Cleaning dust spots. Myself, local facility, or send it in?

[PostShawn]

Sorry for posting this because I know it's already been covered but I couldn't find the exact answers and I figured I would ask with hopping to get an answer out of a local about my options.

Well I have spots on my images similar to this post (http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=220633&highlight=clean+camera+sensor). I checked with both my lenses and they are there each time. So I want to know if this is something I can get done at local shops or is this something I would have to send in to have done? I like in Hollywood, CA so I have a Calumet (which said they don't do cleanings) Samys (havent checked with them yet) and a bunch of other places that I am just not fimilar with. Calumet said go to the place down the street so I went and they said they just send them in to get cleaned.

Or is this something I can clean myself? I tried the clean sensor function and used a bulb blower to see about blowing dust off. It seems like it might have blown a couple specs off but I still have a few more and a couple are right in the middle of the frame. I can see one or two when I look at it and I tried with the bulb and brush that came attached to it to gently wipe them off but it doesn't seem to do anything and I don't want to put too much pressure on it.

So for the locals, I recall hearing about people bringing stuff down to the Irvine Canon facility to have stuff done. Is a cleaning something I can drive down there my self and have done in under a couple hours? It would only take my an hour or so to get there and I have some days off so I wouldn't mind if that is the case but if it takes a couple days or so then I will just send it in where ever. I just wanted the camera for weekends when I like to go out and shoot. Also how much would something like this cost? I only had the camera since June and have it registered and everything for the warrenty so would it cost anything?

Thanks for any tips.
-Shawn

[Eagle]

Cleaning dust spots. Myself, local facility, or send it in?

All the above.
Buy a Rocket Blower (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=FqvSg9GGSQ%21-987066857%211160441682492?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=catalog.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=rocket+blower&image.x=0&image.y=0#)and give it a try yourself first. Don't use the little bulb blower brushes on your sensor. They don't have enough air power and the brush may scratch.

[Mark_Cohran]

Sensor cleaning is not that difficult. You can do it yourself in about 5-10 minutes and save yourself a trip and/or some cash.

Mark

[Tdragone]

Definitely buy a rocket blower.
That said; buy the copperhill cleaning kit. You WILL need it; and once you do it once or twice it's NO big deal. As the guide on their site suggests; practice on a UV filter till you're comfortable, and then do it.

There is a piece of glass above the sensor; so as long as you follow the instructions you're not likely to hurt anything.

[PostShawn]

I have a simple cleaning kit including lens cleaner solution and one of those clothes. I checked and the Calumet website has the Rocket Blowers on there so I will head down to the store in the next couple days since it's 4 blocks from me and see if they have it in stock.
Thanks for the tips everyone. Much appreciated.
-Shawn

[Samdiver74]

PostShawn
Buy the designated Sensor cleaning supplies, Pec pads, Eclipse solution (Methanol) and either the Sensor swipe (Plastic spatula style which you wrap a pec pad around) or get the Sensor swabs. (Photographic solutions $48.00 or so for a box of 12)
Do not use the stuff you have now to try and clean the sensor, you'll end up with streaks on the low pass filter at the least.
This time I would send it in.

[PostShawn]

Oh, I wouldn't use the lens cleaner on the sensor. That's just for the lenses and filters.

[sjprg]

Use this;
http://www.photosol.com/swabproduct.htm

Follow the instructions "to the letter" Its a piece of cake if done as instructed.