My EX3 has been a dirty girl.

[GaryOldman]

Literally. I shot a doc in a tomato field and now her lens is filthy and there's dust accumulating all over. Fortunately I have a B+W slim filter fitted over the actual lens so I'm not worried about damage, I just want to clean everything as soon as possible.

Any recommendations as to the best lens cleaner and how to best clean the camera body?

[GuyB]

page 116 of my manual:
Remove dust and dirt from the surface of the lens using a blower.
If the body of the unit is dirty, clean it with a soft, dry cloth. In extreme cases, use a cloth steeped in a little neutral detergent, then wipe dry. Do not use organic solvents such as alcohol or thinners, as these may cayse discolouration or other damage to the finish of the unit.

[Duke M.]

I would vacuum first before a blower (without letting the hose touch anything) to get dust away from the camera. Do it first so you don't drive any dirt inside. That will get rid of the bigger specs.

Then wipe off with a barely damp, not wet, cloth. That will help break the electrostac cling. I wouldn't go near detergent unless there is oil that might migrate elsewhere.

I'd also probably replace the filter on the front when all done, but that's just me.

[basspig]

I second Duke M's advice. Suck dirt away from the camera to prevent it from lodging in crevices or getting inside critical components.

[Dana Kupper]

I always keep a small, stiff, high quality paint brush in my kit for this reason. I have found that brushing the dirt off is better than blowing, because the blowing can cause the fine dust to lodge itself into the body. Vaccuuming is a great idea, unfortunately when I am in faraway places it is not always available!

[RonnieMartin]

I always keep a small, stiff, high quality paint brush in my kit for this reason. I have found that brushing the dirt off is better than blowing, because the blowing can cause the fine dust to lodge itself into the body. Vaccuuming is a great idea, unfortunately when I am in faraway places it is not always available!
I agree that you should vaccum first. Then use a Swifter cloth to wipe the body down. The swifter dust cloths can be bought at your local Walmart. If you have severe solied surfaces on the body use a soft cloth moistened with just plaing water. Be careful using solvents of any kind. Try not to blow dust and dirt in to the camera.

Good Luck



Ronnie
www.dirtracingvideo.com

[GaryOldman]

Thanks everyone, her body is spotless again! Does anyone have a favorite lens cleaning kit? I'd like to keep one in my camera case.

Thanks again!

[Jeffyr]

Although I haven't been in the situation myself, I was told by shooters that were in Iraq (where the blowing sand is as fine as baby powder) to wrap the camera in saran wrap prior to shooting (as much as you can anyway. Prior to unwrapping wipe the camera down several times with damp cloth. Then unwrap, and wipe it down a couple more times. That should get the bulk of the dust off without forcing it into the camera with compressed air. Flip side is additional heat build up in the camera, but if they tested it in the desert and it worked then I would believe them.