Time for a sensor clean?.

benneh

benneh

benneh

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Basically I'm wondering whether this is entirely related to my sensor (350d), or whether it could be the specs of dust that seem to be inside my lens glass (literally on the inside of the kit lens glass), OR, is it marks on the the piece of glass which is just inside the body of the camera when you remove the lens (the one that sits at an angle and is impossible to clean without leaving streaks!).

Either way here's a few pics, and if any of you guys could recommend a course of action I would greatly appreciate it (I.E taking it for sensor cleaning or maybe the other bits I mentioned).

Pic of the sky taken at f22, 1/40 with kit lens. Then inverted and contrast ramped.

80235647rj4.jpg


Or for those who arent seeing the spots:
67114555hi4.jpg


In other shots I've counted 50 definite marks. Not looking good :(.
 
That doesnt look too bad to me! Maybe open it or a use one of those hand pump blowers to disloge it, but theres always the chance that when you finish they'll be more dust then when you started!

Do they show up in pictures at all?
 
^^Gord^^ said:
If it was me I would clean it all myself using Pec Pads and Eclipse solution.
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What he said!

You should really do the test with your white balance set properly then give it ye olde bump in photoshop Auto levels and watch the dust show!

I have been using sensor cleaning pads and Eclipse fluid for years until last year I bought a medium sized Giottos Rocket blower and I swear to you I havent used a fluid/pad combination since and believe me, my sensor picks up a hell of a lot of dust..

Run the hot tap for 5 mins in the bathroom with the windows and door closed. Get it nice n steamy (this will cause the floating dust to become heavy and fall to the floor) Let the steam clear and go in there with your camera and turn it mount down and insert rocket blower and give it several hard puffs!.. No dusty anymore!

Do the same thing if your gonna use the pec pads.. Take it into a clean room.
 
You say you aren't sure if its on the sensor or the lens, have you tried with another lens? If the marks are still there it will be the sensor, if they change/go then its on the kit lens.
 
benneh said:
OR, is it marks on the the piece of glass which is just inside the body of the camera when you remove the lens (the one that sits at an angle and is impossible to clean without leaving streaks!).
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Thats the mirror mate, That has nothing to do with the sensor, That will flip up exposing the shutter and then behind that, the sensor.

Its a periscope system.

Don't make a habbit of cleaning your mirror as you could put strain on the elevation system and reuduce the lifespan of your mirror.
 
Fstop11 said:
Thats the mirror mate, That has nothing to do with the sensor, That will flip up exposing the shutter and then behind that, the sensor.

Its a periscope system.

Don't make a habbit of cleaning your mirror as you could put strain on the elevation system and reuduce the lifespan of your mirror.
Click to expand...

I say as much as don't ever touch it, the mirror will affect focusing too.
 
Fstop11 said:
What he said!

You should really do the test with your white balance set properly then give it ye olde bump in photoshop Auto levels and watch the dust show!

I have been using sensor cleaning pads and Eclipse fluid for years until last year I bought a medium sized Giottos Rocket blower and I swear to you I havent used a fluid/pad combination since and believe me, my sensor picks up a hell of a lot of dust..

Run the hot tap for 5 mins in the bathroom with the windows and door closed. Get it nice n steamy (this will cause the floating dust to become heavy and fall to the floor) Let the steam clear and go in there with your camera and turn it mount down and insert rocket blower and give it several hard puffs!.. No dusty anymore!

Do the same thing if your gonna use the pec pads.. Take it into a clean room.
Click to expand...

I've given it a good blowing with a medium sized rocket blower (many times), and tbh I think I've just made it a lot worse. But good idea on the shower room, if I muster the nerve to clean the sensor I'll definitely dot that.

Fstop11 said:
I agree, Stay away.. Ive only had to clean mine once (splodge of rain!) but I used a pec pad ever so lightly
Click to expand...

Hmm, that's not great news then, because I got a small hair on there, and tried to brush it off with a cotton bud, leaving a streak (a streak in the strange surface layer), and basically tried 4-5 times to lightly buff it out.

Jotun said:
You say you aren't sure if its on the sensor or the lens, have you tried with another lens? If the marks are still there it will be the sensor, if they change/go then its on the kit lens.
Click to expand...

I haven't no, but I'm fairly sure that the lens couldn't account for all of that (partially because of the fact that there just isn't that much dust in the lens, and partially because they seem a little too pronounced). Unfortunately I don't have another lens to try :( (yet).

FranchiseJuan said:
To me it looks like sensor dust. How long has it been since you cleaned your sensor? My prefured way of cleaning my sensor is to use sensor brushes.
Click to expand...

It hasn't been cleaned since new (bout 8-9 months old now).


Hmm. Seems I might need to send it in for a clean. I'm not worried about the lens dust, as it's a cheap lens, and I don't think that it would make a great deal of difference. But the sensor and mirror I have probably just made worse by messing around with, and tbh I think I'd rather hand it over to a pro before I do any damage (I think I would be able to clean the sensor without any trouble, but the mirror seems to have an insanely streaky surface, and although I was silly enough to wipe it with a cotton bud I don't think that I could completely de-streak it with cleaning pads/Eclipse fluid).

Any idea how much this costs?. I've been told about a store (well known, but unfortunately competitor) that does 'sensor cleaning Fridays' in Manchester for £35. But that's just the sensor, might it be another £35 for the mirror?.
 
I use my camera daily and I have un noticeable sensor dust on my 30D has I properly excute the rocket blower cleaning method. Unless you can actually see dust in the air then I really cant see why your having problems ( esp saying it makes it worse)

You have to hold the camera upside down during the entire process or dust will of course fall downwards.
 
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