Overheard a guy at the camera shop say 'just blow the dust out with your mouth'

I was picking up a lens hood yesterday and this older fellow was telling a young guy to blow into his camera body to clear dust from the mirror box. I cringed so hard I almost dropped my bag. I had to step in and explain how saliva can mess up the coatings and leave residue. Has anyone else had to save a camera from bad advice like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

patel.daniel10d ago

Call it human nature I guess but people really do think they know everything about things they barely understand. It's not just cameras either. I was at the hardware store last week and heard a guy telling someone to use WD-40 on a squeaky door hinge, which is fine for a quick fix but it'll gum up over time and attract dust. Same thing with people who tell you to wash your car with dish soap because it's cheaper. It seems like every hobby or household task has this pattern where someone's "common sense" tip is actually pretty bad advice that causes problems down the road. You have to wonder how many cameras and cars and tools get messed up just because someone heard a buddy say something once and figured it must be true.

the_kim10d ago

I mean unless he's spitting in there it's probably fine from a little breath.