Digital Camera Imaging/Sensor Cleaning

GuyPambrun

Just a suggestion John but you might want to consider taking a new shot of the sky as you just received your camera back from the shop not long ago. The nice thing about digital is it doesn't cost any money.

JohnLittle

Hi Guy,

I did that yesterday, early before the clouds rolled in, and then converted it in the NX software.

I found only one small spot on the sensor, and I could only see it with the magnification set to 100%, so they did a really decent job on the cleaning.

I will also do the same thing on the D200 when it comes back.

Once again, an ecellent suggestion (beats the daylight out of fighting the gray card).

John

DeanHeald

To check for dust spots on my Canon 30D & 20D, I set the aperture to something very small, like f/32. Then I take a picture of my computer monitor with a blank white background (empty Word document). Don't worry about what lens you use or focus. I then transfer the picture to my computer and equalize the image in Photoshop. You will see all the dust spots. I then blow out the camera sensor area with a Rocket blower or similar device. Check again using the above procedure, and then use Sensor Swipes with Eclipse cleaning fluid. The Sensor Swipes come in specific widths for your particular camera. I only use the swipes & Eclipse when the dust spots are stubborn. Other times, I use an Arctic Butterfly or similar Visible Dust brush to do routine cleaning.

Dean

KenJr

Take the time and look at this site. It was sent to me by a friend who is a professional aviation phographer. I will be attempting the same cleaning this week.

http://www.copperhillimages.com/index.php?pr=tutorials

GuyPambrun

Using a Canon 100 - 400mm IS lens on my 30D is an ideal piece of equipment for photographing aircraft with one exception. Because the lens has a push / pull system for zooming it tends to suck a lot of dust into the camera and place it on the sensor. I have to clean it quite often and have purchased the " Arctic Butterfly " cleaning brush along with " VisibleDust Sensor Cleaning Swabs " & " Smear Away " fluid. ( http://www.visibledust.com ) If a person follows the instructions to a tee they should obtain next to professional results. Granted the entire package added up to quite a bit of cash( about $180 Cdn ) but in the long run it has saved me time, money and the frustration of sending my camera away. There is an alternative in my area and that would be to take it to a service shop but at $50 a cleaning I thought it best to do myself. It's a decision I don't regret.

The following link is a " must read " imo if one decides to use a brush of any sort. If you follow the steps he points out it will save you a lot of frustration. The link will also provide great reading on the entire subject.

http://www.prime-junta.net/pont/How_to/a_Brush_Your_Sensor/a_Brush_Your_Sensor.html?page=4

I hope I've been of some assistance.

Wow... I forgot all about this thread and my post(s) until I came across it killing time in the forum section today and after reading it all I decided to offer a bit of an update.

Since my initial post 6 1/2 years ago I have upgraded my Canon bodies more times that I want my wife to find out about. Presently I shoot with a Canon 6D & & 7D depending on where I am and how close to the runway I can get.

Anywhoo, I still have the same cleaning kit and use the same method as I did when I first posted here without any negative results. I can't imagine owning the gear that I do without it. The supplies and my time have saved me hundreds and hundreds of dollars. I have also saved a few buddies some cash that asked me to clean their gear.

One thing I must emphasize is take your time and always remember you can't be to cautious. If you follow that rule you can disregard all the negative stuff you've read on the net regarding the subject of cleaning your own DSLR sensor.

Happy shootin'.................

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