Eos 10D Sensor clean

[phillcoe]

Hi

I have two EOS 10D's. Despite keeping the the front of the cameras closed at all times except for the odd second here and there whilst changing lenses, the sensors get very dirty. I have just sent one of them, which is only a year old and was cleaned 4 months ago, to the Canon distributor in Madrid. They tell me it needs a new filter because the current one is 'encrusted' at a cost of 400 euros!

Does anyone else have this problem and/or know wheterh there is a safe way that I clean the sensors myself?

Thanks.
P
(The earth isn't flat...honest)

[Jesper]

Search the forums, this has been discussed many times before. One very popular method: http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning

I'm using that method myself. Got the Sensor Swipe for a few $, PecPads and Eclipse cleaning fluid. Works very well and is quite easy to do.

How do you get your sensor so dirty? Are you changing lenses in very dusty or dirty environments? I've only had to clean my sensor two or three times (have the 10D since October 2003) and there wasn't that much dirt on it, just a few noticeable specks.

[Big_B]

I was going to recommend the same link as Jesper but if your filter is 'encrusted' I'm not sure that it will help.

[phillcoe]

thanks, jesper.

like i said, the camera is only ever open for a second or two when i change lenses, and i try to do this as little as poss. i do live the sea and the environemtn is dusty (southern spain), but yuo'd still think the sensor would remain relatively clean.

if you are saying one can clean it oneself, then you've saved me a lot of time and hassle.

i'll try that link.
cheers.

[robertwgross]

if you are saying one can clean it oneself, then you've saved me a lot of time and hassle.


I've cleaned the sensor on my D60 many times in the last two years, and I have never used anything but a cotton swab with a half-drop of lens cleaner on it.

---Bob Gross---

[hmhm]

I would strongly recommend getting your camera back, and trying to clean it yourself using Eclipse fluid and a pecpad, per the "copperhill" method referenced above. If your alternative is to replace the AA filter anyway, you've got nothing to lose. I'd be willing to bet a beer (or so) that you can get it clean yourself, and the experience will embolden you to keep it clean via regular cleanings on your own.

By the way, needing to clean the sensor every few months isn't in any way unusual. I woudn't blink too much at "every few weeks" either.
-harry

[robertwgross]

How often I clean the sensor of my D60 depends on a few things:
(1) How often I've been changing lenses in a dusty environment.
(2) How soon the next wedding shoot is.
(3) If I've actually seen a dust spot showing up on my images.

I don't clean it just for something to do.

---Bob Gross---

[phillcoe]

good input, harry, bob, thanks.

too late this time, I've already been stiffed for the 400 bucks, but hopefully that will be the last time the get any money of this particular gringo.

[KennyG]

Use a blower at the end of each days shooting to clear away the dust (instructions in the manual) and you will not need to use the wet cleaning method so often. I have not had to resort to anything other than a blower even with an 18 month old 10D that has had lots of lens changes at very dusty race circuits.

A simple cleaning routine and use of a blower like the Giottos Rocket will save you time and money.

[dsze]

What does an encrusted sensor look like :?: Does that mean its covered in so much hard stuff that it can't be cleaned off? I guess I don't understand what Canon is really trying to tell you by saying your 10D has an encrusted sensor. What is it encrusted with? If they just cleaned it 4 months ago, how could it possibly have gotten so "encrusted" that it has to be replaced?

I too, would recommend getting it back and trying to clean it with the copper hill method. I clean mine using this method about once a month...or like Robert said, whenever the next wedding shoot or other important event is....but typically it has about once every month or two... since I've had dslr's.

-daniel

[fusionphoto]

:lol: Here,here, I do the same thing with no problems, I think we can all be a little pedantic when it comes to imager cleaning, take care and you will have no problem !! :D

I've cleaned the sensor on my D60 many times in the last two years, and I have never used anything but a cotton swab with a half-drop of lens cleaner on it.

---Bob Gross---

[fusionphoto]

Use a blower at the end of each days shooting to clear away the dust (instructions in the manual) and you will not need to use the wet cleaning method so often. I have not had to resort to anything other than a blower even with an 18 month old 10D that has had lots of lens changes at very dusty race circuits.

A simple cleaning routine and use of a blower like the Giottos Rocket will save you time and money.

Would totally agree, a blower brush with the open camera facing downwards works very well without any risk of damgae to the sensor. Do not be tempted to use compressed gas, a simple rubber blower is best.:lol:

[chris clements]

Just buy yourself a nylon artists paintbrush - based on the phenomenon that statically-charged nylon attracts dust.
To save newbies from tracking down the dozens of earlier threads on this, can I reccommend: -
http://www.prime-junta.net/pont/How_to/a_Brush_Your_Sensor/a_Brush_Your_Sensor.html