Anti Static Blowers

Visible Dust ZEEION - Versus - NRD FireFly

Let me just say I learned quite a bit doing this comparison. You can see the technical version here or even download it in a PDF format. We also have a  video version here.

After doing some very thorough testing, the FireFly performed as advertised and removed the static charge. I wish I could say the same for the ZEEION but it failed miserably.  The ZEEION had no more of an effect at removing a static charge than a standard rubber Giottos Rocket Blower. Please watch the video to see this for yourself.

So just because one wants to call their blower anti static doesn’t mean it is.  As a matter of fact the ZEEION is quite the opposite, because it is made of Silicone it is very static, not anti static.  Squeezing the ZEEION with your dry hand creates a very high static charge around the bulb that we measured at -14,890 volts.  Yes, that is a negative 14 thousand volts. After squeezing the blower 5 times, the measured voltage averaged 322 volts over a 30 second period at a distance of 1 inch. This is enough voltage that if placed in the vicinity of the contacts in the lens mount area of your camera (the ones that are used for your camera to communicate with the lens) it could damage the electronics in your camera. Will it actually cause damage to each and every model of camera?  This is not an experiment that my budget can afford, but it is a big enough concern of mine that I will never allow any silicone blower near any of my cameras. Damage may very well not be seen immediately as quite often static damage is latent.

This high voltage issue isn’t particular to the ZEEION but all silicone blowers. It has everything to do with the Triboelectric effect which can be explained a little better here.  This high voltage isn’t blown out of the blower but exists around the bulb part of the blower itself.

As Jamie and Adam would say  “FireFly – Confirmed” and “ZEEION – Busted”  

For the record, we DO sell the ZEEION but the FireFly is only available through the manufacturer NRD or Adorama

This entry was posted on 6. April 2009 at 19:24 and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.