Camera Cleaning

[katrinak]

I think I've got a speck of dust on my sensor...

Just wondering if anyone cleans their own sensors? And if so, any recommendations? I'm a bit nervous about doing it myself. (I've got a Canon 30D)

[mugsbigsis]

I would like to know this, too. A just dealt with it on my last camera because I didn't want to "Send it out" to have them clean it.

[sam ellis]

ok so here's the thing. DON'T DO IT YOURSELF !!!!!!!!

I don't know how it works in the usa but I take mine to my local nikon dealership. I stand there and they go off and do it at no charge. they put it into a vacuum chamber and blow it.

If you use the ccd sensor cleaner on your camera you CAN scratch it permanently. It just isn't worth it.

listen to me. ( PLEASE)

[Kathie]

Ditto on the don't do it yourself. I run in to Kits Camera/Ritz Camera and there is always a guy in there who knows how to do it. So far they haven't charged me, but I would willingly pay just to not have to send it off!

[katrinak]

Originally Posted by sam ellis

ok so here's the thing. DON'T DO IT YOURSELF !!!!!!!!

I don't know how it works in the usa but I take mine to my local nikon dealership. I stand there and they go off and do it at no charge. they put it into a vacuum chamber and blow it.

If you use the ccd sensor cleaner on your camera you CAN scratch it permanently. It just isn't worth it.

listen to me. ( PLEASE)

Convinced

[HeidiKnight]

I hold my camera up and spray compressed air inside to blow out dust - saw it on a forum. Haven't had any damage done. I never reach in and clean anything with a cloth or brush.

[beehive50]

My new XTi has a self-cleaning feature on it, so I'm assuming I won't have to do this. Ever. Seriously, tho... how do you know when to clean it? Or if it needs cleaning? Does that piece of dust show up on a photo as a speck of something? (Remember, I'm a newbie w/this camera so cut me some slack for my sill questions! )

[katrinak]

I figured it out Debi when my ds asked me to take a photo of the moon yesterday at about 6pm. The sky was completely blue and the photo has just the white moon in it...and about 6 pieces of little brown specs!

I shot it at about f/11...switched lenses and discovered they are still there...

[SAHMom]

Hey Debi, you'll still need to have the sensor cleaned even with the self cleaning. I think the recommend is sensor cleaning yearly? My D70s has major sensor dust that I'd been putting off taking in because I couldn't be without it. Yet, it's still not in for cleaning and I'm not even using it.
It's something I wouldn't attempt myself, either! I went ahead and got the extended warranty with my D300 from my local shop and it covers yearly cleaning.

[sam ellis]

oh I am so glad I convinced you. It is quite a painless thing to do and if you have dust it is so much better than trying to clean it yourself !

[beehive50]

Originally Posted by SAHMom

Hey Debi, you'll still need to have the sensor cleaned even with the self cleaning. I think the recommend is sensor cleaning yearly? My D70s has major sensor dust that I'd been putting off taking in because I couldn't be without it. Yet, it's still not in for cleaning and I'm not even using it.
It's something I wouldn't attempt myself, either! I went ahead and got the extended warranty with my D300 from my local shop and it covers yearly cleaning.

Thanks, Kim! And, I actually did by the warranty, too, so hopefully mine will be covered, too!