Dslr Sensor Cleaning

[Peter-phillips]

I've got some horrible crud on my sensor and want to clean it. Scanning the internet tells me that simply setting clean mode and blowing it won't work! I either need static charged brushes or special cleaning pads and a very pure cleaning solution - or both!

I have a friend coming over from the UK in a few weeks time so could buy there - but does anyone in Bangkok stock this sort of kit? I live in Pattaya so I don't want to go there on spec!

Many thanks, Peter

[astral]

IMHO don't even think about it!!

Get it done by the camera distributer.

I believe some cameras have a cleaning facility builtin,

but even that should be used sparingly.

[Peter-phillips]

Thanks for that - but I think it's essential and I think I trust myself more than a local camera distributor - my shop hadn't even heard of sensor cleaning! It is after all a piece of glass. I've ordered a kit from the UK.

If you want to check for yourself - take a picture of a bright sky with a telephoto at f22, ideally close focused (do this manually). If you change lenses frequently then you will probably see a few round marks and strange dots - this is dust on the sensor. Alternatively, simply look at the sky in your pictures taken well stopped down (f11+).

Anyone interested, I'll post my experience when the kit arrives.

Peter

[hughden]

I ordered a kit from the USA a few weeks ago and it has yet to arrive; so would be interested in your supplier, assuming yours arrives OK.

I agree, I would rather clean myself if I was unsure of the abilities of the agent. It does not appear to be that difficult and you will not do any damage provided you approach the task properly. I understand you are actually cleaning a glass cover over the sensor and not the sensor itself.

There are a few people who do it successfully with Q tips and heavy breathing on the sensor!

My 30D has some spots which have not come off with the blower method; so the sensor will have to be cleaned.

[Nordlys]

Agreed with Astral. I wouldn't want to try it myself on my 5D (full-size sensor). Can't afford to screw it up. Why risk it when there's a service center in Thailand (at least for Canon)? I think Nikon sells cleaning kit under their own brand. But I thought Canon doesn't recommend users to clean the sensor themselves.

[Firefoxx]

I've cleaned normal dust off my 350D pretty easily, with the blower method. If it's stubborn enough to resist this method, you should go the distributor. I know that Canon Thai provides sensor cleaning services.

[Peter-phillips]

An update on my sensor cleaningA friend brought me out my Visible Dust cleaning kit (14,000 baht) - the day before he arrived I left my camera on the back seat of a taxi in Bangkok - never to be seen again! So cleaning the sensor was a bit irrelevant! (ps have now replaced it - nice clean sensor).

However, whilst in Bangkok I asked about materials in Fotofile (3rd floor) - they didn't stock any but said their technician would do it for free. When I asked about exactly what he/she would do the answers got a bit vague - but it may be worth giving them a trial.

[marktomaras]

I have owned a few dslrs now and my suggestion in that you use a product from a canadian company called visible dust. they make a brush which is, in my opinion the only way to clean your chip. Recently my 1DsmkII was at canon thailand for a minor repair. They also "cleaned" my sensor free of charge without my asking for it. They used canned air and a sticker to remove the dust. When I inspected, there was more dust and smudges than before! Furthermore, the pads and stickers, and especially canned air all have damaging potential. I am a huge fan of the brush. Oh, i even have one for sale! just remembered this. I use the brush made for the full size sensor of the 1Ds, but I also have a smaller brush for cameras with a crop factor. I have since sold my smaller chip camera. so if you're interested, we can meet and I'll give you a demo...

http://www.visibledust.com/products.php?PID=206

-Mark

See profile for email address.

[Peter-phillips]

Mark, thanks for the offer! I have aleady purchased a Visible Dust cleaning set!