Reefs.org Forums

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

IS there any maintenance that needs to be done on a DSLR?

I am thinking about sending mine out for a cleaning and check. I have had it for almost 2 years now.

I clean the lens with a lens cloth but is that all that is needed?

[Len]

Sensor cleaning is about it, but it rarely needs to be done unless you change lenses (in the field) a lot. I wipe my lens every now and then, but some dust and even scratches really does not effect image quality much.

[Sharkky]

Unless you've really been around the block for several years with your DSLR, 1) you won't need to clean the sensor, and 2) you shouldn't mess with the sensor. So it's kind of one of those 'if you trust yourself enough to clean the sensor and know how to do it, it probably needs done.' Otherwise, leave the sensor alone unless you've been in a dust storm.

But yeah, what Len said--clean the glass is most of it. Once your camera gets up to 50,000-70,000 shutter actuations (most Canons have a function where you can check in the metadata or the camera's menus how many actuations the camera has on it), it'll probably need at least routine service. Speaking of which, I probably need to schedule our cameras for a send-out.