Cleaning the sensor of a Canon 400d

[batema (Mark)]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could advise me if you can clean off dust mites from the sensor of a Canon 400d. The manual tells me how to lock up the mirror for cleaning however states this is really only for Canon technitions and does not say how to do it yourself. I know that taking flats will help however just got back from 2 weeks central Australia holiday with lots of dust and despite my best efforts have these gremlins on my sensor.

Thanks

Mark

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Mark do a google search for "arctic butterfly" I have one and I swear by it for all my sensors.

[matt]

I use a bulb blower to get the easy-to-remove stuff off the mirror and sensor.

If that doesn't work, there are reasonably inexpensive cleaning kits which you can buy from photographic shops. If you are that nervous about it, perhaps ask someone in the shop to show you how to do it the first time, before you start doing it yourself.

It's something you'll have to learn.

Good luck.

[Dennis]

Have a look at this site for general information.

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

I use the method described here:

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

Cheers

Dennis

[Paul Haese]

You could use a tech to give you a professional clean. However there are dry and wet cleaning kits. The dry kits are for dust that does not stick to the sensor cover surface. The dust can be easily removed with the dry brush. Wet cleaning kits are used when some dust is stuck onto the surface of the glass cover. These kits are the best, but cost quite a bit of money. The techs use these more often that the dry kits.

If you own a DSLR you should have at least a dry kit. Cleaning your sensor through a tech gets really expensive at $80 per time on average. Do not use metholated spirits or distilled water on a cotton wool bud or anything like that. You can damage circuitry if you are not careful, many people advocate its use but it should not be used.

I would go to your local pro camera shop and ask them to show you how to clean your sensor. A good shop will show you how it is done and then you can do it yourself. It is very easy and not as daunting as you might think.

[batema (Mark)]

Thank you all.

Mark

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

One of the Camera Houses in Brissie was going to charge me $100 to clean mine. Then recommended that it should be done at least once a month.
Wonder how many people they've sucked in to doing that?

[leon]

JJJ that is outrages, once a month indeed. I clean mine on a regular basis, and only use a Giotto hand blower which works just fine.

I also have a new Artic Butterfly cleaner which has never seen daylight, might have to sell it i think, as I like the blower option better

Leon