Sensor Cleaning

Gaffer

Gaffer

Gaffer

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Joined
1 Aug 2007
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I'm sure that sensor cleaning has come up in here before, but I can't find it.

my MPE-65 seems to be outstandingly good at showing off dirt on the sensor, so I tried to clean it.

I didn't want to damage anything, so I kept my air-can well back, outside the camera. I tested on my hand to make sure that the distance felt right.. Not too cold. Not too much pressure. Set the camera on the bench, clicked the shutter in sensor-clean mode and sprayed.

HORROR!

I had the can at the same distance I tested, but a different angle, It sprayed propellant in the middle of my sensor! I watched the spray evaporate.

I put a lens on and took a test shot of the clear blue morning sky. Big ring. Dappled effect in the middle.

I took another test a few minutes later and examined the result on the computer screen. The second shot had lost the outer edge of the ring. The circle was smaller.

A few minutes later and the circle had gone completely.

And there is still some dust... *sigh*

I have seen some images that show the dust on the sensor very clearly. How is that done? (I thought it was just an image taken with no lens but that doesn't seem effective for me...)

Andrew
 
Gaffer said:
I'm sure that sensor cleaning has come up in here before, but I can't find it.

my MPE-65 seems to be outstandingly good at showing off dirt on the sensor, so I tried to clean it.

I didn't want to damage anything, so I kept my air-can well back, outside the camera. I tested on my hand to make sure that the distance felt right.. Not too cold. Not too much pressure. Set the camera on the bench, clicked the shutter in sensor-clean mode and sprayed.

HORROR!

I had the can at the same distance I tested, but a different angle, It sprayed propellant in the middle of my sensor! I watched the spray evaporate.

I put a lens on and took a test shot of the clear blue morning sky. Big ring. Dappled effect in the middle.

I took another test a few minutes later and examined the result on the computer screen. The second shot had lost the outer edge of the ring. The circle was smaller.

A few minutes later and the circle had gone completely.

And there is still some dust... *sigh*

I have seen some images that show the dust on the sensor very clearly. How is that done? (I thought it was just an image taken with no lens but that doesn't seem effective for me...)

Andrew
Click to expand...

just shoot a clear blue sky at f16 or above ideally f22 look at that picture,, you can shoot a white background but blue usually works best,
rocket blower, is by far safer than can spray, now you will probably need sensor swabs and eclipse fluid kits readily available from local cam repairs or big auction site,

be safe dont use can spray inside cam

usually a nice soft brush works for cleaning body and lens rocket blower for lens changes sensor swabs for stubbin stuff.

good luck
 
Take a shot of the sky (or any other bright generic subject) completely out of focus with the smallest apperture possible (f22?). then put the image into photoshop and use auto levels. This will make all the dus spots frightingly clear. As for cleaning, have you tried a rocket blower or sensor brush? Using compressed air directly isn't a good idea for two reasons; One as you have found out is it can trow propellant or vapour onto the sensor, the other is that if you have it too close it can really damage things like the shutter mechanism.
 
As mentioned, using a compressed air can inside your camera is BAD NEWS.
Use a rocket blower first. If that doesn't work, try something like a LensPen (available from a well known high st camera specialist for very sensible prices). I used a LensPen recently on dust that simply couldn't be shaken by the blower, the LensPen worked wonders.
 
Mr_Sukebe said:
As mentioned, using a compressed air can inside your camera is BAD NEWS.
Use a rocket blower first. If that doesn't work, try something like a LensPen (available from a well known high st camera specialist for very sensible prices). I used a LensPen recently on dust that simply couldn't be shaken by the blower, the LensPen worked wonders.
Click to expand...


No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no


Don't listen to him, don't use lens pen inside the camera on the sensor.

In reality NOTHING should touch the sensor, hence you should only use a rocket blower, and why the manual only recommend this. If you have to, touch it, use the copperhill method with pecpads or use a arctic butterfly.

Lenspen traps the dirt under the cloth and if you use that, you are just scrubbing it against the sensor with the dust/dirt which is more than likely scratch the sensor (glass above it).
 
Most digital camera when you clean the sensor you dont touch the sensor as it has a bit of clear glass in front of it and it is this you are cleaning.

You can take the Camera to a good camera shop one that starts with a letter C, not them sods in the letter J shop. They will charge you about £30 to clean it, but it will be insured if it goes wrong and done by some one who has done it lots of times before.

Other wise for my S2 and S5 i use cleaning fluids and sensor swabs to clean mine.

Colin
 
my local camera shop does a cleaning service for £15 which i think is reasonable, as mentioned though, compressed air is a big no no, residue can build up in the can and as you found out, end up on your sensor. One VERY good alternative as i have discovered is the rocket blower :)
 
I did this last week


My work top, had to use cling film, no bin liners, feel like Dextor with it over the table

22453385in3.jpg


Before cleaning (with Auto Level)

39831783ng3.jpg



After about 8 swipes (and a few scrubs....for the really hard ones)


This is now, there are a few left but only can see it at F22 and tiny.

66040329mq0.jpg


Auto Level

35947296no0.jpg


Test shot (The camera still works ! )

92372102ed8.jpg
 
colinuk said:
You can take the Camera to a good camera shop one that starts with a letter C, not them sods in the letter J shop. They will charge you about £30 to clean it, but it will be insured if it goes wrong and done by some one who has done it lots of times before.
Click to expand...

Calumet near Euston "are not able to offer that service at the moment"
Canon will do it once, under warranty, but I need to book well in advance for same-day service.
Fixation near Victoria can do it at the end of the month.

On Fri/Sat, I drive from London to Scotland. Can anyone suggest a reputable place with a while-I-wait service that I might pass? I'm going on holiday and it would be nice to have a clean sensor...

Andrew
 
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