Is it best to clean your cameras censor by yourself or get it done professionally?

jonneymendoza wrote in post #14707645
is there any point doing it when canon camera's have a sensor cleaner system?

I believe at times, and depending on the environement, dust will still build up on the sensor even with self cleaning in place.

When the sensor gets dirty do you send it off? or do you clean it yourself?

I say to send it off... Everyone else so far seems to favor doing it themselves and saving the money.

jonneymendoza wrote in post #14707645
is there any point doing it when canon camera's have a sensor cleaner system?

David Arbogast wrote in post #14707659
Johnny the camera's sensor cleaning system is fantastic for keeping the sensor clear, but eventually certain stubborn particles won't get dislodged. That's when it becomes essential to perform a manual cleaning (either done by Canon or other service, or by yourself.

Let's not forget that over time you will end up with tiny specs of lubricant from the shutter mechanism. These don't come off with the ultrasonic cleaning.

davidc502 wrote in post #14707661
I believe at times, and depending on the environement, dust will still build up on the sensor even with self cleaning in place.

When the sensor gets dirty do you send it off? or do you clean it yourself?

I say to send it off... Everyone else so far seems to favor doing it themselves and saving the money.

i have had my 400d for ages and never cleaned it

The slowest lens I used to use was a f/2.8 and I never shot stopped down unless it was a long exposure night shot and then it's hard to see the dust. When I got my 400/5.6, I started to notice the dust in my photos. Stopping down to f/22 or f/32 really showed how filthy the sensor was.

The cleaning supplies (100 pads and a bottle of solution) only cost about $40 so I see absolutely no reason not to do it myself.

jonneymendoza wrote in post #14707687
i have had my 400d for ages and never cleaned it

Start shooting macro. . . . . . you'll be cleaning it then.

jonneymendoza wrote in post #14707687
i have had my 400d for ages and never cleaned it

Some folks are afflicted with OCD, and the slightest speck will keep them up at night, driving them up the wall. They just can't help themselves and probably clean the sensor quite often...... **Picture in your mind**

Scatterbrained wrote in post #14707757
Start shooting macro. . . . . . you'll be cleaning it then.

Ah, this is true ---- macro seems to magnify the dust bunnies...

davidc502 wrote in post #14707809
Some folks are afflicted with OCD, and the slightest speck will keep them up at night, driving them up the wall. They just can't help themselves and probably clean the sensor quite often...... **Picture in your mind**
Ah, this is true ---- macro seems to magnify the dust bunnies...

Yes, and also portrait photography, even stopped at f/5 or f/6.

I just want to chime in that indeed not everyone should clean their own sensors. Being involved for over 10 years, I can categorically say that the people who run into problems are those who 1) don't do enough research, and 2) don't take their time.

Many people (and you know who you are) watch a couple of YouTubes, order supplies and have at it. If they are mechanically inclined, they will pick it right up, but many people aren't and will miss the nuances and additional tips that help when things aren't going great. I'm talking about little things like -
*there may be a learning curve so have patience - avoid OCD
*stay 1 mm. away from the sidewalls/rim
*don't attempt if you have unsteady hands or have trouble seeing close up
*you MUST make sure there is no hard particle sitting on the sensor's surface
*if conventional swabbing isn't working as well as you expect, try going vertically, this allows you to make 2 shorter strokes (up/down) instead of 2 long ones (left/right)
*apply the fluid to the swab then wait 15 to 20 seconds before swabbing
*etc., etc., etc.

People who hit us with question after question after question about the process usually do very well. So it's OK to watch a few YouTubes (Roger Cicala and Moose Peterson's are the best) but you must follow that up with a good amount of reading, available on the internet, until you are confident with your initial approach.

Nicholas
www.copperhillimages.c​om

Nicholas R. wrote in post #14708022
Yes, and also portrait photography, even stopped at f/5 or f/6.

I just want to chime in that indeed not everyone should clean their own sensors. Being involved for over 10 years, I can categorically say that the people who run into problems are those who 1) don't do enough research, and 2) don't take their time.

Many people (and you know who you are) watch a couple of YouTubes, order supplies and have at it. If they are mechanically inclined, they will pick it right up, but many people aren't and will miss the nuances and additional tips that help when things aren't going great. I'm talking about little things like -
*there may be a learning curve so have patience - avoid OCD
*stay 1 mm. away from the sidewalls/rim
*don't attempt if you have unsteady hands or have trouble seeing close up
*you MUST make sure there is no hard particle sitting on the sensor's surface
*if conventional swabbing isn't working as well as you expect, try going vertically, this allows you to make 2 shorter strokes (up/down) instead of 2 long ones (left/right)
*apply the fluid to the swab then wait 15 to 20 seconds before swabbing
*etc., etc., etc.

People who hit us with question after question after question about the process usually do very well. So it's OK to watch a few YouTubes (Roger Cicala and Moose Peterson's are the best) but you must follow that up with a good amount of reading, available on the internet, until you are confident with your initial approach.

Nicholas
www.copperhillimages.c​om

That's a good and wise post Nicolas!

Lenspen SensorKlear. Have used them on all my cameras. And rocket blower.

I used to use the rocket blower to blow air deep into the camera. I stopped doing this. Shoves more dirt into the focus screen, prism, viewfinder, etc. Ill still gently blow some air in between lens changes with camera facing down. I just stopped sticking the rocket blower directly into the camera.

Im Pretty OCD but have learned not to clean unless you actually need to. Incamera cleaning shaker works pretty well. Stains/dust can be removed with sensorklear pens.

AlanU wrote in post #14701549
no hesitation. Eclipse fluid and pec pads.

http://www.copperhilli​mages.com/index.php?pr​=tutorials

+1 Great system and super easy to do.

Nicholas R. wrote in post #14708022
Yes, and also portrait photography, even stopped at f/5 or f/6.

I just want to chime in that indeed not everyone should clean their own sensors. Being involved for over 10 years, I can categorically say that the people who run into problems are those who 1) don't do enough research, and 2) don't take their time.

Many people (and you know who you are) watch a couple of YouTubes, order supplies and have at it. If they are mechanically inclined, they will pick it right up, but many people aren't and will miss the nuances and additional tips that help when things aren't going great. I'm talking about little things like -
*there may be a learning curve so have patience - avoid OCD
*stay 1 mm. away from the sidewalls/rim
*don't attempt if you have unsteady hands or have trouble seeing close up
*you MUST make sure there is no hard particle sitting on the sensor's surface
*if conventional swabbing isn't working as well as you expect, try going vertically, this allows you to make 2 shorter strokes (up/down) instead of 2 long ones (left/right)
*apply the fluid to the swab then wait 15 to 20 seconds before swabbing
*etc., etc., etc.

People who hit us with question after question after question about the process usually do very well. So it's OK to watch a few YouTubes (Roger Cicala and Moose Peterson's are the best) but you must follow that up with a good amount of reading, available on the internet, until you are confident with your initial approach.

Nicholas
www.copperhillimages.c​om

Thanks Nicholas! Great Post.