Sensor Cleaning

Crusader

Crusader

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Chris
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I noticed some specs on my images of late so I took a photo at f22 of my wall and well, it seems there is quite a bit of dust on my sensor.

So my question is, should I try and clean it myself or get someone like London Camera Exchange (who've quoted me £30 for my 500D and it'll be an overnight job) Is there anyone who might be able to do it cheaper?

Also if I should do it myself, how should I go about it? What would I need? 
 
I think DIY is best.

Here's what I do...

1. Wrap a Pec pad around a slice cut from an old credit card.
2. Tape it in place.
3. Add a drop of Eclipse fluid to the tip of the little tool.
4. Clean sensor, just a quick wipe (or two) so that the whole sensor is cleaned.
5. Do a series of test shots from f22 - f-widest and see if you are happy with the results. If not reclean.

The idea of using a slice cut from a credt card is that it flexes and yoy can't therefore put any real pressure on the "sensor."

This little exercise has worked for me and I've cleaned my sensors many times without issue.
 
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I never wet clean my sensor, I use an Arctic Butterfly and find it very useful. They pay for themselves in no time.:thumbs:
 
If you're prepared to do it, it's easy enough and will save you money in the long run, assuming you're doing it regularly.

If it's only going to be done, infrequently and you're not comfortable, then £30 is a very reasonable price.
 
It's a reasonable price if they get it clean.

The one time I paid for a clean it came back with just as many dust bunnnies as it went away with. At least if you DIY you can check if it's clean and do it again if not.
 
I clean my sensors, but not because there are specs in an image of a wall @ f/22. I only do it if editing out the spots becomes an issue. Up to that point I just use a blower to remove the big stuff. After that I use a "brushoff" sensor brush, and I only wet clean if the brush doesn't work.

If you don't own a bulb blower, get one and start with that.
 
sk66 said:
I clean my sensors, but not because there are specs in an image of a wall @ f/22. I only do it if editing out the spots becomes an issue. Up to that point I just use a blower to remove the big stuff. After that I use a "brushoff" sensor brush, and I only wet clean if the brush doesn't work.
If you don't own a bulb blower, get one and start with that.
Click to expand...

Crusader said:
I noticed some specs on my images of late so I took a photo at f22 of my wall and well, it seems there is quite a bit of dust on my sensor.

So my question is, should I try and clean it myself or get someone like London Camera Exchange (who've quoted me £30 for my 500D and it'll be an overnight job) Is there anyone who might be able to do it cheaper?

Also if I should do it myself, how should I go about it? What would I need? 
Click to expand...
 
And I said get a bulb blower, don't worry about specs at f/22, and consider dry/wet cleaning if the blower doesn't work well enough.
At least that's what I meant to be understood...
 
sk66 said:
And I said get a bulb blower, don't worry about specs at f/22, and consider dry/wet cleaning if the blower doesn't work well enough.
At least that's what I meant to be understood...
Click to expand...

I noticed them on photos from f8 to f13. I don't really go beyond f13. I happened to be reading an article about dust on sensors and it said use f22 (or smallest aperture) to see how bad it is.
 
I use a lenspen sensorklear and it works a treat. Easy to use aswell - especially if you're not confident or don't fancy a wet clean.
 
Agree with andyred, cheap and easy for cleaning the sensor of common or garden dust,
 
did my 1st wet clean last night. really wasnt as bad as I had thought. wish I had started it years ago
 
There's plenty of youtube videos out there showing different techniques, take a look and see what you think you're happy/confident in doing...that's was i did...i wet clean mine - got the swabs and fluid from amazon...they also make a great xmas pressie if you're stuck for ideas...first time took about an hour...also good to have a small torch, really shows you what you're doing...

good luck

JB
 
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