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10/05/2013 11:01:53 AM · #1 |
My sensor is filthy and is in need of cleaning. I don't trust Canon as the last time cost a lot for little satisfaction. On the same coin I don't trust my beat up old construction hands to do it myself.
Does any one have a suggestion for someone who can actually clean my sensor at a reasonable price preferably more towards the western side of the US? |
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10/05/2013 11:25:28 AM · #2 |
DIY Copper Hill Method
For my old Canon 5D: During the peak season, I cleaned my sensor about once every other week. In the winter, about once a month. It's easy. No reason to pay someone to do something routine... that you care about more than anyone else.
(Footnote: I have not had a reason to clean the sensor of my Mk3, yet.) |
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10/05/2013 11:27:33 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by see:
My sensor is filthy and is in need of cleaning. I don't trust Canon as the last time cost a lot for little satisfaction. On the same coin I don't trust my beat up old construction hands to do it myself.
Does any one have a suggestion for someone who can actually clean my sensor at a reasonable price preferably more towards the western side of the US? |
Those beat up old construction hands are far better than careless teenage hands.
I can't say it often enough just how easy the whole thing is - you should trust yourself.
I'd say that unless you're suffering from Parkinson's disease, sensor cleaning should be a snap.
If you'd like help, just ask here, and I'll be glad to walk you through whatever steps you might need help with the first time.
..
Otherwise, not much advice, since I always do my own, and haven't ever sent a camera for that service.
--
I suppose I'd even offer to do it for you if you'll pay postage both ways and REALLY don't want to do it yourself.
Message edited by author 2013-10-05 11:28:38. |
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10/05/2013 11:44:14 AM · #4 |
Any reasonably professional camera store has somebody in the back that will do this and get it right. Our local Canon dealer does it, and they're not that big a store. They clean the whole camera, actually, outside and in. For about 50 bucks. I do my own sensor cleaning now, but if I had a filth problem I'd take it to them.
I haven't had to clean the 5D2 yet, but the classic 5D and the 20D both needed a fairly regular cleaning. |
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10/05/2013 12:01:06 PM · #5 |
Sigh, the local camera store is a no go with cleaning. Funny thing St. George is the largest town within 2 hours of the Grand Canyon (north rim), Brice canyon, and Zion National parks.
Message edited by author 2013-10-05 12:01:59. |
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10/05/2013 12:03:56 PM · #6 |
| I better suck it up, I'm ordering the Copper Hill stuff today. |
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10/05/2013 12:05:50 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by see:
Sigh, the local camera store is a no go with cleaning. Funny thing St. George is the largest town within 2 hours of the Grand Canyon (north rim), Brice canyon, and Zion National parks. |
Yeh, unless you want to go to "lost wages."
I second Richard's recommendation to just do Copper Hill, and Cory's advice to trust yourself. |
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10/05/2013 12:07:28 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by see:
I better suck it up, I'm ordering the Copper Hill stuff today. |
Excellent choice.
Order the Pec Pads (not the strips, they shed)...
Also, scotch tape - it's perfect to both keep the pad on the squeegee and to wrap everything but the tip so that you don't have fibers grabbing on the matte black surfaces around your sensor.
The biggest mistake I made when starting was the use of too much fluid - really a 1/2 drop is about perfect, just tricky to measure - failing that, I've found that using a second pec pad to dry the first before use is also pretty good. (then you can add another dab of fluid to it and use it on lenses, screens, etc.) |
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10/05/2013 12:17:17 PM · #9 |
| Fritz, "lost wages" is next weekend, and always for photography and food with a overnight. Vegas, closest I have been to a fellow DPC'er, about 40' by my guess, on the same bridge, Earth Hour 2009..:) |
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10/05/2013 12:22:34 PM · #10 |
| Thank You all for the helpful advice, might bump this post when the stuff arrives. |
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10/05/2013 12:27:23 PM · #11 |
| Good luck. Used it for years (only the first few times were scary), but I don't seem to have many problems nowadays with the self-cleaning sensors |
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10/05/2013 01:14:34 PM · #12 |
When I first started with Copperhill, I made up a little mock up with a small piece of mirror masked off with electrical tape and cleaned that a few times until I was comfortable and getting it clean with 2 passes. The method works and the only way you can mess up is by flooding the chamber with fluid, or not having enough power in the batteries to keep the shutter open long enough to do the job.
One small tip for old guys with construction mangled hands; When I clean, I set my camera on my tripod (in a humid bathroom, its really dry out here) tipped downward and had an issue with hand shake until I put the tripod on an outside corner where I could rest my wrist on the wall while I swiped. |
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