DSLR Dust Removal System compared

[ykkok]

An interesting test for your reference:

http://pixinfo.com/en/articles/ccd-dust-removal/

[OlyFlyer]

Interesting. But if the other systems are no good, shouldn't the users complain? I find tests and reviews of one single unit or comparision between single units very biased having limited value. Don't know how much to trust the tester.

Anyway, interesting reading. Thanks for the link.

[ykkok]

I don't think they'll complain because they already agreed that dust is not an issue.

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by ykkok I don't think they'll complain because they already agreed that dust is not an issue.

I was just visiting another thread there a C user says he is never changing lens outdoors due to dust. He says he always keeps his lenses on his two C dSLR bodies to protect the cameras from dust. Also when absolutely have to, he holds the camera pointing down to minimise the risks. I really feel sorry for him. Must be very complicated and difficult. I just hold my camera the way I feel it best at that moment and never worry about changing outdoors.

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by OlyFlyer I was just visiting another thread there a C user says he is never changing lens outdoors due to dust. He says he always keeps his lenses on his two C dSLR bodies to protect the cameras from dust. Also when absolutely have to, he holds the camera pointing down to minimise the risks. I really feel sorry for him. Must be very complicated and difficult. I just hold my camera the way I feel it best at that moment and never worry about changing outdoors.

I change lenses anywhere, thanks to Olympus! (pats my E-1 again)...

[wong_se]

I have been 2 overseas trip with E1 and 2 zuiko lens last year, and I changed lens like nobody business. Even my travel mate feel that I am a bit too much. (me very kiasu not to capture the moment.....haha..)

After the trip...My viewfinder was so dirty and there were black dot everywhere. However, no single dust on the sensor.

Bravo to super sonic wave filter.

[ooniik]

Originally Posted by wong_se I have been 2 overseas trip with E1 and 2 zuiko lens last year, and I changed lens like nobody business. Even my travel mate feel that I am a bit too much. (me very kiasu not to capture the moment.....haha..) After the trip...My viewfinder was so dirty and there were black dot everywhere. However, no single dust on the sensor. Bravo to super sonic wave filter.

You mention tt your view finder is dirty, so how do you clean it and get rid of the black dots??

[wong_se]

Originally Posted by ooniik You mention tt your view finder is dirty, so how do you clean it and get rid of the black dots??

I have a clumsy hand, thus I send to Olympus Service Center. FOC if the camera is still under warranty.

What I want to highlight is that - sensor is more prone to dust compared to Viewfinder.
If I have a very dirty viewfinder, and without the wave filter, you can imagine how bad the sensor is.

[ch5800]

This feature is really a big time and money savior. It is NOT a marketing hype. Make a simple calculation on how much time and money is required to send the cam for cleaning if you don't want to clean the sensor carefully yourself. It is such a simple and innovative idea from Olympus!

[drakon09]

Originally Posted by OlyFlyer Interesting. But if the other systems are no good, shouldn't the users complain? I find tests and reviews of one single unit or comparision between single units very biased having limited value. Don't know how much to trust the tester. Anyway, interesting reading. Thanks for the link.

Well, they should. But they have the notion that dust is NOT a problem already drummed into their heads.

So they keep swabbing.

[Teo]

Good SSWF is one of the main reason why I decide on Olympus.

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by Teo Good SSWF is one of the main reason why I decide on Olympus.

Actually, SSWF was also the 1st main reason for me also. When I bougt my first ever digital camera (my present E-500) I figured the CCD is the same as film. The film is always removed after a shooting when the film is full. The dust is removed with it. The CCD on the otherhand just sits there forever. So it must be cleaned very often. I do use vacuum cleaner, dish washer, washing machine and so on in my home to clean different things, so I figured a built in vacuum cleaner like SSWF should be better than not having one and having to do the job manually every day.

Maybe we are just too lazy and dust is not a problem but so far I haven't cleaned my CCD and the last test shot does not show any evidence that I should have cleaned. Even in my case, the mirror and the view finder glass is a different story... So, come on Oly, MSSWF (Mirror SSWF)and VSSWF (Viewfinder SSWF) is wanted! Actually, why not a large SSWF at the lens bay? That would be something! Now that the technology is proven working, it should be a piece of cake.

PS

My 2nd main reason to get Oly was MF-1.

[drakon09]

I just took a good look at the review, and it just confirmed what I expected of the Sony/Pentax method all this time.

A high-amplitude / low frequency combo solution just does not work.

Not to mention the risk of busting the IS mechanism.

What surprised me though was that the Canon method was almost as bad as Sony/Pentax. The stated physics behind their system was plausible, unless it was all politics of disinformation.

[drakon09]

Originally Posted by drakon09 Well, they should. But they have the notion that dust is NOT a problem already drummed into their heads. So they keep swabbing.

Ok I stand corrected.

The Canon fellas are bitching about it.

[schon]

ok, and how do i remove dust from the viewfinder?

read up a bit and using a blower isn't recommended as i might introduce more dust into the interior of the camera?

[kcuf2]

Originally Posted by schon ok, and how do i remove dust from the viewfinder? read up a bit and using a blower isn't recommended as i might introduce more dust into the interior of the camera?

removing dust from viewfinder is the freaking hardest thing to do..... in a sense its impossible if u dun open up the camera.... no choice got to ask the service centre ppl to do it..

[drakon09]

Originally Posted by schon ok, and how do i remove dust from the viewfinder? read up a bit and using a blower isn't recommended as i might introduce more dust into the interior of the camera?

Dust in the VF doesn't affect the images, so just let it be until you do send the camera for servicing.

[bousozoku]

Ever since the E-1, people (Canon and Nikon owners mostly) were complaining that the SSWF was a gimmick and that there was no real need. It took Olympus longer to go with an interchangeable lens system because they were working on SSWF, due to dust tests conducted in the labs.

Now, Canon has a couple of bodies with similar mechanisms and Pentax just added a second with the K100D Super, so there must be something to it.

I happen to live in an area where there is a great deal of construction and a lot of sand, etc., and I've never found dust to be a problem. A friend far up north who'd had a Nikon D50 a couple of days ended up buying a swabbing kit because he had visible marks on his photos and he cleaned his sensor.

I feel comfortable that there is no gimmick, at least, from Olympus and that reinforces my choice.

[drakon09]

I know what you mean. As far as I'm concerned, the lack of a effective dust buster is going to be a deal breaker.

I usually try not to be too reliant on any one feature; but then again cloning off dust spots and wet cleaning the sensor is something I never want to do!

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by drakon09 I know what you mean. As far as I'm concerned, the lack of a effective dust buster is going to be a deal breaker. I usually try not to be too reliant on any one feature; but then again cloning off dust spots and wet cleaning the sensor is something I never want to do!

Unfortunately Oly seems to fail to use it in marketing the cameras. I don't know what is wrong with marketing, but I feel that that single feature should be enough to put on scale against any drawbacks ANY Oly dSLR model ever head. Noise, slow focus, bad high ISO performance, bad focus in low light and all the other accusations (some based on lack of knowledge) are not as bad as dust on sensor since there is no cure against dust, except no lens changing ever or SSWF.

Of course, cloning off dust and wet cleaning the sensor is an alternative I am also glad not to have ANY knowledge or experience in. SSWF is just great. SSWF is enough to make me forget and forgive all the other issues I have with Oly.