so... I'm dumb - DPChallenge Forums

11/27/2007 08:59:46 PM · #1

Ok, so my D50 got big piece of dust on it over Thanksgiving. It can be easily seen on the sensor. And it was driving me crazy. So in a moment of sleep deprived idiocy (at 2am), I tried blowing into the camera. It was a foot directly above my head, but a tiny bit of spit managed to defy gravity and find it's way up to the sensor. The worst part is that I know better than this (and the speck is still there). In any case, any of the Salt Lake people know of a good place for a quick (and preferably cheap) sensor cleaning? I'm supposed to be doing a paying shoot on Friday. So time in shop is more important than price right now. Thanks.

11/27/2007 09:22:30 PM · #2

If you clean it with Pec Pads and Eclipse solution, it should clean up just fine, even with the spit factored in. Certainly a lot less expensive and time consuming than taking it into a shop with an important shoot coming up.

11/27/2007 10:07:02 PM · #3

Go to Pixels Foto on 90th South and State Street and they can hook you up with a cleaning kit.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/28/2007 02:32:46 AM · #4

cool, i'll check them out. I've been reading on up on using those things, but I'm still a bit nervous about actually doing it. Would they also be able to give me a demo, or at least extra advise on using these?

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

11/28/2007 02:46:40 AM · #5

Originally posted by WCpilot:

Would they also be able to give me a demo, or at least extra advise on using these?

There's some sensor cleaning instructional videos on YouTube - like this one if you understand Japanese. :) There's others - just search. Good luck and try to avoid expectorating into your camera in the future. ;-)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

11/28/2007 03:32:35 AM · #6

Originally posted by WCpilot:

When I bought my Eclipse and Pec pads the first time, the shop's technician showed me how to clean the sensor on the spot. It's worth asking if they will do that.

R.

MichaelC

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary

11/28/2007 06:38:46 AM · #7

I just know there is gunna be a whole lotta ppl who disagree but.....

First time I had to clean my sensor a friend had just received his pad based kit and was kind enough to let me try it. Now I realise you have to get the hang of it ...but it was a major pain and after several wipes sensor was still dirty.

Looked around for alternatives and ended up with the Arctic Butterfly. Couldn't believe how easy it was by comparison to the pads/cleanser thing. Have used it many times over the past 2 years and it has never failed to clean my sensor on each occasion ....and no consumables.

FocusPoint

XIAOMI Redmi Note 8 Pro

11/28/2007 07:03:51 AM · #8

I am a member of a local photography club (and everyone should be a member of local clubs in my opinion) they remind me something very important when cleaning sensors with brush or static stick... make sure you have fresh battery in your camera. First I didn't understand, but then hit me. During the cleaning, if shutter closes on your stick or brush due to low battery, might damage the camera badly...

Never thought about it before :P

11/28/2007 07:10:06 AM · #9

You could also try Pictureline at 305 W 700 S,

dwterry have you every been in there? They have a big selection and everyone seems to be pretty nice, something I never felt at Pixels.

11/28/2007 07:48:56 AM · #10

Originally posted by jrtodd:

You could also try Pictureline at 305 W 700 S, dwterry have you every been in there? They have a big selection and everyone seems to be pretty nice, something I never felt at Pixels.

Have I been there. I practically own stock, they have so much of my money! LOL!!!

The only reason I didn't mention pictureline was because I've never bought cleaning supplies from them, so I wasn't 100% certain they had any. But I've been to Pixels to get cleaning supplies and can say for sure that they carry it. Basically, I just didn't want to send him to pictureline if I wasn't sure.

11/28/2007 07:54:48 AM · #11

Seems like every time I come to SLC (about 1 week out of the month) they get just a little more of mine. They have shelves of cleaning supplies there as well.

11/28/2007 08:08:58 AM · #12

Originally posted by jrtodd:

Seems like every time I come to SLC (about 1 week out of the month) they get just a little more of mine. They have shelves of cleaning supplies there as well.

Off topic but ..... So you've seen the 400mm f/2.8 they have sitting up front, huh?!? I'm just waiting for an excuse to rent that puppy!!! It's a "must try" lens! :-)

11/28/2007 08:13:02 AM · #13

Yep, but it didn't seem to fit my camera :(
It's only $6,600 David, why rent when you can buy?

11/28/2007 08:23:34 AM · #14

Originally posted by jrtodd:

Yep, but it didn't seem to fit my camera :(
It's only $6,600 David, why rent when you can buy?

And only $85 to rent! Heck ... rent the Mark III while you're at it. We'll make a convert outta you! :-)

rjkstesch

11/28/2007 08:45:51 AM · #15

Yep, PictureLine has what you need.

If they won't give you a demo, give me a PM and I'll give you some pointers in person. I'm not that far from Westminster.

They also have a "Speckgrabber" kit that I really like for getting that single speck that defies the pad and cleaner.

11/28/2007 08:57:37 AM · #16

The sensor brushes work great (that's what I use 99% of the time), but they're not going to do squat against a droplet of water/spit. If there's some sort of mist on the sensor, the only way to get it removed is going to be the Pec Pads (or similar).

I've never met a sensor spec that couldn't be completely zapped with the pads. For dust, which is the vast majority of what gets on the sensor, the brush works great.

Originally posted by MichaelC:

11/28/2007 10:11:00 AM · #17

Wow, that was more of a response than I had expected, thanks! I'll try Pictureline first since they're closer. rjkstesch, I'll shoot you a PM this afternoon if I need some help.

And good news. It's a little less critical that I get the sensor perfect again by Friday as I caught the D300 in stock at B&H. I wasn't planning on buying it until Jan/Feb, but I made a little extra this month and went for it. Of course my one impulse buy this year has to be a camera! It should arrive Friday, and I should have the whole day to play with it before a concert that night. GAH!! I'm excited!

11/28/2007 01:20:55 PM · #18

Ok, so I went down to Pictureline, got some sensor swabs and eclipse, the guy gave me some more pointers, and I came home to work on it. The sensor is spotless, except that spit area still. I've burned through 6 of the swabs so far. It is noticeable better, and barely show's up in a real shot at normal apertures. But it's still there. Any ideas? Just keep working on it?

MistyMucky

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

11/28/2007 01:35:47 PM · #19

Originally posted by WCpilot:

I use normal cotton swabs and pure alcohol (much cheaper than the eclipse stuff). With the cotton swab, you can rub on a spot until it's gone. Then sweep across the hole width to get rid of evaporation residues.

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

11/28/2007 01:40:00 PM · #20

yor local camera repair shop should be able to clean it for you.my local one here offer a whilke you wait for around $30

11/28/2007 02:50:30 PM · #21

Man that's some bad ass spit you got.

I use Bausch & Lomb Sight Savers wrapped around one of the swabs. I let it dry for a few seconds because it is so moist. If I have something on the sensor that is giving me a hard time I use it straight away and then follow up with another which has dried a bit other wise I get streaks.

Maybe moisten the swab just a touch more and give it a few more tries.

11/28/2007 02:51:11 PM · #22

Well, I apologize for insisting that the swabs would get the spit out... I figured that should certainly have done the trick. You weren't spitting glue out of your mouth, were you? :)

Originally posted by WCpilot:

Pentax SMC- DA * 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

11/28/2007 03:12:04 PM · #23

Ya, apparently I have super saliva. Would it be too rough on the low pass filter to lightly scrub with one of the swabs? They say just one pass on each side to avoid scratching the filter. Would that be a good or bad idea?

travis_cooper

Pentax K10D

11/28/2007 03:19:36 PM · #24

To avoid this problem I always carry my rocket blower that I got from b&h, it does a great job cleaning of dust. I got some spit on mine once(from doing the same thing as you), and I cleaned it myself, but I was scared the whole time I was doing it. Now I always have my rocket blower and it does the job every time.