should I get my camera cleaned?

[cryssi]

DH suggested we get the D200 cleaned before our trip. Should we do this? Where do you go? About how much is it?

thanks!

 

[tinksdad]

Does it need it??

Put it aperture mode, set at a high f/stop and take a picture of the blue sky. Download it and look for blobs or spots of "stuff". You might have to to set the focus to manual and infinity to get it to lock on.

If there is dust, then you should clean it. If you don't want to do it yourself, check the local shops and see what they want for it. Then talk to DVCjen and let her talk you out of that approach!!

 

[Furgus]

I just got this kit from Copper Hills. Look around on their site to find some great tips on how to clean your sensor, if you need too.
I also have a Rocket Blower from Giottos. Works great to for blowing dust away.

Take a picture of the sky, of a blank wall at f/22 and then look at the image on your screen. If you see little black specs, you need to clean it, or at least blow it out.
Good luck, I still have not used my kit yet....need to build up some courage

 

[Groucho]

Was it DVC Jen who got her camera professionally cleaned and it turned into a colossal, heart-and-wallet-wrenching nightmare? (I guess so, since I see tinksdad mentioned her too.)

It's really pretty simple and easy to clean it yourself. A bottle of Eclipse, some pec-pads, and something to wrap them around.

Definitely try a rocket blower first - that can get off most dust you'll encounter.

Also, on your test photo, do "auto levels" if using Photoshop... if you Irfanview, you can do "auto adjust colors". Other programs may have similar tools. This will emphasize the differences in colors in your plain white paper photo, so that dust spots will be very easy to see.

 

[DVC Jen]

Does it need it??

If there is dust, then you should clean it. If you don't want to do it yourself, check the local shops and see what they want for it. Then talk to DVCjen and let her talk you out of that approach!!

Don't even get me started.

 

[cryssi]

thanks all...I don't think we'll do it. sorry I didn't answer earlier...

 

[boBQuincy]

Should you get it cleaned? No!
Not unless you know someone else who has had their camera cleaned and it turned out great and you trust their opinion. Then take yours to the same place and hope for the best.

Should you clean it? Possibly. If the sensor shows enough spots to be a problem you should get one of the recommended cleaning kits and go for it.

Either way, it will need to be cleaned eventually, and almost everyone recommends that you do it yourself.