What Am I Cleaning?

[Airedale1]

Can someone post a picture of what exactly is getting cleaned when you want to remove dust. I am confused.:confused: Is it the actual sensor? A picture would tell a thousand words.

[cking2]

Take a look at this I would use a sensor brush but this works

http://www.avbuzz.com/yesun/9/91.htm

[tim]

You're cleaning a piece of plastic over the sensor. If you break it it can be replaced by Canon, it's not cheap but cheaper than a new camera. I use the copperhill method (http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning), i've never had a problem. No pics sorry, I don't want to leave my camera open any longer than I have to. Choose "clean sensor" from the menu, take the lens off, and have a look. If you're too scared to do that don't even attempt sensor cleaning yourself, send it to Canon. I clean both my cameras before every wedding I shoot.

[subtle_spectre]

Just do a search for sensor cleaning and you will find many suggestions tips and references.

[Tee Why]

I think it's a glass over the sensor.

[joeseph]

One thousand words-worth...
59228

and thanks for the motivation to take some pictures of it... ;)

[AJSJones]

This ( http://www.canon.com/technology/d35mm/01.html ) is as much as Canon tells us what it's made of. The "single crystal" plates are probably lithium niobate.

[PaulB]

Tim wrote,

"You're cleaning a piece of plastic over the sensor. If you break it it can be replaced by Canon, it's not cheap but cheaper than a new camera"

I'm suprised that a long-time poster like Tim should still think this!

It's NOT plastic and if you scratch it or break it the sensor is scrap as far as Canon are concerned.
The anti-aliasing filter is fairly tough but is bonded to the front of the sensor - which is why it ISN'T replaceable, on its' own, by Canon.
Yes, there are companies which will remove the a-a filter so that you can do infra-red with the camera but I have not heard of any which will put the a-a filter back once it is removed - certainly Canon won't.

[Laurence18]

Can you use the compressed air in a can that is sold at computer stores?

[adam*]

It's not recommended, no.

[Livinthalife]

Can you use the compressed air in a can that is sold at computer stores?

there was apost about this a while ago with pics. compressed air is a big NO NO. Stick with those little air blowers (rocket blower) cheaper, and safer!

[Airedale1]

One thousand words-worth...
59228

and thanks for the motivation to take some pictures of it... ;)

Thanks to all and joseph by your photo am i correct in assuming that you can actually remove it yourself?

[GyRob]

er you DONT take it out to clean it i think he was just showing you what it looks like repeat No one takes them out to clean it.
Rob.

[joeseph]

Tim wrote,

The anti-aliasing filter is fairly tough but is bonded to the front of the sensor - which is why it ISN'T replaceable, on its' own, by Canon.

Yes, there are companies which will remove the a-a filter so that you can do infra-red with the camera but I have not heard of any which will put the a-a filter back once it is removed - certainly Canon won't.


I must disagree with you there Paul - the picture I've posted is of the filter itself.
(Part number CY3-1470-000 if anyone's interested....)
One that I had replaced by Canon a couple of weeks ago. After giving it a going over with a chisel/knife/electric drill I'd say there is SOME glass in there but the surface certainly isn't ordinary glass & it does scratch reasonably easily.

I have seen a instruction page on how to dismantle 20D to the point where the filter is accessable, but looking at what was involved, I decided the 1.5 hrs spent by a Canon tech was worth the money...

[rdegro]

Can someone post a picture of what exactly is getting cleaned when you want to remove dust. I am confused.:confused: Is it the actual sensor? A picture would tell a thousand words.

Go to http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/ This will help you understand and also supply more links.