Air blower

nickt

Senior Member
I don't buy into the idea that a filter on a blower is helpful. If there is enough dust in the air that a filter behind the blower picks it up, then there is also just as much dust in front of the blower that will simply join into the air stream and head for your camera. Not to say there is no use for a blower, just that a filter does not help. Unless you are in a 'clean room' facility, there is a shocking amount of dust everywhere and a filtered blower doesn't do anything to help.

I do use a Giottos blower and a sensor brush. I often use the blower to clean and static charge my brush. I keep my sensor brush clean and only use it on my sensors. I use a different brush on lenses.

I think Fish is the only other person here that is a fan of the sensor brush.
 

bikeit

Senior Member
Guys thanks, i can see where the brush could be used as at times just lifting the dirt dust off the sensor is all that is needed, do you both use the same brand off brush?
 
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Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Guys thanks, i can see where the brush could be used as at times just lifting the dirt dust off the sensor is all that is needed, do you both use the same brush?

I don't use rocket blowers because they've never done diddly squat for me. I also don't like the idea of blowing crap around inside the shutter-box. Rightly or wrongly, I also think many people assume, in looking at a sensor brush, that the idea is to use it like a broom and "sweep" the sensor -- like it's a tiny kitchen floor -- which is entirely wrong. When using a sensor brush you charge it with static electricity and drag it over the sensor in one direction using nothing more than the weight of the brush itself. The static charge in the bristles is what lifts debris off the sensor. If have found it to be very effective. That being said, if a rocket blower gets the job done for you, go with it.

@nickt and I have never shared a sensor brush to my knowledge.
 

nickt

Senior Member
My brush is from Copper Hill Images, but I think they might be out of business. It came with a few sheets of 'something' to rub the brush on to charge it but I do just as well aggressively blasting the bristles with the blower just before use.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
If you really want a blower the Giottos Rocket Blaster is pretty much the standard.

Yes, that's what I use. The large size works a little better than the medium, but the medium does a decent job. The small one lacks the oomph of air power.

I don't buy into the idea that a filter on a blower is helpful. If there is enough dust in the air that a filter behind the blower picks it up, then there is also just as much dust in front of the blower that will simply join into the air stream and head for your camera.

The Giottos has a filter inside so any dust it sucks up, gets caught in the filter. Always aim the opening of your camera body downwards and spray the rocketblaster upwards. Any dust that is inside the camera will fall down due to gravity. Even if you use a sensor brush, aim the opening of the body down. By the way, common sense dictates not to use a rocketblaster in a dusty area. ;) lol.
 

nickt

Senior Member
By the way, common sense dictates not to use a rocketblaster in a dusty area. ;) lol.
I guess that's why I don't think the filter helps. To me everywhere is a dusty area, lol. I worked in the semi conductor industry. I've spent way too much time in clean rooms. Luckily my main work area was not a true clean room. I only had to wear a lab coat, booties and hair net. Once in awhile I'd have to go into the real clean room and wear the full space suit, ugh. After all those years of thinking 'clean' and being aware of particulates in the air, I just visualize the dust particles swirling around everywhere.
 
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