Here in Cyprus it gets very dusty - the heat and dust are not ideal for cameras so I have to be extra attentive with caring for my kit.

Keeping your camera clean begins with everyday camera handling practices. This is important because establishing good camera handling habits will help minimize the amount of dust and other foreign objects that your camera is exposed to. It is never a good idea to expose the inside of your camera body for long periods of time.

I do as Bazza says and try to plan my field trips in that I minimize lenses changes - I will mostly have for example a 10-20 day, or a macro day, or zoom day, depending on what Im after.

When I do change lenses outside I try to move to a less dusty environment, such as my air conditioned jeep, or failing that, I change the lens INSIDE my camera bag, or under a fluff-free jacket. I also keep a plastic shopping bag in my camera case too to change lenses in if necessary. I try to change lenses quickly and always replace caps & lids immediately. It helps too if you have the replacement lens out and ready to go. A common mistake people make is to remove the lens from the camera first and then fumble around trying to find a replacement lens in the camera bag. I usually remove the rear lens cap and orient the red/white lens alignment dot so that I can quickly align it with my index finger when I go to attach it to my camera body. Next, as Bazza has said, since dirt and dust fall downward, turn your camera body upside down (with the camera lens facing toward the ground) and remove the lens. Once the lens has been removed, quickly pick up the second lens so that your index finger is aligned with the red/white dot and attach it to the camera body. The whole process should only take a few seconds. Making this a practice should significantly reduce the amount of time your sensor is exposed to the outside elements.

As part of my daily routine I blow and then dry wipe the outside of my camera BEFORE blowing inside, this helps reducing the transfer of dust or debris from outside to inside. I do this before and after every session. I only ever clean the sensor when required based on the 'if it's not broke - dont try to fix it' principle.

[quote=Dan.Hodson;57848]I've got lucky. the snide comment from the photography tutor has lead me to get a clean from their technician on monday. So looking forward to a nice clean sensor again.[quote]

And the technician/college will be responsible and replace your camera in the event the technician damages your sensor during the clean?

Just a thought...

[quote=WildWalker;57862][quote=Dan.Hodson;57848]I've got lucky. the snide comment from the photography tutor has lead me to get a clean from their technician on monday. So looking forward to a nice clean sensor again.Yea, I would of thought so. Its a good institute with good policies, I have no reason to be worried as they're responsible.

[quote=Dan.Hodson;57864][quote=WildWalker;57862]They might be 'responsible' but are they 'liable' ?

Just thought you might want to check.

Best safe than sorry

Might be an idea to learn as much about it as possible and be there for the 'operation'

If you don't feel comfortable with the tech doing it (after witnessing their body language, asking them how many times they've done it before etc) you could ask if you could just 'have a go' instead? But like I said only if you've read up enough about it and fell comfortable...

Good luck - and let us know how you get on!

[quote=WildWalker;57865][quote=Dan.Hodson;57864]To be honest, I dont have £50 at the moment to get my camera cleaned. So that would mean me attempting it, given the current state I don't know how confident I would be doing it. He's their technician so I'd assume to have such a position hes going to know what hes doing.

I suppose the old saying, desperate times call for disparate measures.

Ask if you can watch him clean it and then pick his brains for tips.

That was my thoughts!

and then pass them on to me

well this is the outcome of the sensor clean today. not perfect obviously but a damn sight better don't you think?

before:


After: