Sensor cleaning

[TrevorW]

Just got qouted $60 to clean my DSLR sensor on the modified Canon 350d,

no cut glass or filter in front of the sensor

I've got an Artic Butterfly for surface dust but what is the best and cheapest wet cleaning system

ideas and where to buy

appreciated

[troypiggo]

Are you saying your modded 350D just has the original filter removed and there's no glass/filter at all on the sensor? Man, I'd be very careful wet cleaning that. If the dust/spots are that bad that it really, really needs a wet clean, I'd pay someone the $60 if they are experienced and know what they're doing rather than attempting it myself.

[jjjnettie]

Camera House quoted me $100 to clean my sensor. $60 sounds like a bargain.

[leon]

If there is nothing but the actual sensor I would leave it alone, the glass in front usually is no big deal, but the rest is pretty sensitive.

Having said that, how is this experienced person going to do this job, other than a air blow job. :shrug:

He/she would be in the same situation as you are about actually physically touching the sensor, wet or dry.

I would ask their method before i would let then proceed. ;)

Leon :thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

They've been informed that there is no filter in front of the sensor and Eric from Ezystyles who modified the camera says in can be done

Cheers

[leon]

Trevor we are sure it can be done, but I would like to know how it would be done.

Lwon

[TrevorW]

Leon Eric suggested Sensor Swabs using Eclipse Solution but I thought I'd let the techs do it first that way if they fu then it's on their back not mine.

I was trawling here to get info where to buy etc

Cheers

[dpastern]

Good luck Trevor, might be a tricky job imho. I'd be making sure to get something in writing that if the person cleaning it screws up, they cover the cost of the sensor repairs, etc.

I wouldn't go near it myself. I'm a bit miffed with Canon Australia - whilst our American fellows get it mostly down for free, Canon Australia charges through the roof for what is, in reality, a design flaw. I base this comment on the fact that modern DSLRs have self cleaning sensors - if there was nothing wrong with the original design, why change it?

My sensor on my Mark IIn has hundreds and hundreds of dust bogies, much to my annoyance. And no, I didn't put most of them there, they were there when I bought the camera. I notice them more than most, since I shoot macro. If I'm doing macro, it means cleaning up to around 300 dust spots from EACH image...it's one of the reasons that I rarely use the camera these days.

Dave

[TrevorW]

Hi David

The techs have done it got a message to say it's ready (no questions) the job card written out showed no filter in front of the sensor so they must have been confident

I've ordered an Astrnomik EOS LP clip filter from Opt it can be left in the camera even when putting a lens on

It might stop some of those dreaded moties however I think I'll keep the camera in a plastic bag when not in use

Dust just seems to get in no matter how careful you try to be

[Octane]

I was under the impression that the first clean is free. Maybe it's different for second-hand cameras?

Regards,
Humayun

[dpastern]

Well, that's good news Trevor.

H - not that I'm aware of. But then, Canon support in Australia hasn't impressed me one iota.

Dave

[Octane]

I have been very lucky. They've looked after me pretty well!

Regards,
Humayun

[MrB]

Hmmm, I thought there was a glass cover bonded to the sensors ceramic package. That is, the CMOS sensor is not actually exposed by simply removing the filter.
Could have sworn I saw one when I fitted the Baader filter to mine.

[dpastern]

I'm glad you've been looked after by Canon Australia well. Sadly, my memories of Canon aren't so nice and it's a huge part of the reason why I really want to switch to a Nikon D3 (far better camera than anything Canon offers imho). And yes, I've played with a 1D Mark III and a D3. The D3 wins hands down imho - no contest.

Dave

[TrevorW]

May be of interest I assume CMOS would be similar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqJksXwrx7U

[EzyStyles]

Thats absolutely correct. Although Trevor has his 350D original filter removed, the cmos sensor is protected by another layer of glass hence using swaps to clean it will be fine. Removing the filter doesn't reveal the sensor completely. it is still protected by another layer of glass in a 350D. :thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Thanks Eric

I had it cleaned by the so called techs but they said they couldn't remove every mark

any ideas why not ????

[EzyStyles]

hi Trevor. would you know what method they used to clean it? how did they clean it?

[TrevorW]

I checked again and was now told they did a rubber stamp clean a product they get from Canon

[EzyStyles]

sounds like they probably used a rubber spatula with pec pads and liquid. haven't heard of 'rubber stamp'.

[TrevorW]

Eric I found this on the web it's a Canon product and the only one they recommend

http://www.flickr.com/photos/obskura/2578720805/

I noted when looking up sensor swabs and Eclipse they are not recommened by Canon yet other manufactures do

Where do you get your Eclipse and swabs from

Cheers

[EzyStyles]

This will help you Trevor:

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/methods.html

I use sensor swab and eclipse. they are widely available from camera shops. can't remember where i got mine but have lasted for afew years.

[EzyStyles]

here:
http://www.qualitycamera.com.au/photographic-solutions-cleaning-c-24.html

[TrevorW]

$88 for 12 swabs and $30 for a small bottle of Eclipse

$45 and $8 respectively in the US

also someone uses pec-pads wrapped around a plastic swipe

selling a wet and dry kit for $100