HELP..Dirty Sensor????????

[mrclark321]

I had a spot on the sensor ( not mirror ) tried cleaning and just made worse!!
How durable is the sensor? Tried using air would not work, then tried brush and just made worse.....What should I do? Can you clean it yourself?:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Dan

[lancea]

A good starting point is http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning. You'll find several alternatives on the web, and much discussion in these forums.

The sensor wouldn't be any less durable than the mirror as the surface you clean is not the sensor itself. But as with the mirror, you have to be careful. In fact I'd be happier cleaning the sensor than the mirror. But the short answer is "yes", you can certainly clean it yourself.

[mrclark321]

Thanks...If you remove the lense and look inside and to the top is this the sensor or is this something else ( for focusing )

That is were the dust is

[tim]

Have a read of the website linked above, it'll answer all your questions if you read it carefully.

[EricKonieczny]

Thanks...If you remove the lense and look inside and to the top is this the sensor or is this something else ( for focusing )

That is were the dust is

This is the focusing screen with the AF points on it.

There is a layer of glass on top of the senor in which you are actually cleaning, but you must turn the camera to sensor clean in the menu to expose the sensor with the lens off.

The mirror and focusing screen is visible as soon as you take the lens off.

Clean all with caution but you can clea them carefully.


Do a search on here for sensor cleaning and you wil see many previous threads about this.

[kufel]

Canon Canada cleans sensors for free, they are located in Mississauga, 401 and Dixie Rd. next time you come this way, consider doing that, you don't risk damaged sensor after cleaning it yourself. turn around is 24 hrs, if you deliver it first thing in the morning and tell them you in the area for a day tehy might do this within business hrs. as interim solution, blow it with the lens blowerand see if the spot comes out. set your camera to sensor cleaning mode with the menus (consult the manual if not sure how). blow the air from the blower outside the camera first. do not touch the sensor with anything. there are special kits to do thet with solutions and stuff but i do it at Canon repair centre. if they screw up they will be responsoible. plus you get your viewfinder cleaned and camera lubricated. not to many good things come for free, this is one of them

[robertwgross]

The mirror and focusing screen is visible as soon as you take the lens off.


Right, and you won't see the sensor unless you get the shutter to open and stay open.

---Bob Gross---

[lucasdigital]

I had a spot on the sensor ( not mirror ) tried cleaning and just made worse!!
How durable is the sensor? Tried using air would not work, then tried brush and just made worse.....What should I do? Can you clean it yourself?:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Dan

Take note that you might be seeing some gunk on the viewfinder system. I have a black line of dirt that I thought was on the mirror or sensor. I blew and blew, lightly dusted with my blower drush. I bought a can of compressed air, only to get propellent stains on the glass.

When I checked my shots - the dirt wasn't showing up, and its big enough that it should. I realised that the dirt is affecting the viewfinder, which is sealed into the top of the camera.

Good luck - and be careful in there!

[jonseki]

Hey Lucasdigital,
I had the same problem. It looks like a hair in the viewfinder and not on the sensor or mirror. The pictures are fine. How did you clean your viewfinder and where do you blow the air?

[mrclark321]

How sensitive is this? Can it be damaged easily

[lancea]

I think you're referring to the viewfinder now. So far I haven't had to clean that, but it is possible to go so far as to remove the viewfinder and replace it with an alternative (see http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=74915. That implies that the viewfinder is reasonably robust. It's always helpful to know something about the construction before cleaning, so you might want to read the instructions for removal at http://www.keoptics.com/Canon_300D.htm. See the link on that page to "300D Focus Screen Removal Instructions.pdf".

Heck, if you break it at least you'll know how to replace it :mrgreen: