While it has the capacity to produce some of the most amazing photographs,
a major problem surrounding the digital SLR camera is keeping the
sensor clean when changing lenses. Even if one is careful, dust
can find its way in there. Most manufacturers actually require people
to send the camera back to them for a professional cleaning.
Due to this cleaning concern, businesses have decided to take on
the task of developing a safe way to clean, and have succeeded:
A company
developed a commercial sensor cleaning brush that allows people
to do the cleaning job themselves ... but it costs $100. Don't let
the price be discouraging though, for it is possible to accomplish
the same cleaning feat with safe, cheaper alternatives.
Keeping Your Sensor Clean and Your Pocketbook
Full
Good sensor brushes should be nylon, soft, of the right size and
shape (meaning, flat, square, and about 10-20 mm wide) and should
not contain any glue, size or other contaminants. Therefore, in
a quest to locate brushes that meet these criteria, it is important
to consider the following sources:
- Make-up (cosmetics) brushes
- Artist's brushes
Cosmetic brushes are preferable, and the one that fits the criteria
best is called a "mask brush." A greater variety of artist
brushes, on the other hand, come in the right material, shape and
size; however, it is crucial to get all of the size in the brush
out before using it to clean. And here's a great tip: Art-supply
stores sell tubes to store and transport brushes, an ideal way to
keep them clean.
Petteri's
Pontifications
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