New 20D with dirty sensor

[quadphoto]

I purchased a new 20D today and took some photo's of the blue sky to check if the sensor was clean, it was not there was at least 5 dust spots showing at 100% on the screen, is this acceptable and is it common to find this on a new camera, should i attempt to clean the sensor with a hurricane blower or return it to the camera store?.
Quadphoto.

[tonytony]

While dust on the sensor is something pretty much "phisiological" after a while, I still believe a brand new product should look and work as a brand new object... in other words, I would bring it back to the store... if I am buying 1800 euro of camera I would expect from the store at least a bit of care to check if the sensor is clean, and if not THEY should take action before you get the camera home.

Just my 2 cents...

[malla1962]

a mate of mine just got a 20d,same thing dust on sensor.

[robertwgross]

This can be compared to purchasing a new luxury car and finding three crushed peanut shells on the carpet. Yes, it is not supposed to be delivered that way, but it is not worth making a big deal out of it. It will cost you more time and effort to get the vendor to do something about it than if you simply clean it yourself and move on.

---Bob Gross---

[Velvet G]

Mine was the same way. I took it back and made them clean it. You shouldn't have to because if you can always make it worse. Seems to be a common problem unfortunately.

I tried to get the dust off with a blower and it just wouldn't move. Too much work for something brand new so I had them do it.

[BobL]

This can be compared to purchasing a new luxury car and finding three crushed peanut shells on the carpet. Yes, it is not supposed to be delivered that way, but it is not worth making a big deal out of it. It will cost you more time and effort to get the vendor to do something about it than if you simply clean it yourself and move on.

---Bob Gross---

Maybe more like 3 squashed bugs on the windscreen?

[tim]

My first 20D had lots of dirt on the sensor, and it just wouldn't come off. I exchanged it without too much difficulty, and the replacement had dirt too. Luckily the 2nd was easy to clean off.

If you can clean it off, do it, but exchanging it probably won't help much - it's luck of the draw it seems.

[Jim_T]

Personally, I'd pick up a sensor cleaning kit and try clean it myself.

Yes, you can take it back to the shop you bought it from.. If you bought it off the net, then you have to wait the turn around time to get it back.. You can send it to Canon for cleaning if you don't mind being without it for a few weeks..

You WILL get more dust on the sensor and you will need some sort of sensor cleaning kit.. Buying a kit now is a good investment. If you get the sensor clean, then you've saved a week or so of downtime.. If you can't then send the camera back and save the kit until you need it..

[robertwgross]

Buying a kit now is a good investment.

I've been shooting these kinds of cameras for a little less than three years now and I have never invested in that kind of kit. It isn't necessary. But, I have to say that the kits are well marketed.

---Bob Gross---

[quadphoto]

I returned the 20D with the dirty sensor today and exchanged it, they let me try the replacement 20D and have a look at image in photoshop at 100% and the sensor was clean, so i am now one very happy 20D owner, the camera store is only 15 miles from home so not to much of a pain to return it, one of the advantages of shoping local. Many thanks to all you forum users for replying.

Quadphoto.

[Huckaback Photo]

Hi Mate
Glad you took my advice and took it back, the store we both use is a Canon Pro dealership and are vary good.
There are many times when shop local pays off.
I've been there in the past to buy a L lens, they fitted it to my camera and let me take it out and about to get some shots, took it back in and imediately they put the card onto a computor to check the lens, really think thats good service.

If any new digital body I bought had muck on the sensor, it would be returned to the shop (Ok different if off the net) but we pay good money for the kit we buy so lets have it right to start with.

To all who see some dust on the sensor and attemp to cleen it off, thus risking damage to the surface, and then it has to be sent back to Canon. Although under guarantee they could be entitled to charge for it if any damage is noticed !! why take the risk.

Cheers
Martin (Huckaback Photo)