Cleaning a DSLR

Hi Ruth,

The site has not been hacked, and there is no virus. Security has always been good on poe. Yes we get spam occassionally, like most if not all sites, but the confidentiality of our members has never been compromised, ever. Thanks for your concern though.

With regards to the forum posts/page numbers being out of sync. We are working on it and hope to have it sorted soon. Apologies for the inconvenience,

Chris & Sar 

Hi Ruth,

You mention the interior and not specifally the mirror...........  I found this on the web and maybe it applies to the interior aswell ?

 "If the dust doesn't bother you when framing and focusing, don't worry about it because a dirty mirror has no effect on the image other than if it is really bad it might affect metering. Keep in mind that the mirror can be quite easily damaged, perhaps more easily than a sensor."

As for lens cleaning I use W5 glasses wipes from my local Lidl

All best wishes,

Patrick.

Just been reading reviews on the Lidl wipes...........

"The Lidl glass cleaning wipes are quite strong and will remove coatings from glass, so not a good idea for expensive spectacles and never use them on camera lenses!"

"Been using them on my glasses and camera lenses for past 2-3 years, with no ill-effects....and I am most meticulous in my care of camera lenses. Used different brands of wipe over the past 15 years, again with no ill-effects."

I think the first reviewer has been letting them dry out in which case they go very stiff . I am going to carry on using them. Use one every time and throw it away after.

The directions for use state exactly what I have just said.

The mirror can be cleaned using a small water colour brush, which will normally pick up dust specs. To avoid dust, always have the camera turned off when changing the lens and point the body down, which will help avoid bit floating in aided by gravity. Try to avoid changing lenses facing into a breeze, wind and of course rain. It goes without saying that anything done inside the camera should be handled very carefully with a light touch. 

The sensor can attract dust which will cause "marks" on the images, often seen on clear skies and the like. Most cameras have a dust off facility in the menus which is quite effective. As for cleaning sensors, more caution is required, and if you end up with a problem, they can be cleaned by pros. Kits can be bought too, but try to avoid having the lens off the camera as much as possible.  

Rear screen is fairly tough material although I usually generally use a lint free or a well washed handkercheif, but have been known to give it a quick wipe with the sleeve of my fleece!!!

Front of lens I use a 'lens pen' can't remember the make but all photo shops sell them they have a soft brush at one end and a carbon based disc at the other. Well worth the expense also a micro cloth for other bits and pieces

Mirrors are best left alone unless very messy in which a light brush over with a very soft brush as in the lens pen above

Sensors again are best left alone due to the sensitivity of them. As mentioned above 'home use' kits are available but I have never tried one. If really bad some shops offet the service for around £30 or so 

Other good advice above as usual

Thank you.

Well something's happened to the forum pages, I wouldn't have thought they'd have got like that on their own without some sort of interference, either deliberate or accidental. All very odd.

Patrick, Rod, Dave, many thanks for your prompt and informative replies. I was going to buy some of the wipes from Lidl Patrick but ended up with a pack from Boots instead which were more expensive, I'll be very careful.

The sensor I will avoid at all costs, I don't want to cause a problem. I will however look for a lens pens, I've seen a couple and one of those sounds like it might be a good investment. I haven't got any specs showing up yet that I can tell, but I probably need to do a test shot on a bluer sky than what we've had on holiday.

Thanks again folks, excellent advice as ever. 

Hi,

A further thought on this very interesting topic............... If you use a 'UV Protector Filter' that is not coated it can be safeley cleaned with a wipe.

By using the 'protector' filter you are not actualy ever cleaning the coated lens !

 Cheers,

Patrick

Thanks Patrick, I have a UV filter on which is there all the time, that has had the breath and polish treatment, I probably shouldn't have, but it seems to be keeping it clean.

 I've located some lens cleaning pens on Amazon, they range from about £7 to £14, there is one at £1.74, think I'll give that one a miss, it can't be much good at that price with free postage. The only make I recognise is Polaroid but I'm sure the others will be just fine. We have a camera shop in town I will probably pop in there and have a look what they have on offer, I'd rather see before I buy.

Back to my earlier query about things being a bit odd on the forums. I've not had much chance to look around on POE whilst I've been away, and then it was only on my phone and very briefly. I've just noticed another anomaly, some comments appear to have gone from under my pictures. I'm not sure how many but I can definitely confirm that the comments made by my good friend John have vanished, I know this because he is consistent and always leaves a comment. I'm not sure if any other comments by other members have vanished or not, because I'm not sure who left what, but it's most odd. Unless of course members have decided they don't like my pictures after all and have removed their remarks 

Maybe it's just another one of the unexplained hiccups that are occurring at the moment. If it's not a virus or hacking then it must be down to gremlins in the works. Whatever is happening I'm confused 

Edited to add - I can't find any of John's pictures now ? Is it me ? Am I going bonkers ? Where have his pictures gone ? Where have his comments gone ? John, where have you gone ? I've only been away a couple of weeks and everything has gone a bit haywire. 

Anyone have an answer that makes sense ?