Cleaning a DSLR

[chirurgeon]

I am not comfortable cleaning the mirror and sensor of my camera myself. I have noticed a small flaw in some of my photos that I am guessing is caused by something on the sensor. How much should this cost to be done at a camera shop? I have a Canon Rebel XT.

TIA,
Kim

 

[boBQuincy]

Read some of the horror stories and you will never take it to a camera shop. Send it to Canon or do it yourself (with the CopperHill kit).

 

[MICKEY88]

I am not comfortable cleaning the mirror and sensor of my camera myself. I have noticed a small flaw in some of my photos that I am guessing is caused by something on the sensor. How much should this cost to be done at a camera shop? I have a Canon Rebel XT.

TIA,
Kim

have you ruled out dirt on the lens...

 

[chirurgeon]

have you ruled out dirt on the lens...

No, it is there with different lenses. And I only see it in the sky of landscape shots. If it is anything but the blue sky, you can't see it. The camera is 4 years old I think and has never been cleaned. I have ordered the Copperhill kit. I will try and clean it. I will try and be brave.

Kim

 

[Groucho]

Before you do a sensor cleaning, buy a Rocket Blower. Put the camera in sensor cleaning mode, face it lens-mount-down, and blow the rocket blower up against the sensor several times. Remount a lens and see if the spot is gone - it probably will be!

I haven't had to do a wet cleaning at all on my two currently DSLRs, between the rocket blower and the built-in antidust features on one of them. That being said, I did do it on my first DSLR a few times, and it's really not a big deal at all. The amount of money that the camera stores get for it (and the poor job they often seem to do!) is practically criminal!

 

[frugal_mar]

I had the same problem on my Nikon and I used a Giottos Rocket Air Blower. It worked like a charm. On a trip to Disney, I had forgot my Rocket blower and got a spec of dust. On all the sky shots I had to use photoshop to remove them.

Now, I have a D90 and that has a built in cleaner. But, I always back my air blower for trips just in case.

I believe that the air blower method is less evasive than using a Copperhill kit. I would first try the blower method and if it doesn't work, then go for the more evasive method.

I found the instructions in my user's manual. I assume that Canon has similar instructions.

Good luck.

 

[gruZ]

Great advice on the Rocket Blower and Copperhill cleaning menthod. Cleaning the sensor the first time or two is a bit nerve racking, but if you follow the directions (and they are very good step by step instructions) it's no problem!

 

[chirurgeon]

I am also going to get the rocket blaster and try that first. I know it can't hurt. I just have to make myself be calm and do it.

Thanks for all the advice.

Kim

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Another option is to just lick it clean. Please note that I didn't say that it is a good option.

When you do clean it on your own. Make sure that you have a reliable source of power for the camera. Either plug it in to a UPS or use a fully charged battery. If you lose power while you are cleaning, the shutter will close. If your cleaning tool is in the way, bad things are likely to happen.

 

[chirurgeon]

I tried to see if I could get to the sensor cleaning and my camera doesn't give me the option to clean the sensor. The set up 2 option is only giving me language, video, and communications. It doesn't match my owner's manual. The battery level is showing as full power. I don't know where to go from here.

Kim

 

[chirurgeon]

Canon customer service is great. There is one little thing not in the directions. The camera has to be set on P for the sensor cleaning to come up on the menu. I think I got the spot with the puny air bulb I have right now. I will do this again when I get the rocket blaster I ordered. The fast service I received today was great. I definitely see the new T1i in my future. Santa, did you hear that?

Kim