DSLR Sensor Cleaning

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Fri May 04, 2007 8:24 pm

I've just downloaded my latest batch of photos from a Canon 30D and they all have an ugly blob in the top right corner

I've tried cleaning the sensor with a blower but nothing's happening.

I know this is a well-discsussed subject in DSLR circles. But what do you folks out there actually use to clean the sensor of your digital SLR? My "default" is to get it professionally cleaned (London Camera Exchange can clean it in 24 hours for £35).

Cheers,

- Pete

lurkalot · Post by **lurkalot** » Fri May 04, 2007 8:53 pm

Pete, is the camera still in warranty? Providing it is, and you live within reach of a Canon service centre, then you can have the first clean free of charge. I would phone and check first though.

I had my sensor cleaned FOC on my 30D a few months back, not been a problem since.

The Visible dust Arctic butterfly is very good, and handy for cleaning on location.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri May 04, 2007 11:35 pm

Have you got or tried a Giottos Rocket Blower? - they really are the business and extremely powerful.

Oy · Post by Oy » Sat May 05, 2007 7:08 am

I agree - at the first sign of dust I use the Rocket - it usually shifts it.

When it won't - which is rare - I use the Eclipse fluid and Sensor Swab method.

I don't know about Canon but if you wend one in to Nikon to be cleaned - all they do is use a blower anyway.

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Sat May 05, 2007 3:21 pm

Me too. Rocket first and then Eclipse fluid and digipads.

Robin

Alan Thornbury · Post by **Alan Thornbury** » Mon May 07, 2007 9:57 pm

When the rocket blower doesn't shift it, I use a suction device made by Green Clean. It's powered by a compressed gas aerosol canister. There's no contact with the sensor surface and it usually works well, especially if you can target the speck area. So if the "blob" is top right in a photo, its the bottom right corner of the sensor as you look into the chamber to target with the suction tube.

I was never comfortable with anything that touched the sensor but if the dust is well and truly stuck, I guess there's no choice but swabs.

None of these things are particularly cheap, but I started with the traveller kit for about £30 + p&p from warehouse express. A large (400ml) replacement aerosol canister costs about £12 and will probably outlive the camera!

Cheers,

Alan