Sensor cleaning 5D question

My 5D sensor needs cleaning to eliminate two small dust marks. My local camera shop told me not to attempt to clean it myself, and in fact they don't even stock sensor cleaning kits. Instead they recommend leaving the camera with them for a dry cleaning costing 50 Euro, or in an extreme case a wet cleaning , costing not far short of 100 Euro. The latter case they say is usually required to rectify the situation when users have tried to clean the sensor themselves and messed it up.
So my questions are - what do most users do - buy a kit or get it done professionally?
And if a kit, what is the best and safest recommendation.
Does it require much expertise?
Will be grateful for any feedback.

Find another local camera store. My comment is the prices they quoted to clean a sensor.

There are a number of people here that clean their sensors using the wet method, without ill effect.

The Copperhill system seems to be the most popular but there may be issues being able to ship the fluid oversees due to regulations (it's flammable).

Google "Copperhill sensor cleaning".

I ordered a kit last week, myself.

My method is as follows:
1) Rocket blower
if that doesn't do it then
2) Lenspen sensorklear
3) Last resort Sensor swabs with Eclipse (you can now buy these as pre-moistened swabs so shipping shouldn't be a problem).
Haven't had to go beyond these steps myself.

You can find other ideas here:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=494626

Scott

If you decide to clean it yourself, make sure you use a blower as your first step.

scottda wrote in post #8112184
My method is as follows:
1) Rocket blower
if that doesn't do it then
2) Lenspen sensorklear
3) Last resort Sensor swabs with Eclipse (you can now buy these as pre-moistened swabs so shipping shouldn't be a problem).
Haven't had to go beyond these steps myself.

You can find other ideas here:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=494626

Scott

This is the same series of steps that I would use except I add a 1B step and use an Arctic Butterfly. This is only because I have one and since they are a bit expensive I think this advice works very well as is.


It is not that hard if you take your time. The only exception is if you have a previous history of botching up slightly delicate things via clumbsiness (some people just have fatter fingers you know). If so don't do it yourself.

Sorry, but your local shop's prices are insane, Canon charges less than that. For those prices you can buy what you need to do it yourself for the next five years. More than likely a bulb blower would take care of the few specks you have now. If not, probably the Artic Butterfly will pick them off. Failing that, a wet cleaning that only requires informing yourself and using reasonable care.

Check this site out, it's what I use with no difficulty at all. They have extensive explanations and videos.

http://www.visibledust​.ca/

.

Pixels wrote in post #8112139
My local camera shop told me not to attempt to clean it myself,

Hmmmm, wonder why they said that?? And they don't sell sensor cleaning kits??

100 Euro for a wet cleaning? Sounds like they want to clean your wallet ... not the sensor!

My 5D's both had dust spots on them a few weeks back, one a lot worse than the other ... drove me nuts! Took one and cleaned it as others have described (Rocket Blower, lens brush and then used Eclipse on a sensor swab) and it was spot free. Did the 2nd camera and didn't need the sensor swap. Then cleaned my 10D (took the 3 methods too)

It can be nerve wracking the first time but done per instructions, it's really a simple and pretty quick process.

Somwhere along the way, evidently I got a big spot of dust on one of the 5D's. Didn't have time today but 1st thing in the morning, I'll clean it again. Guessing it'll probably just blow off too.

Thanks to all for your feedback. Yes I reckoned the prices quoted were way over the top. I will check out the various suggestions made, and get a cleaning kit. I am steady enough with my hands, so hopefully I won't have any regrets!
The 5D seems to be particularly prone to attracting dust - probably due to the sensor size .

Pixels wrote in post #8114369
Thanks to all for your feedback. Yes I reckoned the prices quoted were way over the top. I will check out the various suggestions made, and get a cleaning kit. I am steady enough with my hands, so hopefully I won't have any regrets!
The 5D seems to be particularly prone to attracting dust - probably due to the sensor size .

I have a hunch that 5D's may have a bit of factory installed oil. After I cleaned mine a few times (all on the same go) with a wet clean it stayed very clean and I seldom have to do a wet clean again (maybe never I am not totally sure). The worst seems to be the sensorklear now and usually the brush does the job.

johneo wrote in post #8114048
Hmmmm, wonder why they said that?? And they don't sell sensor cleaning kits??

100 Euro for a wet cleaning? Sounds like they want to clean your wallet ... not the sensor!

toooooo.... pricey!


i use digital survival kit. clean it my own! mess it my own!