Keepin' it large on a digital SLR

Anorakus

Anorakus

Messages
836
Edit My Images
Yes
I was wondering if you guys/girls try to stay larger than a certain f stop to keep the dreaded dust spots out of focus?

I've owned a Canon 5D for getting on for a year now, and dust/dirt on the sensor seems to be the price you pay for going digital :( I've found it doesn't cause much of a problem provided you don't use tiny apertures. I don't use anything smaller than f/11, and f/5.6 is usually OK for landscapes.

(Thinking back to my recent film-using days, I hardly ever went smaller than f/11 anyway, so it's not made that much impact on how I work.)

A.
 
You can get paranoid about dust on sensors, if it's just one or two spots they're easy to touch out. It does tend to be more of an issue though with full frame sensors.
 
Anorakus said:
I was wondering if you guys/girls try to stay larger than a certain f stop to keep the dreaded dust spots out of focus?

I've owned a Canon 5D for getting on for a year now, and dust/dirt on the sensor seems to be the price you pay for going digital :( I've found it doesn't cause much of a problem provided you don't use tiny apertures. I don't use anything smaller than f/11, and f/5.6 is usually OK for landscapes.

(Thinking back to my recent film-using days, I hardly ever went smaller than f/11 anyway, so it's not made that much impact on how I work.)

A.
Click to expand...

I disagree that f5.6 is usually OK for landscapes, if you`re gonna take a vista with some close-ish foreground interest there`s no way it`s a small enough aperture, somethings got to give.
 
I've never let sensor dust bother me tbh. I just easily clone any blobs out in post if they're visable, which they usually aren't :)
 
Got a heap of dust and miscellaneous rubbish on my sensors, it annoys me and I really should get them cleaned. But, I shoot at whatever aperture I need to get the shot. It's much easier to clone out a few spots, than it is to simulate extra DOF or a slower shutter.

Must admit, the 5D seems to be horrible for it in comparison to the 400.
 
It's all to easy to get paranoid about dust on the sensor, just clone them out and clean the thing when it gets real bad. I am a full time working pro who uses the cameras every day and I aint cleaned a sensor in about 2 years.
 
Just clean it, it's not difficult and can save hours in post when you've got alot of pics to go through. I put off cleaning mine for months as I was scared but I'm so glad I did and now wish I'd done it much sooner, it's very rare that I get a visable bunny these days and I regularly shoot at around f16
 
Daft question I know... How do you clean a sensor... I've had a 5d for about a year now... never cleaned the sensor... appart from with a rocket blower... how would I go about doing it properly?

I know im prob being thick... and there is prob a thousand posts on here already about it... but if someone could just write the basics id be happy!

Thanks

M
 
markelliot said:
Daft question I know... How do you clean a sensor... I've had a 5d for about a year now... never cleaned the sensor... appart from with a rocket blower... how would I go about doing it properly?

I know im prob being thick... and there is prob a thousand posts on here already about it... but if someone could just write the basics id be happy!

Thanks

M
Click to expand...

There are several different methods and you need to choose the one which suits you. Have a read of this article by a pro camera technician before you decide.

CLICK

I opted for the Arctic Butterfly method.
 
I tend to use a Giottos blower or an AB to begin with. They shift most stuff but if not I use Visible Dust cleaning swabs.
 
markelliot said:
Daft question I know... How do you clean a sensor... I've had a 5d for about a year now... never cleaned the sensor... appart from with a rocket blower... how would I go about doing it properly?

I know im prob being thick... and there is prob a thousand posts on here already about it... but if someone could just write the basics id be happy!

Thanks

M
Click to expand...

Couple of methods around, I use a methanol fluid (just a drop) with a small flat plastic spatular wrapped in layers of lens tissue. ...wiped across the sensor only once, before repeating with a fresh one....and again usually...making sure It all evaporated clean with no streaks.

Pros...
Its very easy once you get the hang of it and the sensor is able to be 100% cleaned.

Against...
Its also easy to leave streaks and mess if your sloppy... and worse... it is possible to drag a particle of grit across the sensor and scratch the surface. (which is not the end of the world but ...)

There are also several types of fluids available I think ...(Eclipse/Eclipse2 fluids..??…not sure) one contains 100% pure methanol…the others a mixture of methanol, ethanol and water or some such.

Some sensors don’t like to use the 100% pure one ….. I think the 5D falls under this … weaker mixture to prevent damage.

Please do NOT take my word for it… :thumbs:
 
Nikon users are best to use a careful and tried technique as per CT's link

Canon users can use a vacuum cleaner, duster & Pledge, toothbrush, even sandpaper can work well sometimes - seems nothing can make the image any better anyway so being gentle is a waste of time

;)

DD
 
DiddyDave said:
Canon users can use a vacuum cleaner, duster & Pledge, toothbrush, even sandpaper can work well sometimes - seems nothing can make the image any better anyway so being gentle is a waste of time

;)

DD
Click to expand...

I resemble the shallow opacity in that remark. :D
 
seems nothing can make the image any better anyway so being gentle is a waste of time
Click to expand...

I knew there was a reason I had canon stuff. :lol::lol:
 
DiddyDave said:
Nikon users are best to use a careful and tried technique as per CT's link

Canon users can use a vacuum cleaner, duster & Pledge, toothbrush, even sandpaper can work well sometimes - seems nothing can make the image any better anyway so being gentle is a waste of time

;)

DD
Click to expand...

I snuck into your house and spat into your camera and you didn't even notice! So :razz:
 
foodpoison said:
I snuck into your house and spat into your camera and you didn't even notice! So :razz:
Click to expand...

Canon owner's spit - pah - weaker than diluted water :shake:

Now a Nikon owner's spit, that's more like our friends from the Alien trilogy :eek:

:D

DD
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top