APFPilot1985 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (8 years 1 week 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 1755 times:
My new 20D has tons of factory dust on the sensor. What is the best way to clean it. A brushless blower doesnt seem to be doing it. How do you guys feel about canned air? Also what should I use for cleaning the lenses so i dont have to worry about stripping the coating?
Ander From Spain, joined Jan 2005, 367 posts, RR: 23 Reply 2, posted (8 years 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 1712 times:
Hi Reid,
The same happened to me when I bought my 20D.
Seems like it happened to everyone who bought it.
I use a Giotos rocket blower. It works ok momentarily, but I also
have the feeling that all I do is blow the dust from one place to another,
within the sensor of course.
When the thing gets serious I use the Eclipse swabs with fluid.
Well, to be honest, I've only done it twice, with good result. However,
I am not very eager to do it.
Sulman From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2004, 2028 posts, RR: 35 Reply 5, posted (8 years 1 week 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 1670 times:
Quoting JAT74L (Reply 4): Next time I'm going for the blow job.
Aren't we all.
Cleaning your sensor is one of those things that should be so simple, but, rather like one of those airfix kits, can somehow end up being really quite frustrating.
It doesn't seem to matter how thorough or careful you are with your gear, that damn dust gets in!
Sean377 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 1225 posts, RR: 45 Reply 6, posted (8 years 1 week 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 1622 times:
I've got the same problem (not that I'd noticed until Ferguls workflow helped point them out). I bought a blower... that only moves the big specks you can see with the naked eye. I enquired a my local camera clinic... dust is a common problem with DSLR's (apparently, the sensors secondary job is 'dust magnet'). They can clean it, but it'll cost £40 and takes 2 days (no swabbing for them, they actually remove the sensor and give it a good scrub). I passed on that and told them I'd bring it back when it had a bit more dust on it!
So I guess it's back to Ferguls workflow and cloning...
Sean
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man... Landing is the first!
Aviopic From Netherlands, joined Mar 2004, 2681 posts, RR: 46 Reply 9, posted (8 years 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 1603 times:
Why is everybody so afraid to clean the sensor ?
It is something I do every week or at least before every shoot and have done so for years.
The sensor is quite tough and cleaning it will not lead to any problem as long as you are a bit careful.
Willem
The truth lives in one’s mind, it doesn’t really exist
Sean377 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 1225 posts, RR: 45 Reply 10, posted (8 years 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 1602 times:
Quoting Aviopic (Reply 9): Why is everybody so afraid to clean the sensor ?
It is something I do every week or at least before every shoot and have done so for years.
The sensor is quite tough and cleaning it will not lead to any problem as long as you are a bit careful.
Willem
What do you use Willem?
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man... Landing is the first!
First a blow then a swap with fluid.
Make sure you don't start scrubbing with a dry swap infect don't start scrubbing at all just go from R to L or from L to R what ever you want but not back and forth.
The fluid will evaporate very quickly.
Willem
The truth lives in one’s mind, it doesn’t really exist
Bjcc From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 316 posts, RR: 4 Reply 12, posted (8 years 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 1565 times:
I have cleaned mine using sensor swabs from (in the UK) Warehouse express. Cost was less than £30 for 10 swabs and a bottle of cleaning fluid.
I have used one swab twice, and of the 2 attempts to clean it, the first was not over successful. The second however, has done the job!
It took 2 months of fairly hard use to get noticable dust on the sensor, so I figure the investment will last 18 months to 2 years, well worth the money!
Fergulmcc From Ireland, joined Oct 2004, 1916 posts, RR: 54 Reply 13, posted (8 years 1 week 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1540 times:
Quoting Aviopic (Reply 9): Why is everybody so afraid to clean the sensor ?
I have to agree with Willem, it's not that a big deal. I have carried out another sensor clean and you really are just cleaning a piece of glass. I'm now left with just one small spot and I guess I can live with that. The actual sensor is behind it. I treat it like a surgical operartion. I use surgical gloves when handling the pec pads and then wrap the swipe, out a few drops on the end and then swipe clean. Most times you will get it spotless. Aslo don't decide to clean the sensor while the wife is hoovering etc. Make sure the room hasn't been disturbed, i.e. window closed, and then clean. If you follow the guide on the link I posted above you shouldn't have any problems.
Quoting Sean377 (Reply 6): I've got the same problem (not that I'd noticed until Ferguls workflow helped point them out).
WOW, great to see that my process is doing the rounds.
Just remember, when you are spending more time cloning out the spots than on the actual processing of your photo, then you need to clean the sensor.
GPHOTO From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2004, 818 posts, RR: 27 Reply 14, posted (8 years 1 week 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1541 times:
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Quoting Fergulmcc (Reply 13): Make sure the room hasn't been disturbed, i.e. window closed,
That's a good point. I'm sure we have all seen just how much dust is in the air on those occasions when a shaft of sunlight comes in through the window and lights it up. And to think you're breathing that in all the time.......
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