Help With A Scratched Sensor!

Hi All,

I was cleaning my 30D a few days ago as I have many times on various DSLR's, except on this occasion one of the dust spots appears to have been a speck of grit or sand, meaning I now have a nice big scratch across the top left of all my images.

Has anyone had this problem before? If so, how did you rectify it? I spoke to Warehouse Express (where I bought the camera) and they said as the AA filter is cemented onto the sensor the entire assembly would need replacing, although I was directed towards a company in the US called Lifepixel who say they can repair it for $400. Canon are unable to give even a rough estimate as to how much they would charge to repair it unless I send it to them.

Does anyone know of any companies similar to Lifepixel here in the UK where I might be able to get more advice?

All help greatly appreciated,

Paul

How were you cleaning it? If you used a Sensor Swab or LensPen(sensor pen), then you probably didn't scratch it. It's more likely just a smear.

Try cleaning it again. Use a rocket-blower to remove the dust first, then use a proper wet cleaning method, following the directions. If the scratch vanishes or moves, or just changes shape, then its a smear, not a scratch.

Besides, if you DID scratch it, you can't do any more harm by trying again.

I was swabbing. I've tried cleaning it again since and it hasn't budged so all I can think is it's a scratch. It hasn't changed at all. I shall certainly be using a rocket blower first in the future though!

Paul

PMN wrote in post #5636203
I was swabbing. I've tried cleaning it again since and it hasn't budged so all I can think is it's a scratch. It hasn't changed at all. I shall certainly be using a rocket blower first in the future though!

Paul

Bummer It probably is scratched, and your quote sounds about right. I'd probably ship it to canon rather than a third party. Or consider it time for a body upgrade. If you upgrade, you may want to have your 30d converted to an IR camera to extend its life in a new direction.

JohnC

JC4 wrote in post #5636232
Bummer It probably is scratched, and your quote sounds about right. I'd probably ship it to canon rather than a third party. Or consider it time for a body upgrade. If you upgrade, you may want to have your 30d converted to an IR camera to extend its life in a new direction.

JohnC

I must admit I hadn't thought of converting it IR, even though IR conversions are Lifepixel's speciality. To be honest if I had the money I would do that and get a 40D but I just can't afford it at the moment. Besides, I do love my 30D and if I can get it sorted for a third of the price of a new body, I'll do it.

The problem with shipping it to Canon is that I'm almost certain they'll say the AA filter is cemented to the sensor so the entire assembly will need replacing, which will almost certainly cost almost as much as a new body. I'm also a little annoyed that despite the fact this must be a very comon repair for Canon, they were unable to give me even a rough estimate of how much it would cost over the phone and insisted I had to send it to them. Canon certainly make great gear, but their customer service seems a bit crap!

Paul

I had a stubborn piece of something on my sensor around Christmas time that wouldn't come off with the wet cleaning so I used a charged sensor brush and it was gone. I have been dust free since then. I got my kit from copperhill and it works great. I am sorry to hear you scratched your sensor. I would be really bummed out. Good luck in what ever you decide!

The AA filter is cemented to a filter stack but is not cemented to the sensor.

The glass is an anti aliasing filter and an IR hot mirror, and it is in front of the sensor. You scratched that glass filter, which you can get shipped to you for like $150. Your sensor is fine.

Now, I am looking for a camera with scratched glass to make into an IR camera. If you decide to sell it, let me know.