using an airgun on the xl1?
 

I got my Canon XL-1 and it's a bit dusty. If I used compressed air to blow some of it out, will I hurt the camera or mess it up?

Use it as a last resort if at all. Do Not spray compressed air into the cassette compartment. Tiny springs, washers etc. can come loose and lodge themselves in critical areas, causing expensive damage. Clean the exterior with a damp cotton cloth, moistened Q-Tips, and tooth picks and a soft toothbrush (to clean the cracks and crevices). If you have stubborn dirt or stains try a little glass cleaner, sprayed onto the Q-Tips or cotton cloth. Be careful, the harsh cleaners can discolor the plastic components.

Jeff

If you do decide to use compressed air, make sure you do a quick test spray away from the camera. I ruined one of my UV filters by spraying air on it, that decided to spray the frozen nitrogen, which left a nice blue stain on half my filter. Better the filter than my lens. Just another reason to get a UV filter, and have it on at all times!

-Nori

Airgun
 

Go to the cosmetics section at Wal-Mart and buy a (makeup) blush brush. They're softer'n a baby's butt and do a great job. I saw what looked like the same exact brush in a camera shop and it was $35.00. The one I bought at Wal-Mart was $3.00. I use it to dust my lens (which has a UV filter on it), too.

It's freezing

Just for the cause, I thought I would mention compressed air again.

Do not use compressed air on a camera you can't afford to have serviced for a couple 3 hundred bucks.

The "cold" air can change the tension on the springs and even change the shape of metal if the metal is warm and the air is very cold.

The use of "cool or cold gaseous products" for bending or making a piece of metal straight has been used for centuries.

There are many battery operated air brushes around. They use 12 volt and use ambient temp of the air when blowing. And you can adjust the air flow over the camera.

Just a though!