Blowing air in the MiniDV compartnet at DVinfo.net

Glenn Gipson · November 10th, 2004, 07:54 AM

When, if ever, should you blow air into the miniDV Tape compartment of your camcorder, to free it of any possible debris?

Rick Bravo · November 10th, 2004, 08:06 AM

Be careful, you may just be "re-arranging" the schmutz instead of getting rid of it.

If you MUST do it, I would recommend GENTLY applying the air pressure while holding the camera upside down so that anything you dislodge will fall out of the compartment instead of embedding itself even further.

Also, be particualry careful not to turn you air can upside down as the escaping liquid may leave a film on any surface it touches. As an alternative an "air bulb" or ear syringe may me a safer alternative.

RB

Jeff Donald · November 10th, 2004, 08:13 AM

This has been discussed before. There are also some very tiny springs that can be blown off their anchors by a blast of air. Get one of the new generation blowers from a camera store. They are much safer and provide just enough force to dislodge dust etc.

Rick Bravo · November 14th, 2004, 07:25 PM

Before you go with any "new generation" air blowers, I would strongly suggest an ear syringe, at a minimal cost, before going on to some "new" alternative to the tried and true "wheel".

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/buyinpri...cancleano.html This is just an example of a whole bunch of inexpesive alternatives available out there.

I still have an ear syringe which my father used as a camera assistant over 40 years ago. Although I have long since retired it, it would still do the job of gently applying air wherever necessary. You do not need to re-invent the wheel, old systems will do the job just fine at a fraction of the cost.

RB

Jeff Donald · November 14th, 2004, 08:18 PM

There is nothing wrong with innovation and improvements to a tried and true "wheel" or air blower. After all if there was no innovation there would be no video, or internet or computers etc. Here is a link to B & H and the blowers I would recommend. The prices are $8.99 and $9.99 and I doubt the extra $5 will break the bank. They are much more powerful than an ear syringe and do a superior job of dislodging dust.

Tony Hall · November 14th, 2004, 10:41 PM

I have the rocket air blower and it is suprisingly powerful. Not like one of the little brush blowers that you've seen.

Jesse Bekas · November 15th, 2004, 02:45 PM

Wait a minute! Am I the only one using a leaf-blower to clean out his electronics? It's the only thing powerful enough to get rid of all the dust and debris. j/k :)

I'd try the syringe first, and if it didn't seem clean enough, move up to the chemical version.

November 10th, 2004, 07:54 AM	#1
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	Blowing air in the MiniDV compartnet When, if ever, should you blow air into the miniDV Tape compartment of your camcorder, to free it of any possible debris?

November 10th, 2004, 08:06 AM	#2
Rick Bravo Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 574	Be careful, you may just be "re-arranging" the schmutz instead of getting rid of it. If you MUST do it, I would recommend GENTLY applying the air pressure while holding the camera upside down so that anything you dislodge will fall out of the compartment instead of embedding itself even further. Also, be particualry careful not to turn you air can upside down as the escaping liquid may leave a film on any surface it touches. As an alternative an "air bulb" or ear syringe may me a safer alternative. RB __________________ "The future ain't what it used to be." Yogi Berra. www.rbravo.com

November 10th, 2004, 08:13 AM	#3
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	This has been discussed before. There are also some very tiny springs that can be blown off their anchors by a blast of air. Get one of the new generation blowers from a camera store. They are much safer and provide just enough force to dislodge dust etc. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 14th, 2004, 07:25 PM	#4
Rick Bravo Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 574	Before you go with any "new generation" air blowers, I would strongly suggest an ear syringe, at a minimal cost, before going on to some "new" alternative to the tried and true "wheel". http://shop.store.yahoo.com/buyinpri...cancleano.html This is just an example of a whole bunch of inexpesive alternatives available out there. I still have an ear syringe which my father used as a camera assistant over 40 years ago. Although I have long since retired it, it would still do the job of gently applying air wherever necessary. You do not need to re-invent the wheel, old systems will do the job just fine at a fraction of the cost. RB __________________ "The future ain't what it used to be." Yogi Berra. www.rbravo.com

November 14th, 2004, 08:18 PM	#5
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	There is nothing wrong with innovation and improvements to a tried and true "wheel" or air blower. After all if there was no innovation there would be no video, or internet or computers etc. Here is a link to B & H and the blowers I would recommend. The prices are $8.99 and $9.99 and I doubt the extra $5 will break the bank. They are much more powerful than an ear syringe and do a superior job of dislodging dust. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 14th, 2004, 10:41 PM	#6
Tony Hall Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: springfield, OH Posts: 344	I have the rocket air blower and it is suprisingly powerful. Not like one of the little brush blowers that you've seen. __________________ Tony "Good taste is the enemy of creativity" - Picasso Blog: http://www.tonyhall.name

November 15th, 2004, 02:45 PM	#7
Jesse Bekas Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, USA Posts: 572	Wait a minute! Am I the only one using a leaf-blower to clean out his electronics? It's the only thing powerful enough to get rid of all the dust and debris. j/k :) I'd try the syringe first, and if it didn't seem clean enough, move up to the chemical version.