Cleaning the Image Sensor

[Rachel Pennington]

Well, I wish I would've checked here first, but I started the Image Sensor cleaning about 2 hours ago and it's still going. Is this normal? I've had my camera for almost a year and this is the first time I've needed to clean it but I had no idea it would take this long. How long does it normally last?

[Jonny]

Oh No,

I have a bad feeling that you have just selected the 'Sensor Clean' from the menu and then just left it. Is that correct?

When you select this option it opens up the shutter and mirror so you have access to the sensor which enables you to clean it. You need the appropriate kit to clean the sensor so don't touch it otherwise.

Search the forums for 'sensor cleaning' and you will understand it.

For now turn off your camera and close the shutter.

[Rachel Pennington]

:o Well, I sure feel like a complete idiot. That's exactly what I did because I listened to a co-worker who (I thought) knows everything about this camera.

Do you think I did damage anything besides my ego? I sure hope not. :(

[Jonny]

The only thing you may have done is allow a load more dust into the sensor!!

Do a search on 'sensor cleaning' and you will find out how to test for dust and what to do about it.

No one knows everything about evrything, we are all learning all the time.

Welcom to the forums!!

[Leigh]

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

Leigh

[ddelallata]

Well, its a good thing that you posted your concern :)

[Jim G]

It'd be neat if they did somehow implement a mechanism that would draw a brush across the sensor on its own, though...

Or something. Was it the E300 that has some vibrating thingy somewhere on the inside that is meant to prevent dust landing on the sensor in the first place?

[davidrosenboom]

Just take your camera to canon for a sensor clean. I did and found out they do it free of charge and will continue to do so even after my warrenty expires. I used a rocket blower at first but it didn't remove all the dust. Then I tried a brush specifically designed for sensor cleaning and that ended end leaving horrible streaks across the sensor. I was pretty much freaking out at that point. Not wanting to touch it one bit more I called canon. I was lucky. They said if the sensor was scratched it would be a hefty fee to replace. Save yourself the trouble, take it to canon.

They told me that due to the fact that there was no real safe way to do this yourself, they do it free of charge. Had the camera back within 48 hours. I can live with that for a professional cleaning of the sensor and mirror. And they even upgraded my firmware. Awefully nice of them. And they did a awefully good job with the cleaning I might add.

[ddelallata]

FREE??? I never knew that ???

[cecilc]

Well, I wish I would've checked here first, but I started the Image Sensor cleaning about 2 hours ago and it's still going. Is this normal? I've had my camera for almost a year and this is the first time I've needed to clean it but I had no idea it would take this long. How long does it normally last?

I'm just constantly amazed at the ... inability/reluctance/refusal/forgetfulness/shortsightedness .... by intelligent people to actually read their owner's manual for their cameras ....

It takes a little bit of time, but the manual covers just this kind of elementary stuff that, if read, would absolutely prevent this situation.

Dear Rachel waited over 2 hours for her camera to clean itself - and she could have read the manual for half-an-hour and found out that the camera doesn't clean itself .....

Thank God for these forums .... and thank God for all the people out there who take the time to help the "Rachels" out there ..... (minus co-workers!)

[jfrancho]

I'm just constantly amazed at the ... inability/reluctance/refusal/forgetfulness/shortsightedness .... by intelligent people to actually read their owner's manual for their cameras ....

It takes a little bit of time, but the manual covers just this kind of elementary stuff that, if read, would absolutely prevent this situation.

Dear Rachel waited over 2 hours for her camera to clean itself - and she could have read the manual for half-an-hour and found out that the camera doesn't clean itself .....

Thank God for these forums .... and thank God for all the people out there who take the time to help the "Rachels" out there ..... (minus co-workers!)Nice way to greet a new member.
I thought I'd kill time by cooking dinner, and setting the oven to self clean. Seems like a no brainer, right?
Seriously, never underestimate the power of the spoken word of a so-called expert to trump an otherwise sensible person's common sense. Just use a rocket blower on it, and forget about it. Make sure you put a fresh battery in before, though.

[bolantej]

it's alright. we all do silly things. as long as the smoke doesn't escape then it should be okay. you did know that DSLRs run on smoke, didn't you? kidding of course. ;) the olympus e300 vibrates every time it starts up, and the dust falls on a little tacky strip thingy below. i think it's genious. only thing i wonder is what to do when that strip becomes too dusty. check here with any other questions. ignore negative remarks, please.