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Chapter 2 Camera Handling, Care, and Support
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
crevices on the exterior. Pay special attention to
areas around openings, such as the lens mount,
battery door, or card slots. For film cameras, use
the same method inside the camera back to remove
any dust particles or film chips. Be careful when
cleaning around the focal plane shutter, since the
curtains are easily damaged. To remove dirty
deposits on the camera body, use a clean, lint-free
cloth slightly moistened with warm water.
Do not clean the LCD screen with liquid
materials. Carefully brush or blow away any loose
dust, then gently rub the surface with a clean, soft
dry cloth, Figure 2-26. Do not press hard on the LCD
surface, since this could damage its delicate structure.
Sensor Cleaning
Specks of dust or lint that have settled on
the camera’s image sensor are most noticeable
in image areas of lighter color, such as the sky
or clothing. Eliminating the spots from your
files by using image manipulation software is
time-consuming and tedious. A better solution
is to remove the particles by cleaning the clear
cover plate that is placed over the delicate
sensor. The recommended procedure for sensor
cover cleaning varies among manufacturers.
The following procedure lists the general steps
involved.
Jack Klasey/Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 2-26. Gentle wiping with a clean, soft cloth is
recommended for cleaning LCD screens and viewfinders.
Procedure
Cleaning an SLR Camera Sensor
1. Connect the camera to an AC adapter, if available,
or be sure that the battery is fully charged.
2. Turn off the camera, and then remove the lens.
3. Turn the camera on again, and select the sensor
cleaning choice from the appropriate menu. The
mirror flips up and locks, and the shutter opens to
expose the sensor assembly.
4. Hold the camera with the lens opening facing
downward, so any dislodged dust falls out.
5. Carefully use a bulb-type blower to direct a jet of
air at the sensor cover, Figure 2-27. This should
dislodge any loose material. Do not use a blower
brush—small pieces of bristle could break off,
adding to the dust problem instead of solving it. Also,
the bristles could scratch the cover plate. Never use
canned compressed air, since it contains chemical
propellants that can damage the sensor assembly.
6. Withdraw the blower bulb from the camera and turn
off the power. The shutter closes and the mirror
drops down.
7. Remount the lens.
Jack Klasey/Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 2-27. Careful use of a blower directs a
jet of air onto the sensor’s cover plate to remove
loose dust particles.