How many lens changes before CCD cleaning?

DF · Sep 19, 2002

Hi Lasse,

Thanks for reporting your experience in detail.....complete with a statistical assessment! lol. (I like statistics.) Certainly one cleaning every 80 lens changes is nothing much to be concerned about.

As for dealing with them intermittently in Photoshop, I'm quite familiar with that process, either via the clone or healing tools. Thanks for the offer of help, though.

Since you're a fellow new owner, can I ask which lenses you're using?

Best wishes,

David

Lasse Kaiser said:
Lasse Kaiser wrote:
Hi David,

I have had my S2 for 3 weeks and have made just over 2,500
exposures with it, 95% of which are away-from-home outdoor shots in
different environments, though not "critically" so - no dust
storms, dirty environments, etc., etc.

Due to the nature of my work (general stock photography), I switch
lenses every 10 shots or so (no statistic made yet).

Yesterday I discovered the 3rd round of tiny dust specs on some
low-contrast images and had them removed from the CCD immediately.
They may have been chalk dust from site the I just visited. The
other day, I think it was pollen. You never know...

My conclusion: 1 lens cleaning required per some 80 lens changes.

This is not too bad, although I get surprised every time it
happens. But don't let this potential problem scare you off. Not
every image is critical, and you can remove most dust spots
digitally from damaged images so no one can tell, not even
yourself! If you are not sure how to do so, send me an email.

Best regards,
Lasse Kaiser

DF · Sep 19, 2002

Hi Boris,

You sound like a man cut from the same mold as me when it comes to kitchen floors.

However, on the matter of neurosis, I yield to no man.

As for f stops, I imagine my usual practice will involve a lot of variance. I do understand the the dusties show up more annoyingly with small apertures.

What sort of blower do you use? The bulb kind?

Best wishes,

David

Boris said:
Boris wrote:

Depends how neurotic you are and at what f stop you shoot. I have
shot with the S2 about a month, change lenses a lot, use f11 a lot,
I blow her out about once a week and use Photoshop to clear the
sky. Don't even have any swabs yet. I'll have to get some one of
these day's.....used to have to spot prints in the old
days....rather do it in Photoshop. Not a big deal to me, but then
again I don't wash my kitchen floor too often.

Boris

http://public.fotki.com/borysd/

--
http://www.mongoosephoto.com

Artichoke #46716 · Sep 19, 2002

DF said:
Hi

What sort of blower do you use? The bulb kind?

Hakuba makes excellent bulbs...got mine from B&H

B&H is a wonderful place to get accessories, particularly if you go to the store in Manhattan...unbelievable selection & very knowledgeable staff
--
pbase galleries
http://www.pbase.com/artichoke

Boris · Sep 19, 2002

David

Yes I use a bulb blower....it used to have a brush on it but lost years ago....I'm in the market for a bigger and better one....anybody have any ideas? I have been testing my 18-35mm mostly f8-f11 and for web use haven't noticed any spots in sky areas . But if I print I have to spot in photoshop if any sky is visible.
Chow
Boris

DF said:
Hi Boris,

You sound like a man cut from the same mold as me when it comes to
kitchen floors.

However, on the matter of neurosis, I yield to no man.

As for f stops, I imagine my usual practice will involve a lot of
variance. I do understand the the dusties show up more annoyingly
with small apertures.

What sort of blower do you use? The bulb kind?

Best wishes,

David

DF said:
DF said:

Boris wrote:

Depends how neurotic you are and at what f stop you shoot. I have
shot with the S2 about a month, change lenses a lot, use f11 a lot,
I blow her out about once a week and use Photoshop to clear the
sky. Don't even have any swabs yet. I'll have to get some one of
these day's.....used to have to spot prints in the old
days....rather do it in Photoshop. Not a big deal to me, but then
again I don't wash my kitchen floor too often.

Boris

http://public.fotki.com/borysd/

Click to expand...

--
http://www.mongoosephoto.com

Dirk Vermeirre · Sep 19, 2002

DF said:
Hi Dirk,

Thanks. Your experience is very encouraging. As others have said,
it's partly a matter of personal tolerance, partly differences in
environment and experience.

Oh.....and I can't let your message go by without commenting on
your statement that you "made some 'under-sex-posed' shots of the
sky". lol. The Freudian in me understands that pose very
well......

Best wishes,

David

Hi David,

That's fun, I have no excuse aside very less time and typing very fast, funny comment from you about my sky settings. Yes and I agree it's a matter of tolerance, when I know that there are many dust particles and I want to go out to shoot landscapes and want clean images then I will do an additional cleaning session.

DF said:
DF said:

Dirk Vermeirre wrote:

Click to expand...

http://www.mongoosephoto.com

--
With very kind regards,

Dirk
http://www.pbase.com/dievee
Pbase supporter

David Bilodeau · Sep 19, 2002

.. The moment I put my big air pump lens (Sigma 70-300mm f4.5-5.6DL Super Macro) on my S2 (or S1), I get dust on the CCD ..

When I use my other lens (Nikkor 18-35, 60 Micro, 28-105) I do not get dust compared to the Sigma 70-300. Regarless the number of lens exchanges. The fact is the 70-300 pumps air (and dust) into the picture box.

Verify how much air your lens blow on the back when you extend/retract it ..

Regards,

David

Thomas41622 · Sep 19, 2002

I have had my S2 since July and have not had to clean CCd nor have I seen dust.

I shoot weddings and portraits and change lenses a lot. I am careful and do it quickly and I keep lens caps on all lenses when not on camera.

Thomas

Lasse Kaiser · Sep 20, 2002

Hi David,

I am using the following NIkkor lenses:

AF 14mm f/2.8D ED
AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF Micro 60mm f/2.8D

And I am seriously considering the 80-400 VR zoom to pull in shots of "shy" objects (no paparazzi!) as well as for getting these marvelous compressed perspectives. What I hear of this lens is very positive apart from its noisiness and its slow AF speed.

Much as I would like to use my old 50mm f/1.2 Nikkor, this is made difficult by its non-CPU nature - only manual exposures allowed. I bring it along anyway on my photo shoots. You never know...

With all this in my bag (a sturdy twenty year old Tenba) + lots of Microdrives, a Mindstor drive for weekend tours, SB-80DX flash, loads of batteries (two types!), polarizer and lens hoods + a miniature tripod, I am ready for action.

Did my shoulder hurt after the first week? Oh, yes! Now I don't feel anything anymore...

Regards,
Lasse

DF said:
Thanks for reporting your experience in detail.....complete with a
statistical assessment! lol. (I like statistics.) Certainly one
cleaning every 80 lens changes is nothing much to be concerned
about.

As for dealing with them intermittently in Photoshop, I'm quite
familiar with that process, either via the clone or healing tools.
Thanks for the offer of help, though.

Since you're a fellow new owner, can I ask which lenses you're using?

Best wishes,

David

DF said:

Lasse Kaiser wrote:
Hi David,

I have had my S2 for 3 weeks and have made just over 2,500
exposures with it, 95% of which are away-from-home outdoor shots in
different environments, though not "critically" so - no dust
storms, dirty environments, etc., etc.

Due to the nature of my work (general stock photography), I switch
lenses every 10 shots or so (no statistic made yet).

Yesterday I discovered the 3rd round of tiny dust specs on some
low-contrast images and had them removed from the CCD immediately.
They may have been chalk dust from site the I just visited. The
other day, I think it was pollen. You never know...

My conclusion: 1 lens cleaning required per some 80 lens changes.

This is not too bad, although I get surprised every time it
happens. But don't let this potential problem scare you off. Not
every image is critical, and you can remove most dust spots
digitally from damaged images so no one can tell, not even
yourself! If you are not sure how to do so, send me an email.

Best regards,
Lasse Kaiser

Click to expand...

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How many lens changes before CCD cleaning?

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