Sensor Need Cleaning?

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Amnesia180

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Hey All..

As you all know, i'm in South Africa and everything is really amazing.

I must be quick (as internet usage is limited from here in Durban) so I'll jump straight to the point.

I was changing lens, and somehow, from somewhere some dust has hit the sensor where the AF points are.

I've tried everything, a little glasses cleaner cloth in there aswell as the a pepette type thing that you find in the print cartridge refill kits.
I've looked everywhere around here and no-one can help clean it.

The spec does show up really badly if I take a photo of the sky, but not so badly on photos/wildlife/surroundings.

Can you suggest any other way to clear the specs?

There are several and the main one is on the far right AF point, the others are dotted around the centre points and the edges of the screen.

THe main visible (on all photos) is in the bottom centre of the screen!

A little disapointing really.

Also, the shiny mirror type sensor has a few smudges on, which aren't polishing out.

AM I going to need to take it to cannon when I Return? or can I order some sort of kit that should sort it.

Thanks in advance!

Hopefully i'll get to check back soon

Many thanks!
Amnesia
 
This reads like a horror story!
The mirror is very delicate and should not be touched so may need professional fixing now. Dust on the focusing screen can be removed with a rocket (rubber bulb) blower and so can dust on the sensor but you need to do a lot of reading up on the right way to do things. keep those cloths out of there!
 
Amnesia180 said:
I've tried everything, a little glasses cleaner cloth in there aswell as the a pepette type thing that you find in the print cartridge refill kits.
Click to expand...

A recipe for disaster..:'(

You will need some Eclipse cleaning fluid or similar and some digi pads or Pec pads..

DON'T DON'T DON'T try ceaning it again with a cloth or similar.

It will destroy your sensor..:help:
 
Thanks for the replies.

Agh, im going to go to bed crying now!!

I can't believe ive potentially ruined my kit.

OKay, so how much am I looking at for canon to replace/fix or clean etc?

I think i'll have to put up with these specs until I return to the UK.

Never mind.

But thanks for the help!

Amnesia
 
when you say you cleaned it wioth a cloth, did you lock the mirror up in the menu and get a cloth on the actual sensor, or do you mean the little screen inside the camera that has the focus points on it.

I think from your post, it isnt the sensor but the viewfinder.

Which I also did when I first had the camera, liek a plonka

dotn worry about it too much, its anoying but not the end of the world.

But any marks on there or on the mirror wont show on pictures, specs that show on pictures are bits of dust on the sensor itself and can be removed with a rocket blower (there are loads of guides on here)

ocasionaly you have to get pec pads and eclipse on there, but that is very rare, a good rocket blower technique will clear most of it.

if it still takes pictures, and is reacting normally but you just have some dust specs on the image, relax you havent killed your kit, you just need a rocket blower

good luck
 
Where is Janice when you want her..:suspect:
 
Hi all..
Thanks for the replies.

I have had a cloth on the actual sensor, but I only done this yesterday. There is a dust mark on there, but the rocket blower isn't shifting it... I think it's a mark, definitely doesn't look like a scratch (in fact, I know it's not a sratch).

You are correct though, I have only been wiping the AF and Viewfinder parts. (I didn't realise you could expose the sensor that way until I read about it yesterday).

The marks ARE showing up on the photos (well, when I click the little 'play' button and when I look at the photos you can see the marks...).

I've checked close up on lots of the images and I haven't seen the mark... you can only see the "dusty" type little specs on exposures of the sky, or sea where there is lots of the same colour.

I understand the camera may need professional repair, but I am willing to pay for that... afterall, the chances are it was my fault. I think once I get back to the UK i can get the swabs and wipe it all down manually.

To sum up: The Sensor has 2 marks on it, they look like dust, but the rocket blower I have (which isn't even a proper one...) isn't shifting it... because the blower doesn't reach close enough, plus I think it needs a moisture based swab to remove it.

There is dust where the AF points and mirror surface is located.

I've decided that I'm not going to let this ruin any photos I will take, the memories will still be there... they may not be top photos because of the specs but I can't let that be the focus of the holiday.

I won't be able to get anything to clean the camera whilst I'm here, so I'll wait until I return to England.

Thanks for all the replies, and i'll have to ask on the best products to buy etc when I return!

Talk to you all in a few weeks!!

Amnesia
 
If you need to use the camera still and can't clean the sensor then use a wide aperture like f2.8 or f4 or thereabouts as the effects of dirt will be much less.

Take a picture of the sky with the lens at f22 if you want to see it at its worst.

As you say if you don't have the right kit leave it alone until you do and you have read up fully on the best way(s)
 
Amnesia180 said:
I've decided that I'm not going to let this ruin any photos I will take, the memories will still be there... they may not be top photos because of the specs but I can't let that be the focus of the holiday.
Click to expand...

:thumbs: That’s the attitude, take no notice. I tend to clean my sensor less and less often due to dirt and splodges. I've started to realise theirs no fighting it and it doesn't affect my camera in any way that I notice or b****r up any shot that can't be cleaned up with Photoshop.

It’s a bit like getting mud on your 4x4 tyres when you pull of the road passing on narrow country lanes ...it happens! ... But it can cope. ;)
 
I am amazed that there is a fear of cleaning what is fundamentaly a piece of glass. Buy sensor brushes which you should "charge" with compressed air. This will lift any dust and have no risk of scratching the glass.

For those "stubborn stains" ;) use a professional cleaning pad. Get the right size, use the prescribed fuid in the correct amount and wipe ONCE. It really should be as simple as that.
 
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