Just cleaned my sensor! whew and woo hoo!

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/03/2006 05:02:52 PM · #6

I have never cleaned my 300D but the 20D needs a 'copperhill' treatment regularly! its really not as scary as peeps make out *inserts disclaimer here*

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

02/03/2006 05:16:31 PM · #7

What is it that gets on the sensor?
I understand dust, but does the sensor's temperature "cook" dust into the surface?
I had some dust and lifted it off with thin strips of Post-It notes.
Seemed to be effective too.

w24x192

Canon PowerShot S50

02/03/2006 05:20:55 PM · #8

Maybe Canon and Nikon will implement a dust filter for the sensor like Olympus. I'm rather perplexed that after a number of years of Olympus having that filter, they are still the only camera company that has it.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/03/2006 05:29:03 PM · #9

Originally posted by BradP:

What is it that gets on the sensor?

KiwiChris

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/03/2006 06:11:07 PM · #10

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by BradP:
What is it that gets on the sensor?

ROFL...

In my case, I live on a dirt/shingle road. I've got big lumps of road dust on my sensor most times I check it.. :-).

Message edited by author 2006-02-03 18:11:20.

02/05/2006 01:16:41 PM · #11

Thanks for the post, Rachelellen. My sensor was overdue for a clean-up and I had been meaning to search for those instructions as a refresher again. Now I've just swiped the sensor 4 times and I think I can even consider entering basic edit challenges again :)

Just to add, instead of paying for the kit, I have just bought the liquid (I used eclipse) and a bunch of pads and use the "Wendy-knife" method. Works like a charm (usual disclaimer of course) too :)

Message edited by author 2006-02-05 13:18:17.

BowerR64

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

02/05/2006 02:16:56 PM · #12

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by BradP:
What is it that gets on the sensor?

HAHA!

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

02/05/2006 03:15:06 PM · #13

Rachel - out of curiosity did you use a blower to clean out the mirror and sensor area during those 2000 shots? I only ask because I seem to have pretty good luck blowing out my camera on a regular basis. I'm over 12,000 shutter releases now and have not had to clean my sensor as yet.

If not you might want to try it, I use a Giotto Medium Size Rocket, and it seems to keep my sensor pretty clean.

BTW - here is a shot today to test for dust:

I notice I have two spots barely visable in the lower left.
I normally remove lens, hold the camera upside down with power off, blow it out, turn on power and lock mirror up, blow it out again concentrating on the sensor, turn off power and remount lens.

For field changes of lenses I turn off power, turn camera updside down, prepare lens I will mount, remove old lens, immediately mount new one.

Seems to work for me anyway and I have saved myself the fear of cleaning my sensor so far. : )

Message edited by author 2006-02-05 15:57:14.

Cutter

Nikon D700

02/05/2006 04:14:30 PM · #14

jbsmithana,

Is there area where the dust is showing up the area of the camera that is inside where you attach the lens? That shiny guy inside the body? I have a couple of spots that I need. And how do you lock the mirror up?
Same question goes to everyone....

Message edited by author 2006-02-05 16:16:00.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/05/2006 04:25:22 PM · #15

Cutter, I believe you need an optional adapter or something to be able to lock up the mirror permanently (can't remember what exactly). I don't have one, so I usually make sure I have a fully charged battery, set my camera to bulb mode (M setting, then change exposure time to bulb) and then keep the shutter release pressed down while cleaning. Don't ever let go of the shutter release until you've gotten your cleaning tools well away from the sensor and mirror of course!

kenskid

Nikon D700

02/05/2006 04:32:15 PM · #16

Good job...I use the CH method and it never fails.. sometimes it takes 3 or 4 swipes but I usually get all the gunk off !

Kenny

nards656

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron SP AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical IF for Canon

02/05/2006 04:57:42 PM · #17

Originally posted by BradP:

I had some dust and lifted it off with thin strips of Post-It notes.
Seemed to be effective too.

Anybody got any reassurances that this is a good idea? I've heard of it before, but can you testify, Brad?

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

02/05/2006 05:14:12 PM · #18

Originally posted by Cutter:

Not sure I understand the first part of your question but you can lock up the mirror by going to Tools menu and choosing Mirror lock-up, press the shutter button, that will lock up the mirror. When done blowing out the sensor area just turn the power off and the mirror will drop back down.

Message edited by author 2006-02-05 17:15:00.

Cutter

Nikon D700

02/05/2006 05:19:11 PM · #19

sorry about that question....I can't even understand what I wrote. I had just gotten done running a couple of miles and my mind/fingers weren't working in unison. Basically I don't even know what the sensor or mirror looks like so I don't know where to aim the blower. It is probably basic, but I don't want to screw it up.

Thanks anyway.

02/05/2006 05:24:45 PM · #20

Originally posted by Cutter:

No problem. The mirror will be at a 45% angle as you look in and up when you remove the lens. Blow this area out with serveral blasts from the Rocket while holding the camera so the opening faces down. I normally just rest the tip agaist the lens mount to steady it so I do not hit the mirror. After mirror lock-up do the same thing except the sensor will be straight into the opening with the mirror out of the way. You can't really screw anything up as long as you do not probe around in there.

Message edited by author 2006-02-05 17:25:55.

02/05/2006 05:26:45 PM · #21

Cutter, easy to see both. Take the lens off your camera and you'll see a a rectangular "thing" sitting at an angle. That's your mirror. Set your camera to bulb setting and (still with the lens off), press the shutter release. The mirror will move out of the way to reveal the sensor. Hope this helps.

Edited to add links to pictures (none of which are mine):

Mirror
Sensor

Message edited by author 2006-02-05 17:35:59.

PhantomEWO

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

02/05/2006 05:34:14 PM · #22

OK I'M THE IDIOT OF THE DAY!

With all this I decided to clean the few dust bunnies off that I've been noticing. The blower has worked everytime before but what the heck. The sensor cleaning fluid as listed a soft paddle as described, softly as described .. hummm go take a pic of the blue sky with f-20-f-32 and what the heck, two dark streaks almost clear across the pic. Go back with great care (guess NOT) try again. Still there, several times more still there. I can see them on the sensor....yup looks like a scratch since I can visibly see it. BE VERY CAREFUL. I'm a pretty good fix-it-up guy with almost everything. looks like a new sensor now ... OUCH. Be very very careful. If the blower works try it first.

02/05/2006 05:38:29 PM · #23

Ouch, Phantom :{

02/05/2006 05:39:08 PM · #24

Damn Don, that sucks. Hope it can be cleaned at the factory. That is my nightmare and why I only use a blower. At least until it does not work. When that happens I may jsut send it in.

Good Luck.

I'm off now to the Superbowl game!

KiwiChris