Things I've Found That Just Work; Giottos Rocket Air Blaster

I don't ever wipe a lens cloth or brush across either the front or rear elements of my lens' surfaces without first using a bulb blower to blow off any debris.  I almost never blow across my lens' surface.  There is always a chance that there may be some grains of grit or something else very tiny that, if dragged across the lens element surface, will scratch the lens multi-coatings or even may scratch the element.  I couldn't imagine how I would feel if I saw a scratch or actually heard the glass being scratched when wiping a lens with a microfiber cloth.  Ugh.

I've used Giottos Rocket Air Blasters (I have always erroneously called them Giottos Rocket Blowers) for years and years.  I suspect a couple of mine are 20 years old or maybe more.  They all still look and work like new.  The rubber has not dried out or cracked.  The tips has never clogged.  Reliable, useful and durable.

I use blowers for three main reasons.  But before any use, I vigorously squeeze the bulb at least 10 times to remove any dust that may have settled on or in the nozzle or bulb.  I don't want to accidentally blow dust onto the surface.  I want to be sure I clear it out before using it where it counts.

First, as I stated above, I always blow off my lens elements before I clean them with a lens cloth.  The idea is to remove any loose debris from the lens before touching the surface with a microfiber cloth.  I've been using this method for as long as I can remember.

The other use I have for these blowers is to occasionally blow off the surface of the sensor of my mirrorless cameras.  In the past, with DSLRs, I used them to blow off the mirror as well.  When I use a blower I hold my camera (camera turned off!) with the lens opening facing straight down.  I enlist gravity to pull anything straight down after being loosened from the sensor rather than settling back onto the sensor or inside the camera opening.  I then blow off the sensor about 20 times, gently squeezing the bulb covering the entire surface of the sensor.  I then replace the lens  or attach the body cap with the camera still facing downwards.  Afterwards, I use the cameras "sensor cleaning" function to clean it electronically as well.  This way, I remove the very loose dust particles and give the in-camera function a head start.

Third, I will use the blower to blow off the eye piece of my camera, in the nooks and crannies around the dials and under the LCD of my camera and other like areas.
  
I own two sizes of the Rocket Blaster.  The Large model AA1900, which currently costs $17.00 US at Amazon.  That stays at home and is used there.  A Small model AA1920, which currently costs $15.00 US at Amazon, is kept in each of my camera bags and always is carried with me when I'm out photographing.  I think it is essential to have one with you in the field.

For some perspective on how large they are as compared to my hand. (click to enlarge)

I recommend these blowers.  They are inexpensive, durable and just work.

As is always the case, I don't get any gear at a special discounted rate or for free.  I am not sponsored by any company, run no advertisements and don't have any "click through" ads through which I receive a commission.  I pay the same as you and get nothing in return except the satisfaction of sharing my knowledge and experiences so you can enjoy photography as much as I have.

If you have an additional comments, other recommendations or such that you are willing to share with fellow readers, please leave a comment.

Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

All content on this blog is © 2013-2019 Dennis A. Mook. All Rights Reserved. Feel free to point to this blog from your website with full attribution. Permission may be granted for commercial use. Please contact Mr. Mook to discuss permission to reproduce the blog posts and/or images.