EOS 20D Sensor Bad after ONLY 10 Days HELP!!

[altfineart]

I could really use some help! I have had a Canon EOS 20D for 10 days and purchased it at B&H Photo. Well I was out shooting a bridge with a bright sky today and ALL of the images came up with a black spot. It showed up in the same EXACT spot in the upper left quadrant of all the images. I checked my invoice B&H only takes Digital cameras back for 7 days. I called Canon and did everything they told me; cleaned the sensor, the contacts, the lens, etc and STILL THAT STUPID BLACK SPOT. Now they tell me my only option is to mail it back to them at the factory and in a few weeks (maybe longer is what I am thinking) I'll be getting it back. They won't give a credit for the the time they have it back towards the warranty so basically I be losing a month or more of my warranty! I guess I'm asking all of you that have this camera, is what are my options? Is there somethign else I can try to get rid of the black spot or am I just stuck with sending it back to them to have them mess around inside and then send a highly sensitive electronic back to me minus a month of my warranty and hope they haven't screwed something else up?

[defordphoto]

It's a stubborn piece of dust. Not a big thing. Post a sample photo.

[robertwgross]

It could be a piece of dust, and that will be cleanable. It could be an actual fault in the sensor, although that would be somewhat rare, so Canon would replace the entire camera if they saw that.

Did you try a proper technique for sensor cleaning?

---Bob Gross---

[altfineart]

As requested here is a sample image. You can see the black spot in the upper left quadrant of the image in the blue sky. I should note that I have cleaned the sensor as instructed by the Canon Help people on the phone ( I also cleaned it following the instructions in the manual) and this did not fix the problem. Is there another way to clean the sensor that will not hurt it and will keep me from having to send it back to them for a month? http://www.altfineart.com/images/img6302b.jpg

[Radtech1]

Take 2 shots of the same thing. Take one at the lowst f-number your lens will allow, and one at the highest. (OF COURSE, adjust the exposure time to compensat. If the spot is not there on the low f shot, but is there on the high f shot, it is something ON the sensor. Most likely dust, or some other particle. That would be good news, indicating that the sensor is not bad. Then just a matter of cleaning.

Rad

[altfineart]

Ok the idea of the f-stops showed what was going on so now I know its dirt. What I want to know is why didn't Canon suggest that? I have done a simple clean and improved it somewhat and next week I'll look up a local shop with someone that has the proper equipment that I can walk into with it and wait while they clean it. Thank you for the information I might actually get some sleep tonight! Was thinking $1500 gone and Canon didn't help with their attitude.

[Persian-Rice]

After 10 days, you have that much dust? wow.

I take 2000 pictures a week and I don't get that much dust in 3 months.
BTW, just for the hell of it, clean the front and back elements of your lens with something like silk/polyester eyeglass cleaning cloth.

That one on the top left is not your only problem, it appears as if you have dust all over the place.

[defordphoto]

altfineart: Yup. That's dust. Get one of these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/259157.jpg

At: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=259157&is=REG

[phili1]

I agree it looks like lens dust.

When you change lenses make sure you hold the Camera body down.

If it is dust on the sensor you need a rocket blower but read the sensor clenging instructions carefully. A local camera store will not touch it because they are affraid of voiding the warrantee.

[DocFrankenstein]

WOW. That's dirty!

[tpinchback]

My 20d right out of the box looked like it had been through a sand storm with no lens attached. Why dont they clean the sensor before shipping??

[commando]

My 300D was perfect when I got it.

There's a thread somewhere around here that points to a very, very good tutorial about cleaning your sensor, hopefully someone can point you at it.

[drisley]

http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning

[dhbailey]

On Thursday I started noticing 3 very faint spots on my pictures, always in the same places. I immediately cleaned my lens and then I realized the spots were there in pictures I had taken with two different lenses so I realized it was spots on the sensor.

I went to a local camera shop and purchased the rocket blower and it took me 4 separate times cleaning the sensor with that, taking a picture of the sky, looking at it on my computer and repeating the process before all the spots were gone.

I have ordered that cleaning kit from Copper Hill for any more stubborn spots in the future, but I am not sure I will follow his suggestion to clean the sensor every week or two. I figure I will clean it when it shows spots. I shoot enough pictures of the sky to notice immediately when the spots show up.

[phili1]

Drisley have you used it yet. I used his specs and built one but have not had the need to use it.

[Persian-Rice]

RFM, does that thing work? I was considering it, it looks foolproof and effective, which is perfect for this dummy.

[Adam Hicks]

I bought the Eclipse cleaner and Pec pads from eBay for $8 and made my own 'sensor swab' by trimming down a very small silicon spatula from Williams Sonoma. It was a LOT less than $40 and works perfectly. Whatever you do, DO NOT use just any lens cleaner on the sensor. It'll leave streaks and does not dissolve completely. I made this mistake, but luckily the Eclipse cleaner removed the streaks and left the CMOS sensor perfectly clean. Properly wrapping the Pec pad swabs and making sure to be very gentle and patient was the order of the day here.

We'll see how long it lasts before the thing is dirty again!

Adam

[robertwgross]

Ordinary lens cleaner has worked fine for me.

---Bob Gross---

[phili1]

Adam do You do 1 swipe or do it in two and do you turn over to the other side on the second swipe.

[Adam Hicks]

I did a few swipes with a drop of the eclipse fluid and then a few with the other side to make sure it was dry. Since the Eclipse dries so nice and quickly (and completely) I don't see it being such a big deal to use a few swipes, especially if you are gentle.

Adam

[phili1]

Thanks Adam. I did a grey card test because I have changed my lenses allot, but I hold the Camera upside down and so far the grey card or white card shows nothing. Is there an F stop this should be done at. Sensor cleeaning is new to me, thats why the questions.

[Adam Hicks]

Well if you're not seeing obvious spots at f8 or smaller, I say don't touch it. Just use the rocket blower to keep it clean every once in a while, and believe me, you'll know when the sensor gets dirty enough to need more serious cleaning.

But don't fix it if ain't broke!

[defordphoto]

RFM, does that thing work? I was considering it, it looks foolproof and effective, which is perfect for this dummy.

Yes it does, but there are sometimes very stubborn dust that requires mechanical removal. Also not that difficult, but I have only had to use mechanical means once in four years.

[defordphoto]

Also please note new users: There is no regular cleaning maintenance required. Anyone who tells you that is nuts. Your sensor only needs cleaning when you see the dust.

[Persian-Rice]

RFM, does that thing work? I was considering it, it looks foolproof and effective, which is perfect for this dummy.

Yes it does, but there are sometimes very stubborn dust that requires mechanical removal. Also not that difficult, but I have only had to use mechanical means once in four years.

Im pretty carefull with my stuff, so I dont need any major cleaning atm.
Actually carefull my ass, since I dropped my 70-200 about an hour ago and well lets say is pretty broken. thanx.

[Adam Hicks]

The weirdest thing I encountered was almost like a light spray of oil on the sensor from my 100-400L when it was brand new. I say this because for the first time in about a year my Digital Rebel had a dirty sensor as soon as I put the 100-400L on it out of the box from B&H. A few days later I got my 20D and put the lens on it and Poof.. same problem. It was very frustrating to say the least. Luckily after a good cleaning or two it hasn't done it any more.

Adam