sensor cleaning

[OceanRider]

hey all, I can see a dark spot when I look though my viewfinder on my 20D. I have through the process of elimination, eliminated my lenses ( both ends) as culprits. So it must be my sensor. I read the manual regarding this cleaning but it recommends that a Canon service dept. do it.

My question is this, are you guys doing your own sensors or should I get them to do it? It seems pretty straight forward, any advice?

Joel:rolleyes:

[Belmondo]

If you're seeing it in your viewfinder, it's not on your sensor. That would only show up on a print.

Check the viewfinder opticsif you've already eliminated your lens as a possible culprit.

[OceanRider]

Thanks Belmondo, thats what Canon said too. They recommned I take it to them to get dust out of the view finder, what a pain. I checked a few images to see what I could see and I also have 4 "water spot" type dots (very faint) in the same places on multiple images, so I guess that is my sensor. I can only see them on pure blue sky, so thats bizzare.

[OceanRider]

Just called Canon again. 8-10 busness days to get the dust/spots removed. Bloody camera is one month old, I ownder how common this is with these cameras? Any input?

Joel

[EoSD30fReAk]

I can only see them on pure blue sky, so thats bizzare.

that's because your aperture is stopping down making everything in focus.

and because you have a light background this also makes the spots visible on the sensor.

[OceanRider]

is it worth getting them removed or would all the dig's have them?

[KennyG]

You need to learn to do it yourself as you will continually get dust on your sensor and your camera could end up spending more time with Canon than with you. For the spec in the viewfinder, before you send your camera off to Canon, buy a good quality blower, like the Rocket, and gently blow onto the focus screen at the top of the chamber. You could also try blowing the dust off the sensor.

We all have to live with this problem, even with $8,000 DSLR's.

[OceanRider]

Yes I would agree. I do not want to run to Canon with every dust speck. I am just wondering if these "spots" are indeed dust or something else (worse?). What do you make of them. I have roughly circled them in this photo.

Joel

[Belmondo]

That looks like classic sensor dust to me.

[OceanRider]

Very good, thanks Belmondo. Nice to have peoples experience to draw from.

Cheers

[OceanRider]

http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning found this looks excellent to any interested

Joel

[robertwgross]

Classic sensor snot.

For my camera's sensor cleaning, it takes me less than one minute and costs me less than a penny.

---Bob Gross---

[Dante King]

would be interested in how you do that Mr. Gross.

[tim]

Bob, what do you use to clean your camera?

[robertwgross]

I've mentioned this time and time again. It's funny how nobody can search anymore.

I use a fraction of a drop of standard lens cleaner on a cotton swab.

Some people complain that the cotton swab will leave fibers on the sensor surface. You know, that happened to me once, but the fiber is so big that it is obvious to the naked eye when there is a strong light from above.

In fact, when I shoot in the field for a week, I carry some of this stuff with me in my camera case. In the event that I've been changing lenses in a dusty area, I'll clean the sensor that night, typically inside my car with the bright overhead light on.

---Bob Gross---

[tim]

It's not that we can't search, it's that we know you'll just post it again to save us the trouble ;)

[Jesper]

- If you see it through your viewfinder but not on the images, the dirt must be in the viewfinder or on the mirror.
- If you see it on your images but not through the viewfinder, the dirt must be on your sensor.
- If you see it both in your viewfinder and on your images, the dirt must be on your lens (front or back element or inside it). In that case, try another lens and see if it's still there.

The dirt on your images looks like sensor dust and you should not be able to see it through your viewfinder.

Like a lot of people, I use the SensorSwipe from Copper Hill Images with Eclipse fluid and PecPads. Works well, is easy and quick to do and is cheap. See: http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning

[OceanRider]

ya I just order them tonight form Copper Hill, its looks excellent. I heard from Nicholas of Copper Hill and he has reassured me that it will work great. Going to re-read the tutorial again however, very nervous to touch that sensor!! But this must be learned as I am not running to Canon to have them charge me bi-weekly for this.(and by the sounds of some posts, they will make it worse, not better!)

Thanks all for ur input.

[charlesu]

I normally use the Visible Dust brushes. If that doesn't get it then some Eclipse fluid on a swab and some gentle cleaning.

Works great!!

[Dante King]

ARE YOU CALLING ME NOBODY??!! Well, you would be right I suppose. Thanks for the tip. It really helps DSLR newbies like me. I will search next time. Thanks again.