Keeping your Sensor clean

[NormalWisdom]

I am currently mildly irritated by my inability to keep my sensor clean. I have a couple of D7100s one of which (to overcome the problem) I have a lens permanently attached, the other the lenses get changed regularly. What advice can you guys offer in terms of ways I can mitigate the risk of contamination especially when changing lenses (which I think I am really careful about!)

Thanks - NW

[GetCarter]

Keep the lens attached!

I have never taken the lens off my D800 and have no dust spots to speak of.

The D3 (change lenses regularly) is a rubbish dump for dust.

Only advice is change lenses outside, NEVER inside, and face camera down whilst changing.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 18th May 18:52

[crmcatee]

What Getcarter says but always switch your camera off when changing lenses and when you do switch it off keep it face down.

[ian in lancs]

GetCarter said:

Keep the lens attached!

I have never taken the lens off my D800 and have no dust spots to speak of.

The D3 (change lenses regularly) is a rubbish dump for dust.

Only advice is change lenses outside, NEVER inside, and face camera down whilst changing.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 18th May 18:52

yup and get an artic butterfly

[RobDickinson]

change lenses when you need to.

Do it with the camera facing down.

if its windy/dusty do it in a plastic bag.

Or own one body per lens.

TBH my sensors are usually filthy, which is easy to clean up in post most of the time.

Unless I am timelapsing :/

[Simpo Two]

I've changed lenses thousands of times (quickly with the camera switched off) and dust is rarely an issue. Mind you I mostly shoot at large apertures which makes all but the biggest disappear. Even at f8/11 the odd little spot is easy to clone out.

I did however get caught out once as a P51 Mustang turned to take off and blew a load of grass clippings over me!

[droopsnoot]

RobDickinson said:

TBH my sensors are usually filthy, which is easy to clean up in post most of the time.

I'm glad to hear it's not just me that has this trouble. I don't have so much success with removing dots, but that's another story. I always change lens with the body face down.

[GetCarter]

droopsnoot said:

I don't have so much success with removing dots, but that's another story.

Lightroom is brilliant at this. Takes seconds.

[NormalWisdom]

Thanks for the answers guys, much appreciated, I guess I need to be more careful and perhaps do a bit more post processing!

I don't (have the patience to) do much post processing hence my angst! I have always tended to change with body facing downwards and in some kind of sheltered spot.

One question, why not indoors (Mrs NW keeps a tight ship )?

[GetCarter]

NormalWisdom said:

Thanks for the answers guys, much appreciated, I guess I need to be more careful and perhaps do a bit more post processing!

I don't (have the patience to) do much post processing hence my angst! I have always tended to change with body facing downwards and in some kind of sheltered spot.

One question, why not indoors (Mrs NW keeps a tight ship )?

There's always dust indoors. Much more than you'd think. Dead skin etc.

Try the 30 day free Lightroom trial on adobe.com, then watch a youtube 'lightroom for beginners' - you'll never go back.

[Craikeybaby]

All the tips above, but if I notice any dust on the sensor I give it a blast with the rocket blower. If it is still there I clean the sensor, it isn't a difficult job.