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:
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
For those of you who have a digital camera that cannot change its lens, the above information will not be of help to you; however, if you do have one, or are thinking of purchasing a digital SLR camera (in which the lenses can be interchanged) in the future, then please hang onto this information as it will save you a great deal of money.
Many of you know that along with health I also have a passion for technology. Over my winter vacation I made the decision to take up a new hobby: digital photography. In fact, I enjoyed my Nikon D70 so much I decided to upgrade to the top digital camera in the world, the Canon EOS 1DS Mark II, which has only been available for a limited time now. I received mine last month but I have not had a chance to play with it yet as I have so many projects on my plate. The camera has a whopping 16.7 meg sensor and incredible Canon lenses should be able to easily allow enlargements of several feet. I had to get a 2 gigabyte CF card, though, as RAW files on this camera are about 50 megs.
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