Sensor Cleaning

I've got some dust/specks on my sensor that I can't seem to remove w/my Giotto's Rocket Blower so I'm thinking I need to purchase a wet-cleaning kit and they seem to range from $20-$40.

For a point of reference what does Canon-Irvine charge for a sensor cleaning? For those of you who send it in to your local shop what on average do they charge for a sensor cleaning?

My last cleaning cost $40 at a local shop.

I was just quoted $48.50 and $50 at two local places. I'm still trying to determine if I'll get a kit or take it in...

If you have steady hands just by Eclipse solution + sensor swabs and do it yourself - the 1D3 uses type-1 swabs. I usually buy the premoistened ones that are safe for air travel.

Just get a simple cleaning kit for like $10 and do it up yourself. It's a piece of glass... won't scratch very easy. I scrubbed the crap out of the sensors on my 10D, 20D, and 40D's over the years when they get weird dirt on them... never ever an issue.

Don't do anything stupid... but they are tougher than people make it out to be

Well for $40.00 you can buy a wet cleaning kit and do it yourself 6-12 times depending on which kit you buy. I bought myself the VisibleDust VSwab 3 for $20.00 and its very easy to do yourself and no more waiting to have it done at your Canon Service Center or camera store.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

my local shop quoted me over $100 to clean my 5d.. ouch.

dilonious wrote in post #11709121
my local shop quoted me over $100 to clean my 5d.. ouch.

$100...ugh. I've been doing some more research and the pre-moistened swaps are < $20. It looks pretty darn easy and with some steady hands looks like I can save quite a bit of dough.

effstop wrote in post #11708668
For a point of reference what does Canon-Irvine charge for a sensor cleaning? For those of you who send it in to your local shop what on average do they charge for a sensor cleaning?

IIRC, I read somewhere that Canon Irvine charges $30 for a sensor cleaning. I'm thinking about taking mine there and see if I can get it cleaned for free before my 90 day warranty ends.

edmyloo wrote in post #11709147
IIRC, I read somewhere that Canon Irvine charges $30 for a sensor cleaning. I'm thinking about taking mine there and see if I can get it cleaned for free before my 90 day warranty ends.

I was thinking about going to Canon Irvine and schmoozing for a freebie but won't be in the area for a few weeks.

Depending on if you can wait, Calumet Photo has these specials on sensor cleanings for $25. Not sure when the next one is, but it's usually once every three months or so.

I went to the local store and purchased a wet cleaning kit for $30 and talked the owner into showing me how the pro's do it. They weren't busy so he was kind enough to clean it for me and walk me thru the process. Pretty darn easy and felt good helping the local guy.

They normally charge $30 for a cleaning so everybody wins.

effstop wrote in post #11713151
I went to the local store and purchased a wet cleaning kit for $30 and talked the owner into showing me how the pro's do it. They weren't busy so he was kind enough to clean it for me and walk me thru the process. Pretty darn easy and felt good helping the local guy.

They normally charge $30 for a cleaning so everybody wins.

That sounds great! The people that work at local camera shops that I know of here (Ritz and Samys), are pretty damn rude. I always avoid going to those places unless I need something real quick.

edmyloo wrote in post #11713175
That sounds great! The people that work at local camera shops that I know of here (Ritz and Samys), are pretty damn rude. I always avoid going to those places unless I need something real quick.

Why would you ever consider Ritz, I don't know one person that walked out of there happy.

Anyways to the original post, pick up some sensor swabs and clean your sensor. Believe me, I was scared as heck to clean my 5D Mark II sensor the first time. I spent $2500 on this camera, it better not turn into a paper weight. So I bought the sensors cleaners, and boy am I glad I did, I saved a ton of money, and hell didn't have to wait for my camera to be returned.

My sensor looks good as new, go and buy it, you won't be disappointed.

00dahc wrote in post #11708807
Just get a simple cleaning kit for like $10 and do it up yourself. It's a piece of glass... won't scratch very easy. I scrubbed the crap out of the sensors on my 10D, 20D, and 40D's over the years when they get weird dirt on them... never ever an issue.

Don't do anything stupid... but they are tougher than people make it out to be

As far as I am aware it's not glass but plastic.

Still, even if you do scratch it, it's not the sensor but only the anti aliasing filter that you've scratched - still a pricey repair though.