Canon 5d II fungus on sensor question

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18541982
I would assume, perhaps incorrectly, but I still would assume that if Canon says replace the sensor, that would rule out a simple series of wet cleanings solving the problem they found.

Is it not more reasonable to assume that the fungus has grown under the AA/IR band-pass filter? And thus not able to be simply cleaned?

Anyway, I would not pay that price to replace a sensor on such an old camera. A 5D3 would be a huge improvement.

I had similar thoughts, Shirley Canon would just clean the sensor if they thought that would remove the fungus.
I notice camera was advertised for sale in classifieds with the fungus issue stated clearly and I think the first point mentioned about the camera. As the ad is now closed (listed as removed) I believe there is no issue with me commenting no way I'd buy a camera that Canon stated needed a new sensor due to fungus.

I agree with Joseph, there is a hot mirror bonded over the sensor. I've taken plenty of these off and there is no way for any humidity, water, air or other contaminants to breech this barrier. So this is on the surface of your hot mirror (which is what gets cleaned during sensor cleanings).

Companies can replace them like the aforementioned Lifepixel but I can see two options I would try - attempt to clean it yourself and use a magnifier to inspect it or swap the sensor assembly.

On ebay you can buy used sensor assemblies (I see one for $215/best offer) or buy a "for parts or not working" camera body and extract the sensor from it if the broken one didn't suffer from water damage. (depending on the bidding could get one cheap).

I'm going to link you the Lifepixel tutorial guide for doing your own Infrared conversions which essentially is a disassembly guide that gets you to the sensor. It will look daunting but honestly it is just screws and flex cable connections.

https://www.lifepixel.​com …tutorials/canon​-5d-mk2-ir

If you need any help / have further questions, feel free to PM me.

iroctd wrote in post #18542958
I'm going to link you the Lifepixel tutorial guide for doing your own Infrared conversions which essentially is a disassembly guide that gets you to the sensor. It will look daunting but honestly it is just screws and flex cable connections.

https://www.lifepixel.​com …tutorials/canon​-5d-mk2-ir

If you need any help / have further questions, feel free to PM me.

This opening warning would kill the DIY part for me.

Chet wrote in post #18542962
This opening warning would kill the DIY part for me.

A lot of "CYA" in the whole content!

Canon sensor assemblies have alignment pins. You can see these in the photo of step 12 as black circles next to the screws with the red arrows. And again on step 14 you can see the double holes, one for the pin, other for the screw. These posts do not allow any adjustment so it goes back in exactly how it came out.

They sometimes use shims for front/back focus adjustment. As long as you keep track of where they go (which they are easily held in place by the alignment pins) it isn't a issue.

Remember their techs that do these repairs are people like you and me with big fingers and screwdrivers. They've made servicing them quick for profit and efficiency. If it was that critical they would spend too much time fiddling with adjustments.

I went ahead and bought a 5D4, but I still have the 5d2.
Here is a white balance pic. Loook upper left and tell me what you think.

k9trainer wrote in post #18543035
I went ahead and bought a 5D4, but I still have the 5d2.
Here is a white balance pic. Loook upper left and tell me what you think.

Hosted photo: posted by k9trainer in
./showthread.php?p=185​43035&i=i213974132
forum: Canon Digital Cameras

Yep, some tendrils.

Might clean up adequately, but you gotta store your stuff in a dryer place.

Did a little Photoshop enhancement. It is a small spot. I wonder if it wasn't able to be cleaned well since it is so close to the edge.
Some wouldn't be bothered by that, in a photo it probably isn't noticeable and/or could be cropped out.

Canon cleaned the camera and sensor and returned it to me.

I had this issue once on my 30D. The fungus was actually on the back side of the hot mirror. Had to open the sensor assembly and clean it up at a technician...repair is definitely a possibility

iroctd wrote in post #18542971
Canon sensor assemblies have alignment pins. You can see these in the photo of step 12 as black circles next to the screws with the red arrows. And again on step 14 you can see the double holes, one for the pin, other for the screw. These posts do not allow any adjustment so it goes back in exactly how it came out.

They sometimes use shims for front/back focus adjustment. As long as you keep track of where they go (which they are easily held in place by the alignment pins) it isn't a issue.

exactly - main problem I think would be if a shim stuck to the sensor frame during removal rather than staying on the post, then falling off before having it's position noted.
From what I gather, Canon techs use some sort of micrometer to measure the "flange back" distance which is the measurement from the lens mount back to the sensor/IR filter & adjust thickness & number of the shims to get it within spec and the two nice and parallel with each other.

iroctd wrote in post #18542971
Remember their techs that do these repairs are people like you and me with big fingers and screwdrivers. They've made servicing them quick for profit and efficiency. If it was that critical they would spend too much time fiddling with adjustments.

I think the Canon techs replace components as modules rather than actually repairing anything - 3rd party techs would replace an individual leaf on a shutter for example, whereas Canon would swap out the whole unit. Same with hotmirror/IR filter replacement.

Just to put repair things in perspective, when I modified my 10D to IR a while back, the screw heads holding the hotmirror/IR filter bracket just sheared off instead of playing nice and unscrewing, I needed to drill the two screws out and retap the thread to take a new screw while being careful the swarf didn't foul up the sensor itself to get it sorted...

Ok so the big question, what to do with the body? Somebody must want to take a chance with it.

k9trainer wrote in post #18543813
Ok so the big question, what to do with the body? Somebody must want to take a chance with it.

I don't think you would have any problem selling it with a condition report.

Interested though I just bought a 5D 1 (kicks myself) maybe they'll take a return.

Reposted for sale in classified section