Squeaky clean, bullet-point post.

After a lot of careful work, my sensor and mirror (and Lenses) are squeaky clean. I shall try to keep them that way using the tips I’ve been given. Now, knowing how I am far too much of a waffler, I shall do a bullet point list of what I’ve learnt about the  “housekeeping” of a DSLR. If you know all this stuff already then please forgive my keenness and I’ll hopefully see you for my next post which will be my images for my 3rd attempt at being accepted by the on-line library.
(this info may also be relevant for all the super new smaller cameras with changeable lens options, but I’m not certain so please take advice).

• Dust spots or blemishes in your images aren’t always visible. Depending on aperture and composition, for example, they might be visible in a sky scene but not necessarily in a bush or scarf, say. They might be very visible at a small aperture of say f22 but not if using f8 or less. I have also been reminded that it is best not to go to the extremes of your lens aperture anyway, as a lens is better two stops in from either end. 
• If dust is on your sensor, it can spoil an otherwise perfect photograph. Furthermore, even it  is possible to clean your image up in Photoshop, it might not always give the best results and is a lot of effort.
• It is obviously best to avoid dust compltely, if possible, as over a period of time it might become sticky dust and much harder to remove. I’ve only just become aware of this problem but from now on I shall follow the advice I’ve been given this week.
• Always face my camera down when changing a lens
• Always face my lens connection face down if I have to stand my lens down anywhere.
• Never change my lens in a dusty atmosphere – how obvious is that, but I remember doing just that during my editorial project when I was photographing the builder
• Have my camera set to the sensor clean on start up and close, option. This means the camera lens vibrates and any dust that is shaken off is caught in a small edge just for that purpose. I was told that if you use this option all the time then the chance of sticky dust is lessened considerably. PROBABLY didn’t help my poor little camera over the last two years as it wasn’t on!
• Finally, I have learnt that if you do have to clean your lens at any stage and can’t take it to a technician, then extreme care must be taken when cleaning.
• The best tip I’ve been given is to buy a really good blower and with your camera upside down, blow off any suspect dust on a regular basis, depending on use and lens change. The best one to buy in my opinion is this one.
• Then if you need to do any further cleaning, only do it if you are fully confident and only do it with an official sensor cleaning kit of swab and fluid.

It took me a number of attempts to fulfil this task with my poor, ever so dirty, sensor, but I am finally delighted with the results.   ONLINE LIBRARY