Real Camera Co and Digi sensor cleaning

[kenm]

Probably shouldn't ask this around here but I know a lot of us have had dealings with Real Camera Co in Manchester and was wondering if anybody has tried getting their DSLR/mirrorless sensors cleaned by them? Or used them for repairs generally? Are they any good?

Or should I just drop-kick my A7 into the long grass and get a Bronica/Mamiya/whatever for my holiday snaps and never have to worry about crud on the sensor again?

 

[excalibur2]

Hi Ken...there are plenty of guys over here that have digi and film cameras, and many reasons to use both one e.g. horses for courses...so any reason you can't have both as surely cleaning a sensor doesn't cost much and although I'm not an expert on digi camera, IIRC some guys clean the sensors themselves.

 

[skysh4rk]

Or should I just drop-kick my A7 into the long grass and get a Bronica/Mamiya/whatever for my holiday snaps and never have to worry about crud on the sensor again?

Well, possibly not the place to ask for unbiased opinions in this regard. I don't even own a digital camera, so you could probably guess what my thoughts on this question would be.

 

[kenm]

Well, possibly not the place to ask for unbiased opinions in this regard. I don't even own a digital camera, so you could probably guess what my thoughts on this question would be.

The unbiased opinion I was after was relating to Real Cameras and repairs as there are a lot of people in F&C who live in the north west and know the shop, and it is easy for me to get to there. I have three interchangeable lens digital cameras all of which have suffered sensor dirt. I have two fixed lens MF cameras, neither of which really go wide enough to keep me happy. Hence I am open to biased opinions on whether an interchangeable lens MF system is a better bet than an FF mirrorless. Sure, film and processing costs money, and probably more than getting a sensor cleaned once a year. The problem is that you don't know when the sensor is going to get crud on it - until after you've taken the photos, which is a bit annoying.

 

[skysh4rk]

The unbiased opinion I was after was relating to Real Cameras and repairs as there are a lot of people in F&C who live in the north west and know the shop, and it is easy for me to get to there. I have three interchangeable lens digital cameras all of which have suffered sensor dirt. I have two fixed lens MF cameras, neither of which really go wide enough to keep me happy. Hence I am open to biased opinions on whether an interchangeable lens MF system is a better bet than an FF mirrorless. Sure, film and processing costs money, and probably more than getting a sensor cleaned once a year. The problem is that you don't know when the sensor is going to get crud on it - until after you've taken the photos, which is a bit annoying.

Well, any camera system has pluses and minuses, whether film or digital. I don't like having to worry about sensors or charging batteries, but then I need to worry about carrying my film everywhere and I don't know if there's a problem until after I've developed my film. I have travelled all over the world with medium format cameras though and they have served me well and I don't use anything else. Whichever way you decide to go, I hope you find what works best for you.

While I've used a few different shops for purchasing and repairing cameras, I can't comment on Real Camera Co.

 

[stevelmx5]

Personally I'd recommend doing it yourself instead of paying someone else to clean a piece of glass for you. If you buy a pack of PEC pads, bottle of eclipse fluid and a pack of plastic glue spreaders that are used in schools you can clean your own sensor many times for the same price as a single shop clean.





Wrap the PEC pad around the glue spreader and put a drop of eclipse on it. Then just lightly drag the pad one way across the sensor. Most of the time that's enough for any spots. If you miss some, fit another pad/fluid and drag it across the other way.

 

[Andysnap]

Ken, I've used Real Cameras repair service but only for fillum cameras. They were ok, not the cheapest nor the fastest but ok. The last time I had a camera sensor cleaned I took it to the big Jessops in Manchester. I think it was £40 and it was done in a couple of days and they did a very good job.

Andy

 

[Nod]

For sensor cleaning, DIY! There are a myriad of kits available through Amazon etc. and a kit will almost certainly be cheaper than a single shop clean (and will probably be done better as well!) Loads of You-Tube instruction videos to guide you through it. If you tackle the least valuable of your bodies first, you'll see how easy it really is before tackling the more precious ones! Good luck.

 

[kenm]

Ken, I've used Real Cameras repair service but only for fillum cameras. They were ok, not the cheapest nor the fastest but ok. The last time I had a camera sensor cleaned I took it to the big Jessops in Manchester. I think it was £40 and it was done in a couple of days and they did a very good job.

Andy

Thanks Andy, expensive and slow doesn't sound good so I'll give them a miss this time. Never thought about Jessops. Also found a guy in Newcastle-under-lyme and another outfit in Stoke who do the service.

 

[kenm]

For sensor cleaning, DIY! There are a myriad of kits available through Amazon etc. and a kit will almost certainly be cheaper than a single shop clean (and will probably be done better as well!) Loads of You-Tube instruction videos to guide you through it. If you tackle the least valuable of your bodies first, you'll see how easy it really is before tackling the more precious ones! Good luck.

Thanks, DIY it is then. I have an old DLSR worth very little (these things depreciate faster than cars) that I can practice on, then I can decide whether to do it on the higher value stuff.