Sensor Cleaning

First of all I apologise if this is not posted in the correct place.
But attached is a "test photo" taken with the mirror locked. I have some small dust particles showing on my sensor (Canon 6D). Is this amount of dust acceptable or would it be necessary to have it cleaned?

I would certainly get it cleaned, but for me is different because I do mostly timelapses and dust spot are a real disaster.
In normal photography it is much easier to get rid of them in post processing

Might try a bulb type blower first to see if it's just dust specks that can be dislodged with air.

Thanks. I tried that but no joy. I am going to start doing some Astrophotography and not sure if these spots will be a problem with long exposure shots. Just need to decide whether to try to clean the sensor myself (with the correct kit) or get it done at local Canon shop?

It's quite simple to do yourself.

You will find all kinds of advice on sensor cleaning, with just about every method strongly endorsed. Here's another one.

My first digital camera was a Canon 1Ds. It apparently had terrible seals, and I swapped lenses in the field like a crazed monkey before I learned about sensor dust. Result was heavy and consistent sensor dirt.

I went through several methods, including Pec pads and Eclipse solution. Then I tried the Sensorklear Lenspen. It is amazingly easy to use, cheap, and very effective.

https://www.amazon.com …culated-Tip/dp/B001QUIEIS

Try it, you'll like it.

Once, a few years ago, my local camera shop had "Canon Days". Canon reps on site, lots of lenses and bodies to borrow and try out. And, free sensor cleaning! I watched the process and was shocked. Customers were lined up 3 deep behind two Canon guys sitting at card tables set up in the middle of the shop (no clean room).

They were using blowers, small artist paint brushes, and Q-tips to clean sensors. They had the cameras face up on the table. Spent about 3 minutes per camera. Blow, brush, swab, blow some more, and done! That, apparently, was Canon cleaning.

Go to a small bathroom, close the door and run the shower on hot until the room is steamed a little. Let the steam dissapate. This clears the air of floating dust. Lay on your back so you can hold the camera face down to eliminate or reduce the chance of gravity dust falling in. Wipe away with the Lenspen. Test and repeat as needed.

I would never introduce humidity into a sensor cleaning. Get some sensor swabs and a rocket blower. Follow the directions per the kit and blow any dust out before putting the lens or cap back on. Very simple.

I've cleaned sensors using Eclipse on multiple cameras for years with no issues. Works well, though sometimes it takes one pass and sometimes it takes 20 passes, which is why I don't get premade wipes - too expensive. Eclipse, pec pads, and the wand thingy. I forget the name of the system I use.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't clean the sensor, but...

Yozzer wrote in post #18594944
Is this amount of dust acceptable or would it be necessary to have it cleaned?

Hosted photo: posted by Yozzer in
./showthread.php?p=185​94944&i=i50159403
forum: RAW, Post Processing & Printing

There are two things to be aware of when shooting at f/16.
1. Lenses are usually sharper at 2-3 stops up from wide open. And...
2. f/16 & above are getting into diffraction territory. That means that you're getting more DOF at the cost of sharpness.

I would bet that the same image you have shot at f/5.6 wouldn't show any dust at all. Try it & see.

tim wrote in post #18595806
I've cleaned sensors using Eclipse on multiple cameras for years with no issues. Works well, though sometimes it takes one pass and sometimes it takes 20 passes, which is why I don't get premade wipes - too expensive. Eclipse, pec pads, and the wand thingy. I forget the name of the system I use.

It was called the Copperhill method I believe. I'm not sure if they are still selling their kit but the basics are available at many places. I do the same as you. I still have my original kit I purchased back when I had a XT. I'm about 1/2 way through the kit. I figure I'll need to replace the kit in another 10~15 years or so. It would have been interesting to calculate how expensive a cleaning is but based on the # of pec pads I have remaining, I figure I've done about 50 cleanings over the years and the kit was about $30 so that's 60 cents a cleaning.

Eclipse and VisibleDust swabs for the win.

Redcrown wrote in post #18595747
Once, a few years ago, my local camera shop had "Canon Days". Canon reps on site, lots of lenses and bodies to borrow and try out. And, free sensor cleaning! I watched the process and was shocked. Customers were lined up 3 deep behind two Canon guys sitting at card tables set up in the middle of the shop (no clean room).

They were using blowers, small artist paint brushes, and Q-tips to clean sensors. They had the cameras face up on the table. Spent about 3 minutes per camera. Blow, brush, swab, blow some more, and done! That, apparently, was Canon cleaning.

I've done it that way for more than 15 years. Nary a problem yet.

Alveric wrote in post #18595822
Eclipse and VisibleDust swabs for the win.

I still have the Copperhills cleaning kit, which is a similar method. I believe Copperhills is out of business now, though. Amazon sells the Eclipse solution and Pec-Pads for a reasonable price. That should work on the Copperhills swabs without an issue when my supplies run out.