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RE: Sensor Cleaning!

Suebg1 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:18:43 GMT

Hi Jorge,
Thought I would add my 3 pennyworth. I have read again and again Richards article re sensor cleaning.( Thank you so much Richard for your time re this).
My sensor was I have to say worse than yours after a trip to Kenya in an usually dry and dusty season.
I also searched Ebay and found Richards recommended kit advertised.
Truth is.... I bottled out and sent my camera to Canon for them to clean. They didn't do a fantastic job . Some of the sensor cells don't seem to function as well as previously. Cost me just over £100.00 which I thought was engineered robbery.

On reflection....... the next time I might try myself. I am in constant wonder at the crisp and cleanliness of Richards shots. Especially his landscapes. I think it very likely that he would say that apart from his own artistry a lot of this is due to excellent camera care.
regards Sue

RE: Sensor Cleaning!

Kiwi — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:34:21 GMT

[color="purple"][i]Richard, we have had our differences in the past. I have to Thank You for always going the extra mile to help us all here at DA.

I had to clean my sensor about 3weeks ago, talk about nerve racking! I had two marks and dust! I confess to using an air tin, it is CRC Air Brush and leaves no residue[/i][/color].

RE: Sensor Cleaning!

Tonka — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:58:11 GMT

Well.....

I guess I should really get at it then since I have had the supplies for ...um a year now? yikes. I just get lucky that the spot is usually in a place I can crop...oye..:hehe:

I am not intimidated to do it,,just always have kids runnin around...

RE: Sensor Cleaning!

hahn23 — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:07:15 GMT

[quote][b]Jorge (4/23/2008)[/b][hr]....Just one more question Richard, do you clean it on a table or do you think it is worth it to buy one of those special camera holders and magnifying glasses? [/quote]
Nothing fancy needed. I do my sensor cleaning on my kitchen table. It helps to be able to lay out the tools, pads and liquid. It's usually best to select a quiet time of day, when there will be no distraction or interruptions. Always best to shut the doors and windows to allow the dust in the air to settle. Then, when you know you're right, just go ahead and do it.

[quote][b]Jorge (4/23/2008)[/b][hr]...By the way, there is a picture or something you posted after the link, but it appears as a button with a red cross (like when an image is not displayed). What is it? Cheers, Jorge[/quote]
That is an image from the website I linked. It's an image of a sensor after it was returned from a professional cleaning by the manufacturer. This was supposed to make the point that one is usually better off cleaning your sensor yourself. (The image should show up, but might not draw in immediately. Or, try refreshing your page.)

RE: Sensor Cleaning!

The Newf! — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:15:23 GMT

I know for one thing I am just a little nervous about doing this but seeing the nearest town that could is 2 hours I guess I will have to try! I also have a spot on my photos.

RE: Sensor Cleaning!

Jorge — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:35:59 GMT

Thank you very much Richard, as always, you're a such a reliable source of information and always willing to help. I will go through the tutorial in a very scrutinious manner and then decide if I have or not the guts to do it myself. I'm travelling to the US next month, so I will probably buy the recommended cleaning kit, even if eventually I decide not to use it, I'm sure it will make me feel more secure just to know I have it (LOL... I think there is a psychological term for that behaviour =). Just one more question Richard, do you clean it on a table or do you think it is worth it to buy one of those special camera holders and magnifying glasses? By the way, there is a picture or something you posted after the link, but it appears as a button with a red cross (like when an image is not displayed). What is it? Cheers, Jorge

RE: Sensor Cleaning!

hahn23 — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:06:24 GMT

Sensor dust is a common problem. I've written an article, which you can find here:

[url=http://dailyawards.com/article_viewer.aspx?ArticleID=165]CMOS Sensor Cleaning[/url]

There are links to tutorials and resources for buying the supplies you need to clean the sensor yourself.

[img]http://www.copperhillimages.com/images/IMG_0002xxxx.jpg[/img]

If your camera is new, and your dealer will clean it for you for no charge, that would be great. The practicality of this will depend on the proximity and generosity of the dealer. And, time without your camera is a consideration, if you must leave it for awhile.

The sensor cleaning task is not difficult, but it is intimidating to the new dslr owner. And, I've heard plenty of horror stories. There is nothing to fear if you're calm and cautious and deliberate. And, most importantly follow the tutorials to the letter.

I clean my sensor about once a week. It depends on the environment in which I've been shooting. If there's been a lot of wind and dust when I've switched lenses, the sensor will get contaminated more quickly. I try to swap lenses in an area with little wind. I think it's important to turn off your camera when swapping lenses. Theoretically, removing the electrical charge to the sensor will reduce the particle attraction to the sensor. It is good to know that on almost 100% of cameras, there is a clear filter in front of the sensor, so you are not touching the sensor itself with the cleaning materials. Also, use gravity to your advantage by holding your equipment in a manner that prevents dust from settling into the sensor area. I never use compressed air to try to blast out dust particles. Some compressed air cans contain a slight amount of oil. The very last thing you want to risk is an oily contaminant on your sensor.

Living with the dust spot problem is unacceptable. While its true you can clone out or otherwise repair the dust spots in post-processing, you'll grow weary of that tedious process rather quickly. Absolutely no reason to abandon your smaller aperture settings because of dust bunnies.

I've probably cleaned my sensor 75 times since I've owned my camera. It is a sustainable practice. No scratches, but I've been diligent about following the instructions and I always use the recommended tools, pads and liquid. Accept no substitutions. There is nothing better than a pristine sensor for photography of all kinds.

By all means, ask questions here anytime.

Sensor Cleaning!

Jorge — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:20:36 GMT

I almost faint when I discovered two smudges at the blue sky area of one of my pictures, and it repeated itself in other pictures exactly at the same spot. My camera is new, no more than 1,000 pictures taken. I had reference of dust or dirt in the sensor (actually in the low pass filter in front of it), but you never think it can happen to you until it is there. Anyway, I have read articles about it, and many mention that no matter how cautious you are, eventually you will face this problem; also, most of them warn you it is better not to try and clean it yourself. My question is if in your experience this is really such a common issue? If it has happened to you and what do you do about it? Should I attempt to clean it? Should I take it to an authorized repairshop? Or, if if the imperfections are not so evident as not to annoy you too much —as many articles suggest— simply use photoshop to get rid of them and avoid tampering with the mechanisms of the camera (specially the sensor)? Another person suggested just to avoid shooting at above (below) f11 and the problem will not be seen (I understand this has to do with light refraction). Anyway, I would appreciate very much your suggestions; to know how you deal with the problem, what the best solution might be and if it is true that this is a very common issue. Thank you, Jorge