Attacked in Yellowstone by a ruthless predator

FlyNavy

Attacked in Yellowstone by a ruthless predator

Well, OK it was not by this one but devastating, none the less. I was shocked to see during post processing how much sensor dust was splattered all over my images. During my 10 days in the park I was switching between my 2 zooms. I thought I was being very careful to prevent any dust or debris from getting into my camera but somehow my photos taken during the last days of my trip were covered in specks and splotches. I spent each nigh in a hotel and did not have any windy, gusty days where the dust was blowing around. So, my question to you all is how do you keep from this happening on a fast paced outdoor shoot? How do you clean your sensor while out in the wilderness. List your techniques for changing your lenses in the field

System

I try to point the "front" of the camera body down as I remove/replace the lens.

InsuredDisaster

It helps to have a camera with built in cleaning systems. One of mine does.


With the other, I pack a squeeze bulb blower and will occasionally blast the senser with air.

BeemerChef

I never change lens. One camera per lens...

Zimtok

BeemerChef wrote:

I never change lens. One camera per lens...

Do you have a pack mule to carry your equipment?



As stated above, I try to change lenses quickly, in a clean area, camera pointing down. My Canon 40D and 50D do have sensor cleaners so turning it off and on during a normal day of shooting will generally keep it clean.


.

InsuredDisaster

Zimtok wrote:

Do you have a pack mule to carry your equipment?



As stated above, I try to change lenses quickly, in a clean area, camera pointing down. My Canon 40D and 50D do have sensor cleaners so turning it off and on during a normal day of shooting will generally keep it clean.


.

Well, if you've got 1 camera with an 18-200, or maybe 2 cameras with say, the above 18-200, and a 10-20, or a 10-20 and 70-200, or 18-50 and 50-200, well you get the idea. Not too much more weight, your lenses are ready to go instantly, (no more cursing when you've got a 70-200 on your camera and a hawk lands 2 feet away with a turtle in its beak) and your sensors stay clean.

pathfinder

I have always used a two body system, even in film days.

One wide or normal zoom, and the other a tele zoom. That lets me cover from 16-24 mm on out to 200 or 300 mm which covers an awful lot of ground.

Helps keep your sensor cleaner too

Zimtok

InsuredDisaster,
I do a modified version of what your describing.
I have two bodies, one with a general 28-70mm lens for quick photos. I hardly ever remove the lens from this body.
The other body usually has my 70-200mm. If I feel the need to change to a differrent lens I usually swap lenses on this body.

Of course every situation may require a different approch, this apporch fits most of the situations I find myself in.



.

Art Scott

FlyNavy wrote:

So, my question to you all is how do you keep from this happening on a fast paced outdoor shoot? How do you clean your sensor while out in the wilderness. List your techniques for changing your lenses in the field

I have 2 cameras with lenses attached.....so I do not have to change lenses.
If for some reason I have to change them I make sure that the cam stays pointed to the ground to minimize any dust getting into camera....it is tough to bet the lens attached until you get used to doing it this way.

jfriend

FlyNavy wrote:

Attacked in Yellowstone by a ruthless predator

Well, OK it was not by this one but devastating, none the less. I was shocked to see during post processing how much sensor dust was splattered all over my images. During my 10 days in the park I was switching between my 2 zooms. I thought I was being very careful to prevent any dust or debris from getting into my camera but somehow my photos taken during the last days of my trip were covered in specks and splotches. I spent each nigh in a hotel and did not have any windy, gusty days where the dust was blowing around. So, my question to you all is how do you keep from this happening on a fast paced outdoor shoot? How do you clean your sensor while out in the wilderness. List your techniques for changing your lenses in the field

Are you sure this is sensor dust? Dust on the sensor should make darker spots (it blocks light) not bright spots.

On the original question, I try hard to avoid changing lenses outdoors. I have kept my older bodies and often have other lenses on them.

sirsloop

Looks like dust on the buffalo... maybe flies or debris flying around.

How do I change lenses? Point my back into the wind, change the lens, shoot, then stop by at the Jamesburg NJ Canon service center on my way into work on Monday and drop my bodies off for free cleaning rofl

ilslado

Thanks so much for sharing the post.

Mr. Quiet

InsuredDisaster wrote:

With the other, I pack a squeeze bulb blower and will occasionally blast the senser with air.

That is exactly what I have and what I do. Needless to say it works too