Hayley Crook's Blog » How to clean your digital SLR camera

Date: 26/04/2009

How to clean your digital SLR camera

To get the best-quality images from your dSLR, you'll need to give it a dust every now and then, both on the inside and out. Camera editor Rich Trenholm from DigitalLiving.co.uk guides you step-by-step through cleaning your camera to make your photos blemish-free.

Step by Step Cleaning your Digital SLR Camera

	Tip 1 Digital SLR DIY The basic tools you'll need for cleaning your SLR's sensor are a rocket blower, sensor cleaning swabs and sensor cleaning solution. These are available from specialist camera shops, as well as online. Read More
	Tip 2 Take the test First, you should establish whether your sensor actually needs cleaning. Although cleaning doesn't have to be a major operation, there's no point in tempting fate by poking around if your sensor is already pristine. Read More
	Tip 3 Keep your area tidy Changing lenses is best done in dust-free, neutral environments, where the risk of contamination is low, but this isn't always possible when snapping in the field. Cleaning, however, should always be carried out somewhere away from the elements. Read More
	Tip 4 Read the flipping manual Dig out the manual -- you know, that thick book that came with the camera. Although most dSLRs operate on the same basic principles, every camera has its own way of working, and you need to know how your camera likes to be cleaned. Read More
	Tip 5 Lock up your mirror Once you have read the manufacturer's cleaning instructions, turn your camera on and set it to cleaning mode. It's essential that the camera remains on -- if the power goes off, the shutter curtain will drop. Read More
	Tip 6 Ready to blow With the mirror and shutter out of the way, the sensor is still protected. Your camera's sensor is too delicate to completely expose it to the elements, so it has a protective filter in front of it known as the Optical Low Pass Filter. When we talk about cleaning the sensor, we really mean the sensor's defensive filter. Read More
	Tip 7 Swab the decks Ensure you've bought the correct size swab for your sensor. Manufacturers will list SLRs on their Web sites. If in doubt, go for smaller sizes as you'll be able to use more than one swab to cover the whole sensor. Read More
	Tip 8 Turn the tables When the whole sensor has been covered, turn the swab over and bring it back the way you came. Ensure that each stroke across the surface of the sensor uses a fresh, clean side of the swab. Read More
	Tip 9 Wipe through a lens Cleaning the sensor is important, but it isn't the only factor in image quality. The lens is just as important. Simple lens-cleaning kits are available from most camera stores as this is a much simpler operation than cleaning the sensor. Simply blow dust off the lens with your blower and clean it with lens tissues, or a soft cloth. Read More
	Tip 10 Keep it clean Sensors, mirrors and internal components may be delicate, but cameras are generally well-sealed and pretty sturdy beasts. You won't have to clean your camera too often, unless you notice dirt on the outside or blemishes on your images. Read More