Dusty Image Sensor

[dust seen at the top right]

I recently noticed that I somehow got dust on the image sensor of my Canon XTI so I had to figure out a way to take care of the situation. Being relatively new to the DSLR world I knew that I had some research to do so I could figure out how to remedy the situation. This meant a search around the net and a trip to a few local stores.

The first trip was to Keeble & Shuchat 290 Store in Palo Alto where a clean would take a few days. Unfortunately I don't remember the price but they were very helpful giving me tips on how I might try to take care of the problem myself. A quick tutorial on wet and dry methods along with the possibility of blowing the dust off of the sensor sent me over to the 261 store across the street. I was able to get some additional tips, saw some of the tool options and walked out with a blower for about $12.

The blower didn't help so next I was off to Kamera Korner in San Jose to see what they had. The first suggestion was for a cleaning service which would take a few days and put me out $65. I ended up with a bottle of Eclipse Optic Cleaning System for about $10 and two swabs for $8 each. After a bit more research I'm going to give this a shot.


Dust Cleaning Resources

- Sensor Cleaning Test a Flickr Set
- Google search for dslr image sensor dust
- Dust Removal Review from Pixinfo
- Cleaning Your Sensor by Thom Hogan (focused on Nikon cameras)
- Demystifying D-SLR Sensor Cleaning from cleaningdigitalcameras.com
- Sensor Cleaning Google Search

My Mobile Photography Setup

I recently purchased a Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW for my Canon XTI and I've found that it's a great bag to store my stuff. There are lots of pockets and the main compartment is customizable to accommodate many different camera/lens configurations. The sling style is comfortable and convenient but for some reason I haven't fully embraced this bag and I don't seem to use it when I'm out and about. Instead I have started using the following setup which is kind of a hack but it works well for me and is relatively versatile.




Case Logic SLR Camera Holster (SKU-SLRC-1) is the main compartment for my camera and works well with the XTI kit lens or my 50mm 1.8. This bag slips into my main bag...





REI Transit Day Bag
which holds the case logic, an extra lens, some accessories and various other things with room to spare. All of my gear is easily accessible and the bag itself seems to be pretty comfortable even when loaded. I also like the fact that it doesn't look like a camera bag. I'll have to see if this setup will remain my primary as my lens collection grows along with my gear but for now, this seems to be my best option.

Metros That I Have Been On

I came across this site in a Flickr thread here which lets you select the metros from around the world that you have been on. The icons above represent my list. You can make your own at b3co.com!

MWS & DB

I took this during a work trip to Sydney, Australia and I didn't think much of it at the time. The shot was just to fulfill one of my many photographic collections, in this case, that of manholes.

Months later I received an e-mail from someone claiming to be from Lonely Planet, the travel book people. They were interested in using my photo for an upcoming book on Sydney. At first read I thought the e-mail was a scam but decided to reply just in case. As it turns out, it was legit. This shot can now be found on page 69
of the Lonely Planet book Sydney Citiescape

step 8

step 8, originally uploaded by cjw333.

step 8: tack color, remove shorts, rejuvenate once
that just seems a bit wrong

A Walk From Shinagawa Station

This is a short video that I shot in Tokyo, Japan while walking from Shinagawa station to the McDonnalds in front of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. The music is by Bulljun and from a CD that I bought while in Tokyo.

More info on Bulljunhere

The Onion | I Have An iPod--In My Mind

I Have An iPod–In My Mind

I'm sure you've seen a lot of tech-savvy people smugly showing off that new hunk of entertainment hardware, the iPod personal stereo. Well, I might not have the scratch to get one, but frankly, I don't want the white-corded wonder. I have my very own iPod-in my mind.

I can think of worse things but then again at only 30G I might be looking for some alternatives soon.

earbuds

earbuds, originally uploaded by cjw333.

iPod earbuds
taken with my new
Canon 100mm macro lens

see more from me on flickr

Music Related Things To Do In San Francisco

CD/Record Shops

• Amoeba - Upper Haight - One of the biggest and the best in the Bay Area
• Aquarius Records - Mission - Great indie shop with lots of psych, experimental, indie world and metal among others.
  

Instruments

• Lark In The Morning - located in The Cannery at Del Monte Square (map) 2801 Leavenworth and Beach at Fisherman's Wharf - a great place for all kinds of strange and unique ethnic instruments.
• Haight Ashbury Music Center - Upper Haight - Specializing in guitars and percussions with some electronics.
• Guitar Center - Van Ness near Market - Massive chain store for all your needs.
  

Venues

• Audium -
• Bottom of the Hill - Portrero - excellent, small club with tons of great indie acts of all kinds.
  
• The Fillmore - Fillmore - an SF institution and a great place to see a show
  
• Great American Music Hall - Tenderloin - my favorite medium sized club in the city. It's like a mini Fillmore of sorts.
  
• Slim's - SoMA - another good medium-small venue featuring all kinds of indie acts.

Boutique Effects Pedals Round Up

Engadget

coverage of the music thing: boutique effects pedals round up.

some interesting little stomp boxes.

technorati tags:music

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