SENSOR CLEANING!!

[Radders]

Not sure if this is the right section??? If its not, could it be moved please.

I'm miffed, P'd off and frustrated! I can't get my sensor clean, its got two tiny marks on it, both look like tiny hairs and no matter how hard I try, they wont budge!:rolleyes:

Ive tried a a compressed air at very low pressure, a very soft art brush, a hand blower and its done sod all.


What next!?!?!


Camera is a EOS 350D

[Invertalon]

Wet cleaning! A few companies sell them. I bought one and it has been amazing. Sensors are spotless!

[bjyoder]

You need to be very careful about this; reading that you used a brush made me cringe. If you scratch the sensor, it'll be time for a new camera.

Your best bet is to take it somewhere to have it professionally cleaned. Short of that, try Photo Sol (http://www.photosol.com/). They sell the stuff to clean sensors, and have videos online giving you a walk-through.

[l0gden]

Try this (no really don't).
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3351543547_7d0886a278.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffanddayna/3351543547/)

Seriously though; I have used the dust aid product and it seemed to work well. http://www.amazon.com/DustAid-B0018KXPEO-Dust-Wand-Kit/dp/B0018KXPEO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257349225&sr=8-2

[ssim]

You need to be very careful about this; reading that you used a brush made me cringe. If you scratch the sensor, it'll be time for a new camera.

Your best bet is to take it somewhere to have it professionally cleaned. Short of that, try Photo Sol (http://www.photosol.com/). They sell the stuff to clean sensors, and have videos online giving you a walk-through.

I clean my sensor at least once a month during times when I am doing alot of shooting. It is just a necessary evil no matter how careful you are. When you are out in the field you cannot control the environment you have to make lens changes in.

Lets be clear about one thing. You are not cleaning the actual sensor but a low pass filter that is places over the sensor. So if you do happen to scratch this, you do not need to fork out the cash for a new camera but you would end up replacing this filter.

I use Eclipse sensor cleaning solution and swabs and have nearly always had success. I did have one camera that had a spot that no matter what I did I could not remove it and then I took it in for professional cleaning. I took mine directly to a Canon service center. Many camera stores advertise professional sensor cleaning but in reality many of them are not manufacturer trained and having nothing more than experience on their side. Cleaning your sensor is nothing to be afraid of but you need to approach it with care and attention.

I would never use compressed air. I haven't seen any of this that doesn't contain something that could attach itself to the filter over the sensor. There are systems that sell brushes to use and from what I have read about them they are safe and effective. If you used an art brush from your local arts and crafts store, that would be a mistake. These brushes are very course in comparison to a true sensor brush and could inflict damage.

There are many different methods being pitched on the internet. Do your own research, I chose the Eclipse method due to its popularity and recommendation by a Canon service rep.

If you have tried several methods and attempts and those hairs still won't move I would suggest taking to the nearest Canon Service Center. In many cases they will do it on the spot if you are a CPS member.

[Jeff Costantino]

I have a LensPen SensorKleer. Works just the same as the LensPen itself but it's smaller and is triangular shaped to get in to the corners of the sensor. It works well and doesn't seem as though it would cause any problems.

[bjyoder]

I clean my sensor at least once a month during times when I am doing alot of shooting. It is just a necessary evil no matter how careful you are. When you are out in the field you cannot control the environment you have to make lens changes in.

Lets be clear about one thing. You are not cleaning the actual sensor but a low pass filter that is places over the sensor. So if you do happen to scratch this, you do not need to fork out the cash for a new camera but you would end up replacing this filter.


Ok, you caught me in my "saleman" mode, lol. ;)
Even though you aren't actually touching the sensor, knick that low-pass filter and you'll have to get the thing repaired; that's time and money (maybe $200 worth of money, and a couple weeks without a camera) that can be saved by getting the proper equipment.

[Two]

I went with the copperhill wet method. AND, after quite a few swipes
with that, I had to finally use the Sensorklear pen to finish it off. for
some reason, I just couldn't get rid of the streaking. I know, I know,
probably oil that still hadn't come clean, but the sensorklear pen did
a fantastic job finishing it up.

And as everyone here has said, be careful. take your time.

[Radders]

Thanks for the replies, Asked my dad to have a go! if not I'm taking it somewhere as I need it alot soon!

[birdfromboat]

I use the Eclipse products. I am very careful about air, it moves the dust around, and dust in a pentaprism or on a mirror is no fun either! I relly have to wonder if the positive of having a self cleaning sensor that shakes its dust onto an adhesive strip is worth the negative of having dust that might get dislodged from the strip and now has a nice adhesive to help it stick to the sensor better.
wet clean, go on you tube and watch a few videos about it first and you will be able to approach the job with confidence.

[gh patriot]

I use the Eclipse products. I am very careful about air, it moves the dust around, and dust in a pentaprism or on a mirror is no fun either! I relly have to wonder if the positive of having a self cleaning sensor that shakes its dust onto an adhesive strip is worth the negative of having dust that might get dislodged from the strip and now has a nice adhesive to help it stick to the sensor better.
wet clean, go on you tube and watch a few videos about it first and you will be able to approach the job with confidence.

I have a ton of dust in my pentaprism:oops: But my sensor is nice and clean though...:confused:

[PhotosGuy]

Some personal views on Sensor cleaning. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=184448)

[Two]

As someone else said, good common sense stuff. But sometimes it's hard not to get really picky about it ;)

[Radders]

Cheers for the link! It looks like its clean (Gave it to my dad! :) ), taken several pictures and nothings showing, But when I look through the view finder, the 2 marks that were on pictures, are still visible.

Would that be on the mirror? As I've not touched that yet.

[birdfromboat]

try a few shots at minimum aperture- high f stop numbers. use a blue sky or a gray computer screen for a background. set to MF and move the camera around a little during the exposure so you know that any dust in the image is not a fly or a speck of dirt on the computer screen.
dust on the mirror is not in the light path when the sensor is exposed so it will never show up on an image.

[Radders]

Thanks! :D