Any tips on cleaning sensor/viewfinder on 5D?

Would appreciate much on the info asked above.

Greetings - Can't help on doing it, as each time I look inside, I get a bit intimidated. There is a Canon Service Center (actually several) not so far from where I live, and this service is free, while you wait (takes 1-2 hours usually and I get a cup of coffee). I have the sensor cleaned about 4 times a year, once when I had some obvious stuff on the sensor, but usually just every three months. There are threads on doing this yourself if you search. I am just not ready yet to do it myself.
Cheers,
John

For most cleaning maintenance I use a spinner such as this one from Visible Dust. For more difficult cleaning, I use Eclipse with a proper sized sensor swab but that process is not for the faint of heart.

Here's a good overview of sensor cleaning:
http://www.cleaningdig​italcameras.com/

and here's a good tutorial:
http://www.copperhilli​mages.com/index.php?pr​=tutorials

I use a Rocket Blower on the sensor first, and if that doesn't do the job I use the Copperhill wet cleaning kit and sensor viewer.

-js

number six wrote in post #7199712
Here's a good overview of sensor cleaning:
http://www.cleaningdig​italcameras.com/

and here's a good tutorial:
http://www.copperhilli​mages.com/index.php?pr​=tutorials

I use a Rocket Blower on the sensor first, and if that doesn't do the job I use the Copperhill wet cleaning kit and sensor viewer.

-js

+1
I always start with the rocket and move to the swipes if that doesn't work. Both links helped me out when I was ready to dive in and give it a shot a few years ago.

To clean the viewfinder, remove the focusing screen, and take your rocket blower to that biznatch.

number six wrote in post #7199712
Here's a good overview of sensor cleaning:
http://www.cleaningdig​italcameras.com/

and here's a good tutorial:
http://www.copperhilli​mages.com/index.php?pr​=tutorials

I use a Rocket Blower on the sensor first, and if that doesn't do the job I use the Copperhill wet cleaning kit and sensor viewer.

-js

+2
BTW, the rocket blower should ALWAYS be the first method you use even when getting ready to wet clean.

Also, when wetcleaning don't try to get everything the first time. Many times some of the specks will smear and leave the sensor looking worse then before you started. It is not unusual for me to clean the sensor 3~5 times before I'm happy with the results.

Also, with the new Eclipse fluid it always seems to leave a streak or two. One last pass with a dry pec pad lightly seems to take care of it.

number six wrote in post #7199712
Here's a good overview of sensor cleaning:
http://www.cleaningdig​italcameras.com/

and here's a good tutorial:
http://www.copperhilli​mages.com/index.php?pr​=tutorials

I use a Rocket Blower on the sensor first, and if that doesn't do the job I use the Copperhill wet cleaning kit and sensor viewer.

-js

+3
This is a great site for cleaning the sensor but I would add some other things to it.

I blow the sensor off first with a rocket blower and recheck it for specks on a regular basis. This will most often get rid of most of the dust to start with and may save you the effort of cleaning the sensor with a pec pad.

Before I "Swab" the sensor I allways blow out the chamber to get any loose debris out of there. Although it is few and far between I have heard of a person scratching the sensor with a hard spec of debris that was in the chamber when he swabbed it.

And lastly I always blow out the chamber after swabbing it to blow out dust that I may have loosened but not removed and dry off any possible methonol left on the sensor.

Although this is just a precaution and Methonol dries very quickly I find comfort in doing it just because.

Because most of my pictures are taken in areas most people would not even bring a camera out in, (motocross, desert racing etc) I have learned to do this on a regular basis. Also if you always keep the camera pointing down when changing lenses and make sure the one you change to and the one you change out are ready when you do it.

In other words loosen the cap but leave it on the new lens. Take the old lens off keeping the camera pointed down the entire time. Use your free hand to put the old lens down and move the cap from one lens to the other. Then put the new lens on while keeping the camera pointing down. Do it as quickly as possible in an area that has as little breeze and visible dust as possible. This will dramatically reduce any contaminants in the chamber.

+4 On the Rocket Blower. I just picked one up on Friday and I can't believe I waited so long to get one! I had some visible dust on my focusing screen, two puffs of the Rocket Blower and they were gone. Highly recommended.

I don't see why it's helpful to point the camera downwards when changing lenses. After all, the dust is floating around in the air, not falling from the sky. The ground is where it came from, isn't it?

-js

number six wrote in post #7199712
Here's a good overview of sensor cleaning:
http://www.cleaningdig​italcameras.com/

and here's a good tutorial:
http://www.copperhilli​mages.com/index.php?pr​=tutorials

I use a Rocket Blower on the sensor first, and if that doesn't do the job I use the Copperhill wet cleaning kit and sensor viewer.

-js

I don't think I've ever had to use more than the Rocket Blower. A nice lesson that I've learned is to point your camera towards the ground when changing lenses to avoid randomness falling in while switching lenses. I switch lenses like a sniper.... Fast and quickly as possible.

number six wrote in post #7238653
I don't see why it's helpful to point the camera downwards when changing lenses. After all, the dust is floating around in the air, not falling from the sky. The ground is where it came from, isn't it?

Dust doesn't know which way is up or down. It just floats on any breeze it can find and goes anywhere the breeze does.

any tips on cleaning the viewfinder? specifically behind the superimposed display?

number six wrote in post #7238653
I don't see why it's helpful to point the camera downwards when changing lenses. After all, the dust is floating around in the air, not falling from the sky. The ground is where it came from, isn't it?

-js

Maybe you remember a little class called physics in school and a little known phenominon called gravity?
Even though dust floats in the air it is less likely to float up than float down.
Remember that saying what goes up must come down?
Thats not to say it will prevent it just minimize it....
Keeping with that idea one would not change out lenses in a dust storm.
Besides you wouldnt try and blow it out facing up and expect it to be clean would you?

Same logic applies...

oomus wrote in post #7288306
Maybe you remember a little class called physics in school and a little known phenominon called gravity?
Even though dust floats in the air it is less likely to float up than float down.
Remember that saying what goes up must come down?
Thats not to say it will prevent it just minimize it....
Keeping with that idea one would not change out lenses in a dust storm.
Besides you wouldnt try and blow it out facing up and expect it to be clean would you?

Same logic applies...

Airborne dust is affected much more by air currents than it is by gravity when there are air currents. It is true that in very still air it will drop down onto all of Momma's furniture, etc.

However, when you are creating significant air currents that are, for the most part, leaving the mirror box of a camera most of the dust that has been dislodged by a good-sized squeeze-bulb blower will leave the mirror box even if it is facing upward.

It is an error to think that holding a camera facing down while changing a lens will do much to prevent dust from entering the mirror box. You might prevent a larger heavy particle or two (such as sand) from getting in there, but you shouldn't open a camera when stuff like that is being blown around.