cleaning

[thebeard]

i think its my sensor, as i've brushed up and cleaned my lenses and viewfinder, but i still get little dark blotches when i take pictures looking into bright areas ie the sky in landscapes. i don't have the first clue how i'd clean it, but is there a way to get it done professionally? is it costly too?

[Mike Jackson]

I think a professional sensor clean is in the region of £40.

I've not done my 50D but I did my 300D a few times using digi pads (www.digipad.co.uk ). If you google sensor cleaning you'll come up with plenty of sites. It's generally recommended that you use a rocket blower before attempting a wet clean but I didn't have any success with that. I also tried a product called Pec pads which didn't need any fluid, sort of like fly paper for dust bunnies, but without success.

Mike

[Boddie]

I can recommend the Sensor Scope kit. It does a super job every time - I've used it maybe 5 times now. Its a procedure that is easy to perform with good instructions and great results

[Geoff F]

I use the Digital Duster kit which comes with a miniature vacuum cleaner as well as plenty of sensor wipe pads. The vacuum cleaner brush allows for a good clean around of the internal camera body area.

There are many successful cleaning kits around now and aren't difficult to use if you are reasonably dexterous and mechanically minded. But if you are totally 'ham fisted' and the idea fills you with foreboding, get it done professionally.

[tristanba]

SensorKlear is good, it's basically just a lenspen and only costs a few quid

[AndyElliott]

(apologies for flag-waving as this will not be of help to somebody with a dirty sensor).

I have never had to clean my sensor on any of my Olympus cameras (total shutter actuations in the 90,000+ region). Their SSWF system actually does what it is meant to do. Comparative review here: Review: Dust removal systems / sensor cleaning - Pixinfo.com. This review doesn't include the Nikon system, which doesn't seem to be much better than the other non-Olympus systems based on a friend's D300 experience.

If you have to clean a sensor within the warranty period - make sure you consider whether your actions may invalidate the warranty. Personally, I would be concerned about making matters worse hence I would consider the professional cleaning route. I appreciate that there are people who clean their own sensors, so I would be inclined to have one of them show you how to do it before you do anything that could result in a rather expensive repair bill.

Andy

[BillyPilgrim]

I'd recommened using swabs (which are the same width as your sensor) with a couple of drops of cleaning fluid.

These are out of stock but you can get them from other places...

DigiPads Starter Kit Type 2 - Contains 5 Digipads and 10ml Eclipse Fluid (DIGIPADKIT2) - Warehouse Express