How often do you get your dslr cleaned from Canon?

James Crockett wrote in post #18459104
I don't know how to clean it myself but do you think it should be cleaned with less than 5k shutter count?

If you see the same dark spots in consecutive photos taken of the sky at f8 or smaller, then that’s dust on the sensor. When I first got my Canon 5Dc (back when it was new), I’d always get dust spots. I would regularly rocket blow, and occasionally wet sensor clean. With my 5D3, I’ve never seen a dust spot. IMO, the self cleaning features of the sensors are pretty good now. But if you do see a dust spec, it’s easily remedied by using a rocket blower.

I've had my 5d2 for about 10 years and the blower isn't getting it clean.


I've been putting this off but I want to try and clean the sensor myself. I've seen a lot of tutorials on this but I'd like to hear from people who have done this themselves. What is the best way? Has anyone ruined a camera doing it?

James Crockett wrote in post #18459104
I don't know how to clean it myself but do you think it should be cleaned with less than 5k shutter count?

dexy101 wrote in post #18459266
...I usually do it myself, it can be a bit daunting the first time, but after that you'll wonder why you even sent it in for a clean.

This, the first time is a bit scary especially if you are not very handy or have had little experience around machinery but once done, it becomes easier each time. It is not a complicated process and as long you take care to avoid a few pitfalls such as not blowing off the sensor first, or using too much cleaning fluid, or using a lot of pressure, there is not much you can do to harm things. Adorama has a pretty decent video on how to check if it needs cleaning and how to do a cleaning but google around, there are thousands of sites/vids about sensor cleaning.

I've always just used Q-Tips and rubbing alcohol. Never had any issues. I'll dip a Q-Tip in alcohol, gently clean the sensor, then use a clean Q-Tip or two to make sure there's no residue. Take a couple of test shots, see what's what, and do it again if necessary. Out of the 6 different DSLR bodies I've used I've never seen a problem with my method...always manage to get the sensor clean, never see any adverse effects.


Not gonna say that I can't destroy a sensor, but over the years it's been perfectly fine.

Never.

I did that with my first DSLR. T2i. I'll never do it that way again. It can damage the sensor.

Tommydigi wrote in post #18459279
I've had my 5d2 for about 10 years and the blower isn't getting it clean.
I've been putting this off but I want to try and clean the sensor myself. I've seen a lot of tutorials on this but I'd like to hear from people who have done this themselves. What is the best way? Has anyone ruined a camera doing it?

Like many people on this forum, I do my own sensor cleaning. I always start with the blower, then deal with anything that's left via a "wet" clean. My first wet clean was done using expensive single-use sensor swabs with Eclipse fluid, but once I got the hang of it I started making my own swabs using a reusable rubber-tipped sensor wand and pecpads - back in the day this was known as the "Copperhill method" (Google for this to find instructional YouTube videos if you're interested). This method will shift both dust and oil and it's pretty cheap; you can get a lot of cleaning sessions out of a pack of 100 pecpads and a bottle of Eclipse.

There are of course various alternative methods; some people swear by the recently introduced gel stick cleaning kits, and for purely dust contamination (no oil) a charged sensor cleaning brush can be effective.

Which method is "best"? There's a post by Roger Cicala of LenRentals (see link below) which touches on this point; his conclusion is that the best method is the one which you feel most comfortable using, and which gets your sensor clean enough for you.

Roger's post: https://www.dpreview.c​om/forums/post/5855954​6

One thing I would add however is this: whatever method you go for, make sure you source your cleaning materials / kit from a reputable source, research everything thoroughly beforehand, and go slow and steady and you should be fine.

GammyKnee wrote in post #18459407
.... I started making my own swabs using a reusable rubber-tipped sensor wand and pecpads - back in the day this was known as the "Copperhill method" (Google for this to find instructional YouTube videos if you're interested). This method will shift both dust and oil and it's pretty cheap; you can get a lot of cleaning sessions out of a pack of 100 pecpads and a bottle of Eclipse. ...

I bought a cleaning kit from Micro-Tools back when I sold my 300D and picked up the XT, (maybe 2006 or there about). I still have 1/2 bottle of eclipse and about 40~50 Pec-pads and am still using the original wand. The whole kit cost me $30 including the rocket blower. I figure my total cost per cleaning as about $0.50. At the rate I'm going 1 easily have 5~10 years before I have to re-stock on something.

I had to send in my 7dii and 100-400 for cleaning after a wood stork (I think) did his business on it. It was the biggest mess I have ever seen. Other than that I wouldn't have sent anything in. I might change my mind one day, but my gear doesn't get heavy work outs.

Had my 5DIII since launch and never sent it in for cleaning. Also never cleaned the sensor beyond a quick go with the rocket blower when there was a particularly large piece of dust.

I drive my gear to the Canon Repair facility.
As a CPS Gold Member, the drive is less than 90 minutes. Drive today (Monday) for example and will drive back again on Wednesday to pick up. Sometimes it is ready the next day.
Plus there is a local pizza shop that has a killer Vodka Pizza.
So for me, it is well worth the membership and the drive.