Dust on sensors

[Guest JoanMarianne]

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Users of M8 and M9 models with several Leitz lenses must change lenses fairly frequently, in comparison with digital SLR owners, many of whom fit a wide-ranging zoom to mimise the need for frequent lens changing. Is there any evidence of such users having problems with dust on the sensor?....and, if yes, how is it dealt with?

[elgenper]

Users of M8 and M9 models with several Leitz lenses must change lenses fairly frequently, in comparison with digital SLR owners, many of whom fit a wide-ranging zoom to mimise the need for frequent lens changing.

 

Well, not exactly.... It is a common misunderstanding, though. RF users tend to work differently, moving around more to get the point of view they want, instead of standing still and changing the angle of view by changing lenses. The choice of lens is often made from the general situation rather than an individual picture. Don´t know why it works out that way (I´ve shot a lot with both types of equipment), and I´m certainly not saying one way is "better" than the other; it´s just the way it seems to be.

 

Is there any evidence of such users having problems with dust on the sensor?....and, if yes, how is it dealt with?

 

You bet.... Even with less frequent changes, we all get dust, lots of it.

But with wider apertures and short lenses (both of which are preferred by most RF users anyway), a few specks are seldom a problem. Leave them alone until they really start to show up in the images and bother you.

 

Same counter-measures as for a dSLR: use the special setting for sensor cleaning (with a fully charged battery), try first to blow it off with one of these rubber ball thingies (NEVER EVER with your mouth). If there´s something more stubborn, try one of the special brushes, and in the very last instance, use a wet method - after reading as much about the procedure as you possibly can; it´s easy to end up with more and worse goo afterwards than was there to begin with.

[tobey bilek]

I have not had it happen to me, but it has been reported that debris that is allowed to sit on a sensor/cover gets harder to remove with time.

 

I follow good lens changing practices and clean out the camera with a blower frequently. I do not open the shutter every time. The idea being to get crud out before it migrates to the sensor.

 

A photo of a clear computer screen will tell you if there is a serious problem, or if spots show on the pics. Then start with the blower and proceed to a wet clean .

 

The lighted magnifying glass by visible dust will help you see dust. Micro Tools sells a useable less sophisticated set up for $20. Attach a safety chain so you don`t drop it inside and it works as well.

[smb]

I have used film M Leicas and I am constantly switching lenses. I am considering moving to the M9. Sometimes I shoot under adverse conditions. What has been the experience of professionals shooting with the M9 under stree conditions (which I suspect to be the worse)? Do you only carry one lens? How does one respond to shooting under dusty conditions or jungle humid conditions & switching lenses with the M9? Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[erl]

Dust has always been a problem to photographers. On film it haunts darkrooms and filing situation. On digital cameras it haunts sensors. Both can be dealt with and minimized.

 

I am a working professional, probably close to 'retiring' and I now only work with M8's and M9. I never let fear of dust inhibit my desire/need to change a lens, and I do it frequently in some situations. Initially, I listened to fearful stories of 'dust demons' and hesitated to commit to digital. I have now been working with digital intensively since the release of the 1st M8 (I still have one). I have never been unduly cursed by dust. In fact I have been relatively free of it, despite how and where I work and travel. A basic rule I always observe is to turn my back on any prevailing wind when changing lenses. A 'transformed' habit from turning my back on the light when changing film.

 

In my amateur capacity I think my cameras get a more rugged treatment than my professional events. I have travelled in Morocco, including the Sahara, India and very recently in Antarctica. In all these environments the cameras performed faultlessly, but more specifically, none needed a clean for the duration of any trip. On a regular basis, I carry one or another walking the dog on the beach every morning before work and it gets used every day as I am compiling a documentary on local beach erosion over the past 5 years. This has involved wading waist deep in surf to obtain images of storm conditions. The cameras are still fine. I do always wipe and dry after such episodes.

 

The short answer to your question is, "no, dust is not an unreasonable problem on digital M's." Not in any environment I have encountered.