Sensor Cleaning

I have about 11,000 actuations on my 20D. Recently spotted a dark spot on a sky shot. So took a monitor Test Shot on Copper Hill http://www.pbase.com/c​opperhill/image/951743​63 and this is what it looked like.

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for all the theads i see where it didn't go well.

It really is easy...

Yup, time to get out the gasoline and wire brush.

Mark H
(Sorry confused it with kid coming home with tattoo)

Your before shot didn't look that bad.

Cleaning the focus screen darn near gave me multiple heart attacks with all the times I had to insert it and look, take it back out, drop it on carpet, put it back in, check it, see another black black, pull it back out, wipe it again...etc etc...then to add to the torture...I had to take like 100 pictures to ensure I didn't damage the focus screen which only costs $30 for handy dandy new one.....

Next time I will just buy a new focus screen..

I am not about to touch the sensor..I not as brave as ya'll...no way Jose.

Actually, focusing screen is easier to scratch than (filter in front of the) sensor.

Hermeto wrote in post #5581154
Actually, focusing screen is easier to scratch than (filter in front of the) sensor.

Totally agree..but the focus screen cost $30 to replace. I give you the utmost respect for cleaning the sensor...my poor old heart just couldn't take it. Perhaps when I learn more..I might could venture into that area.

The focus screen will have no effect on the quality of your pics. It is not in the same light path as the sensor. They are two totally different and separate systems once the light leaves the back element of the lens.

I would also clean them completely differently as the sensor cleaning solution might damage the plastic focus screen. I’m not sure if methanol is a plastic solvent or not. I’ve only cleaned a focus screen once and it was on an old film SLR. I used a mild dish soap diluted in water and rinsed with distilled water and allowed to air dry while hanging by a corner. It was a method suggested to me by an optician buddy and worked very well. Didn’t leave a single spot or water mark.

gjl711 wrote in post #5581334
The focus screen will have no effect on the quality of your pics. It is not in the same light path as the sensor. They are two totally different and separate systems once the light leaves the back element of the lens.

I understand that it the focus screen has no effect on the photos, but it will drive a person batty if there is a black speck every time you go to take a picture as you look through the camera, least it does me. I just took a recommended cloth from the camera store and wiped it softly, no liquid cleaner.

lucyshopechest wrote in post #5581432
... it will drive a person batty if there is a black speck every time you go to take a picture as you look through the camera, least it does me. ....

Me too, thats why I cleaned it.

Me too, and I have a big one in there after yesterday too.

canonloader wrote in post #5581781
Me too, and I have a big one in there after yesterday too.

I think they need to figure out a better way to grip that screen, because that tool doesn't work well. It works, but you began to have heart palpitations when it drops. Heard the focus screen is very sensitive, but I gotta tell you if you really knew how many times I took that thing out, wiped it with the cloth that was recommended, put it back in there, found another speck, took it back out, wiped it back off, dropped it on the carpet, picked it up with my fingers, wiped it back off, put it back in, found a carpet fiber on it, did the whole entire routine again....I would venture to say they are tougher then we think. Least mine is at the current moment, wish I could say the same about heart. I think I lost 10 years of my life-span during the first drop on the carpet.

lucyshopechest wrote in post #5581937
I think they need to figure out a better way to grip that screen, because that tool doesn't work well. ...

When I got my Katz focus screen it came with a real nice spring loaded tweezers that work very well. It sort of has some tabs on it to keep the screen aligned and from slipping.

a100years wrote in post #5579502
for all the theads i see where it didn't go well.

I have wet cleaned my sensors on all my digital cameras back to my D100 days. It is stone dumb simple.

You can cause more damage to camera in a UPS truck getting it to and from Canon for a cleaning than you can by just doing it yourself.

If a guy can't clean the sensor without causing problems....well, it speaks volumes.....