Cleaning Sensor 20D with Rocket Air

[jimchapin468]

I am new at this cleaning business. I wanted to double check and make sure it is ok to squirt air (using rockete air) to clean the sensor like the Canon manual says. Can air hurt the sensor? When using air is there any thing I should be careful about?Thanks for your help

[Mitcon]

Is Rocket Air compressed air or just one of those puffers that you squeeze ? Sorry, don't know that brand and if it's canned air (compressed air I wouldn't do it). If it's a hand held squeeze type blower they are perfect. Cleaning is really quite simple and easy. Follow what the manual says, I prefer to hold the camera facing downwards and just give 2 or 3 blows and it's done.

Remember not to put the nozzle of the blower into the camera, keep it even with the lens mount. The air itself wont hurt the sensor as long as it's low pressure. The reason I face the camera down is to lessen the chance of blowing the dust further into the camera or behind the focusing screen. You will find that dust is just something that happens depending on environment.

[jimchapin468]

Mitcon -- It one of those puffers that you squeeze. I just did I hope I did not screw something up. I was really nervous. So air will not mess it up? Thanks man

[ddelallata]

Rocket air usually doesn't get rid of stubborn charged particles. Have a look at this site; this method always works for me.
http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning

[tim]

Don't use compressed air.

[TheObiJuan]

You'll be fine. I have one and use it on my 20D without problems.

[jimchapin468]

Tim -- I am speaking about a bulb not compressed air.

I have used compressed air on the outside of the camera. Is that OK ???????:o

[summerwind4]

Tim -- I am speaking about a bulb not compressed air.

I have used compressed air on the outside of the camera. Is that OK ???????:o

compressed air on the outside is OK....just don't go overboeard and blow junk into the nooks and crannies...also for exterior cleaning, i mount the camera on the tripod, and use a piece of 3m packing tape.....i stick it to areas that are textured and then pull away.....amazing how much body oils this trick removes.

compressed air on the sensor is a very touchy subject, and if you are not familiar with the hazards of using it, then don't.
i use it, but i don't use a fresh can, i use a can that is 1/3 full and never tilt the can, and don't shoot at full force. air puffing really dosen't do more than remove unstuck particles.......for a real cleaning you really need to use the wet method as posted above, but it's not necessary as long as you don't see spots at f/8-11 that can't be removed by puffing.
the reason you don't want to put the nozzle any further than the lens mount is because if the shutter should suddenly close, it may foul it up, not to mention the damage that can be caused by the mirror returning.

[KennyG]

The Rocket blower is the preferred method of cleaning the sensor. My cameras are used in the worst of conditions throughout the year and I only 'wet' clean them twice at most, the rest of the time I use the Rocket.

Blow the dust from the outside first, remove the lens and gently blow the dust from the mirror and focus screen with the camera pointing down. Set it in sensor clean mode and blow the dust from the sensor. Blow the dust from the camera end of the lens and re-fit.

Never ever used canned air as it often contains lubricants and can also cause freezing/condensation. The Rocket blower has sufficient power to remove any dust.