cleaning cameras

[Kerry]

I had panic attacks yesterday as a bit of muck could be seen through the eye piece of my camera. I figured by taking off the lense that it was actually somewhere inside the camera. I did manage to dislodge it but how should I go about cleaning in this situation next time.

Thanks
Kerry

[nightshade]

Best thing is to have a routine so that the camera body and lense is exposed to as few foreign bodies as possible
Replace rear caps asap on lenses
Keep the camera throat covered or pointing downward while the lens is removed
Use lint free materials
this link may be useful,but note the reluctance of people to touch the sensor

How to Clean Your Digital Image Sensor @ UltimateSLR.com : Reviews Tips FAQ News Products are more!

[MalcolmX]

as a digital user you will constantly have this problem and unfortunately cleaning is the only way to remove the dust .i use a system that is made by delkin industries that has a small vacuum and a magnifying illuminated glass that allows you to see the dust on the sensor (dust is not on the sensor it is actually on the antiliasing filter fixed to the sensor)having seen the dust a vacuum device Hoovers it all up . i do use a fluid if stubborn items are present . i clean my sensor before any major photography shots or once a month otherwise. I think sensors are meant to be cleaned and although people give out dire warnings i have yet to hear of anyone damaging a sensor through cleaning following the manufacturers instructions

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Best thing is to have a routine so that the camera body and lense is exposed to as few foreign bodies as possible
Replace rear caps asap on lenses
Keep the camera throat covered or pointing downward while the lens is removed
Use lint free materials
this link may be useful,but note the reluctance of people to touch the sensor

How to Clean Your Digital Image Sensor @ UltimateSLR.com : Reviews Tips FAQ News Products are more!

Thanks for this link and the advice. I shall bookmark it and have a good read. I can still see something through the view finder so I need to sort the problem quickly.

Kerry

[Boddie]

Kerry

If you can see it through your viewfinder it is not on the sensor.

Hold the camera square in front of you, the correct way up, so you can see the front of it.

Take the lens off.

Look into the chamber, and up - so effectively under the part where the flash would slot in (hotshoe)

You will see a small white rectangle, with a number of tiny dots on it - maybe 9 for your camera.

The dust is most likely on here.

Or it could be on the mirror

Use a blower to remove it - if its really tough use a cotton bud (but only on this and never the sensor or mirror) and wipe very carefully.

If you need to speak to me send me a PM and I will let you have my telephone number.

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Kerry

If you can see it through your viewfinder it is not on the sensor.

Hold the camera square in front of you, the correct way up, so you can see the front of it.

Take the lens off.

Look into the chamber, and up - so effectively under the part where the flash would slot in (hotshoe)

You will see a small white rectangle, with a number of tiny dots on it - maybe 9 for your camera.

The dust is most likely on here.

Or it could be on the mirror

Use a blower to remove it - if its really tough use a cotton bud (but only on this and never the sensor or mirror) and wipe very carefully.

If you need to speak to me send me a PM and I will let you have my telephone number.

Ah, brilliant thanks Boddie. Less of a worry then if it isn't on the sensor. I need to buy a blower. Should have remembered to order it when I ordered my polarizer. I shall get one ordered. Is there anything else cleaning wise that you suggest I order at the same time?

Many thanks
Kerry

[Boddie]

I just use a blower as it gets rid of most of the dust. Dont have the bottle to tackle the sensor above that of blowing on it

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by MalcolmX

as a digital user you will constantly have this problem and unfortunately cleaning is the only way to remove the dust .i use a system that is made by delkin industries that has a small vacuum and a magnifying illuminated glass that allows you to see the dust on the sensor (dust is not on the sensor it is actually on the antiliasing filter fixed to the sensor)having seen the dust a vacuum device Hoovers it all up . i do use a fluid if stubborn items are present . i clean my sensor before any major photography shots or once a month otherwise. I think sensors are meant to be cleaned and although people give out dire warnings i have yet to hear of anyone damaging a sensor through cleaning following the manufacturers instructions

Where would I find this system for sale on the net? I have been having a look but can't find it. What do you clean the mirror with?

While scouring the net I found this page that I thought was of interest for those with Canon 400D's: http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/tests/dust_400d/

Kerry

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I just use a blower as it gets rid of most of the dust. Dont have the bottle to tackle the sensor above that of blowing on it

If you needed to clean the mirror but the blower didn't work, what would you be able to use?

Kerry

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by Kerry

If you needed to clean the mirror but the blower didn't work, what would you be able to use?

Kerry

Probably the same as the sensor. Not sure as never had to do it

[Boddie]

Interesting conclusions

The unit we received was pretty dirty inside the chamber. Seems to be a common theme with Canon

The Automatic Sensor Cleaning function did not work very well. Something I agree with

The Append Dust Delete Data software option did a good job, especially when the mask is generated to match the shooting conditions, but you must use Canon's software to take advantage of it. Never tried it - too much like hard work

It is too soon to get rid of the Sensor Brush or Pec Pads and Eclipse! What?

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Probably the same as the sensor. Not sure as never had to do it

If you cant blow it off you could try one of those positively charged brush jobs - very gently - however dont use sensor cleaning fluid/ swabs on the mirror assembly as the degree of pressure required can be enough to push the mirror out of alignment or damage the optical coating.

in my experience 90% of cack that shows up inthe view finder is on the focusing screen rather than the mirror anyway , and you definitely dont want to be touching that.

another one to remember is that when you are blowing dust off the screen / mirror be sure that it doesnt wind up on the sensor

i would suggest that if you can shift it with a blower brush or mini vacuum - you either live with it ( as it wont be on the picture anyway) or have the camera proffesionally cleaned. Fixation in london will do it while you wait for £25 notes (this is a full clean including cavity, mirror , focussing screen and sensor.)

[peterjclarke]

The advice above is very good and I found sensor dust just after switching to digital about 8 months ago a pain in the rear end. It is generally only apparent when you are shooting through a small aperture of say F22 for a landscape. At full aperture the dust is almost totally invisible. Nikon recommend turning the camera upside down and locking up the mirror with the cleaning lock up mirror system (never use blub as the sensor is electro-magnetically charged and will attract dust) then using a decent blower blast a good shot of air into it. Never use compressed air in cans as the propellant can cause damage to the sensor and filter. the best way to check for sensor dust is to get a bit of white card or paper and position your camera infront of it then stop down to F22 and using a cable release or timer delay make an exposure so that the paper appears whit but not burnt out white. This in the house using normal lighting is about a 15-30 second exposure. Then you can see on the screen if your sensor is clean. You can zoom in to check closely and then if it requires cleaning use the blower. Then check again with a new exposure and if needed clean with a mini vac or swab system (following the instructions). I clean mine about once a month or if any dust appears but it's mainly about keeping your lens caps on and being sensible.

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by peterjclarke

The advice above is very good and I found sensor dust just after switching to digital about 8 months ago a pain in the rear end. It is generally only apparent when you are shooting through a small aperture of say F22 for a landscape. At full aperture the dust is almost totally invisible. Nikon recommend turning the camera upside down and locking up the mirror with the cleaning lock up mirror system (never use blub as the sensor is electro-magnetically charged and will attract dust) then using a decent blower blast a good shot of air into it. Never use compressed air in cans as the propellant can cause damage to the sensor and filter. the best way to check for sensor dust is to get a bit of white card or paper and position your camera infront of it then stop down to F22 and using a cable release or timer delay make an exposure so that the paper appears whit but not burnt out white. This in the house using normal lighting is about a 15-30 second exposure. Then you can see on the screen if your sensor is clean. You can zoom in to check closely and then if it requires cleaning use the blower. Then check again with a new exposure and if needed clean with a mini vac or swab system (following the instructions). I clean mine about once a month or if any dust appears but it's mainly about keeping your lens caps on and being sensible.

Thanks for the extra info Peter.

Kerry

[Kev Lewis]

Warehouseexpress sell different cleaning systems. I always use Eclipse cleaning fluid, Pecpads and a Giotto Rocket blower. If I know I have a dust problem I do the following:

1. Take the lens off and use the Rocket blower to clean out the mirror chamber BEFORE using the menu system to set the camera into Sensor cleaning mode.

2. Use the Rocket blower again on the sensor with the camera face down. I then refit a lens and recheck for dust, if I haven't got it all then

3. Use the Eclipse cleaning fluid and Pecpads. The Eclipse fluid is 100% pure methanol and does not leave any residue so it can be used to clean the mirror as well BUT be very very gentle. The mirror is probably 50 times easier to scratch than the sensor, the coating is very fragile.

After you do it once you'll wonder all the fuss was about

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Kev Lewis

After you do it once you'll wonder all the fuss was about

unless of course you scratch your anti aliasing filter , in which case your camera will be wrecked, the repair will cost more than the camera is worth (at least in kerry's case), your insurance almost certainly wont pay, and the only thing you'll be wondering is why you didnt leave it to the proffesionals.

each to their own and all that but my take is that if you cant shift it with a blower have it cleaned - you have a very small chance of damaging it true but very small aint the same as none , and i just dont fancy it.

also dont forget that if there are only a few specks on the sensor that cant be blown off you can just set up a photoshop action to remove them from the pics

[Kev Lewis]

Originally Posted by eeyore

unless of course you scratch your anti aliasing filter , in which case your camera will be wrecked, the repair will cost more than the camera is worth (at least in kerry's case), your insurance almost certainly wont pay, and the only thing you'll be wondering is why you didnt leave it to the proffesionals.

The only time my sensor was cleaned professionally was when the camera electronics failed and I had to have it repaired by a very well known Canon service centre. The sensor looked like it had been put in front of a hoover set to blow! it was appalling and took me 3 attempts to remove the debris that had been left behind after a professional cleaning.

If you plan on cleaning your sensor without following instructions or using a homemade brillo pad then I would agree, get it done professionally. Otherwise get someone to show you how to do it once if someone is available and then just treat it as just another simple cleaning routine on the camera.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Kev Lewis

The only time my sensor was cleaned professionally was when the camera electronics failed and I had to have it repaired by a very well known Canon service centre. The sensor looked like it had been put in front of a hoover set to blow! it was appalling and took me 3 attempts to remove the debris that had been left behind after a professional cleaning.

Canons (un)clean room strikes again - i once had a new camera from canon that had so much grot inside i sent it back for a replacement - what they do to them is anybodies guess - I have had mine done three times at fixation in vauxhall it costs only 25 notes , they do it while you wait and the camera is returned spotless - you can also chat up their extremly cute sales staff while you wait which is an added bonus

Originally Posted by kev lewis

If you plan on cleaning your sensor without following instructions or using a homemade brillo pad then I would agree, get it done professionally. Otherwise get someone to show you how to do it once if someone is available and then just treat it as just another simple cleaning routine on the camera.

it only takes one bit of grit - which isnt that unlikely if youve been using the camera in a coastal environment - I clean mine with a blower and sometimes with a minivacum but i never touch the sensor

still its very much a matter of personal choice and all approaches are valid (except for the guy andy rouse mentions in his book who got marmalade on his sensor while cleaning it )

I think we can all agree that the best approach is not to get cack on your sensor in the first place if you can avoid it - ie change lenses in a sheleter environment with the camera turned off , and clean the rear element of yor lens before fitting it

[Kerry]

What does everyone clean their actual lens with? Is it OK to use the clothes that you would get from an opticians?

Kerry

[Kev Lewis]

funny you mentioned Fixation lol

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by Kerry

What does everyone clean their actual lens with? Is it OK to use the clothes that you would get from an opticians?

Kerry

Yep, just breathe on it and wipe softly

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Kerry

What does everyone clean their actual lens with? Is it OK to use the clothes that you would get from an opticians?

Kerry

you can also buy specific anti static microfibre cloths from camera outlets but it doesnt really matters so long as it is lint free - you dont want to be leaving bits of fluff on the front element. (note this also rules out kitchen paper)

then like boddie says just breathe on it and wipe it gently in a circular montion starting at the centre and working outwards. be sure to keep your fingers off the glass or you will leave smears.

Also note that it is a good idea to blow it first as you dont want to scratch the front element with any bits of grit that might be on it - It also isnt a bad idea to fit screw on UV filters to the front of all your lenses to protect the front glass , just remember totake em off before fitting other filters.