I didn't just do that... at DVinfo.net

Alex Manning · April 5th, 2009, 05:56 PM

Went to the beach with my Canon XH-A1 today. When I got back I found some sand on it here and there so I brought out my trusty canned air and blew it all off. Totally absent minded, I opened the cassette compartment and blew a few seconds of air in there...

Did I just screw my camera (heads, inside)...?

Everything seems to be working fine, but I was just worried I may have hurt something.

Anyone do this before or is this actually a good procedure to do...?

Steve Wolla · April 6th, 2009, 12:41 AM

Was there sand around the cassette compartment? Did it get wet at all?
If you're worrried about it, maybe look at sending it into Canon to be thoroughly cleaned.

I learned the following from a dark moment in my photographic history in which I got nailed by a sizable wave in Oxnard about 20 years ago. Unfortunately I had my Nikon F2 and a couple lenses with me....the camera lasted another 4 years.

You can usually clean minor amounts of sand out, by having a shop do it for you.
The real threat to going to the beach comes from the possibility of salt water corrosion, if it gets wet. There is no fix for that.

Tripp Woelfel · April 6th, 2009, 06:07 AM

I think it depends on how you did the blowing. If you opened the cassette compartment, pointed the tube into the opening and let it rip, that could be bad. If you used a delicate touch, you're probably alright.

Remember that those cans of compressed air can expel its contents in a very cold, liquid form if you're not careful in following the directions. That might be the biggest peril in doing what you did.

Alex Manning · April 6th, 2009, 06:28 AM

It was just two good squirts of air, no liquid. I just thought it may have blown some lubricant off the reading heads or something.

Bill Pryor · April 6th, 2009, 01:36 PM

Back in my Betacam days I shot in lots of dirty environments and always used canned air carefully inside the tape compartment. I'd do that, then clean the heads themselves. I doubt you caused any problem. I wouldn't do it as a normal procedure.

April 5th, 2009, 05:56 PM	#1
Alex Manning New Boot Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 14	I didn't just do that... Went to the beach with my Canon XH-A1 today. When I got back I found some sand on it here and there so I brought out my trusty canned air and blew it all off. Totally absent minded, I opened the cassette compartment and blew a few seconds of air in there... Did I just screw my camera (heads, inside)...? Everything seems to be working fine, but I was just worried I may have hurt something. Anyone do this before or is this actually a good procedure to do...?

April 6th, 2009, 12:41 AM	#2
Steve Wolla Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 477	Was there sand around the cassette compartment? Did it get wet at all? If you're worrried about it, maybe look at sending it into Canon to be thoroughly cleaned. I learned the following from a dark moment in my photographic history in which I got nailed by a sizable wave in Oxnard about 20 years ago. Unfortunately I had my Nikon F2 and a couple lenses with me....the camera lasted another 4 years. You can usually clean minor amounts of sand out, by having a shop do it for you. The real threat to going to the beach comes from the possibility of salt water corrosion, if it gets wet. There is no fix for that.

April 6th, 2009, 06:07 AM	#3
Tripp Woelfel Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Conway, NH Posts: 1,745	I think it depends on how you did the blowing. If you opened the cassette compartment, pointed the tube into the opening and let it rip, that could be bad. If you used a delicate touch, you're probably alright. Remember that those cans of compressed air can expel its contents in a very cold, liquid form if you're not careful in following the directions. That might be the biggest peril in doing what you did.

April 6th, 2009, 06:28 AM	#4
Alex Manning New Boot Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 14	It was just two good squirts of air, no liquid. I just thought it may have blown some lubricant off the reading heads or something.

April 6th, 2009, 01:36 PM	#5
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Back in my Betacam days I shot in lots of dirty environments and always used canned air carefully inside the tape compartment. I'd do that, then clean the heads themselves. I doubt you caused any problem. I wouldn't do it as a normal procedure.