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Does the Z8 sensor shield actually do much?

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eolian

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As you guys probably know, the Z8 comes with a sensor shield that closes over the sensor when you shut off the camera. This setting is not enabled by default.

It got me thinking if this feature actually does much in terms of preventing real dust from getting on the sensor. My reasoning is that even if the sensor shield is active when you change lenses, any dust that makes it onto the sensor shield will eventually end up on the sensor anyway because you're introducing dust into the entire compartment.

What do you guys think? I want to turn this off because it's actually kind of annoying to me that there's a sound every time my camera comes back on after sleep.
 
Like anything, the sensor shield will reduce the amount of dust or particles coming onto the sensor, not stopping.

I recently had a strand of hair on a Z9 sensor (which had the shield activated), we concluded that it must have been stuck on the rental lens and got in when attaching it to the camera.
 
eolian said:
As you guys probably know, the Z8 comes with a sensor shield that closes over the sensor when you shut off the camera. This setting is not enabled by default.

It got me thinking if this feature actually does much in terms of preventing real dust from getting on the sensor. My reasoning is that even if the sensor shield is active when you change lenses, any dust that makes it onto the sensor shield will eventually end up on the sensor anyway because you're introducing dust into the entire compartment.
Click to expand...
I doubt they'd put it there just for show. I recall reading that there's an adhesive strip on an older (possibly many) DSLR models that traps dust that falls off the sensor face. Maybe Z 8 has similar.
 
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I think the sensor shield is one of the most important features of the Z8. I wish to hell the Z7 and Z7-II I have had it.

I've shot the Z8 through two landscape trips and about 5 photo shoots in the studio, with many lens changes, always with the sensor shield active, and absolutely not a spot of dust on the sensor.

You'd be crazy to not utilize it honestly.
 
I personally use it

Nikon did give you the option to Enable or Disable it

so if you think it is annoying when you hear it, then maybe just disable it
 
eolian said:
As you guys probably know, the Z8 comes with a sensor shield that closes over the sensor when you shut off the camera. This setting is not enabled by default.

It got me thinking if this feature actually does much in terms of preventing real dust from getting on the sensor. My reasoning is that even if the sensor shield is active when you change lenses, any dust that makes it onto the sensor shield will eventually end up on the sensor anyway because you're introducing dust into the entire compartment.

What do you guys think? I want to turn this off because it's actually kind of annoying to me that there's a sound every time my camera comes back on after sleep.
Click to expand...
well, I think it helps a little (doesn't hurt obviously). Even if it cuts down on dust by half (I have no way of really testing this though) then it's worth it.

I mean you still have to exercise proper caution when mounting lenses (ie. make sure the rear of the lens doesn't have dust on it, nor does the body cap when you put it back on) but when doing lens changes in the field, I think the sensor shield is a plus, and really doesn't have any drawbacks that I can see, unless you damage it and it can't be raised when the camera is turned on perhaps, or if it gets stuck for any reason but I haven't really read any stories of that happening that i recall.
 
By all means, turn it off if you don't value the function. You don't need anyone's approval.

Myself, knowing that sensor is right up front, and not recessed at the back of a mirror box, the shield is a welcome feature as I am usually swapping lenses with the camera pointed down (to reduce dust falling in) and do not fancy the idea of coming in too hot with the edge of a lens mount while juggling lenses in the field.

Also, fwiw, if you have ibis engaged, the clunking sound you hear could be the sensor parking itself.
 
What's not to like?....well apart from the noise but small price to pay. It's a great feature IMO.
 
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My opinion is that it absolutely helps and every prosumer and professional grade camera should have one at this point. I use my Z6 and Z8 every day with a variety of lenses, including a fair amount of outdoor shooting, and I have to clean my Z8 sensor a LOT less than I do the Z6.

It won't stop me from upgrading at some point, but I will be upset if the Z6iii/Z7iii are released without a sensor shield.
 
I think so

a) prior to my z8 and z9 it was quite regular to find dust on my DSLR and Z7ii sensors after changing lenses in the field. With my Z9 after approx 100k shots and 10 months I have only need use my rocket blower once.

b) changing lenses outside is now stress free, it can be in a windy (like it so often is for me) , rainy or sandy location, and I know can change lenses so much more easily, at least not worrying about the camera and mind only the lens opening.

in short it’s a blessing and I can’t see myself being comfortable with a camera without a shield now.

--
Simon
https://www.flickr.com/people/suffolkimages/
 
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I have been using the sensor shield on the Z9 for a year and half. It works very well.
 
My experience with Z9 and Z8 so far - it helps dramatically to avoid dust. Even compared to my old DSLRs, Z8/9 sensors get much less dust over time, while Z6/7 gather much more of it and require frequent cleaning if I want clean shots at closed apertures.

The only disadvantage of shield itself on Z8 specifically - it sometimes has a noticeable delay when engaging after turning camera off, long enough to sometimes still be up when I remove the lens. Never had such issue on Z9.
 
anotherMike said:
I think the sensor shield is one of the most important features of the Z8. I wish to hell the Z7 and Z7-II I have had it.
Click to expand...
+1

I understand when the camera is first switched on it takes a small fraction longer to take the first image if the shield is down and has to be raised in camera before the first image is taken.

Some "action" shooters might prefer the slight extra speed of not having the shield raised in camera.

I have the shield come down - resulting in dramatically less sensor cleaning compared to the Z7.
 
Leonard Shepherd said:
anotherMike said:
I think the sensor shield is one of the most important features of the Z8. I wish to hell the Z7 and Z7-II I have had it.
Click to expand...
+1

I understand when the camera is first switched on it takes a small fraction longer to take the first image if the shield is down and has to be raised in camera before the first image is taken.

Some "action" shooters might prefer the slight extra speed of not having the shield raised in camera.

I have the shield come down - resulting in dramatically less sensor cleaning compared to the Z7.
Click to expand...
I have a Z9 and a Z6II. The slight delay is less than the delay in the Z6 waking up, so no big deal.

I have had my Z9 since late December of last year and have not had to clean my sensor yet.

The other thing that may or may not be an advantage to the shield is that is that since there is not shutter, it seems to me that haveing the shield active and not constantly having the sensor exposed to light might also be a good thing. What are your thoughts on that?
 
eolian said:
As you guys probably know, the Z8 comes with a sensor shield that closes over the sensor when you shut off the camera. This setting is not enabled by default.
Click to expand...
eolian said:
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
I see sensor shield serving a different purpose. Protecting sensor from mists, sprays, and spritzes. From ever helpful table top cleaner suddenly spraying disinfectant at table near by to person spritzing perfume in air and waltzing thru it to sneezing / coughing by those who won't used inside of their elbow to stop germ laden spray
 
anotherMike said:
I think the sensor shield is one of the most important features of the Z8. I wish to hell the Z7 and Z7-II I have had it.

I've shot the Z8 through two landscape trips and about 5 photo shoots in the studio, with many lens changes, always with the sensor shield active, and absolutely not a spot of dust on the sensor.

You'd be crazy to not utilize it honestly.
Click to expand...
I’m sure it helps lessen dust a little bit. Hasn’t helped me though. I have a big spot of something on my sensor already that won’t come off with a dust blower. Need to wet clean or try to remove it with a small brush.

The Z6/7 has a shutter curtain. Don’t know how much adding a shield would have helped for dust.

--
Mike Dawson
 
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eolian said:
As you guys probably know, the Z8 comes with a sensor shield that closes over the sensor when you shut off the camera. This setting is not enabled by default.

It got me thinking if this feature actually does much in terms of preventing real dust from getting on the sensor. My reasoning is that even if the sensor shield is active when you change lenses, any dust that makes it onto the sensor shield will eventually end up on the sensor anyway because you're introducing dust into the entire compartment.

What do you guys think? I want to turn this off because it's actually kind of annoying to me that there's a sound every time my camera comes back on after sleep.
Click to expand...
I agree regarding dust, where I would regard it as more of a comfort blanket than an effective prevention. Where it might have a real beneficial effect is in protecting the sensor from intense light (camera left facing towards the sun with the lens focused at infinity).

Some cameras tend to close down the lens aperture when the camera is off, which makes this less of an issue - not sure if that is the case for Z... but regardless it would be beneficial even if the light was at reduced intensity and if you were using legacy lenses through a dumb adapter, the diaphragm might be open in any case.
 
astirusty said:
eolian said:
As you guys probably know, the Z8 comes with a sensor shield that closes over the sensor when you shut off the camera. This setting is not enabled by default.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
I see sensor shield serving a different purpose. Protecting sensor from mists, sprays, and spritzes. From ever helpful table top cleaner suddenly spraying disinfectant at table near by to person spritzing perfume in air and waltzing thru it to sneezing / coughing by those who won't used inside of their elbow to stop germ laden spray
Click to expand...
Indeed; I've never found (normal) dust to be any sort problem.

deposits of stuff which is aerosol carried is the problem which causes dirty sensors.

I can't imagine anyone paying for a professional sensor clean if it were just dusty.
 
I value the feature, and most of the time the rather soft noise that it makes is just a useful confirmation that I have just turned the camera off or on. I certainly seem to have less need to clean my Z9's sensor than previous cameras, despite using it outdoors in sometimes dusty conditions. I do, however, think that the feature could have been better implemented by activating when the lens release button is pressed down (by default) rather than every time the camera is turned on or off. Lens changes are really the only time that the sensor shied is needed - and nobody (?) takes a lens off every time they switch the camera off.
 
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