Cleaning sensor is supposed to be easy ...

... but for some reason, I keep on having problems on getting my sensor spotless.

This time test camera setup was EOS 20D + 100/2.8 USM Macro with Hoya HMC UV(0) filter.
Camera settings where Av-mode, f22, ISO200 and Large JPEGs.
Lens settings where manual focus and focus set to infinite.
Test shots subject was lid of white paper box in normal indoor lightning. Results were analyzed by doing Auto levels on GIMP.

Started with Raiser's air blower, but kept on having dust around corners.
Tried Sensor Sweep (brush), but still didn't kept all stuff out.
Tried air blower again, check test shot, went back to brush and so on ...
More than 30 minutes later, I still have dirty sensor ... (see attachment)

Only positive thing out of this experiment was that it once again postpones any interest to put more money into camera gear unless the solution is dust free camera body.

P.S. Yes, there are so called wet cleaning methods for cleaning the sensor, but with my success rate on easier cleaning methods, I really don't like idea of putting any wet stuff inside my camera.

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Wet is really a misnomer. Two drops of Eclipse on a sensor swab is just damp...and since it is technically pure methanol, there is no risk to the electronics.

Agree with above- brushes and blowers wont always shift the spots but a swab will. Eclipse evaporates in no time at all and is perfectly safe. Takes me a couple of minutes though I admit I was worried the first time I tried it.

First post for me.

I cleaned the factory installed sensor dust from mine using the eclipse fluid and swab. Squeaky clean until I put my 17-85 back on... Mine seems to suck dirt in like a vaccuum.

look up www.copperhillimages.c​om and buy the kit for your camera. I even have to wet clean it several times to get it all.

Good luck

I guess sensor swabs is closest counterpart that we have available in Finland.
When I quickly checked one supplier for basic kit, I would end up ordering 12 sensor swabs and small bottle of eclipse (claimed to be enough for 500 cleans). Total cost from this set with shipping would be 59EUR, which is quite big price for untested method (*), considering that Canon will clean sensor for 38.50EUR.
On the other hand, if you never need more than one sensor swab, kit should have enough stuff for 6-12 cleanings, which would drop the price per cleaning to 5-10EUR. I just don't feel that optimistic tonight ...

(*) Untested method in a sense that I haven't had chance to see, if I can manage to get it working. Some people claim that air blower is all they need, while some people say that if you can't get it cleaned with brush, its time to send it to Canon.

I'd recommend blower method then "sensor swabs" with eclipse solution. Sensor swabs are pre-made and sealed. It's very easy to do. It will certainly clean the welded on dust you have that wont come off by using a puffer.

Try this site it clearly explains all methods.
http://www.cleaningdig​italcameras.com/method​s.html

dbiggs wrote in post #2567370
look up www.copperhillimages.c​om and buy the kit for your camera. I even have to wet clean it several times to get it all.

CopperHill won't ship Eclipse outside North America due to airline restrictions.
Thankfully they have resellers in Europe, who probably get it on ship transportation.
I guess I have to sleep over and figure out whether to get CopperHill kit, downgrade to 400D in hope that its sensor tricks work in real life or wait for PMA and see if they announce 40D with same anti-dust technology and upgrade 20D to 40D.

I think you'll find that the Anti-dust technology isn't as good as you'd expect.. It probably wont remove dust that cannot be removed with a puffer.

For what it's worth I have a 400D and imo the anti-dust technology is six-shades of useless and does absolutely nothing from what I can tell, but maybe it's just me.

Kurt

jylitalo wrote in post #2566956
... but for some reason, I keep on having problems on getting my sensor spotless.

This time test camera setup was EOS 20D + 100/2.8 USM Macro with Hoya HMC UV(0) filter.
Camera settings where Av-mode, f22, ISO200 and Large JPEGs.
Lens settings where manual focus and focus set to infinite.
Test shots subject was lid of white paper box in normal indoor lightning. Results were analyzed by doing Auto levels on GIMP.

Started with Raiser's air blower, but kept on having dust around corners.
Tried Sensor Sweep (brush), but still didn't kept all stuff out.
Tried air blower again, check test shot, went back to brush and so on ...
More than 30 minutes later, I still have dirty sensor ... (see attachment)

Only positive thing out of this experiment was that it once again postpones any interest to put more money into camera gear unless the solution is dust free camera body.

P.S. Yes, there are so called wet cleaning methods for cleaning the sensor, but with my success rate on easier cleaning methods, I really don't like idea of putting any wet stuff inside my camera.

you need to use eclipse and sensor swabs.

my first time i had to use 3 swabs and they aren't cheap...but very simple to use.

and while one can get it looking a lot better than your picks some stuff that shows up using auto levels will in most cases never show up on a picture.

btw... i tried rocket blower first and it just moved around some spots, removed others but the stuff that gets "welded" to sensor via static charge or whatever it's called isn't coming off without using eclipse.

coperhill is cheapest but i am too lazy and don't have the time to make my own swabs out of pec pads.

good luck it isn't that hard.