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Dust is one problem that always exists in every digital camera single-lens reflex (DSLR). Dust can come from anywhere and stuck to the sensor surface thereby reducing performance when the camera is used. One of the most severe is when replacement lenses, dust can enter directly attached to the glass filter that covers the light sensor / image sensor.



This light sensor consists of millions of light-sensitive elements with a size 6 to 8 μm square. Small-sized dust could certainly cover some of the fruit of this light-sensitive elements (called pixels). If the number of pixels covered in dust, then the ability to capture light pixels will be significantly reduced, and the images on the pixel will be detected as gray, and very subtle in the photos, especially in the areas of photos with a relatively dim light.

Dust on the surface of this sensor will be very annoying especially when taking the picture with a large number. It can only be done if a digital retouch software, but it would be work very much.

• Where the actual origin of the dust on the camera?

Surprisingly, researchers found that the main source of canon dust on the camera is derived from within the camera itself. This explains why the photographer who rarely change lenses were also exposed to the problem of dust on the sensor.

This may occur because of the camera body, there are two main components that can generate dust. The first component is a mechanical shutter, each time the shutter is operated, there are few mechanical parts rub against each other, ultimately producing dust.

The second component is a plastic cover hole camera body (body cap). Each time the plastic is installed or removed, the metal mounting friction (at body) and body plastic cap can generate dust.

Therefore, the development of digital camera technology, is now also includes the use of special material (either plastic or metal) that can reduce the amount of dust result of friction. That's why the plastic lid body like this could reach hundreds of thousands of prices.

• How to know the existence of dust on the sensor

One of the fastest ways to identify the presence of dust on the sensor is to observe the patches of gray on a bright image areas are, for example part of the sky. In this part easily recognizable patches of dust. Bercaknya grayish and fuzzy, because the actual position of the dust does not stick directly on the sensor surface, but on the surface of the sensor low pass filter on the top surface of the sensor. So there is still a gap between the sensor surface dust and, therefore, the display will always be patches of dust aka out-of-focus blur / blur and light slip-interrupted interrupted the sensor will still be captured as gray.

To further confirm the presence of dust, we can conduct tests with the photo shoot on a sheet of white paper or white wall. Use a telephoto lens if any, or set the zoom lens focal length at most length. No need to focus on the paper / wall, out of focus is also not a problem. The important focus of effort to a minimum distance (closer to the paper or the wall). Select AV modes (Aperture priority) on the camera, set the smallest aperture opening (eg at f/22). Then shoot.

Transfer the result of shooting on the PC and observe the image on the imaging software at 100% magnification. If your camera sensor dust, we can be sure you'll find patches of gray in the picture. Time for you to perform cleaning services.

• Prevention is always better

As explained earlier, that dust comes from the fact most of the camera itself. That means, we can not stop the attachment of dust on the sensor, but is able to reduce it, salahsatunya is as simple as the following:

* Always turn off the camera before changing lenses or release the body cap. This will stop the static electric charge on the attachment of sensors and reduce the risk of dust.

* Turn off the camera before removing the body or replace the lens cap

* Do not let the camera mounting hole open for a long time. We must open the lens or lens replacement, do it quickly and immediately put the cap back with a new lens or body cap.

* Avoid changing lenses in dusty environments. If forced to make changes, do it in a way directed at the lens mounting holes facing downwards, this is to reduce the risk of dust falling on the aperture of the open body.

* Keep the body cap and lens cap remains in clean condition was not dusty. One of them by setting a lens cap and body cap attached to each other when not in use. Did you know that the lens cap and body cap can be paired with each other? This is intended to keep the inside of the second cap remains.

Hopefully you can prevent your camera from dust and to reduce image quality and the satisfaction of capturing your precious moments. Watch for follow-up article on how to clean the sensor. When the dust had already attached and prevention are not working anymore. While I was collated for the post here soon.