Possible Dust in my Canon all ready...

05/14/2004 04:31:16 PM · #1

Hey all! Back from Myrtle beach and I was working on my photos today, and noticed that in all the pictures, there were rather large specks *2 that were extremely noticeable*, I tried to blow the dust out but to no avail. Is it expensive to have your camera cleaned by a camera shop? And about how long does it usually take?

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

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

05/14/2004 04:37:59 PM · #2

I'd send it to Canon and have it done under warranty. I doubt you'll be able to find a shop certified to clean sensors locally.

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

05/14/2004 04:47:54 PM · #3

I'm in the same boat, unfortunately. Shot over 200 pics on Thursday for my boss, and have 3 large specks that are on the sensor. My local shop will not clean sensors, and said to send it to Canon. He said that Canon will do a 6 day turnaround if you are a professional. Don't know what you would have to do to claim "professional" status, but I can't even stand the thought of 6 days without it!

I have read several articles about cleaning the sensor, but honestly, that makes me nervous. I'd rather have someone else take the responsibility for that!

Nelzie

Canon EOS-30D

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

05/14/2004 04:54:19 PM · #4

Have either of you attempted the instructed method of cleaning the sensor?

It's written into the big instruction manual and involves the use of one of those small air bladders.

There's a 'cleaning' setting on the camera that scoots the mirror out of the way and opens up the way to the sensor allowing you to use the air bladder to gently blow off the dust. I understand it isn't very complicated to do, there are just a few fairly important procedures to follow.

Something about a full battery, not opening up the CF card slot and I believe one other step must be followed while in 'Cleaning' mode.

I would look through the instruction manual and give that a go before sending the camera off to Canon or anyone else.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

05/14/2004 04:55:04 PM · #5

I think this is one of the reasons why I can't commit to buying a dSLR.

dadas115

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

05/14/2004 04:57:48 PM · #6

I've been doing it myself for years without incident. The last time I sent a body in to Canon for service work it took nearly two months for me to get it back. I would start by buying one of those bulbs that are in the baby section at WalMart. If you can't blow it off with that then you might want to try the pads and eclipse fluid. If you search the forums on //www.dpreview.com there is a lot of information about this procedure.

Greg

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/14/2004 05:19:22 PM · #7

Originally posted by dadas115:

Thanks, Ill be purchasing that Snot Sucker Uper tonight lol

Gringo

Nikon D2X

05/14/2004 06:21:36 PM · #8

I've had my Nikon now for a few years. I have never needed to do anything more than blow it out with a can of air.

When I first got the camera I had a miserable time with the dust spots showing up everywhere. I actually considered getting rid of it because of this problem with spots.

I discovered that the CCD has a charge of static electricity and the dust particles will jump across the room to get to it if the camera is on and open. If you turn the camera off before you open it up to change lenses, the static charge is not as strong and is much less of a problem.

Now I blow my camera out only if I saw spots in the last set of shots, but I wait to blow it out after it has been turned off for several hours. Then the dust comes right off.

If you try to blow it off when its been on for several hours, It doesn't want to come clean.

I hope this little tid-bit helps you to keep it clean Jmlelii. Good luck, Let me know how it works for you.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/14/2004 06:31:07 PM · #9

hi ... i had the dust problem with my nikon d100 and found that blowing with a bulb did not help whatsoever (on the contrary, every time i tried i moved around a few of the particles and deposited some more ... and in any case i'd be really careful with canned air)
at the end i tried the rubber spatula/pecpad/eclipse method ... after 3 attempts i had a reasonably clean ccd. i started a thread on this a few weeks ago, because i was a bit afraid of trying it at first ;-)
i also posted some before and after dust pictures there:

//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=85634

Gringo

Nikon D2X

05/14/2004 06:51:34 PM · #10

Originally posted by t_online:

I'm not knocking the method of cleaning you've described t_online. I bought a 5 year bumper to bumper warranty that is void if I touch the CCD at all. So Im better off if I were to drop my camera in a lake.

Also, the Can of air can make a total mess if you aim it directly towards the CCD. I just create a draft by swirling the air in a circle inside the sides of the camera body. I never aim it at the CCD. I've never needed to.

05/14/2004 07:30:16 PM · #11

well ... everybody has got to do what they feel comfortable with

bayonic

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/14/2004 07:37:09 PM · #12

i first noticed specks on my EOS300D pictures a week after I bought it . . although it may have been there at the time of putchase . they only show up at smaller apertures.

tried the cleaning procedures described in the Canon manual , and all that did was re-distribute the specks.

took it to Canon , who before cleaning it informed me that they found a scratch on the filter . . . and suggested replacement.

bottom line : if the camera's still under warranty , bring it to canon for cleaning...

Gringo

Nikon D2X

05/14/2004 07:48:28 PM · #13

Originally posted by t_online:

well ... everybody has got to do what they feel comfortable with

When my warranty is up, I'm sure I will be doing my own cleaning as you have shared. But by then the new super auto-spot-wash lenses will be out and my Xenon aerodynamic urethane CCD with auto-spot repeller will be sitting inside my camera bag. ;)

Nazgul

Canon EOS-20D

05/14/2004 07:53:21 PM · #14

well if you got dust on your sensor I seriosly doubt any warranty will cover that...

I had that problem and got it cleaned at the place i bought my camera and had to pay full price for it ......

Seems we ppl in Iceland are better set than many of you americans when it comes to support, I didnt have to ship my 10D anywhere and got it back in 3 days or so;)

05/14/2004 08:01:02 PM · #15

I am going to attempt to clean it myself. I cant wait 6 weeks and not have my camera.

05/14/2004 08:24:07 PM · #16

Originally posted by Gringo:

by then the new super auto-spot-wash lenses will be out and my Xenon aerodynamic urethane CCD with auto-spot repeller

haha ... but seriously, this is obviously a problem none of the manufacturers have thought about when they should have, and i think they should really come up with some viable solution

05/14/2004 08:25:38 PM · #17

Originally posted by jmlelii:

I am going to attempt to clean it myself.

read the tutorial ... it really helps!!

//www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning

05/14/2004 09:34:53 PM · #18

seems I have successfully removed the dust. YAY for the baby snot cleaner idea!

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

05/14/2004 09:44:52 PM · #19

Originally posted by Nazgul:

well if you got dust on your sensor I seriosly doubt any warranty will cover that...

Ellamay sent her Rebel to Canon Calgary for this procedure. I was covered under warranty, and there was no charge. She paid for shipping to Calgary, Alta. Canon covered the return. It took two weeks, all in all.

pitsaman

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

05/14/2004 09:55:21 PM · #20

Happened to me when I was at Moab Utah.Bought bottle of air under pressure at a drug store ,switched camera to clean sensor and blow the dust away ! Very easy :-)

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II