cleaning?

with being a amature and with having my rebel over a year now someone has recommended cleaning it so I have a couple of questions

1. I lock the mirror up and look at CCD and I do not see any visible debri/dust etc so unless I visibly see anything that should mean its clean right?
2. Mirror well I def see a huge fingerprint on it so I know it needs cleaning, but with it being on mirror is that something that effects the photos I take?

but if anyone could shed some light on this subject I would appreciate it ........thank you

The easiest way to check the sensor for dust is to take a picture if a uniformly colored and lit subject. A clear blue sky works well as does a blank document on you monitor.

Set the lens to F/22 or smaller. Set to ISO 100 and the speed as needed for a properly exposed image. Set the focus so it's as OOF as possible. If shooting the sky, set to minimum focus distance. If shooting you monitor, set to infinity. While taking the picture don't worry about camera movement, the more, the better. Your looking to get a very blurry picture with only the dust on your sensor anywhere near in focus.

WHen viewing the image you'll see specks, that's the dust. If you really want to see every speck, in photoshop use the auto level function. The image will look horrible but the dust specks will pop right out. Then the cleaning starts.

As to the mirror, it will not affect your image but affect you AF. If the smudge is right over the light path headed to the AF sensor it can affect your AF performance.

thank you .............tryin to get ready for our trip to Yellowstone lol and is 100.00 absurd to pay to get my camera cleaned or is this something I can very carefully do myself?

tulsatom wrote in post #16770586
with being a amature and with having my rebel over a year now someone has recommended cleaning it so I have a couple of questions

1. I lock the mirror up and look at CCD and I do not see any visible debri/dust etc so unless I visibly see anything that should mean its clean right?
2. Mirror well I def see a huge fingerprint on it so I know it needs cleaning, but with it being on mirror is that something that effects the photos I take?

but if anyone could shed some light on this subject I would appreciate it ........thank you

The best thing to do with a fingerprint on a SLR's mirror...is nothing.

Mirrors are the most delicate moving part in a SLR. Not only can any attempt to clean the mirror damage its surface, it can prevent the mirror from moving freely.

SLR mirrors are used to look though the camera's lens and that view is not transmitted to the imaging plane. First, do no harm. Leave the fingerprint alone.

Tom, I suggest that you get your camera properly cleaned. Otherwise, the fingerprint can etch itself into the mirror.

My suggestion for finding a suitable shop to clean your camera is asking more than one of the local working pros where they take their equipment for repair. If the majority recommend one place, then that's where you should take your camera.

sems theres only one shop in Tulsa that do it and they want 100.00 ill research some more

Cleaning it yourself is not hard, but care does need to be taken. Cleaning the mirror is also easy and the same tools use to clean the sensor can be used to clean the mirror. Watch a few Youtube videos on how to clean a sensor. Read a few sites as well. If your at all handy you should pick it up rather quickly. If your at all uncomfortable, $100 is a bargain compared to the repair that might be needed if you botch it. THis is a great resource and technique.

http://copperhillimage​s.com/index.php?pr=Tut​orials

Since you've never done this and also need the mirror cleaned I'd just suggest just having a reputable server shop clean it. I'm pretty sure $100 falls right in current rates cleaning, at least that sounds like what i remember people saying they paid that don't it their self or for free by CPS(If all I need is a cleaning I do mine myself even though there's a CPS center close to me).

tulsatom wrote in post #16770638
thank you .............tryin to get ready for our trip to Yellowstone lol and is 100.00 absurd to pay to get my camera cleaned or is this something I can very carefully do myself?

Tom,

I agree, you can buy a comprehensive D-SLR cleaning kit that will last 3 or 4 years for $29.00 to $100. Many people choose to clean their own sensors and mirrors; with the latter you can use Eclipse & sensor cleaning tools and as long as you apply a gentle pressure, it will come out spotless. The only caveat here is if you are a total klutz (no offense to those who are) in which case it would be wiser to let others take care of the mirror and sensor for you.

But, yes, the coating on the reflex mirror is very delicate, just be gentle and please use the proper tools and you'll be fine.

Regards and have a great trip,
Nicholas
www.copperhillimages.c​om