how to check for sensor dust?

kamion

kamion

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I remember reading a thread on here "post your sensor" that had instructions on how to take a photo of something white that will show up sensor dust... but I can't find the thread! :bang:

What do I need to do? Set the focus to infinity? Open to the widest apeture? :help:
 
Best method I use is shoot a picture of a clear blue sky (if possible) at f16+ or there abouts, the focus shouldnt really matter because the details your looking for are on the sensor.
 
Then I think you do an auto levels in photoshop.
 
Warspite has it just about spot on.
You just need a bright (white is best) background and crank your fave lens tight shut f16..22..32. Dont worry about the speed. It doesnt matter since what you are exposing is the crud on your sensor. Anywhere from 100th or slower will generally do.

Then zoom in to about 100% and do the space invader walk across your image. If you've big bits of crud then you wont even need to do this it'll stand out like a polar bear in an ice storm (the nose)
 
I found the easiest way to check for dust is too take a photo of a peice of white paper with a small apature. make sure it is out of focus incase you mistake a mark on the paper as dust. then simply look at the photo and see where the dark spots are. thats how i test and it works every time. The white paper maximises contrast so its easier to spot the dust.
 
Thanks, everyone! It worked!

But, O M G! :eek: :eek: :eek: :gag:

:'(

IMG_3049_omg.jpg
 
Once you have cleaned it the first time you wonder what all the fuss was about. Second time is dead easy - just do it ;)
 
RobertP said:
Once you have cleaned it the first time you wonder what all the fuss was about. Second time is dead easy - just do it ;)
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Have to agree with Robert here Kamion ... I put it off until my camera was a year old and gave it a go for its birthday ... :D

So easy it is not real ... you just have to take a little care and Bob's your uncle, Fanny's your aunt etc., ... ;)




:p
 
maybe I'll give it a go tomorrow, but I doubt I have the necessary tools. There's a filter or some glass over the actual sensor in the 350D right?
 
Yes - all sensors have a glass screen over the actual sensitive part :thumbs:
 
And the last thing you want to do is replace the dust with scratches innit ... right tools for job make it easy ... wrong ones make it last ... :D





:p
 
Get yourself some PecPads (they sell specific types for each camera) from WarehouseExpress and some eclipse fluid.
 
Another vote for the pec pads and eclipse fluid. Just shoot at a plain wall in your house at f22 or smaller and those dust specs are scary! If you don't shoot at very small appertures then you might not need to worry too much about cleaning :-)
 
yeah, I never noticed it until I was out yesterday taking pics of birds in the sky. :(

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Always make sure you dry the camera body fully before using it again though kamion..;)

sensor-cleaning.jpg
 
Han - if you want you can come over here and I'll show you to do it. Marianne says if you're a good boy you can some tea if you like! Ha ha! :) (We got a kit...!)
 
Thanks for the offer Barry. I've ordered some kit now, but can I still come over for some tea? hehehe. :D
 
Yeah ok! Text us or PM and let us know!
 
busterboy said:
Always make sure you dry the camera body fully before using it again though kamion..;)

sensor-cleaning.jpg
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Go steady with that NON weathersealed toy, you should be using your 1Dmk2 + 500mm f4 L IS weathersealed Canon.
 
Thought I'd update this thread. I received the Eclipse fluid and Pec Pad this morning and I just cleaned my sensor. This is the result after 4 goes:

IMG_3170_800x533.jpg


Not perfect, but MUCH better than last week (see post #6 above).

There was one particularly stubborn dust that wouldn't come off. I put double Pec Pad on one glue stick and dabbed it with more Eclipse fluid that normal and gave the part with the stubborn dust a good scrub. :lol: Finally it came off. I think this is probably the cleanest I can get it. From the 3rd to 4th clean, I've reduced two specks but moved the rest around a bit. I think I'll wait to accummulate more dust before cleaning again.

Thanks to RobertP for posting his "Howto" guide. :clap:
 
kamion said:
There was one particularly stubborn dust that wouldn't come off. I put double Pec Pad on one glue stick and dabbed it with more Eclipse fluid that normal and gave the part with the stubborn dust a good scrub. :lol: Finally it came off.
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I'd be careful about giving the sensor a "good scrub"!!
 
As I think I said in the guide.... I had to 'scrub' a stubborn spot first time I cleaned and it took 7 goes to get it clean (so 14 swabs).

It is always a judgement call when to stop. I think you could do better than that kamion - but you don't need to :)
 
I Cleaned my Sensers,now I am getting Err99 and no Pic after cleaning ,does anbody have answer?Or should I send it out.I have re-installed the battery likes it sayes in the book and I do use Canon Lens.Thanks Sean............PS Its Rebel 350
 
I've had a quick google search on err99 and 350d. Found a few reports of shutter mechanism problems and going into sensor clean mode fixing the problem - not causing one. err99 is a something wrong but don't know what code so it doesn't help much.

Maybe try selecting sensor clean again and turn the camera off to see if it resets?
 
For the best of grade sensor cleaning visit here http://www.visibledust.com/

now I am getting Err99 and no Pic after cleaning
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Sean - Err99 can often be cleared by; switching off, removing battery, rotating lens in mount several times, refitting lens and putting battery back in.

Canon repair wanted mine back first time I got that error. Turned out to be a sigma lens but I could ALWAYS get it to clear when it returned.

No Pic is a different thing, you will have to provide more info on that one.

HTH
 
Re: Stubborn specks, the best way to avoid those is weekly use of a blower and a full clean monthly. If the specks are allowed to settle in they are a major pain to shift.
 
I have done everything that was sujested and the same way on that cleaning web site,but it did not work, soI have to send out to get fixed and update the Firmware. Thanks Again Sean.........
 
Well just sent the Rebel350 to have sensors cleaned, Error99 fixed and firware updated. I have a R38 Remote that does not work with the firmware thats in there now.Hope all goes well and THANKS ALL, FOR THE HELP. SEAN......................
 
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