I find it impossible to even go out on a shoot and not change lenses at least once or twice. I use a TS-24mm often to shoot architecture and sometimes I don’t need that lens, but need to work with a lens with more flexibility in position where I can’t change my location. So I swap out the TS-24mm for my 24-105mm and get the shot. For a long time when I first bought my Canon 5d I left the 24-105mm on and dust still sneaks in though the lens. When you have lenses that move in and out to adjust for longer focal lengths, “dust happens”.

With camera’s that have larger image sensors (this can typically be tied to larger mega pixels) the ability to produce a magnetic reaction and attraction to dust skyrockets. So you’re frustrated and you pull off the lens and have a look. Below is a list of things you should never do:
1. Never blow (from your mouth) into your camera’s exposed mirror & sensor. Have you ever seen the shots when someone sneezes and a spray of crap comes out? Not much different, even if you blow gently.
2. Never use caned air to blow into your camera’s exposed mirror & sensor
3. Never leave your camera’s mirror and sensor exposed for longer than need be.
4. Never stick your fingers in to touch the mirror or sensor.
5. Never attempt to clean the mirror or sensor yourself by rubbing something on it.

Ok, so there is a list of things you can’t do. What can you do??
1. If you have a air bulb or something that can shoot air into your exposed mirror and sensor via squeezing with your hand is ok.
2. Wet a paper towel, expose the mirror & sensor, place the camera on a hard surface propped up a few inches for 10 minutes or more to allow dust to fall out and stick to the wet paper towel.
3. Try #1 & 2 with the mirror locked up and mirror down. You can find this in your camera’s manual, more than likely under custom functions.
4. Used canned Air on your Lens’s to clean them out. Always hold the caned air on a flat surface and move your lens around it rather than moving and tipping the can causing what looks like moisture to come out. This won’t happen if you keep the can on a flat surface.
5. Buy some E wipe’s (small wipes that attract dust and clean image surfaces) to keep your lens’s clean on the surface. Try to keep the barrels clean when fully extended. These things are dust traps.

What happens when you can’t remove the dust??
A few things can be done. If you live in Chicago you can take your camera to Calumet who in-turn sends the camera off to a guy named Tony Campos of TC Camera Repair. I know Tony from back in my LLFORD days as a sales Rep…so I just send it direct and save a few bucks. You won’t find anyone in Chicago willing to clean your camera or repair your camera that is insured as well as has been doing this type of service for years. Tony had a quick turn around and my only other option would be to send it to Canon. Canon would take weeks if not a month to work on my camera. Any way…options are out there. Don’t do it yourself unless you’re ready to pay close to 1k for any damage you do by sticking something you bought in a store that looks soft and end up scratching your sensor. Let a pro do it and if he makes a mistake…he pays for it…not you.