Why don't dslrs have dust protection?

Ksanti

Ksanti

Ksanti

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10 Feb 2010
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I was wondering this: Why don't DSLRs have some method of keeping dust out of the camera when the lens is off? I'd have imagined something like the pseudo lens-cap on practically every compact available could work, just close when the lens comes off and open when it's back on? I've never had a trouble with dust in the camera and obviously you should be careful, but it seems like a relatively simple and cheap addition to me?
 
They do.

They have a system which vibrates the sensor on startup to dislodge dust off the sensor. Also the only part that needs dust protection is the sensor and that is covered when taking a lens off anyway.
 
Well a) not all do, and b) what about the mirror? It's still irritating to get dust in the viewfinder and would be much less hassle if the inner workings of the camera were sealed off when the lens comes off?
 
More moving parts introduce more things to go wrong maybe? I guess with the intro of vibrating sensors etc and being careful, and given that dust is easy enough to clean, that they just don't bother with other measures.
 
I'd argue that on most consumer grade DSLRs, by the time dust on the sensor really becomes an issue, they will have likely replaced the camera.

I've got a 350D I bought almost five years ago now, which does have a fair bit of sensor dust, but I don't really use it anymore.

More professional bodies have things like dust vibration because they are more likely to be using it as a tool and taking a significantly higher amount of photos. Also, most professionals will get the sensor cleaned (or do it themselves if it becomes an issue).
 
Ksanti said:
Well a) not all do, and b) what about the mirror? It's still irritating to get dust in the viewfinder and would be much less hassle if the inner workings of the camera were sealed off when the lens comes off?
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Dust on mirror and viewfinder don't show, they are an annoyance more than anything.

The shutter stops dust getting to the chamber where the sensor is when changing lens, however, air/dust can get into the chamber where the mirror is so when you take a shot, dust can travel across.

In the old days people never complaint about dust because every frame you use a new sensor, aka film so it doesn't matter. Now days, just clean it when you can see it, don't worry about it. Sensor cleaning, even the wet method is easy, it takes like 10mins.
 
I've never really had an issue with dust.

A quick blow with a Giotto Rocket Blower (Must have in your bag at all time imo) with the shutter open and jobs a good'un!
 
Logsi said:
I've never really had an issue with dust.

A quick blow with a Giotto Rocket Blower (Must have in your bag at all time imo) with the shutter open and jobs a good'un!
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I find that's 50/50 or 1/3! Sometimes it works, sometimes it moves it, sometimes it adds dust!

I have more success with a pec pad and eclipse fluid.
 
Raymond Lin said:
NO!!!!!!! NEVER!!!!!

Compress air is cold, or below freezing and you risk damaging your camera in a big way!
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Good point that. I have a mixture of Nikon and Sigma lenses and the Nikon ones have a rubber dust seal where the lens seats on the camera body and i think the Sigma lenses should also have this.
 
bloodhunter said:
Good point that. I have a mixture of Nikon and Sigma lenses and the Nikon ones have a rubber dust seal where the lens seats on the camera body and i think the Sigma lenses should also have this.
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That's weather sealing and is designed to stop water getting in once the lens is attached. Dust ingress into the body is only an issue when there's no lens attached.
 
Raymond Lin said:
NO!!!!!!! NEVER!!!!!

Compress air is cold, or below freezing and you risk damaging your camera in a big way!
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Really? Why? I mean, sensors work better (with less noise) at lower temperatures, and the recommended operating temperatures are just that - operating. Most equipment can survive a far broader range of temperatures if it's not required to actually work while it's experiencing them ;)
 
PermaBanned said:
Really? Why? I mean, sensors work better (with less noise) at lower temperatures, and the recommended operating temperatures are just that - operating. Most equipment can survive a far broader range of temperatures if it's not required to actually work while it's experiencing them ;)
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It's not usualy extremes of temperiture that damges things, it's sudden changes of temperiature.
 
And the compressed air cans usually leave a residue, even if this is simply the very cold air condensing moisture from the atmosphere.
Whcih is a problem I keep experiencing in the US at the moment, camera stays overnight in the airconditioned room and when I go outside to the 40*C and very high humidity all the lenses, mirror and sensor is getting covered with condensation, to the point of dripping water.:eek: Trouble is it is not really safe to leave stuff in the car, which also gets exceedingly hot to the point where it has damaged some of the rubber on one of the lenses.

I'm not too worroed but I wonder how americans cope with this situation?
 
Let the temp change slowly, put it in your camera bag before going in/out air conditioned places and don't take it out for at least 15 minutes should help.
 
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