My first DIY sensor cleaning, proud of myself!

After reading how daunting of a task this was I was very nervous undertaking this. Fortunately for me and my wallet, my DIY mentality often overrules better judgment. $60+ dollars AND downtime sending it in, or $15 and take it on myself...I just had to try.

It took three swabs (I ordered 4) to get the bulk of it. There are still one or two spots that I can live with easily. I want to save the fourth swab until I can get some more just in case an ugly spot works its way onto my sensor.

It was way easier than I ever thought!

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Good job! I'm way too scared to try, but once I get more dust than now, I'll probably read up and convince myself I can do it just so I can save the money...

Great job! Mind sharing any advice for someone who is scared to try too? And what products did you use?

I bought them here.

On the manufacturers website they have a video tutorial: Here. I also found this video: http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=qi6S3jHA21w to be helpful.

The video is pretty straightforward, as is the process. I just watched several videos and read a good bit until I felt confident. It wasn't bad at all, and took about 10 minutes or so.

The manufacturer guarantees their product won't harm your sensor when used per their instructions so I figured it couldn't be THAT hard. I've seen several people that speak against the premoistened swabs, although I have no idea why. It's the same thing.

Looks like you did great and the vids make it (seem) easy.

Gonna have to pick up a few for my dust bunnies on the 5D2.

rishu_pepper wrote in post #11753965
Looks like you did great and the vids make it (seem) easy.

Gonna have to pick up a few for my dust bunnies on the 5D2.

Just be sure to get the right size for your sensor. I'm thinking Type 3 are the full frame size.

Good job! I used to do this all the time when I worked for the paper (used my own camera, but their cleaning supplies) and it's not nearly as scary as it seems at first...as long as you're careful and know what you're doing, it's a quick and rewarding job...thanks for posting the links, way to help out others!

LowriderS10 wrote in post #11754243
it's not nearly as scary as it seems at first...

Oh yes it is!

First time I did it, it sure was. I've only done it once (5D) and am not looking forward at all to doing the 5DII !

I did the same thing last fall, when a series of cloud shots I'd taken revealed (enlarged) a disturbing amount of gunk on my 2 year old 40 D. (Yes, I change lenses fairly often, but thought I was being "dust conscious" about it).

This forum gave me confidence when I learned here that Canon in Japan gives its customers instructions on how to clean their own sensors when necessary. If THEY can all do it, I thought . . . .

I read all I could about it, watched several of the videos, ordered an inexpensive kit from Amazon. It only took a few minutes and worked perfectly. Here is one helpful link I bookmarked.

http://www.copperhilli​mages.com/index.php?pr​=tutorials

I have the copper hill kit waiting in my cupboard, but I still haven't worked up the courage. Will have to soon as the sensor is a mess and we're going to Istanbul in two weeks. Think my courage will come before then?

Sarotchka wrote in post #11762143
I have the copper hill kit waiting in my cupboard, but I still haven't worked up the courage. Will have to soon as the sensor is a mess and we're going to Istanbul in two weeks. Think my courage will come before then?

Haha....just do it. Watch the videos I linked to. Watch them several times and follow them to the letter and you'll be fine.