Sensor Cleaning

[bnorm27]

Can someone please give me some advice on getting the sensor cleaned on my Rebel XTi? I was specifically wondering; a) Is this something that I can or would want to do myself, and b) Does this have to be done by Canon, or can a reputable camera shop do this? As a follow up to this question, what would a reasonable cost be to have the sensor cleaned?

Thanks !

 

[Chikabowa]

You can do it yourself - a lot of people do. I am a wuss and I'm too scared to do it myself so I take it to a local shop and have it done about every 2 months or so (yes that is a lot to have cleaned, but I have a notoriously dirty sensor... all the time!). I've been told that most people get sensor cleaning for around $30-40 bucks, but honestly, every place I've ever taken it costs $100/cleaning. So maybe I've been ripped off; but I can't find it any cheaper.

From what I've also heard, Canon used to do it for free, but now they are charging for it - around $40. However, I'm not Canon so I don't know the details this is just what I've heard.

 

[spinetnglr]

I have cleaned the sensor on my Nikon D40 several times with great results. I determined what supplies I needed here http://www.photosol.com/index.htm from Photographic Solutions, Inc. Once I knew what I needed I found the products from a reputable dealer on Ebay. You can find dealers that sell every thing you need in a kit with a little searching on Ebay. I got mine from Hunts Photo and Video. The above site also has a clear and informative video on the process of cleaning the sensor. Its located here http://www.photosol.com/video/sensorswab.html . I have not yet cleaned the sensor on my D300 as the in camera sensor cleaning option and a Giotto rocket blower so far have been enough to keep it clean but when the time comes I will clean it myself because it uses the same cleaner and swabs that I purchased to do the D40. I was very nervous the first time I did it but followed the steps in the video and didnt have any problems at all. If you have any reservations at all though about your ability to do it after watching the video I would find a reputable camera shop in your area to do the cleaning for you. The cost of the products to do the job will probably run you about as much as it would for one cleaning but then you have what you need to do many more cleanings if needed.

 

[boBQuincy]

Can someone please give me some advice on getting the sensor cleaned on my Rebel XTi? I was specifically wondering; a) Is this something that I can or would want to do myself, and b) Does this have to be done by Canon, or can a reputable camera shop do this? As a follow up to this question, what would a reasonable cost be to have the sensor cleaned?

Thanks !

http://www.copperhillimages.com/ has all the information and products you need. As for having a camera shop do the cleaning, there are far too many horror stories for me to even think of that.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'd definitely recommend doing it yourself. It's actually rather easy as long as you follow the instructions or some basic rules...and the tools aren't that expensive - probably around the cost of one cleaning at a shop, and you can use them many more times.

First step to cleaning your sensor is to buy a rocket blower if you don't already have one. Any bulb-type blower that has a dust gasket on the intake will do. This tends to work about 90% of the time with sensor cleaning, often you need nothing more! You put your camera in cleaning mode in the menu, which flip the mirror out of the way, take the lens off, hold the camera with the opening facing down, then insert the blower into the opening without touching the sensor and squeeze the bulb quickly and strongly several times to jet out any dust.

If that fails to fully clean your sensor, the next most convenient tool that will work 98% of the time is to get a quality sensor brush. These are very soft bristles that are slightly charged and will pick up dust quite effectively with a gentle stroke across the sensor face.

If after the bulb blower and sensor brush, you still have something on the sensor, then you can go with the wet swab method. Sensor swabs are moistened on one end with a cleaning fluid (there are two types, one for standard and one for coated sensors...make sure you get the right one!!), then wiped across the sensor first on the wet side, then on the dry side. This will solve your sensor cleaning issues 99.8% of the time.

The bulb blowers go for between $20-70 or so, depending on which you get. The sensor brushes are usually no more than $5-10. And the swabs and cleaning fluid might set you back $25 or so. If you get a bulb blower on the cheap side, it will likely take care of your dust issues by itself, at around $20-30. Even with the brush and swabs, you can have a full, comprehensive cleaning kit for $50-60 total.

 

[bnorm27]

Thanks guys! I'm afraid I'll damage something, but I guess I'll have to toughen up a bit.

 

[barrie]

I was really nervous to do it the first time too, but it really was a piece of cake. You just need to be careful. Make sure you don't have any distractions.