is there a piece of glass between the sensor and the world? *link*

[willg]

so this guy removed the ir filter and replaced it with clear glass...i didn't know there was glass over the sensor...does this mean that what actually collects dust is this ir filter and not the actual sensor...if this is true then cleaning the sensor isnt as scary as i originally thought

http://ghonis2.ho8.com/rebelmodnew.html

[Andy_T]

Yes. Correct on all counts.

Best regards,
Andy

[felix21685]

that is interesting to know i thought you directly touched the sensor..odd

[Sicily1918]

Makes sense...

Hey, anyone catch the fact that the LCD is made by Sony? :)

(at least on that 300D)

[felix21685]

yeah i saw that and thought it was funny..
i guess its cheaper than having canon make their own..
at least its not Zenith :) haha

[Citizensmith]

Wow, the guy also installed a cooling system on the sensor. Makes converting an 18-55 for use on the 10D look like kids stuff.

I wonder why he didn't just get the alternate version of the 20D with no IR filter?

[lost]

I think this was done before Canon anounced the 20Da. Or, Money

[ron chappel]

The sensor does indeed have *several* layers of filters over the sensor and canon's sensors (CMOS at least) have allways been that way

It is definitely more risky than cleaning a simple lens filter though- besides the obvious difficulty in replacing it if it's scratched there is also the problem of not knowing HOW MUCH it takes to scratch it :eek:

I have zero fears about cleaning lens surfaces (i've literally done hundreds) and even the flip up mirror, but a sensor still makes me worry abit ;)

Incidentally i have never cleaned my sensor fully.
The way i do it is to fold a lenspaper into a point,dampen the tip (very slightly damp) and lift off the dust spec one by one.
It does require good eyesite and a strong light but it definitely is the best/safest way to clean it.
I do it this way because it's EASIER though ,not because it's safer :)

Try it-i'm sure many of you will like doing it that way

[Citizensmith]

I think this was done before Canon anounced the 20Da. Or, Money

Possibly the first, but if the guy I willing to risk destroying a DSLR just to be able to take IR photos I don't think money is exactly an issue.

I've taken apart a couple of A series powershots, but they were already dead and I was just doing it for fun.

[Jon]

The 20Da's sensor filter only passes a specific IR wavelength (H alpha, IIRC). Removing the filter lets all IR wavelengths pass.

[Brianbar]

If there is indeed a piece of glass covering the sensor, are we being ripped off buying expensive cleaners and swab kits?
Could we not use the same swabs as they use for cleaning the heads on a VCR with rubbing alcohol ?

Brian

[robertwgross]

First of all, the overall sensor part has several things in it. It has the semiconductor chip that has the photosites, plus control circuitry. Then there is an anti-aliasing glass filter over that, and it normally filters out UV and IR that are out of the visible band.

So, when we clean the sensor, so to speak, we are actually cleaning the glass filter.

As we have stated so often here, there are different ways to clean the sensor. Commonly, some kind of air-blower-brush is applied, and it gets the loose stuff. Then, if the dust remains, you might want to use any kind of a swab wetting with a liquid. Then, if it is a bad problem, more aggressive solvents can be used.

You don't want to use any liquid that is going to evaporate and leave a residue. Most alcohols will have a problem with that. Distilled water will work. However, I don't think that I would want to use anything that might get deeper into the circuitry around the sensor. Personally, I use lens cleaner solution and a cotton swab.

---Bob Gross---

[ron chappel]

I recently stumbled on this pic.It's an official image from chuck westfall ,the head tech guy for canon USA


http://www.pbase.com/chuckwestfall/image/19136942

http://k43.pbase.com/u30/chuckwestfall/large/19136942.10DLPF.jpg