Camera cleaning and repair - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/04/2008 03:23:15 PM · #1

First off...anyone in NJ know of professional camera cleaning store?

SECOND and the worst....I think I have a scratch on one of my sensors! It's not the mirror, it's not behind the mirror...it's the one above the mirror!!! How can I get that fixed? I've had the camera for over a year. In most cases it can be photoshopped out, but some cases it's too difficult. Any help anyone?

Don't know how it happened. just went to take pictures and one day noticed this black dot in all the photos I took that day...and from that day forward.

Message edited by author 2008-06-04 15:23:51.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

06/04/2008 03:29:20 PM · #2

You're up in North Jersey, right? You might want to go into NY. If not, there is a great place here in Cherry Hill called Comet Camera & Video repair. My camera is currently there. They do have a $15 estimate fee, but if you have them repair it, it's applied to the bill. They are online at www.cometcamera.com

Mick

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/04/2008 04:06:03 PM · #3

The only place where a scratch would show up on the image is on the high-pass filter that covers the CMOS sensor. The mirror, and everything above it, is for the viewfinder. When you take a photo, the mirror flips up out of the way and the light goes directly from the lens to the CMOS sensor.

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/04/2008 04:16:52 PM · #4

Originally posted by Mick:

snipped

I would suspect dirt/dust/hair/lint whatever got into the body and that is what you are seeing. A cleaning may be all you need. if something got into your camera that would scratch that part of your camera I would suspect you would have other problems as well.

06/04/2008 04:20:07 PM · #5

Thanks Kelli. Cherry hill may be much further than NYC. I have to get it cleaned because I was at the beach all weekend. I did some major cleaning, but if a professional can clean it better why not?

Mick, I'll have to check it out then. After I did this cleaning this time, I have taken a photo with it at all, but i still see the spot in the view finder. I'll take a couple of shots with it and see if it still comes up.

thanks.

Mick

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/04/2008 04:33:40 PM · #6

Originally posted by albc28:

How did you clean your camera? Have you tried the Copperhill method? It's probably the most popular technique for cleaning a DSLR. Some people here have sent their cameras out to be professionally cleaned, only to get them back dirtier than when they left. I've used the Copperhill method for years now and my camera is always spotless when I'm done. If it isn't spotless, I just swab it again. :)

pineapple

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

06/04/2008 05:15:46 PM · #7

Send it to the Canon repair center which is in NJ. Go to the Canon USA web site and get a quote for a repair. I did have my 350XT shutter replaced in that NJ center and all was well. Price very reasonable too. I would not deal with some local camera repair shop.

06/12/2008 04:10:42 PM · #8

I think I've finally determined that it's not the camera, but maybe the lens. It shows up with most photos that I take with my zoom lens 70-300...but not on all of them. Here are two photos taken five minutes within each other. The first it doesn't appear...and then on the rest it does. Here are the two photos (unedited taken today) and the third one has the spot circled (i know there are some other dirty spots in the photo but those are easily fixed....this one is the one that bothers me.

Anyone have any clue why this is?

06/12/2008 04:16:21 PM · #9

What aperture were you using for each of the three photos?

06/12/2008 04:28:31 PM · #10

5.0 on the first one and 8.0 on the other one.

I think I just found a scratch on my lens. Dammit. I've had it for less than a year so lets hope the warranty is good. I can't send it back for another week though.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/12/2008 04:33:12 PM · #11

The higher your aperture the more likely dust will show up on the sensor. To test your sensor, take the lens you believe to not be scratched, set your camera to the highest F-stop, 22 is good. Set your shutter to 1 second, take a shot of a white wall or of your monitor with something white on it, I use Notepad maximized. Then look over the shot for specks.

Message edited by author 2008-06-12 16:33:26.

Truegsht

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

06/12/2008 04:38:42 PM · #12

I just had my XTI repaired in Dallas, Tx. Had broken mirror, and a scratch on the focusing screen - just above the mirror. I thought it was a small hair or fuzz...but it was a small scratch about 1/8 inch. Cost $37.00 for parts and $195.00 for labor...had my camera back in 3 days! Well worth it since they cleaned and lubricated everything that needed it. Works better than when it was new.

Message edited by author 2008-06-12 16:39:45.

option

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

06/12/2008 05:23:49 PM · #13

You have sensor dust! Shoot a blank, out of focus wall @ f/22 and get back to us ;-)

06/12/2008 07:03:38 PM · #14

Okay...took both photos and it's sensor dust. The same specks on both photos. And I have lots of it.

With 18-55 Kit lens

With Tamron 70-300mm lens

Now the question is how do i clean it? Keep in mind I'm on travel with none of my main cleaning supplies and I have a shoot on Saturday!!!!

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

06/12/2008 07:44:08 PM · #15

If you slow down your shutter to let in a little more light, I ususally try to a neutral gray it might highlight more dust. That said, oh my, your sensor I think is the most dusty I've ever seen before.

I'm not sure what resources you have where you are. You can make a makeshift rocket blower from a ziplock bag and one of those stir straws (the red kind) used for coffee and tea, don't use your mouth as the source of air or you may spit all over the sensor making a big mess into an unthinkable mess.

People will suggest a rocket blower (never leave home without several sealed in ziplock bags however as you said you may not have supplies.

Well all I can suggest is doing what the pros do, find a local camera shop and buy yourself some tools. In a severe pinch you can probably get away with some canned air, but it also risks making it worse or damaging the sensor.

Message edited by author 2008-06-12 19:45:01.

option

Nikon D200

06/12/2008 07:44:23 PM · #16

Wooooo thats quite the collection!

How to deal with your problem.

Mick

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/12/2008 09:17:45 PM · #17

Originally posted by albc28:

Okay...took both photos and it's sensor dust. The same specks on both photos. And I have lots of it.

With 18-55 Kit lens

With Tamron 70-300mm lens

Now the question is how do i clean it? Keep in mind I'm on travel with none of my main cleaning supplies and I have a shoot on Saturday!!!!

This is why I always have a Copperhill kit (Eclipse, Pec-Pads, spatula) in my camera bag. :)

Try a blower (not canned air, unless you're willing to damage the camera). If that doesn't work, I would either go find some cleaning supplies or simply try to shoot with wide apertures.

Some people say they have success with scotch tape. But I would only try that if my life depended on it. :)

Good luck!

Sugarpie

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM

06/12/2008 09:20:26 PM · #18

PMd you

I just ordered the copperhill stuff so I should get it next week! I'm excited and scared poopless as it will be my first time cleaning the sensor

therefore I will practice practice practice on a glass surface or something similar, to see if I leave streaks etc

anyways, Hope you find a solution

06/12/2008 09:43:33 PM · #19

Oooh thanks Sugarpie, I didn't think of that. I can use my UV filter as a test medium, awesome thought!