennyBloke
Posted 29/11/2014 - 11:54 - Helpful Comment Link
+1 for the GiottoS
LennyBloke
gtis
Posted 29/11/2014 - 14:46 Link
LennyBloke wrote:
+1 for the GiottoS
+2
cheers Neil
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AuraTodd
Posted 29/11/2014 - 17:49 Link
Quote:
It's always a good idea to change lenses in as dust free environment as practicable, and keep the camera pointing downwards (or at least not upwards!). I also keep the lens mount end pointing down until I actually put them together. I change lenses pretty frequently and have very rarely had a dust problem.
That's what I am worried about. The 55-200 isn't good for still life and abstract photo's. It struggles to focus on anything close up, so I will be using my kit lens can you recommend a lens for still life's?
percy
Posted 29/11/2014 - 18:48 Link
I wouldn't worry too much about getting dust inside the camera. It's pretty much inevitable that it will get in sooner or later. Most of the time it causes no problem and goes unnoticed (although it can be a bit irritating if it's visible in the viewfinder). The sensor can be cleaned easily enough either with a blower, or for more stubborn dust or marks sensor swabs are available.

A DSLR is designed to be able to change lenses as needed. If you are sensible about it and try to avoid changing in dusty/windy conditions then you should be ok. So just go out, use it and enjoy it without worrying about it
johnriley
Posted 29/11/2014 - 18:49 - Helpful Comment Link
Quote:
can you recommend a lens for still life's?
It depends upon the size of the still life. The standard 18-55mm or any standard zoom will do fine for most things, but a macro lens if you need to get it very close to small subjects.

Comment Image


This still life was shot with the 18-55mm lens, at f/16.
Best regards, John
McGregNi
Posted 29/11/2014 - 19:31 - Helpful Comment Link
Going back to original question, I don't think its a good idea to use a blower into the camera with the lens off is it? I think you're more likely to blow dust into the camera. I would suggest not worrying about dust getting in - just change the lens indoors and point the camera downwards while the lens is off to stop any dust floating in from the air.

I would avoid carrying out any specific blowing or cleaning until there's a noticable problem. I would make sure the dust removal feature is activated to operate at each camera switch on. That should keep things ok for a good while.
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Edited by McGregNi: 29/11/2014 - 19:32
Gwyn
Posted 29/11/2014 - 20:50 Link
McGregNi wrote:
Going back to original question, I don't think its a good idea to use a blower into the camera with the lens off is it? I think you're more likely to blow dust into the camera. I would suggest not worrying about dust getting in - just change the lens indoors and point the camera downwards while the lens is off to stop any dust floating in from the air.

I would avoid carrying out any specific blowing or cleaning until there's a noticable problem. I would make sure the dust removal feature is activated to operate at each camera switch on. That should keep things ok for a good while.
I agree - sound advice!
bwlchmawr
Posted 29/11/2014 - 20:54 Link
Gwyn wrote:
McGregNi wrote:
Going back to original question, I don't think its a good idea to use a blower into the camera with the lens off is it? I think you're more likely to blow dust into the camera. I would suggest not worrying about dust getting in - just change the lens indoors and point the camera downwards while the lens is off to stop any dust floating in from the air.

I would avoid carrying out any specific blowing or cleaning until there's a noticable problem. I would make sure the dust removal feature is activated to operate at each camera switch on. That should keep things ok for a good while.
I agree - sound advice!
Yes, I'd never try this, it's so easy to do more harm than good. I have specks of dust on all of my sensors and just put up with it. It's annoying and time consuming but so was "spotting" negatives in the dark ages. Apparently the latest Pentax cameras, like K5s, are less prone to dust accumulating than earlier ones.
Best wishes,

Andrew

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davidstorm
Posted 29/11/2014 - 21:00 Link
It shouldn't be a problem using a Giottos Rocket blower, I've used mine many times with no issues. Remember to hold the camera facing downwards when you use the blower and you won't introduce more dust. I also change lenses very frequently and always hold the camera downwards when doing so. I don't have problems with dust on the sensor.

Regards
David
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Gwyn
Posted 29/11/2014 - 21:14 - Helpful Comment Link
I change lenses a lot. I don't have problems with dust.
On the odd occasion I have had I have cloned out the marks until it got too annoying, when I cleaned the sensor with a Butterfly.
There seems little point in buying a blower and risking importing dust when good lens changing habits can help prevent it in the first place. Since Aura rarely changes lenses she should start by learning to do it properly, and only worry about dust on the sensor should it actually happen. Pentax cameras are pretty good at keeping the sensor clean anyway.
McGregNi
Posted 29/11/2014 - 21:41 Link
I think the best kind of sensor cleaning product is an antistatic swab (is that like the butterfly you mentioned Gwyn?) But again, I would not do anything until there is noticable problems with the images and the SR system dust removal on the camera is not clearing it.

David .. why do you blow air into the mirror box?
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver

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