Camera Cleaning 101

[22littlereasons]

I'm a little intimidated about cleaning the sensor and mirror. Is this something better left for the repair shop, or something I can handle with the right tools? And, while we're at it, how about lens cleaning do's and don'ts.

[GeForceFX]

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56458

[Leigh]

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/index.html

[wiers]

I also have question concerning sensor cleaning. I bought the 20 D a few weeks a go. I see a little dot (dust?) which I cannot remove by using the blower. the strange thing is that when I take test picture on a piece of white paper i do not see the dot.
how is this possible?
hope somene has the answer for me

Mark Wiersma
Netherlands

[clicky]

A little tip, if you suspect your sensor to be spotted by dust/sand or something else do as follows:

- Set aperture to f/22 or max
- If needed (due to long exposure/available light) place your camera on a tripod and take a picture against a fairly light or white (one coloured) wall. A blue sky will also do.
- Load your picture into Photoshop or similar and do a auto-level adjustment. You'll then get a wierd image but any dustspots will appear clearly as large black spots.