Question on the self cleaning sensors.

[Peleg]

I asked this question on the Sony DSLR board but haven't gotten an answer yet so I'll try here. While a "self cleaning" sensor is a great idea, like what Sony has instituted in their new camera, how well do you think it'll work in the long run. Even if this self cleaning procedure works it'll mean longer periods between popping off the lens and cleaning the sensor manually. That dust has to go somewhere...like building up inside the cavity. That seems like not such a good thing. What do you all think. By the way, this isn't an anti-Sony post by any means. Just curious.

[jeisner]

Can't say really, I doubt it will be a problem in the usefull life of the camera though...

You really shouldn't get very much dust in there at all, my camera has no dust cleaning, I do it myself, but maybe only once every few months and you can't see what you get off, its a tiny tiny amount...

The sticky material used in the Sony and Olympus cameras is similar to substances used in film cameras for many years to keep dust of the film there too..

[Norm in Fujino]

I asked this question on the Sony DSLR board but haven't gotten an answer yet so I'll try here. While a "self cleaning" sensor is a great idea, like what Sony has instituted in their new camera, how well do you think it'll work in the long run. Even if this self cleaning procedure works it'll mean longer periods between popping off the lens and cleaning the sensor manually. That dust has to go somewhere...like building up inside the cavity.

Dunno about Sony's solution, but in the case of Olympus E-system cameras, the dust is caught by a sticky strip located at the bottom of the sensor cavity (not normally visible). They say it shouldn't require replacing more than once every several years; I can't remember offhand hearing anybody mention having it replaced on the Oly forums I frequent, but I do know the dust removal system works well. Virtually the only time sensor dust gets mentioned is when someone is remarking on messages about dust on forums for other manufacturers.

[cdifoto]

Virtually the only time sensor dust gets mentioned is when someone is remarking on messages about dust on forums for other manufacturers.

But dust rarely gets mentioned on the Canon photo forum I frequent either, unless a complete newbie is asking. People shooting and sharing don't mention it because it's not really a problem, even on Canon. At least not once they get past being a measurbator and/or just overly anal-retentive. :)