A Handy Photographic Tool

The Wolfbox Super Power Turbofan Megaflow 50 powered air blower. (One heck of a name!)
Marketing Image from Wolfbox

If you had read my posts following me on my recent road trip to the western United States (starting here), I mentioned that I bought a battery powered air blower to mitigate the ever present dust and sand that is found in the desert areas out west.  I think it is worthwhile to share a bit more information about the blower other than just a mention as it has now become a valuable permanent part of my photo kit.

While I was researching how best to maximize my chances for success photographing inside one of Arizona's slot canyons (we visited Upper Antelope Canyon outside of Page, Arizona), one of the recurring themes I saw was that there was an almost constant rain of extremely fine sand that rains down from the ground surface above the canyon.  I read repeatedly that it was wise to take some sort of cover to keep over your camera and lens when not actually photographing in that environment.  Thinking about that, I did take an inexpensive hotel plastic shower cap and a small sized Giottos Rocket Blower.  Both of those went a long way in keeping that ever present and pesky sand from accumulating too heavily onto my camera and lens.   However, if some of that grit did get onto the camera or lens (and it did) I wanted a way to get it 'all' off.  All of it.  I didn't want any of it being pulled back into the lens barrel when I retracted the zoom.  That's where a powered air blower comes in.

I have seen these advertised over the past couple of years.  There are a variety of brand names but, fundamentally, it seems to me most are about the same.  I think many are identical but sold with different names.  I've read where several photographers touted their efficacy in removing dust and debris from their gear—even sensor dust.  One of the most popular brands is made by VSGO.  So, as many of us do, I searched for it on the Amazon.com website.

What I found was the VSGO model for $99 US and quite a few other branded models that appeared to have similar specifications, accessories and build quality.   The VSGO brand has a filter and a brush attachment as well as a few different nozzles.  The filter, if made of the right material, could be beneficial if you plan on blowing off your sensor.  However, I wasn't sure I was going to use it on my sensor and $99 is more than I thought a device like this is worth so I continued to look elsewhere.

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After some additional research, I chose this one:  Wolfbox Super Power Turbofan MegaFlow50.  What a name!

It has:

3 speeds

a rechargeable battery

4 different shaped tips

a charging cable

…and I paid $34 US for it.  They do make a more powerful model for $89 US.  I don’t need that much power so I settled on the ‘50’ model.

I like how on the box the manufacturer labels this as a "Violent Fan!"  I'm not sure what that means but it does pack a punch!

As far as some of its features, it has three speeds—25,000, 60,000 and 110,000 RPMs.  Its rechargeable battery is stated to fully recharge in 3.5 hours and claimed to get 240 minutes of use on a single charge using the lowest RPM setting.  Also, they give you a 24 month warranty and 24/7 customer assistance.  I’m skeptical of the 24/7 customer assistance.  Just sayin’.

I'm happy to report that the Wolfbox blower did a splendid job in removing all of the fine dust from my camera body and lens.  Additionally, I did use it at its slowest RPM and held it back about 6-8" from the front of my camera to blow off my sensor.  I found no harm.  But I was nervous, to be honest.

Interestingly enough, when looking at Wolfbox's website, it seems they are primarily an automobile industry product manufacturer.  That said, I have found the product works as it is claimed, well-built and certainly worth the small amount of money I paid for it.  Also, I've now used it for cleaning keyboards, blowing out the inside of my camera bags, center console in my SUV as well as other miscellaneous things around the house.  I even blew some dust off the top of my desk!  It has come in very handy.

All in all, I feel this is a worthwhile purchase.  When traveling I'll be taking it along as well.  Additionally, I've given up on my use of canned air, which had been my mainstay for a couple of decades.  Finally, I found it is inexpensive enough that if, in the future, it malfunctions, I'll replace it without much consternation.  After three months of use, I can recommend this as an alternative to using canned air to blow off your gear.  It just works.

DISCLAIMER:  I have no affiliation with Wolfbox nor any other company.  I don’t have advertisements, affiliate links, nor click-through sites.  I don’t get any commissions, discounts  nor in-kind compensation for my opinion about various products.  I pay what you pay most likely from the same retail establishments that you use.  My goal is to share my opinions and experiences to be helpful to others and hopefully they can enjoy their photography as much as I have enjoyed it.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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