20D Sensor Clean Help!

Hi Guy's, My son & I both have 20D's...on his camera the "sensor clean" function is listed on the camera menu but is missing from mine for some reason:o

We are heading up to Bempton Cliff's in the morning hoping to take pic's of the Gannets & Puffins that habitat the cliff face but with my camera showing dust particles i would like to give it a good clean before the long drive

The image below clearly shows my problem so any help you chap's could offer would be very much appreciated

try updating the firmware in the camera and see if the menu setting appears, I picked up a lenspen to go with my blower today and that worked great on my 1d. Haven't had to use the sensor swabs I bought yet.

The sensor clean function on this camera does not clean the sensor as in later models. It only exposes it so that you can clean it. I'm at a loss to explain why it's not on the menu for both cameras. I have one of the earliest 20Ds. The option was on my first firmware version and every one after that.

There are many cleaning options available. Some folks recommend some kind of blower. I do not think that Canon recommends this because all it does is blow the stuff around. It might work for loose dust, but it will not dislodge fungus or other critters who have colonized the sensor's filter surface. I use Pec Pads and methanol on a swab. Do not use Q-tips. It's not for the faint-hearted, but I've done it a number of times without damaging the sensor.

Zerimar wrote in post #10512094
try updating the firmware in the camera and see if the menu setting appears, I picked up a lenspen to go with my blower today and that worked great on my 1d. Haven't had to use the sensor swabs I bought yet.

Running on 2.0.3 on both cameras (is there an updated version)....god knows why the sensor clean option is missing from my menu???

joedlh wrote in post #10512141
The sensor clean function on this camera does not clean the sensor as in later models. It only exposes it so that you can clean it. I'm at a loss to explain why it's not on the menu for both cameras. I have one of the earliest 20Ds. The option was on my first firmware version and every one after that.

There are many cleaning options available. Some folks recommend some kind of blower. I do not think that Canon recommends this because all it does is blow the stuff around. It might work for loose dust, but it will not dislodge fungus or other critters who have colonized the sensor's filter surface. I use Pec Pads and methanol on a swab. Do not use Q-tips. It's not for the faint-hearted, but I've done it a number of times without damaging the sensor.

Sounds like i may have to take it in to be looked at:o:o:o

sensor clean menu option doesn't appear if you're in one of the auto modes (green box, P etc)
Try setting to Tv or Av and see if is magicly comes up...

^^ This - to access any advanced modes you have to be in manual or semi manual.

Try This:
http://www.copperhilli​mages.com/index.php?pr​=tutorials.
It really works and is very simple

joeseph wrote in post #10512624
sensor clean menu option doesn't appear if you're in one of the auto modes (green box, P etc)
Try setting to Tv or Av and see if is magicly comes up...

Wow. That is weird. I never noticed that, given that I rarely use auto modes. Did Canon figure that anybody who shoots all auto shouldn't be scraping things across the sensor face?

joeseph wrote in post #10512624
sensor clean menu option doesn't appear if you're in one of the auto modes (green box, P etc)
Try setting to Tv or Av and see if is magicly comes up...

Just tried that on mine (running 2.0.3 firmware) and the clean sensor option comes up in P, Tv, Av, M and A-Dep. Does not come up in Green Box or picture modes.

All the clean sensor option does is lock the mirror and open the shutter to expose the sensor for us to clean. I have used a blower and the method sort of works, but not brilliant. I've never used a wet method on mine and it does have a couple of stubborn specs on the sensor.

It's worth remembering that high f-stops (small aperture) makes dust spots look worse. If you can get away with a wider aperture, the dust appearance is reduced.

joeseph wrote in post #10512624
sensor clean menu option doesn't appear if you're in one of the auto modes (green box, P etc)
Try setting to Tv or Av and see if is magicly comes up...

BINGO!!! your a bloody star mate.....just me using the camera in idiot mode pmsl

Managed to get one or two pic's at Bempton

FYI - for anyone who sees this thread after me: sensor clean mode also will not show if your battery does not have a strong charge.