NAB STUFF

Stefhoffer

Dust is really a problem, but I think you have Sony AX100 which is fine for travel, unfortunately can't have more choice of lenses.

Stef, when I work and travel, every day in the morning before leaving the hotel room I check the sensor hoping there is no dust on it. In case there is dust, I clean the Canon 1DC sensor. You cannot run from it especially when you shoot in high angle. Sometimes I take the cleaning items with me...just in case... and in the middle of the day I recheck for dust spots. Sometimes I can rid of dust with camera dust cleaner but that not work every time.

Yes, I use the GH4 and AX100 interchangeably. The dust issue with the GH4 keeps me from investing in new lenses for it though.

Interesting to read your comments about the 1DC Sev. Still a fantastic camera from what I've been reading. What do you do when you're abroad and you can't clear all the dust from the sensor? Do you use a backup camera?

@stefhoffer - I have that problem with the GH3. Dust .... I have to send it again to Texas for sensor cleaning. Once a year it has to travel to Texas becuase some dust gets to the inner side of the moire filter. I am looking at the Xc-10 as a solution to this rather than buying the GH4.

I know several people with the GH4 and they love it except they hate the dust magnet sensor. So far I'm very happy with the AX-100. I used to carry a separate video and photo camera and went with the dslr. Now I'm back carrying both again and kinda think that is the best option. A fixed video lens to avoid dust problems.

Well, the XC10 seems like an interesting alternative, but has been burned by critics at the same time, for different reasons. It's a little pricey to just buy and try out. And it has a lot of the same features as the AX100, although completely different ergonomics. So for me it's probably not going to happen. If it'd be a first 4K camera, however, it would be one of the options.

I agree with you Don, carrying both type of cameras is ideal. The GH4 is great also for its weight. But then the dust issue is a downside, especially in remote areas where there are no (reliable) camera stores. We can't have everything I suppose :)

Stef, I clean the 1DC myself with swabs and cleaning solutions in case of camera cleaner mechanism not do the job well.

Are you guys swapping lenses in the middle of a dust storm? How are you getting so much dust in your GH4? I'm coming up on my 1-year anniversary with my GH4 and never had a dust problem. I change my lenses outside all the time, but only when I feel it's safe.

Good to read that it works for the 1DC Sev. I've tried wet cleaning with swabs multiple times. Many of the dust spots vanished, some remained, and others reappeared later. Even after having the camera cleaned here in the Netherlands with high pressure air (at two different camera stores), dust somehow found its way to the sensor again after a couple of days.

Dave, great that you're not experiencing any trouble. The odd thing is that I didn't change any lenses at all, I just have one! I was thinking of buying 1 or 2 prime lenses, but really doubt investing more in the GH4 system is a good idea.

Stef, I'm not saying that I get off the dust permanently. I check it and clean it every time it needs. Sometimes I clean it daily when I'm abroad....depends...